Avi file, 10 min, 2,13GB - how to compress?

[howard]

My sister created an avi file (10 minutes) in Pinnacle. She was using the neighbour's DV-camera...

Well, how can I compress the 2,13GB avi file to fit on one cd-r? Tried to open the file in Virtualdub, but that didn't work.

Appreciate all help!

[bjfacca]

Sounds like raw RGB to me, anyways, try opening it in Windows Media Player or some other player, if it doesn't opens in Vdub nor any others it's probably encoded in some codec you don't have installed on your system, so first thing would be finding out what was the codec used for encoded, a tool called AviInfo (or Avi Info) can tell you that, I can't remember the URL but search for it in altavista.

For 10 min of video fitting into a 700mb CD-R you have lots of codecs you could use, if it's just for archiving purposes (won't be edited later) I would go with DivX 5.0.2.

Bruno

[howard]

I can open it in Windows Media Player.

When I try to open in VirtualDub I get this message: "Couldn't locate decompressor for format 'dvsd' (unknown) VirtualDub requires a Video for Windows (VFW) compatible codec to decompress video. DirectShow codecs, such as those used by Windows Media Player, are not suitable."

When I open it in AviInfo I get this info:
D:\Moviez\Untitled.avi
Length 10m 5s
15132 frames 720W x 576H, 24 bits per pixel
25.00 frames/sec
Video compression: dvsd
Stereo audio, 48000 x 16-bit samples/sec
Audio data rate = 192000 bytes/sec
Average size per frame = -132512 bytes

Don't know if I used any codec when saving the big avi file. I just pressed save as avi in Pinnacle... According to the info in VirtualDub and AviInfo I guess I need a codec... Is that right? Which one?

[bjfacca]

Sounds like you need the "dvsd" codec whatever that is :) It's probably some proprietary DV codec, have you tried pinnacle's website? www.pinnaclesys.com

[Swan]

This issue has been up a few times. Try this thread:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19019&highlight=mainconcept+dvsd

The link to Panasonic's dv-codec doesn't seem to work, but go to MainConcept's web site and you'll find a demo of their dv-codec. It will only insert a watermark when encoding.

/Swan

[howard]

Searched in google and found a dvsd codec that worked. I can now open it in VirtualDub, and I have tried to compress it. The result is pretty good, but I don't know if I'm using the divx5.02 codec (which I have installed...) Thanks for the help. If anyone have a better program or better way to compress my avi file, please let me know... :)

BTW, I ment Studio DV (pinnacle.. whatever)

[theReal]

I don't know if I'm using the divx5.02 codec

If you don't know it, then you're probably not using it!
The default setting in VDub would be uncompressed RGB - you can change it under "video - compression" then choose divx 5.02 pro from the list and click configure.

I'd also use some filters because DV video is interlaced and not in the right aspect ratio for viewing on a monitor. So you should add smart deinterlace and resize to 720x544 (if it's only 10 min for one CD, you can stay that high).

btw. for such a high bitrate (10min on 650MB) you could also use mpeg2 encoding (for example DVD preset with bitrate set to 8000kbit VBR in Tmpeg). It will probably look better than Divx.

[howard]

Heh.. I just had to install the codec once again. Then I found divx pro 5.02 in the list...

A final question; what do I choose under Audio - Compression?

[theReal]

A final question
There is no final question about video encoding - you'll always have more questions afterwards ;)

For audio, best choose mp3 if you have the Fraunhofer codec installed. If not, you can set the audio to "no audio", save the audio seperately as a wave file, encode it to mp3 with lame and mux it with the new video with VDub (or, if it's VBR mp3, mux it with Nandub).

[howard]

You're right, theReal, there is no final question...

I now have all the codecs needed, but I'm not sure what to do under Video - Compression - DivX Pro 5.0.2. - Configure. "1-pass", "1-pass quality-based", "2-pass, first pass", "2-pass, second pass"... what do I choose? Sorry about this newbie-question, but I appreciate the help!

[howard]

Anyone? Guess I have to post another thread then...

[theReal]

do not use "1-pass".

Either use two pass (the first pass first, then the second pass afterwards) then you can choose a bitrate and the final file will be of a certain size, according to the bitrate.
For very high bitrates the file might become smaller than desired, though, because 100% quality is reached, therefore I'd probably use "quality based" in your case.
Set it to 100% quality and see if it fits on one CD (I guess it should).

[howard]

Thanks again, the quality of this film is beautiful! :)

BUT... there is a green line at the bottom. Why? I'll try to change some options, but please tell me if you know the reason!