Can you reduce video (MKV/H.264) Bitrate withOUT re-encoding?

[KushSmoka420]

I have a 1080P MKV movie that is 7.49GB. According to MediaInfo it is 8396 kbps. I want to keep the same container/codec everything, just lower the video's bitrate to a level that will result in a file that is ~ 4.37GB (DVD). Is it possible to do this without rencoding the video? and if so how long would it take?

My computer is fairly slow 1GB RAM, Core 2 Duo (1.83GHZ) and encoding even small video's takes forever on this machine. I'm wondering what my options are and what programs are available for this task? I will go look in the tools/software section, but not sure yet what exactly I'm looking for? would it be an encoder... considerting I don't actually want to re-encode? Also if this is possible, are there any programs that will let you choose the bitrate by output size, rather than selecting the actuall bitrate itself. So I could say output size of 4.3GB and it will automatcially reduce the bitrate from 8396 kbps to the best possible while keeping the file size at 4.3GB?

If necessary or advisable I can demux to work with the raw h.264 file or else Preferably just work with the intact MKV file. As always, Thanks for your help.

[Meritocracy]

Reducing to DVD5 size is of course possible, however, you'll have to re-encode.

No way around that.

[AlanHK]

Is it possible to do this without rencoding the video?

No, because the only way to do this is to reencode.

And since you're doing that, might choose 720p.

[yoda313]

Maybe somebody here can answer this I don't know off the top of my head - will that original file be burnable on a dual layer disc or is it over the real disc capacity and not the marketing size stated on a dual layer?

Your other option of course is to simply split the file and burn to two discs (in other words no loss in quality and quick processing as you are not changing the video at all).

Or invest in a settop media player like a wdtv or popcorn hour that can play the file as it is without need of a physical media - ie straight from a harddrive.

[KushSmoka420]

No, because the only way to do this is to reencode.

And since you're doing that, might choose 720p.

Why would I do that? I want 1080P... which it already is.

Maybe somebody here can answer this I don't know off the top of my head - will that original file be burnable on a dual layer disc or is it over the real disc capacity and not the marketing size stated on a dual layer?

Your other option of course is to simply split the file and burn to two discs (in other words no loss in quality and quick processing as you are not changing the video at all).

Or invest in a settop media player like a wdtv or popcorn hour that can play the file as it is without need of a physical media - ie straight from a harddrive.

Don't wanna split it. Guess my only option is to re-encode then... I'll have to do it one day before I go to sleep cuz it will take hours. This is part of a series and all the rest of the videos have been 1080P (same codecs and everything) but about 1/2 the bitrate and averaging around ~4GB and the quality if fine so not concerned about that.

Also I have no need for a settop media player because my LG TV has one built in. I can plug in external USB storage device and TV will play video/music/pics directly from that. I can also Stream via DLNA server on computer. The problem is storage. Like I said, this is part of a series...which totals about 50GB. DVD-R's are so cheap I'd rather just keep it on them.

Ideally I'd have a home media server with ~5TB of storage. That way I'd be able to have (and keep) everything in full HD