Making mpegs smaller!

[ozzyjim]

Hi all,
ive only just learnt how to transfer my digital footage to mpeg, however im finding them too big for what i want (around 15-20mb), does anyone here know how i can make them smaller?

Cheers
Jim

[jneil]

Probably the easiest format is WMV get version 9 from here (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5691ba02-e496-465a-bba9-b2f1182cdf24), but XVID and DIVX (if you can work the buggers out properly!) would probably make smaller files of better quality.

After you've installed the WMEncoder.exe, you should have the options in whatever program you are using, Movie Maker, etc.

I use 256kbps or 512kbps, these seem to be a fairly good compromise.

Jeff.

[Rod]

Whatever software you are using to make mpegs probably has various settings you can play with to reduce filesize at the expense of picture quality or size. Which software do you use? Someone on here may have the same and be able to provide specific instructions to help. As has already been said though the best quality for filesize tends to be with DIVX or XVID which are AVI format encodes.

[ozzyjim]

Im pretty sure it was moviemaker so all i need to know is what kind of settings i need to ummm....set lol, im a total noob at this stuff.

Cheers
JIM

[jneil]

If you are using Moviemaker, you only need to drag the clip/s to the time line at the bottom, get your movie the way you want it.

File, Save Movie File, save to your computer, choose next and choose a name and a place to save the clip. Now you should be able to choose different encoding formats, click other settings and look through the drop down box for something that looks about 512kbps or less (when you choose one, the details are displayed telling you what all the settings are relating to that format).

Have a bit of a play with different formats and in no time you'll have it all worked out.

Good luck!

Jeff.

[ozzyjim]

Thanks a lot jneil, ill get on to it asap!

Cheers
Jim

[ozzyjim]

Hi jneil, spot on mate, worked a treat!!:) Thanks heaps:)

Cheers
Jim