Compress an Mpeg2 file?

[Captain315]

Thinking of buying a Hauppage PVR150 (or something comparable) that records off of satellite. This program saves files in an mpeg2 format. Since there will be some programs that are long and won't fit on a single 4.7g dvd, I would like to know if there is a program that will allow you to "shrink" the file to the size you need without having to jump through a bunch of hoops. I looked through the guides and ended up more confused than normal. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[yoda313]

Hi,

Well for startres there are three or four modes for recording in dvd mode. The smallest will allow a lot more space.

Also there is a mpeg2 2mb halfd1 mode that is fairly decent and will allow even more record time. You can also set your own bitrates.

Of course you could always author the disc and shrink it on the harddrive before you burn the disc. That will sacrifice some quality so you're better off finding a decent bitrate first to limit the number of conversions you need to make.

Kevin

(I have the wintv pvr 250 and love it )

[Captain315]

I've been researching the Hauppage cards but they just don't give enough information about the software that comes with it to know if you can set it to keep the file under the 4.7 limit of a single dvd. One person says it's the best in the world and another says it's junk. Makes you wonder just what you're going to get. LOL
What software do you use with the 250? Personally, I'd like to stay with the program they send with the card but I've read that it doesn't do as good a job as the BeyondTV or the SageTV. Then others say it's better than those two. What's a person to do? LOL Thanks for the reply!

[jdizzy40]

I have been running a PVR 250 and Beyond TV for past 3 years. There has not been anything that I can't chop commericials out of and fit on a single 4.7g DVD. I have 2 machines running now, one with a MCE 500 (Dual Tv Tuners). You can't go wrong with this setup. Both machines have been stable beyond belief. I'm having storage issues now, where to stack all those slim line cases. Good luck with your choice.

[Stormin Norman]

Might wanna check into standalones, might suit your needs also. Pioneer has some nice models. But I also have a hauppauge pvr-pci which records avi, mpeg1, and mpeg2. Or both (pc and stanalone) if your a nut job like me and many other video freaks here. No complaints with either.

1. Cuttermaran does a good job of cutting and joining.

2. DVDLab is a very good authoring program.

3. Japanese Maxell disc: hard to go wrong with. Read "DVD Media" section
<-- on left tool bar

4. Nero for burning: never had a problem

Happy recording

Stormin

[Captain315]

A lot of good advice here. Can't go with a standalone as I need the ability to control a Direct TV satellite box. The only one that I know that works with Direct is the Tivo and it requires a phone connection to get the guide. My wife and I have personal cell phones and don't have a home phone anymore. (I got so tired of the sales calls all the time.) LOL

jdizzy40.....
How much does the guide cost? Can't find out too much about the "Snapstream.net" guide that goes with the BeyondTV program.

[jdizzy40]

The guide is built into the Beyond TV Program. One time buy for the software. Software downloads 2 weeks of programming on a weekly basis. The program has a alot of other nice features also. I guess you have been to their site? The program supports keyboard and mouse navigation as well. Nice to sit on the couch with a wireless keyboard or just use the remote.