RM converting?

[Afterlife]

I have a source file a RealMedia file which is around 6mb, I also have the same file in MPEG-1, which is around 22mb. neither one is of amazing quality..

My Q is this i need a MPEG-2 file from one of those, should i convert from the RM to say a HQ DivX or something and then to Mpeg-2 or go from MPEG-1 to MPEG-2. I plan on using this small 1:44 clip as an intro for a dvd im making..

Another thing, is it possible the quality could get better, as the MPEG-1 is more clearer than the RM but boths quality aint that great, was thinking IF I used the best possible settings while converting to MPEG-2 like a 8000kbps CBR or something maybe it would come out a lot better?

Also does anyone know a better way to convert RM other than EO Video, I have yet to use the program to make a successful conversion from RM to anything as everytime i do, the audio is fine but the video skips, probably due to a fps issue....

Thanks!

[mkelley]

The rule of thumb is to never convert from a compressed format to another compressed format -- you'll lose quality. Obviously, if you have no other choice your best bet is to only do it once.

So... whatever you do, you want to be converting from it to your MPEG2.

(And I've never had any problems with EOVideo. I use the MPEG4 format exclusively, however, when doing RM conversions.

[Afterlife]

The RM stats are: 29.0fps, 320x240. RM cant convert to MPEG-2 unless its SVCD.. so should i convert it to SVCD, or convert to DIVX and then MPEG2?

Ive tried near on 13 times now to convert this format but no matter what i do the video fps is screwy its like it skips frames but the audio is perfect.

And ive read the EO guide and i dont see any difference.

[mkelley]

I'm not at my video machine now so I can't tell you any details -- but there should be a Microsoft MPEG4 format you can use for converting. This is the one I've had the most success with.

If I remember this evening to look I'll post exactly what I'm using.

[Afterlife]

k thanks, appreciate it.

[Devanshu]

Use EO video and it should let you convert to mpg 2. I'm no expert at it but I was successful in getting to mpg1...sefy has an excellent guide for it.

[oddbod77]

My Q is this i need a MPEG-2 file from one of those, should i convert from the RM to say a HQ DivX or something and then to Mpeg-2 or go from MPEG-1 to MPEG-2. I plan on using this small 1:44 clip as an intro for a dvd im making..

As suggested above go straight from the MPEG-1 source to MPEG-2, converting to an intermediate format is just wasting time. Forget the RealMedia clip, its just not worth the hassle.

Another thing, is it possible the quality could get better, as the MPEG-1 is more clearer than the RM but boths quality aint that great, was thinking IF I used the best possible settings while converting to MPEG-2 like a 8000kbps CBR or something maybe it would come out a lot better?

No, it won't. The rule "Crap in = Crap out" applies here.

Also does anyone know a better way to convert RM other than EO Video, I have yet to use the program to make a successful conversion from RM to anything as everytime i do, the audio is fine but the video skips, probably due to a fps issue....

There is no better way, only different ways, none of which will give you any better result. The problems you're having are the result of the way RM videos work - the framerate varies with the amount of movement in the video clip.