OT: Video compression for cam to computer

[BKOMAR]

I know this is off topic, but I am trying to transfer video from my digital video camera to my computer. I bought the firewire card and cable and have managed to download some video editing software from the net but a 10 min video transfer came out to 2.2 GB!! I have seen full movies that were fairly decent...on just a CDR. To try and take this somewhat back on topic...I will use this to transfer track videos onto CDR to send to my dad in AZ. I am curious what compression software you guys use... I know that Jack Olsen has had some videos posted...what did you use Jack? Thanks, Brian

[Jack Olsen]

Well, I don't know a whole lot about this, but here goes:

The DV stream your camera is sending to your computer is high-quality, no-compromise video. It's not using compression and it's the same data that would be used to fill a big-screen TV. If you're looking to send your dad lap videos, one option is to run the line directly from the DV camera to a VCR, and just output the laps you want him to see. Crude, but effective, and there's no significant loss of quality (the limitation is from the VHS tape, only).

If you want to edit the movies on your computer, then -- ideally -- you want to keep them in their uncompressed format until you're done editing. I have one 60 gig and one 100 gig hard drive on my computer so that space isn't an issue. I can edit in full quality mode, and then pipe it back to the camera to put it on a DV tape for permanent storage.

But if you're looking to email movies to your dad, or to send them to him on a CD, then you need to compress the files down. This means sizing the files to something more reasonable (like 320x240 pixels) and using compression to reach a compromise point between visual quality and file size.

I use a Mac, which probably favors some schemes over others. If you're able to produce Mpeg files, you've got pretty much universal playing compatibility. The H.263 compression format retains good quality for Quicktime playback and makes file sizes minimal. There's also schemes like Sorenson Video and Cinepak. I'm sure there are other guys on the board who know a lot more about this than I do.

But any video editing software you use will probably provide you with an array of options for this. But generally speaking, you want to save the file compression for last, since it's where you start to lose quality. You don't want to be compressing and re-compressing the same clip.

To find the one you are going to use, make a small (like one-minute) test clip, and try the different compression schemes on it, and see how they stack up for what you're doing. Some will take longer to run on the computer, some will save you more file space.

The 100 gig hard drive I added was only about $300, and it will let you work on a whole lot of uncompressed video. As I said, long term storage is probably best reserved for DV tapes. If you've got firewire, you can move the stuff back and forth pretty quickly.

Hope that helps.

[orbmedia]

Big topic - heard to begin.

Jack has a good suggestion with MPEG. I like it myself. Another popular one that people use is DivX encoded avi's. Basically you'll use whatever editing software you have to "export" into one of these codecs and formats. Sometimes it can take a *long* time.

Look into creating VCD's for your dad. You can burn them with a standard CD burner and your dad can play it back in a modern DVD player.

Check out www.vcdhelp.com for info and all the tools.

[BKOMAR]

Thanks a ton guys.....I knew I could count on this great bunch to help me out.....I will check out those options.... A big HD is probably a good idea Jack.... my wife wants to try and send family stuff to relateives etc too..... If I have some luck at doing this I will try and post some videos for all to see....Thanks again, Brian

[beepbeep]

Best codec up to date is MPEG-4 aka DivX ... 1 hr in SVHS quality takes ~600 MB...

[cstreit]

Unfortunately with MPG video, you will use a TOM of space. You're best bet for smaller video is Real Player or AVI. Quality isn't hot, but for posting on the web, it's the best...

CHeck my website below. The videos are real-player, 320x240 size and 15 fps.

If you just want to store them digitally, leave them MPG, but you will eat huge chunks of space... Better to leave them on tape.