Posted by Citizen Bob on 12/08/06 15:34

On Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:24:45 GMT, Paul Hyett
<pah@nojunkmailplease.co.uk> wrote:

>I am new to this, so I don't even know what codecs are.

They are the software that performs the conversion.

"Codec" is a contraction for "coder decoder".

>>, and the resolution parameters such as frame size and bit
>>rate.

>Err...

Get GSpot and study what it tells you.

Frame size has to do with how many pixels make up a frame. For example
D1 is 720x480 width x depth. Bit rate has to do with how much
information is stored for each frame.

>>You need to give us more details. What is this MPEG4 file?

>A music video.

How do you play it now? And how do you intend to play it after
conversion? If it's on the computer, there are any number of places
you can get the proper codecs. But if it is on a DVD standalone you
must have the MPEG4 codec installed. You might want to check with
LiteOn to see if they have a firmware revision that supports MPEG4
format.

>> What is its intended use?

>Just compressing it to save space.

MPEG4 is already very compressed so you will have to sacrifice
resolution to get it any smaller. Another format is not going to
result in much size reduction from the already super compressed MPEG-4
format.

>>You can try ConvertXtoDVD and see what happens. Also try
>>TotalVideoConverter. Use GSpot to look inside the file to see what is
>>going on.

>I'll check them out.

Total Video Converter has about 6 different MPEG4 formats so you will
have to pick one that is suitable for your use.

ConvertXtoDVD is going to result in a lot larger file size because it
converts MPEG-4 to MPEG-2 which is an older compression standard.

You might look at DivX/XviD (the latter is preferred) in an AVI
container but your player must have the proper codecs installed.

--

"Yet the legislative being only a fiduciary power to act for certain
ends, there remains still in the people a supreme power to remove or
alter the legislative, when they find the legislative act contrary to
the trust reposed in them....And thus the community perpetually retains
a supreme power of saving themselves from the attempts and designs of
any body, even of their legislators, whenever they shall be so foolish
or so wicked as to lay and carry on designs against the liberties and
properties of the subject."
--John Locke

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