Encoding with Windows Media Encoder

[clothesburner626]

I need to encode to the highest streaming quality possible. Is it as simple as double click the Windows Media Encoder icon >> select convert file >> chosing a source file >> setting the output file >> selecting Windows Media Server (streaming) >> DVD quality video (CBR) and Multiple bit rates audio?

I chose these settings because:

a.) DVD quality video (CBR) was the highest quality offering a 640 x 480 output size (as opposed to high definintion quality video (CBR) which only offers 1280 x 720 output size...... the original was 640 x 480)

b.) Choosing Multiple bit rates audio gave me a total bit rate of 2137 Kbps whereas CD quality audio gave me a total bit rate of 2073 Kbps

Refer above: is it true that if something started out 640 x 480 bumping it up to 1280 x 720 actually decreases the quality?

The company I am doing this work for has their server set up so that when someone streams a file it will detect the best size to feed them based on their connection speed.... therefore, we want to have the best quality vid posted online so that in the event someone with an excellent connection speed logs on, they get the best quality vid; if someone with a crappy connection speed logs on, they get the crappy vid. By hosting the best quality vid on the server, we can always go down to accomodate someone with a crappy internet connection but can't go up. That's why it's so important we have the absolute best quality vid posted.

My question, after all of that is, am I making a mistake by choosing the settings above even though the vid started off at 640 x 480? What's the rule of thumb: If it started off 640 x 480 keep it there; if it's at 1280 x 720 keep it there? Does anyone have any suggestions to help me accomplish what I'm trying to accomplish?

Thanks!!!

[drag2f2f]

I am no expert but I always try to keep the same resoultion or increase it but only by a small amount. I never increase the resolution by a lot and never decrease the resolution.