Newbie: MPEG-1 to What?

[pjdowson]

Hi,

I am new and I am looking for a simple answer to a hopefully simple question.

I have about 20 MPEG-1 files that are over 40Meg in size, I want to be able to reduce that file size to be under or around 10Meg without losing any of the video or audio quality.

Someone had mentioned to me that using MP4 from within Quicktime 6 Pro would do the trick, but after much work I found that the video lost a lot of quality.

Can someone give me an idea of a direction to go.

Thanks!

Phil

[setarip]

DivX-compressed .AVI...

[pjdowson]

Doesnt that require the download of an additional codec. I am providing these videos for K-12 teachers, and I want it to be as easy as possible for them to download these videos on both PC's and Macs. Would the DivX format work still or would I try something else?

[Enchanter]

MS MPEG4 V2.

You can install the codec via Tsunami codec pack (I am not aware of an independent installer for the codec). Once installed, use nandub to create the MS MPEG4 V2-compressed .avi files; note that you need to spend a little time learning to use nandub. The resultant files will be playable on most Windows installations (which natively support the compression format for playback).

Regards.

[pjdowson]

It works great for windows, but I am still having a terrible time with the Mac, any ideas on a codec that I can use for both PC's and Macs (both of which have Quicktime)

[shiny#3]

the Mpeg4 codec v2 by microsoft is suitable for mac
as well as for other players... or configurations

[pjdowson]

Can you explain what that means? I am looking for something that allows a complete idiot to be able to view these movies. If they have to download a 3rd party application beyond Quicktime or Windows Media Player, I fear I shall confuse them. Does the Mpeg4 codec V2 come with Quicktime?

[shiny#3]

only the pro version....to encode in mpeg4
but since quicktime 5.xxx if installed computers are able to display (MAC and windows)MS mpeg4 v2.... if not sure give a link to
mplayer for mac..... but it should work

[shiny#3]

we have tested that wit a very new laptop
G4 mobile with nothing else but origin software
it works with xvid divx mpeg4

[Enchanter]

Why don't you just burn these MPEG-1 files to CDs and distribute them to the teachers? That way you will save a lot of time and headache, and still get the videos working on both platforms without much work.

Regards.

[pjdowson]

Nice thought, but the aim is to provide pure online learning so it takes out the need to wait for media or whatnot. We're talking about 1,000's of teachers across the state of Iowa, so CD's are not viable. But I appreciate the suggestion.

[bond_d9]

if you want to have a file type compatible with mac and windows use .mp4 (its also compatible with linux btw)

.mp4 files can contain mpeg-4 streams (divx5 or xvid for example - ms mpeg-4 is not mpeg-4 compliant) and aac or mp3 audio