Need suggestions for compressing video clips

They have: 10 posts

Joined: Jan 2002

I've got video editing software that will save clips in numerous formats, but all seem to be HUGE files (30 second clip averages 15 megs of memory!). I've seen clips online that were that length and only about 1.5 megs in size. How do I compress them? What codec should I use? Any help would be appreciated!

nicora's picture

He has: 267 posts

Joined: Nov 2001

have you tried the mac approach?

They have: 10 posts

Joined: Jan 2002

My computer is a PC, not a Mac.

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

What software are you using? I haven't done video compression myself, but my father has used Quicktime, I believe, and had to go digging to find the compression settings. Most video software has some compression utility.

I haven't gotten into it myself or I'd have more advice. Perhaps if you identify the camera you're using and the software you're using, someone can help you find the best combination?

They have: 10 posts

Joined: Jan 2002

The software is Magix Video Deluxe. I captured the clip from my JVC digital video recorder.

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Odd. It says it supports mpeg, which is the best format (arguments on this welcome, as I'm not totally up to speed on video compression) as far as I know for the web.

I would think that you have to explore the settings for mpeg, and look at size (physical viewing size) as well as resolution, frames/sec and be aware that added pieces (text, music, et cetera) all add to the file size.

I'd ask for examples but the size alone would be unweildy to demonstrate.

Anyone have experience with JVC stuff?

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Also, http://magix.leoworld.de/ in the english section might have some information that you need. They have a FAQ as well as a place to ask specific questions.

Roo's picture

She has: 840 posts

Joined: Apr 1999

I've experimented with video just a bit. I totally don't get the whole compression thing, but one thing I did find in my adventures into the world of video is that real video format is my far the smallest.

Thing is thus far the quality of what I've attempted to stream has been quite crappy. It may have something to do with the fact that I tried streaming from a regular sever instead of space that you can pay for at real.com...though I can't pretend to know what any of what I just said really means. Sticking out tongue

You can download and try the free Real Producer Basic here:
http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/basic.html

Maybe convert some of that video over and give it a shot.

And if you every find anything that explains all the different modes of compression is simple to understand language *please* post it!

Most of the stuff I've been able to find assumes that you already know something about it. I haven't found anything regarding video compression that is geared toward the total newbie.

Roo

They have: 11 posts

Joined: May 2002

I have always used discreet's Cleaner for media compression. It is not cheap, but it is the best.

They have: 218 posts

Joined: Apr 2001

For mpeg1, I've heard good things about Tmpeg--that it's faster and the file sizes are smaller than media cleaner's mpeg1 encoding option. Oh, it's free also.

TonyMontana

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