How to convert to avi

[Illusionist]

I have been trying to convert vob, mpeg2 etc..... to avi using Virturaldub, Sony Vegas, Nero vision, Dr. Divx, etc......

And have not completed one file, because either the file never completes or way to large. What I'm trying to do is reduce file size from like 4 Gigs to 700 mb, and Dr. divx doesn't work, when I click on the contrain 700mb setting.

Can anyone suggest a method that works, programs that works.

Thanks for any help.

[redwudz]

AutoGK or FairUse Wizard are a couple of possibilities for DVD a AVI type format. What format do yo want them in? Divx/Xvid?

In VirtualDub, you have to choose the compression and then you can configure the codec to give you whatever size you want.

Or if you want something simple, try Any Video Converter Free Version

[Illusionist]

Hi,
Thanks for answering, I prefer Divx. I've tried to do all the configuring with every program, they work it's just the file sizes are huge, for example I'll convert a 30 mb wmv to avi, it ends up being like 180 mb,. I had one 4.7 movie file convert to 22 Gigs, using Nero DV settings.


I've tried lots of video convertors, just need to know what type of simple program people use to constrain dvd files sizes to 700mb ??

I'll experiment some more, and see what happens. I have no problems, converting movies, but difficulty trying to keep files from being so huge.
Thanks

[guns1inger]

AutoGK works every time for me.

Xvid4PSP if I want H264.

[johns0]

Handbrake.

[guns1inger]

Basically, all of them work, if you know how to use them. If you are saying everything you have tried has encoded, but with overly large file sizes, then you have configured them incorrectly.

Universal rule of digital video :

Filesize = Bitrate X Running Time

Use a bitrate calculator to determine what bitrate you need for the length of the video and the target file size (and frankly, for anything over 60 minutes, I believe 700MB is too small), and configure your encoder yo use that bitrate. You are currently either using a bitrate that is far too high, or doing a Constant Quality encode, which aims for quality without regard for file size.

[manono]

And he also said he created DV using Nero and then wondered why the size balooned to 22GB.

Illusionist, don't use Nero for anything having to do with encoding, and don't create DV AVI - not if you want to keep the filesize under control.

You can set up AutoGK to use the DivX codec (unless it's a real recent one, which it might not support), and have it automatically make a 1 CD (700 MB) encode.

[dfisher052]

I've started using Format Factory. I transfer the DVD to my hard drive, then convert it to an MPEG with vob2mpg, then open it in GSpot to get such info as frame rate, aspect ratio, video size, etc. I then enter that info into Format Factory & then convert it. I have found that frame rate is very important to prevent any jerky motion in the converted video. It has to be the same as the original. It has taken a bit of experimenting to get just the right combination, but the great feature is that you can check it while it is converting with VLC media player so you don't have to convert the whole thing to see what your results is going to be. Timewise it takes me about 5 minutes to transfer the dvd to the hard drive, about 3 minutes to convert with vob2mpg & about 65 minutes to convert to an AVI with Format Factory.
And everything is free but your time, which in this case is not all that long. So far the results have been excellent.

[Illusionist]

Thanks for everyone's help. I installed AutoGK, uploaded my MPEG-2 file, and this is the message I recieve in preview:

DirectShowSource: Could not open as video or audio
Video returned: DirectShowSource: couldn't open file (location) agk_tmp/WDMC T803_2 448Kbps Delay 0ms.ac3

Same for audio.

What I'm trying to do is convert my movies to avi, so I can put several movies onto one disc, save space, watch on standalone divx player.

[redwudz]

Do you have a MPEG-2 codec installed to open the file? XP doesn't come with one. If you need one, Stinkys MPEG2 Codec works well, or you can use the one in ffdshow.