How to open almost any file and save to MPEG-1 format ?

Hi guys
I'd like to be advised with a software tool that would allow me to open various video formats and that allows me to save MPEG-1 video format ...

Is there any conversor that would keep quality ?

The main purpose for this is: I have to open some WMV HD and other videos like MOV, mpeg, vob and then convert them to the MPEG-1 format

Thanks for any advise you can give me.

Super.

But you will lose a lot of quality from wmv hd material.

Baldrick
Do you know where could I get some HQ avi files or MPEG-1 files ? I need some free ones, to make tests but I cannot find any...

I found some WMV HD in microsoft website, and now I gotta convert these to MPEG-1 ... but if you say I'll loose quality, then I'm dead...

Do you know what could I do ? Thanks a lot again...

Why do you need mpeg1?

I need MPEG-1 because I was told in this forum that this would be the best choice for having best quality and that this format would be visible in the vast majority of PCs...

I'm doing a test autorun CD and this will have a video, and this video should have the highest quality possible and it should be visible in most of PCs, Win98, XP, etc. without installing anything (codecs, etc.)

Unless you have a better solution ( something embedded, etc. ) I will go MPEG-1 ...

Originally Posted by qbecerra

Unless you have a better solution ( something embedded, etc. ) I will go MPEG-1 ...

I don't know that MPEG1 is really universally playable.


How about Flash?

I've thought about doing a flash projector...
Will this have better (or same) quality than having a mpeg video ?

Thanks for helping...

Originally Posted by qbecerra

I've thought about doing a flash projector...
Will this have better (or same) quality than having a mpeg video ?

Thanks for helping...

I haven't actually done this, but I think you can make it any quality you like; and having it run from a CD that could be pretty high. Also you can make stand-alone flash players, though I don't know if you have to licence them.

See http://www.rivavx.com/index.php?downloads&L=3

Thanks for the info AlanHK
Will try Riva Producer to see how it looks

Any conversion of video results in quality loss regardless of what you have or what you are going to. How much can range from negligible to huge amounts. Generally going from one compressed format to another or scaling video up are the two main culprits which appears you will be doing both. Your problem is compounded by the fact your sources have different resolutions and bitrates. There is no magic bullet application for this. Each video has it's own traits and trying to fit them into one mold and expect great results is impractical. Just as an example lets say you have an HD movie and that is the format you are going to try and squeeze the rest in.... upscaling video to higher resolution in general gives poor results, on the flip side the option of scaling the HD down will of course degrade the HD movie.

Originally Posted by AlanHK

I don't know that MPEG1 is really universally playable.

Universal may be an exageration but AFAIK if there's a single format that deserves that title MPEG1 is it. A) cause it's so old and B) because the licensing is non-restrictive. However the bitrate required to get a fair conversion from WMV to MPEG for a high resolution video is going to be huge, maybe even bordering on it not playing from the disc... You'll need a minimum of 4X what it is now probably more

For quality and practicality I'd stick with WMV. . WMV would be the second most universal format simply because every windows machine on the planet can play them and since most Mac users are forced to install compatible software since so much content uses WMV it will play on them as well. Additionally WMV9 is compatible all the way back to the 6.4 player on a windows machine...

Get K-light Mega Codec Pack & TMPGEnc Xpress, this way you can get the best quality you want to get!

Originally Posted by guns1inger

Sorry, temosis, but friends don't let friends install codec packs. Codec packs have the high risk of introducing out of date codecs, poor and conflicting configurations, and poor to non-existent uninstallers to your system. They are a bitch to troubleshoot, and sometime the only solution is to wipe the disc and start again. They are a lazy solution for lazy people. I know you are going to tell me that you have used it for years and never had a problem. Hell, some people can cross the freeway without looking and not get run over. Does that make it a good thing ?

To me, installing a codec pack is like servicing your car by putting all the oil and coolant and parts in a bucket and just throwing them over the car. Sure, some things might go into the right place, but most won't, and your car won't ever be quite the same again.

If something doesn't play or convert, find out what it needs, and install just that. There are plenty of tools to tell you which codecs are missing. This leaves you in control of your PC, and not some script-kiddie warez hack.

Superbly put.
Man installing codec pack

after

Thanks a lot guys for the advises...

Now, I've got another question... which piece of software would u use for editing WMV/AVI videos and resize them (to make them smaller in resolution, size) ?

I need a good video editor, free... any suggestions ? VirtualDub doesn't support well WMVs... am I wrong ?

Originally Posted by qbecerra

Thanks a lot guys for the advises...

Now, I've got another question... which piece of software would u use for editing WMV/AVI videos and resize them (to make them smaller in resolution, size) ?

Try AVIReComp.