Best way (software/settings) to resize an AVI and keep great quality?

[reniett]

Every time I download TV shows from torrents I am amazed with the great quality and how small the files are.
For example, the shows I usually download (CSI, Entourage, etc) are about 40 mins and the file size is around
150 MB. The show/file that I'm trying to downsize is only 20 mins long and the best I was able to get was 900 MB
(with VirtualDub). Then, after compressing it a second time with "Any Video Converter" I was able to reach the 150 MB but still, my show is half the duration of the ones mentioned above, not to mention that the quality is good but not great.
The shows I've downloaded look so good, I wouldn't believe the file size unless checked the file's properties.
Mine looks good but the difference in quality is enough to distract you. I wanna be able to enjoy the video and
not spend 20 mins going "I wish it would look better".

The reason why this is so important for me is because I'll be transferring about 200 VHS tapes into AVI files
so I can watch them on my computer and be able to store them in external hard drives to preserve them and then
I'll be throwing away the original tapes as they take too much space. Every time I move I have to carry those
HEAVY boxes when I could be carrying a few external hard drives.

By the way, this show will never be on DVD, so is not an option for me to buy them.

Here's what I've tried so far:

Original file (captured with Sony Vegas Pro from VHS):

AVI, 20 mins

6 GB


1. First compression:
- VirtualDub

-- Filter = deinterlace (Yadif)







-- Compression = DivX 6.9.2 Codec...





...configured to maximum quality (8), Home Theater Mode,
Rate Control to "1-pass quality based" & set to 1



With this I reduced the file from 6 GB to 900MB, but got that good-but-not-great quality.

And this was after about 2 hours of test after test. Trying all kinds of combinations, codecs, filters, settings, etc. So, I did try hard and this was the best I was able to get.


2. Second Compression
- Any Video Converter

This one worked great. It lowered the size from 900 MB to 150MB with NO additional quality loss.

So the questions are: Are there any better settings on VirtualDub? Should I get a more PRO software?

I don't mind having to get other software, just PLEASE, help me solve this mistery!

Thanks

[hech54]

Every time I download TV shows from torrents I am amazed with the great quality and how small the files are. For example, the shows I usually download (CSI, Entourage, etc)

All that work posting all of those pretty pictures in this thread and it will be locked because you failed to read the forum rules.

[reniett]

Sorry for the inconvenience but how exactly did I break any rules? I did read them and I don't see how I violated any rules or said anything obscene or anything like that. I'm not asking people download these shows, I was just using them as an example.

[sambat]

Sorry for the inconvenience but how exactly did I break any rules? I did read them and I don't see how I violated any rules or said anything obscene or anything like that. I'm not asking people download these shows, I was just using them as an example.

Nothing that you posted is in conflict with the rules of the site - apart from that I can't offer any suggestion;I'm too much of a learner to be of any help.
I record the stuff and let the software do the rest (VirtualDub and XviD) using default settings.

[reniett]

THANK YOU .

I'll repost my threat my prettier words to see if that works. lol

[jagabo]

VHS has half the resolution of DVD so your caps will never look as good.

VHS is a noisy medium. Noise is a killer of compresssion. So your compression will never look as good as a similar DVD rip.

Unless you have a good S-VHS deck with a line TBC your caps will suffer from scanline jitter (the length an position of each scanline varies from line to line and frame to frame). That is another killer of compression.

Every time I download TV shows from torrents I am amazed with the great quality and how small the files are.
For example, the shows I usually download (CSI, Entourage, etc)

That's what hech54 was talking about.

Do NOT give warez / Do NOT link to warez
Distributing warez. This includes linking to warez either directly or to crack or serial sites. Offering warez in any fashion including PM or e-mail is against forum policy.

Do NOT ask for warez
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Do NOT provide information on how to obtain warez
Providing information on how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez
Advocate warez. Recommending the use of warez.

I don't know if simply mentioning you have downloaded warez violates any of those. Maybe the "provide, and "advocate" clauses.

[hech54]

I'll repost my threat my prettier words to see if that works. lol

...and that one will be nailed for cross-posting or double posting.

[reniett]

ok, that makes me feel a lot better. As the videos I was talking about came from DVD. Ok, at least I now know I'm dealing with a whole different project. Thanks

[hech54]

Nothing that you posted is in conflict with the rules of the site

Warez rules
What is warez? Obtained IP (intellectual property: software/music/movies/tv-series/tv-shows) either through download, serial, or crack in a manner that either explicitly or implied breaks the copyright or license for that IP.

Do NOT give warez / Do NOT link to warez
Distributing warez. This includes linking to warez either directly or to crack or serial sites. Offering warez in any fashion including PM or e-mail is against forum policy.

Do NOT ask for warez
Asking for warez. In any fashion this is unacceptable including but not limited to PM or e-mail requests or information on what p-2-p network has copies.

Do NOT provide information on how to obtain warez
Providing information on how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez
Advocate warez. Recommending the use of warez.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/72386-Forum-rules-Acceptable-Use-Policy-%28AUP%29

[reniett]

wow, should we call the cops? you got anything better to do with your time than being a hater?

[poisondeathray]

The typical XviD TV shows are typically 350MB , not 150MB . They are usually capped from HDTV sources - far better than VHS with the problems jagabo listed above

If you find a 150MB 40 min show, it will usually use h.264 compression . XviD or DivX will look like garbage at those bitrates, unless you use a postage stamp size frame

They are not deinterlaced with yadif (because they are not interlaced). They are inverse telecined. Deinterlacing will degrade it substantially more

[reniett]

thanks poison

[jagabo]

If you find a 150MB 40 min show, it will usually use h.264 compression . XviD or DivX will look like garbage at those bitrates, unless you use a postage stamp size frame

For the OP: Cartoons may look decent at those low bitrates because of the low detail and low underlying frame rate of the animation.

[redwudz]

How about we just lock the thread and you read our Warez rules regarding copyrighted TV downloads.

Moderator redwudz