How do I join two avi files without re-encoding the whole thing?

[jpate86]

I have a simple problem. I have two avi files that I would like to join into one file. I have tried a couple of programs to do this, but every time it wants to re-encode the whole video which takes forever. It seems since the files are the same format, you should be able to just stick the two files together quickly somehow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[redwudz]

What format are they? The AVI name is mostly meaningless as it's the name of the container, not the format. MediaInfo or Gspot should tell you what format you have. There are many, many formats that could be classified as 'AVI'.

In general, both videos would have to be exactly the same specifications to easily join them. AVIDemux or VirtualDub would be my choices for joining AVI type files. AVIDemux is a bit more flexible for that than VD. If the formats differ, then you may have to re-encode one or both to the final format you want.

What programs have you tried to use for joining?

And welcome to our forums.

[jpate86]

Thanks for the reply. I did a little more poking around and found virtual dub. It seems great, but I need some help with the compression settings. I went to output the two files and the file was enormous. It was like 3% in and the file was approaching 5 GB. The two input files are both about 45 minutes long and are roughly 300 MB a piece. What settings would be good to maintain the quality and file size?

[netmask56]

Make sure you select Direct Stream Copy (Video menu item) if you are only joining the files. No processing takes place. The files are simply joined so if each is roughly 300MB then the joined file will be roughly 600MB

[manono]

The two input files are both about 45 minutes long and are roughly 300 MB a piece.

Means nothing. You have to find out the specs of one and then match them in the one you hope to reencode. This means, among other things, choosing a video codec (XviD or DivX, most likely), and not just using the default uncompressed as you did. You can use GSpot or MediaInfo to find out the specs of the 2 videos. If you don't understand what they show, post the GSpot pics for the 2 videos here.

If they append OK, then no reencoding needs to be done and you can Direct Stream Copy as netmask56 said.

[jpate86]

The two input files are both about 45 minutes long and are roughly 300 MB a piece.

Means nothing. You have to find out the specs of one and then match them in the one you hope to reencode. This means, among other things, choosing a video codec (XviD or DivX, most likely), and not just using the default uncompressed as you did. You can use GSpot or MediaInfo to find out the specs of the 2 videos. If you don't understand what they show, post the GSpot pics for the 2 videos here.

If they append OK, then no reencoding needs to be done and you can Direct Stream Copy as netmask56 said.

Thanks! This is the option I was looking for. Worked perfectly!

[jagabo]

Check the audio sync after joining the two videos. Especially at the end.