WMV file size weirdness

[Syro]

i'm re-encoding a batch of WMV videos to conform to specific video specs (for the Zune), but I'm noticing a jump in the file sizes (for example, 19 megs to 28 megs, 26 to 44, 26 to 32... overall: 3.49 gigs to 4.26 gigs). they were originally converted from MPEG-2 to WMV using WinAVI Converter to 100 quality VBR video (WMV9 DVD profile) and 128 Kbps/48 CBR. Then re-encoded with Windows Media Encoder to 1125 Kbps VBR video and 128 Kbps/44.1 CBR audio. The thing that makes it weird is the WME encoded files are lower video bitrate and audio sample than the WinAVI encoded files (some go as high as 1600-1700 Kbps), but yet WME file sizes are bigger.

Why are these file sizes bigger and how to I reduce them?

TIA

[Baldrick]

Have you calculated the bitrate? www.videohelp.com/calc and choose divx and set it to custom size and no iso. And check that it is correct in the encoded files?

I haven't had any problem with wme, it makes them correct size.

[Syro]

nevermind... i made the huge mistake of thinking VBR was a better choice for this project than VBR Peak. some of the files were ballooning to 2000 kbps when they shouldn't have been higher than 1125. i know the difference now

thanx for the reply