Compressing raw .mpeg files........

[quarterhorse]

I've searched and searched and maybe I'm looking too hard. I have a JVC hard disk camcorder and it saves video into .moi files. I have found softeware that can convert that to .mpeg2 with mp2 audio, that's fine. BUT, my files are HUGE un-compressed files, and I'm trying to find a way to compress the .mpeg2 files. For example, I have a video clip, 1 minute long, that is 64 MB!!!!!

I go to use Windows Movie Maker, and when I try to import the clip, I get this prompt:

".mpg could not be imported. An interface has too many methods to fire events from"

So movie maker won't let me compress the files. PLEASE help a gear head with a camcorder out!

Thanks in advance,
Dustin

[redwudz]

From what I gather, you should have a .mod and a .moi file. Try changing the extension of the .mod file from .mod to .mpg. More info here: http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/9735p3.html The .moi just seems to be a info file and may not be needed. The audio appears to be AC3, so you may need a decoder for that.

If you want to reduce the size of the renamed .mpg file, reencode it with a MPEG encoder. You shouldn't have to do anything with the audio as AC3 is DVD compliant. (Depending on it's specs. )

And welcome to our forums.

[quarterhorse]

Thanks for the welcome!

Actually for less confusing reasons for me, lets forget about the hard disc camcorder. I have an un-compressed mpeg2 file that I want to compress to a more manageable size, I need to re-encode it with an mpeg encoder? I assume I can do a search on free-ware for one of these?

Thanks again,
Dustin

[ZippyP.]

I have an un-compressed mpeg2...

No such thing, if it's mpeg then it's compressed. That's what mpeg is, a compression scheme.

I want to compress to a more manageable size, I need to re-encode it with an mpeg encoder?

There are many ways to compress your file to a smaller size. If you wish to keep it as an mpeg then you will need an mpeg encoder, otherwise you can use divx or wmv to get it even smaller.

[quarterhorse]

I could care less if I keep it mpeg or not, the main goal is to get it to a managable size to view and host.

[Cornucopia]

64MB for 1min. = 8.53mbps, which is on the high side of standard DVD/MPEG2 compression rates (pro'lly set to "hi quality"). This is still HIGHLY compressed (about 14:1 compression form original "uncompressed" Std Def 4:2:2 video--120mbps).

Ok, you want to make it --MORE-- compressed...
You want to HOST it, so that means you want it viewable online.

Makes much more sense to convert to a more highly compressed format--either an MPEG4 variant (WMV, Divx, Xvid, Flash, QT/MP4) or even better, an h.264 file (aka MPEG4 AVC). Equivalent quality of the same clip reencoded to h.264 would be in the area of 1/4 current size (or looking at it the other way--1/4 bitrate=2.13mbps), or 16MB.
Pre-processing or allowing a little more loss (you do have some room to fudge here) could yield another ~2.3:1 savings, makeing the bitrate = 950kbps. This would give you a file of ~6.9MB. This is QUITE REASONABLE for a 1min file of VERY GOOD QUALITY at FULL REZ.

You want it lower? You're gonna have to make some compromises:
1. Audio quality
2. Video quality
3. Video resolution
4. Audio #channels
5. Length
6. Video framerate

Your turn...

Scott

[quarterhorse]

Okay this is making more sense. MPEG 4 being the most highly compressed, and keeping decent quality. My camera is actally set on "low quality" due to this reason of the files being HUGE.

So the answer to my question is convert to MPEG4 then correct?

How 'bout this one. Are there ANY programs to not only convert MPEG2 to MPEG4 BUT, my files are originally .moi from this JVC thing that drives me nuts. Anything to convert from the .moi files to mpeg4? I did a search on that, but I bring up nothing about .moi files at all.

Thanks Scott, BIG help,

Dustin

[Cornucopia]

MPEG-2 DVD-Movie Quality Video
Using the high quality MPEG-2 data compression
format, you can record DVD-movie quality video at
a variable bit rate. The average bit rate is
8.88Mbps with Dolby Digital Audio*.
* Average 8.5Mbps video plus 384kbps Audio.

High Performance Features
16:9

Quality---Image Size---FrameRate---AvgVideoBR(Mbps)---Audio BR(kbps)---Time(20GB)
Ultra (DVD Movie)---720x480---60i---8.5---384---4 hr. 50 min.
Fine (DVD)---720x480---60i---5.5---384---7 hr. 10 min.
Norm (TV)---720x480---60i---4.2---256---9 hr. 30 min.
Eco (Internet)---352x240---30p---1.5---128---25 hr.

This is all in a MPEG2 Program Stream. Completely DVD compliant (except maybe the lowest quality)--I sure hope you weren't using that Eco mode(to "save space" or something). You could directly author and burn a movie from these.

***All that needs to be done is change the name--there are a number of sites/threads that discuss this, some even with Batch script examples (do a google search on "JVC hard disk camcorder convert").

If you want smaller for web use, yeah you should go with MPEG4 or h.264. AFA programs, what came with your camera? That's usually the one that is meant to understand the .moi/.mod designation (which we now know to be meaning alternately spelled mpg).

Another option would be to burn to disc (as std. DVD-Video) and then use one of the many apps found here for auto DVD->MP4/Xvid/etc.

HTH,
Scott

[quarterhorse]

No DVD burner on the PC. otherwise I would use that. The program that came with the camera is only that, no conversions, just a burning program.

Thanks again,
Dustin

[quarterhorse]

Also, everything I had video taped from a big event was on "Ultra Fine" quality, so yes, that is still all good. There were some garage activities that I put on econo quality to save space.