Encoding for PC playback - which codec??

[rumplestiltskin]

I have an iMovie I've made that I've exported to DV. I need to convert it over to a format that a PC can view (and play the audio, as well). My "audience" is a group of fairly non-techie teachers (is that redundant?) who have PCs of varying brands/models/power.

What codec should I choose that will permit someone with a "factory-stock" PC to play my movie?

Thanks!

[celtic_druid]

WMV I guess. WMV 8 is probaly more compatible than WMV 9. For pure compatibility you really can't beat MPEG-1 though.

[mats.hogberg]

WMV I guess.

Provided they are running Windows.

/Mats

[rumplestiltskin]

Unfortunately, I have no WMV encoding app (other than purchasing that miserably unstable Flip4Mac product). MPEG1 looks like it works on my PC (which has nothing but a virgin W2K install and all MS SP's & updates).

Other suggestions welcomed as well. Thanks!

[edDV]

Or just put it on a DVD (MPeg2) for ease of storage.
https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

[mats.hogberg]

Unfortunately, I have no WMV encoding app

Windows Movie Maker? Windows Media Encoder?

/Mats

[celtic_druid]

ffmpeg supports wmv2 (WMV 8) encoding and is free.

Win98 shipped with a MPEG-1 decoder to. I think even 95 did. Like I said in terms of compatiblity it really can't be beat.

Windows Movie Maker? Windows Media Encoder?

On a Mac?

[rumplestiltskin]

ffmpeg supports wmv2 (WMV 8) encoding and is free.

The OSX version of ffmpegX doesn't have this option, unfortunately. I'll look at your other suggestions.

Thanks!

[mats.hogberg]

On a Mac?

That's the first mentioning of Mac in this thread AFAICS...

/Mats

[rumplestiltskin]

I've jettisoned XP as simply a resource hog. I went back to W2K with many of the updates (all security, some for AV). I did a quick search through the Tools section here and found TMPGenc XPress. Then I slapped my forehead as I have it but had never even thought about trying that!

As much as I'd like to find an all-OSX solution (and I may if I keep looking), I'm running my file (an intermediate AVI I had created with ffmegX) through XPress and it seems to be happily encoding. I'll report back when it's done to confirm success.

Thanks.

[rumplestiltskin]

On a Mac?

That's the first mentioning of Mac in this thread AFAICS...

/Mats

Well, unless Apple pulled a fast one, iMovie is only available on the Mac.

[guns1inger]

I though iMovie was a bit of a give away . . .

[rumplestiltskin]

Just to confirm: TMPGenc XPress created the wmv and it plays very nicely in my PC and on my Mac (in WMP).

Thanks to all!

[celtic_druid]

Can't you just use regular ffmpeg under OSX? It supports DV decoding so it should be able to convert direct from DV to wmv, including resizing and deinterlacing.