Video Compressors

[Sinz]

So whats everyone use to compress their Video Files these days?

I'm using Fraps for Capture... but after compression it never looks the same and still seems to big a file.

53 sec vid 114mb down from 414mb after using Prism Video Converter from NCH

After seeing the quality of some posters and their file I think Im using the wrong software.

Any one have any suggestions? Relativly Cheap suggestions.

For instance I Trialed Adobe Photoshop Elements and then saw the price they wanted. I'm no developer so no way in hell I'm paying that kind of money.

[Adamski]

I use a thing called "Super" (erightsoft): and it's free.

It's a bit of a game trying to find the actual (final) link though. WARNING: Remember to UNTICK the "Babylon" toolbar on install ... I've heard it's quite hard to remove, once installed.

Google around for the best settings - as there are many combinations codecs plus the best format for YouTube etc.

I'm sure there are other threads/topics on NZFF on how to do it.

[Dean]

Good question I have been meaning to ask as well.
Not sure I'd go near that freebie if its associated with babylon in any form. My kids killed my second PC when it got infected with Babylon spam and spyware and the only way I could get rid of it was via a full drive format

[deeknow]

Hey guys. Take a look at ffmpeg if you havent already, its a command line tool, you'll need to read the docs, but it produces good results. see:
http://ffmpeg.org/

Is an open source thing but actually used in many commercial products, very solid, and no spywaye !!!

[Dean]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have seen that recommended elsewhere too so will give that a go here.

[Sinz]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Jul 1 2012,7:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I use a thing called "Super" (erightsoft): and it's free.

It's a bit of a game trying to find the actual (final) link though. WARNING: Remember to UNTICK the "Babylon" toolbar on install ... I've heard it's quite hard to remove, once installed.

Google around for the best settings - as there are many combinations codecs plus the best format for YouTube etc.

I'm sure there are other threads/topics on NZFF on how to do it.

Cheers Adamski..
Think Ill stay away from this one though if it installs Babylon.

QUOTE (Dean @ Jul 1 2012,11:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good question I have been meaning to ask as well.
Not sure I'd go near that freebie if its associated with babylon in any form. My kids killed my second PC when it got infected with Babylon spam and spyware and the only way I could get rid of it was via a full drive format

Ah Yes..

Got to love the Kids and their mad clicking skills.
Both my Kids have their own system these days... Nobody touches my comp without me watching
Had to do a few reloads myself due my daughter as well.

QUOTE (deeknow @ Jul 2 2012,9:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey guys. Take a look at ffmpeg if you havent already, its a command line tool, you'll need to read the docs, but it produces good results. see:
http://ffmpeg.org/

Is an open source thing but actually used in many commercial products, very solid, and no spywaye !!!

Cheers Deeknow... looks good will check it out.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Sinz @ Jul 2 2012,1:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cheers Adamski..
Think Ill stay away from this one though if it installs Babylon.

It doesn't install it if you're alert enough to un-check the tick boxes (inevitably turned on by default). These mouse-happy kids just click without reading

"Super" *is* good though.

[husker]

Windows Live Movie Maker works well, and also allows upload direct to You Tube (with appropriate compression if that's your target destination...)

You don't need a 'Live' account if you don't want the auto upload so don't let that scare you off :-)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows...ker-get-started

[Sinz]

QUOTE (deeknow @ Jul 2 2012,9:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey guys. Take a look at ffmpeg if you havent already, its a command line tool, you'll need to read the docs, but it produces good results. see:
http://ffmpeg.org/

Is an open source thing but actually used in many commercial products, very solid, and no spywaye !!!

Wow this is awsome really quick to convert and not much loss in quality. My 414mb 53sec vid converted in like 20sec down to 8.70mb

Thanks again Deeknow

[IslandBoy77]

That ffmpeg looks interesting: I've tried quite a few converter programs and they all seem to have noticeable problems. I wonder why ffmpeg doesn't have a GUI?

[deeknow]

QUOTE (IslandBoy77 @ Jul 2 2012,9:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That ffmpeg looks interesting: I've tried quite a few converter programs and they all seem to have noticeable problems. I wonder why ffmpeg doesn't have a GUI?

It's typically used as a library in other projects, either in full or in part, which is why there's no GUI. The docs are ok tho and performance is good. Take a look at their "projects" page, you might find a GUI there
http://ffmpeg.org/projects.html

[Peppermint]

I've been using FRAPs to record, and compressing with a program called avidemux, have taken a 38gb recording down to a 200mb file to stick up on youtube. Haven't noticed much if any loss of quality from the original recording with it.
The only downside I've had using it, sometimes after compressing/converting I'll get a 'bad' file where the video will be stuttering. I haven't quite figured out what causes it but I'm using the computer for other things while it's being compressed so can only guess that is it.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jul 3 2012,1:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've been using FRAPs to record, and compressing with a program called avidemux

It's *really hard* replying to your posts with that avatar

Thanks for the tip - I'm going to try Avidemux.

Incidentally - when I was having problems with FRAPS saving large files a while back, I bought Playclaw - which is also pretty good.

[IslandBoy77]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jul 3 2012,1:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't quite figured out what causes it but I'm using the computer for other things while it's being compressed so can only guess that is it.

I've noticed similar things over the years. It seems that even with a multi-core processor, any program writing video files seems to like to have little in the way of "distractions" going on, or one often gets what you describe. Not sure if this is just "one of those odd computer things" or if there is a technical reason for it. In a theoretical sense, it shouldn't happen.

[Peppermint]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Jul 3 2012,3:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's *really hard* replying to your posts with that avatar

Thanks for the tip - I'm going to try Avidemux.

Incidentally - when I was having problems with FRAPS saving large files a while back, I bought Playclaw - which is also pretty good.

These are the videos I was following when I was converting, might be of some help when using avidemux

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2lJSbHgrwo
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdZRSXnOsOc

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jul 3 2012,1:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

These are the videos I was following when I was converting, might be of some help when using avidemux
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2lJSbHgrwo
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdZRSXnOsOc

Thanks for those links - the 2nd one particularly . I'll try a demo recording along those lines sometime ...

[Sinz]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...

Needless to say I have plenty to play around with. Have tried a few since post started. WinFF firstly after Deeknows FFmpeg suggestion. (I also prefer a GUI than a console.. consoles remind me of DOS which I have pretty much forgotten now ) Very compact GUI and very fast at the encoding process. I noticed Adamski that your one "Super" is built off it as well (ffmpeg that is) hopefully I can get a copy that isnt infected with babylon, still looking at all GUIs using it. There's a few of them.....
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ffmpeg WinFF, Super, Avanti, AutoFF etc

Tried the Avidemux, thanks Peppermint quite like this one as it joins it all together nicely as one continuous and compressed file after stops and starts on recordings.

Feel like Im back at school learning

I'm doing it more for the boy really as there is no way I would let him upload large files to youtube wherever.. He gets into the battlegrounds (World of Warcraft) and kicks some serious A@$e and wants to post some footage.

Thanks again All.

[deeknow]

QUOTE (Sinz @ Jul 5 2012,1:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

firstly after Deeknows FFmpeg suggestion. (I also prefer a GUI than a console.. consoles remind me of DOS which I have pretty much forgotten now )

Yeah well it is used a lot from the command line, usually in a *nix environment which is where the guys I work with employ it (we build a video recording/transcoding product)
Good to hear you're having fun playing with options.