Which video file format should I use?

Marcel · 08-02-2010, 16:12

Since I got my Ixus 100, it shoots in .MOV format, HD size.....meaning nice huge files.
So I'd like to shrink these down for archiving (Its family videos etc).

I've toyed with the idea of MPEG2 for compatibility, but this means resizing to 720 high doesnt it.
I've also toyed with MP4's, but the seek time when I reseek through the timeline isnt instant like MPEGs (some small thing which annoys me I know), and also I worry about future compatibility.

These are for backing up onto DVD for future (as files, not Video DVD's), some will be put onto youtube / facebook etc.

But I would like to settle on a format...just not sure which one!

brownjl · 08-02-2010, 21:43

I have kinda the same issue with my camcorder.. it shoots in avchd formats. If I try to convert them to any other format at the same quality the files just get bigger and I don't have the heart to shrink them...

So I decided to just buy two largest harddrives and back up videos as is to each drive so they are fairly safe.

I then edit and just use the format of the day dvd/you tube for viewing/distribution.. I found the newer version of microsoft movie maker bungled in with windows live to be quite good and free.

Dont supose I have been that helpful - Sorry!

James

MisterE · 09-02-2010, 01:12

With something like family videos, sacrificing quality for storage space is something that one day you will bitterly regret. By all means shrink them for everyday viewing but keep the best quality originals. Even if you have to sell a child to afford a drive. Still - you'll have good quality video to remember him by.

photon · 09-02-2010, 01:35

I'd use XviD at suitably high bitrates. They're MP4s but "Part 2" instead of "Part 14" - anyway, something without Apple's proprietary interests involved, so the seek times may be OK

Here's a free converter.

PaulF · 09-02-2010, 05:41

Hi,

DVD's are dirt cheap these days, so why sacrifice the quality of the backups?
Like Michael say's, you'll regret it one day.

Which video editing software are you using? Most have an 'Export for Web' or similar.

Paul.

BalSanghera · 09-02-2010, 09:30

I would buy a spare hdd and store originals on that then use something like videoredo to convert them to a different format or possibly use windows movies make to save for web etc... If you can get hold of divx pro that has a video converter that do hd divx files I think.

photon · 09-02-2010, 09:52

XviDs with high bitrate are like JPEGs with minimal compression: it's unlikely you'll see a drop in quality. However, it's always best to keep your source material - not least for the stuff edited out of the final cut.

Many domestic DVD players will play XviD. There may be a limitation on the framesize that can be handled.

Marcel · 09-02-2010, 20:17 **Thread Starter**

Trust me, storing .MOV's is not really an option. There's one from my daughters school assembly. 10 minutes long and nearly 2 gig. I know storage is cheap, but proper backup is three times as expensive (Meaning at least 2 more copies

)

Anyway, it's not just the total file size, it's the single file sizes. a 30 minute clip won't fit onto one dvd....

It's not about sacrificing image quality over file size, it's about storing them in a better format than .MOV.
There are other file types out there that are going to be better, without sacrificing quality, which will be more compatible with things than a .MOV......

Craikeybaby · 10-02-2010, 12:04

Isn't H.264 meant to be the future?

PaulF · 10-02-2010, 18:22

H.264 is the way forward.

I agree 10min to 1 Gig is a bit excessive. What software have you got to hand?
Windows / Mac?

Final Cut has a nice Compressor function with easy to use templates for quality etc, it can even do batch jobs.

Marcel · 14-02-2010, 09:54 **Thread Starter**

I've got a 24" iMac / 2.8 C2D with 4 giggles.
I've got handbrake but it does seem quite limited in what it can convert to.
Haven't got Final Cut but may know someone who has.

neil_g · 14-02-2010, 10:01

MOVs are a pain in the arse, especially ones that have been exported in final cut's codec that only it can read. :-|

sorry thats not very helpful lol

Marcel · 14-02-2010, 22:31 **Thread Starter**

Ill cancel what I've just set goign then...a .mov with an h264 codec

No idea how to use this thing, and my mate's gone to bed now.

08-02-2010, 16:12	#1
Marcel Mod Team Real name : Marcel Location: Manchester Posts: 3,420 Camera: Canon 7D iTrader: (13)	Which video file format should I use? Since I got my Ixus 100, it shoots in .MOV format, HD size.....meaning nice huge files. So I'd like to shrink these down for archiving (Its family videos etc). I've toyed with the idea of MPEG2 for compatibility, but this means resizing to 720 high doesnt it. I've also toyed with MP4's, but the seek time when I reseek through the timeline isnt instant like MPEGs (some small thing which annoys me I know), and also I worry about future compatibility. These are for backing up onto DVD for future (as files, not Video DVD's), some will be put onto youtube / facebook etc. But I would like to settle on a format...just not sure which one! __________________ "What we do for ourselves, dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains, and is immortal." Please do not PM me about site issues. I'm always here to help, but I'm not always around to reply, and if you use the 'Report Post' or 'Contact Us' feature, all staff get notified and a permanant copy of your message gets put in the staff room for us all to discuss. Thanks

09-02-2010, 09:30	#6
BalSanghera Forum Regular Real name : Bal Sanghera Location: Nottingham Posts: 788 Camera: Sony DSLR-A700 iTrader: (6)	I would buy a spare hdd and store originals on that then use something like videoredo to convert them to a different format or possibly use windows movies make to save for web etc... If you can get hold of divx pro that has a video converter that do hd divx files I think. __________________

14-02-2010, 10:01	#12
neil_g Loves the place Real name : Neil Location: Eastleigh Posts: 5,237 Camera: Canon 1Dmk3, 20D iTrader: (4)	MOVs are a pain in the arse, especially ones that have been exported in final cut's codec that only it can read. :-\| sorry thats not very helpful lol __________________ No, RAID is not a form of backup.. Flickr \| Blog

08-02-2010, 21:43	#2
brownjl Quite Chatty Real name : James Location: Lancaster Posts: 52 Camera: Nikon D90 iTrader: (2)	I have kinda the same issue with my camcorder.. it shoots in avchd formats. If I try to convert them to any other format at the same quality the files just get bigger and I don't have the heart to shrink them... So I decided to just buy two largest harddrives and back up videos as is to each drive so they are fairly safe. I then edit and just use the format of the day dvd/you tube for viewing/distribution.. I found the newer version of microsoft movie maker bungled in with windows live to be quite good and free. Dont supose I have been that helpful - Sorry! James

09-02-2010, 01:12	#3
MisterE Feet under the table Real name : Michael Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 1,723 Camera: Canon 5D iTrader: (0)	With something like family videos, sacrificing quality for storage space is something that one day you will bitterly regret. By all means shrink them for everyday viewing but keep the best quality originals. Even if you have to sell a child to afford a drive. Still - you'll have good quality video to remember him by.

09-02-2010, 01:35	#4
photon Feet under the table Location: ǝʌɐɔ ʇɐq ǝɥʇ Posts: 2,376 Camera: Koni-Omegaflex (well, it's the heaviest) iTrader: (5)	I'd use XviD at suitably high bitrates. They're MP4s but "Part 2" instead of "Part 14" - anyway, something without Apple's proprietary interests involved, so the seek times may be OK Here's a free converter.

09-02-2010, 05:41	#5
PaulF Been here a while Real name : Paul Location: Up North Posts: 252 Camera: Nikon D5000 iTrader: (0)	Hi, DVD's are dirt cheap these days, so why sacrifice the quality of the backups? Like Michael say's, you'll regret it one day. Which video editing software are you using? Most have an 'Export for Web' or similar. Paul.

09-02-2010, 09:52	#7
photon Feet under the table Location: ǝʌɐɔ ʇɐq ǝɥʇ Posts: 2,376 Camera: Koni-Omegaflex (well, it's the heaviest) iTrader: (5)	XviDs with high bitrate are like JPEGs with minimal compression: it's unlikely you'll see a drop in quality. However, it's always best to keep your source material - not least for the stuff edited out of the final cut. Many domestic DVD players will play XviD. There may be a limitation on the framesize that can be handled.

09-02-2010, 20:17 Thread Starter	#8
Marcel Mod Team Real name : Marcel Location: Manchester Posts: 3,420 Camera: Canon 7D iTrader: (13)	Trust me, storing .MOV's is not really an option. There's one from my daughters school assembly. 10 minutes long and nearly 2 gig. I know storage is cheap, but proper backup is three times as expensive (Meaning at least 2 more copies ) Anyway, it's not just the total file size, it's the single file sizes. a 30 minute clip won't fit onto one dvd.... It's not about sacrificing image quality over file size, it's about storing them in a better format than .MOV. There are other file types out there that are going to be better, without sacrificing quality, which will be more compatible with things than a .MOV......

10-02-2010, 12:04	#9
Craikeybaby Feet under the table Real name : Lewis Location: Rugby Posts: 3,372 Camera: Canon EOS 1D mkII iTrader: (1)	Isn't H.264 meant to be the future?

10-02-2010, 18:22	#10
PaulF Been here a while Real name : Paul Location: Up North Posts: 252 Camera: Nikon D5000 iTrader: (0)	H.264 is the way forward. I agree 10min to 1 Gig is a bit excessive. What software have you got to hand? Windows / Mac? Final Cut has a nice Compressor function with easy to use templates for quality etc, it can even do batch jobs.

14-02-2010, 09:54 Thread Starter	#11
Marcel Mod Team Real name : Marcel Location: Manchester Posts: 3,420 Camera: Canon 7D iTrader: (13)	I've got a 24" iMac / 2.8 C2D with 4 giggles. I've got handbrake but it does seem quite limited in what it can convert to. Haven't got Final Cut but may know someone who has.

14-02-2010, 22:31 Thread Starter	#13
Marcel Mod Team Real name : Marcel Location: Manchester Posts: 3,420 Camera: Canon 7D iTrader: (13)	Ill cancel what I've just set goign then...a .mov with an h264 codec No idea how to use this thing, and my mate's gone to bed now.