Is it possible to “adjust” MPEG video files size/quality/resolution while (or after) they are made? I can and have made MPEG video files using a digital video camera and the associated software. The problem is that the files are HUGE (~10MB for 30-seconds)! Is there a way to control the size (and maybe sacrifice some “quality”/“resolution”) the same way you can adjust a JPG picture file? Any ideas besides shortening the video length? Thanks! ~ sct-hockeytown
Yes, but you need software to do it. There are various desktop video programs that will do it, but probably your best bet is something like Virtual Dub.
You can use a dedicated MPEG encoding tool like TMPGENC to encode the video. MPEG uses a bitrate control, where you specify how much space to use in kilobits per second, and it compresses to that amount. Lower bitrates result in lower quality.
VirtualDub is a tool for video capture, and for AVI encoding. You can open an MPEG in VD, but can’t make changes and save it as an MPEG. You can, however, choose a codec and make an AVI out of the MPEG with VD. Choose your codec in the Video Compression menu.
But for what you’re doing, I’ll go ahead and echo FDISK. TMPGenc is one of the best encoders out there for MPEG-1. Note that the furthur you drag your MPEG away from the VCD specifications, the less of a chance it will work on your DVD player, although most players now do support MPEGs far outside VCD’s range. As the page points out, the bitrate for a VCD is 1150kb/s. Judging by the estimates in your OP, your videos are roughly doubling that size.
Are you sure the camera isn’t outputting your files in MPEG-2?