Converting AVI file to mpeg 2 question.

[ingeborgdot]

I will try to explain this the best that I can but bear with me if I don't make sense.
A filmer films the game with a DV camera. It is downloaded into the computer. It is an AVI file of about 14-16GB. We need to take that avi file and either make the AVI file a smaller or convert it to an Mpeg2 file. It needs to be Avi or mpeg2 because it is going to another computer that is for a broadcasting class that is broadcasting the game. Is there such a thing that just condenses the avi file? If not is there anything that will just make the avi file into an mpeg 2 at 4.5gb to fit on a dvd? Thanks.

[Soopafresh]

yes. Easiest and fastest would be to use ConvertXtoDVD .

[filmboss80]

Yep, ConvertXtoDVD, like Soopafresh sez. Or, if you're feeling cheap, you could go with DVD Flick. Use a bitrate calculator to figure out the bitrate you need. If it's 2 hours long, you'd encode the final MPEG2 at around 5200 kbits/sec; if it's an hour or less, shoot the works at 8000 kbits/sec. That will keep everything on a single DVD disc.

But if you want to edit the footage on a timeline editor like Vegas, Premiere, or VideoStudio, stay with DV avi at that stage. When the edit is complete, you can convert to MPEG-2.

If the footage is going to be broadcast, make sure you ask the broadcasters the exact format they need the footage on. That will save some headaches in advance.

[ingeborgdot]

I tried convertx and when I got into the program it would not recognize the format for some reason. It says that it has to be avi or mpeg 2. It is a type of broadcasting software that came with the computer for a broadcasting class. I don't teach it or anything like that. I am just helping out and am learning as I go along. I thought that convertx was an mpeg2 format.
I do have sony vegas 8.1 but am very new to it. Could you explain the exact process I would have to do to make sure it was in an avi or mpeg 2 format? I will not need to edit it at all.

[Soopafresh]

You need to drop the file into gspot so we can determine the file format

[ingeborgdot]

It says an Mpeg2 file. I wonder if the program is acting up a little bit.

[jagabo]

Why did you think it was an AVI file? Is it named .AVI? Try renaming it .MPG.

[ingeborgdot]

Really?

[jagabo]

No, I just wanted to exercise my fingers.

[ingeborgdot]

Smart alec. It was just an expression. So that is possible? I have never done that before so I will give it a try. Can you tell me how it will affect it or if it will at all?
Yes, it is named .avi.

[filmboss80]

Here's the deal: you have a video file with an avi extension, but you say GSpot identifies it as Mpeg2. That's a huge discrepancy. What else could jagabo tell you?

[ingeborgdot]

Sometimes I don't explain myself correctly and I apologize. I have a folder that has been rendered with convertxtodvd. Gspot says it is an mpeg2 but the program won't read it. It is a vob file when I open it. I also have an avi file of the same thing (raw) not rendered or anything. That is where the avi file comes in. The avi is so much better quality when watching that I want to keep it in that format if possible and that is what they recommend for this program because it is just less time consuming for this project. The problem is that when I had it start up and play the avi file was jerky and terrible. The low gb mpeg file that was made worked with no problem. I called the tech at the company that made the computer and the software for this program and they said it should play fine, no matter what the size of the file. I am kind of confused as to what to do. Do I need to render the avi file to another avi file in my Sony vegas pro 8.1 or should the raw avi work fine? I know this is probably sounding mixed up but I don't know how else to explain it unless I write a book.

[filmboss80]

It sounds as though you are simply having playback-specific problems with the avi file on your particular PC. This could be an issue of your PC's particular video player, something with the graphics card, or perhaps a codec conflict. (I hope you never loaded a codec pack. That will give you tons of trouble.) Look at the original avi file in GSpot. There are many types of avi files. You say it is raw avi -- which is actually the name of an avi format for Mac computers. There are uncompressed avi formats, DV avi (which is what comes from minidv camcorders and is editable on Vegas), and the highly compressed divx / xvid avi formats (not edit-friendly.) Figure out your avi type in GSpot. Also see if GSpot tells you whether you have TFF or BFF field order. Jerkiness can be caused by wrong field dominance. (DV-AVI should be bottom field first - BFF.) I don't know if that's the case in your situation. I'd have to see it firsthand.

FYI: VOB files are containers for Mpeg2 video. It simply provides a structure that will include subtitles, alternate audio tracks, etc. with the Mpeg2 stream.

It might be best for you to simply hand your footage over to the techs who will broadcast it, and let them handle it. I do not know your skill level, but based upon your many, many posts on this forum, I cannot help but think you might be diving head-first into video production projects that may require a higher level of technical expertise than what you're ready for today. And it is very difficult to put it all together by reading a broad array of posts here.

[ingeborgdot]

That's the problem. These are kids and the teacher has less knowledge than I. That is why I am helping here. I am learning a lot along the way as you know that there is a lot to learn.
The avi file is directly from a winDV capture from a DV cam. The maker of the program and computer says the avi file should work. I don't know if it should be rendered or not? He does not seem to know either.

[jagabo]

Examine your original AVI file with GSpot. What does it say about the resolution, codecs, frame rate, etc?

I suspect you have an HDV (high definition DV, 1440x1080) file from an HD camcorder, not a standard definition DV AVI. That might explain why your computer can't play it smoothly. An A64 X2 4400+ should have no problems playing a standard defintion DV AVI video.

This would also explain why the VOB file created by ConvertXtoDVD looks poor compared to the original AVI.

[ingeborgdot]

No, it is a a standard DV cam for sure.
Again I did a poor job of explaining. The avi file is 13gb and does look a little better than the convertx dvd (but in no way is the convertx dvd bad)which is about 4gb. It is just that the program won't recognize the convertx disc. The only one we could get to play on the program is one I created with roxio 10 suite. I don't use it very much and don't know a lot about it but it created a disc with only 1.38 gb on it. I don't know if there is a setting that will let it make a much bigger disc or not and I will have to play with it and find out. I was in a hurry as I don't have a lot of time to do this stuff because this is just something I am doing on the side to help someone out.
It is actually on a computer made by a company in Calif. that builds them special with the programs and gear you need. I think it is underpowered but they say fine. It has 512gb of memory, a 40gb hdd, x300 card, and a 3400 + sempron. I think underpowered but they say everything should work fine.

[jagabo]

So you have an hour long, 13 GB, DV AVI file. This AVI file plays fine on your computer. You converted it to a 4 GB DVD with ConvertXtoDVD. The resulting DVD plays in a standalone DVD player? But doesn't play in some "program" that this broadcaster uses? This program plays commercial DVD, or other home made DVD+-R discs without any problems?

The computer you described should have no problems playing DVD or DV AVI if it's set up properly. It's not underpowered for that.

[ingeborgdot]

I got it to work but with Vegas Pro. I rendered it with a setting I missed earlier. It worked great.