captured VHS -> encode to xvid = huge files?

[Joachim2311]

Hi All,

I've been playing around with Vdub and xvid - unfortunately without much success.
I've captured video from VHS ntsc recordings ( using my dv camcorder as the junction between VHS player and PC ), the res is 720 x 480. I'd like to produce a vid that is rougly 600megs. All my efforts to resize and encode the capture to Xvid result in files sizing from 1.2g up to 5g. Obviously I'm doing something wrong, at this point I'm thinking it's because the captured video is at 720x480. Now my question - can I resize the capture and make a 1hr 45min vid clip under 700megs.
Or do I need to recapture at something less - say 640x480 or 352x288?

I used WinDV to capture to .avi - then opened said .avi in Vdub selected null transform, deinterlace, and resize filters (352x?). Selected compression->xvid and tried all sorts of different settings from xvid guides I've found.

At this point, i'm not concerned with DVD compliant file- just need a small fize size.

TIA

[DJ Baz]

You didn't mention bitrate in your post, but I'm assuming you've calcutated the bitrate to fit your video into 700MB right?

https://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm/

Otherwise, what kind of audio compression are you using? I ask because if it's captured video you could well have uncompressed PCM (wav) audio which could well take up more space than the video. Best to use mp3 audio, download the Lame ACM encoder if you don't have it, it's in the tools section. 128kbits/sec is a good standard, but don't forget to factor it in when you calculate your video bitrate.

Also, consider splitting your file in two (accross 2 CDs worth). Compression like Xvid depends on large portions of the image staying the same, and analogue sources like VHS are so wobbly that nothing really does stay the same. So, if you're forced to use a low bitrate the quality could be quite rubbish - but then I guess with VHS it never was brilliant to begin with...

[Joachim2311]

Thanks for your reply and info. You're right about the pcm audio - I'll try to encode another vid w/ LameMP3.