How do you shrink a MPEG-2?

[hadooj]

I have mpeg-2 files that I download from my replaytv that are very large. Is there a way to shrink them down in mpeg format or .avi format so I can fit more on my harddrive? thanks

[daamon]

Hi hadooj,

Check out ReJig. The description best fits what you want to do (transcoding).

I'm not sure, but DVDShrink may accept MPEGs as an input.

Hope that helps...

[mats.hogberg]

AVI (DivX/XviD/Nero Digital) is a better (file size/quality ratio) option if storing on HDD is the only thing you want. If you somewhere along the line plan on creating any disc based format (VCD/SVCD/DVD) you'd better do so with the original mpegs as source material.

/Mats

[SatStorm]

ReJig

If your source is a CBR overkilled file, it does a good job.
If your source is already a multipass low bitrate vbr, then don't expect something that gonna look nice

[hadooj]

thanks for the reply
basically the episodes that I download from the replay (arrested development) are around 900,000kb + so I would only be able to fit maybe 5 on a dvd....I was able to get a couple of episodes from kazxx that I didn't get from replay and they were in around 200,000kb in .avi format....the quality looks the same on the computer for the most part so I just assume if I can reformat to .avi then I would be able to fit more of them onto a DVD...is this wrong? if so, what is the best size for optimal quality and space for an mpeg-2 assuming it is a 1/2 hour series? thanks....

[guns1inger]

If the quality of the originals is high (and a high bitrate does not on it's own guarantee this), then you should aim for 4 episodes to a disk - which is about what you appear to be able to fit now.

Don't be fooled by the small size of the avi's you aquired elsewhere (you are on dangerous ground here), as they use a completely different compression algorythm. To keep the same quality as mpeg-2, you would end up around the same size as your originals.

[hadooj]

good info. to know....thanks

[sacajaweeda]

The search feature on this site is even better.