Good Compression of MPEG2 Files

[drstew]

I've converted/compressed MPEG2 files with Divx Create. The files are much smaller and the picture looks good unless there is motion. I'm wondering what else I might do as a compromise to reduce file size but handle motion better. It seems if there is a conversion that produces an MPEG2 file with 352x480 resolution (similar to what some Lite-On and JVC DVD recorders do when capturing), that this might be a good choice. Can anyone comment on their experience and if there is a guide that shows how to do this?

[mats.hogberg]

Size is all a matter of bitrate. So is quality. DivX/XviD are more efficient compression schemes than mpg. If you want really small file size, you do the same trick with DivX/XviD as for mpg - lower resolution to allow you to drop the bitrate. And for AVI, you're not confined by any standard resolutions - use whatever suits you.

/Mats

[drstew]

So is there a program that I can set the resolution to 352x480 MPEG2 and accept whatever resulting file size this produces? Is there a guide to show how to use the program?

[Baldrick]

you can set the resolution and bitrate with most standalone mpeg encoders(not all-in-one tools),
tmpgenc, mainconcept mpeg encoder, quenc, canopus procoder, cce basic, etc. or see under our tools list video encoders(mpg).

you can calculate the output size using a bitrate calculator or some tools have built in size calculators like tmpgenc, tmpgenc xpress (in wizard modes).

[junkmalle]

You could use VirtualDubMod or VirtualDubMPEG2 to resize the frame and compress to whatever size you want with Divx or Xvid. I don't know about Divx, but Xvid supports a display aspect ratio setting. So you could resize the frame to 352x480 and still have a 4:3 picture aspect ratio. But you will find that not all players (hardware or software) respect the PAR.

You're much better off resizing the the frame to a 1:1 pixel aspect ratio (for example a 720x480 4:3 DVD source would become 640x480, 512x384, 480x360, or whatever). All players should play these properly.