20 min avi – best format for web?

[Adam Rose esq.]

WMV IMHO AFAIK IIRC

usually smallest, and quality is good.

[Leslie Wand]

thanks fuddam,

posted this on sony’s site as well, and here’s my response to a number of suggestions there:

speaking on behalf of the client (who doesn’t – like most clients – understand the first thing about video and the web), i am assuming that downloading time is not a major factor, he reckons everyone has fast adsl or better. we know that isn’t true, but….

i would like the following; half screen size, as small a download as possible, and of course, at the best possible quality. the subject matter is a talking head interspersed with ‘ken burns’ style tracking over paintings – so no real fast action, but plenty of slow horizontal / vertical movement. original is pal dv.

have access to most forms of encoding, just don’t know which to go with.

jonathan, i read with interest your opinion re mp4, but i am worried about general playback on various ‘older’ computers, don’t give a toss about mac’s (sorry, i even own a couple, but for the demographics they don’t rate…), so am hesitant.

can any one point me to file size comparisons?

you’re a bunch of heroes,

leslie

[Rob James]

Hi Leslie, for the Internet I really like Windows Media Video V9 .wmv at 512kbps. Really keeps the video cystal clear and the audio at 44,100khz 16-bit stereo. The picture is smaller, but more than large enough to watch. A 1 gig raw footage converts down to a 15 meg size. Perfect for the Internet, downloads really quick. Vegas exports in that format fantastically!! Here’s an example to see the size and quality. https://www.robjames.net/Pirate.wmv or this one of me and my band. https://www.robjames.net/Soda.wmv Hope this helps a bit? All the Best!!

P.S. Anyone have any idea why my link doesn’t show as a link in my signature?

Rob, https://www.robjames.net

[Edward Troxel]

[Rob] “Anyone have any idea why my link doesn’t show as a link in my signature?”

Because you haven’t added the associated HTML code?

Edward Troxel

[Dan Achatz]

I think Flash video would be the best. It starts fast and loads progressivly. It plays well on both Mac’s and PC’s and can’t easily be copied. It is supported by all the major browsers although you may need to load the latest plug in. Flash 8 Pro is by far the best Flash encoder. You may have also noticed that Youtube, and Google video encode everything in Flash 8.

Drawbacks: You need to have Flash 8 Pro. You can download a free trial copy for 30 Days. This will get you through your project. It will also show you you need to buy a copy..

Drawbacks, you need to have a basic understanding of HTML and Flash.

Windows Media and QT H-264 are also good choices, but have disadvantages when viewed on the cross platform.

Dan