Best / Most commonly-used video file

[Andrew Yoole]

Unfortunately there’s no simple way to make one file for all purposes. But for maximum compatibility I’d probably choose MPEG1, which will play natively on any version of Windows since Win98, and any form of Mac with QT Version 4 or later.

[Graham Quince]

Thanks for the reply Andrew

I’ve never really used Mpeg1, but I have tried to use Mpeg2 – which screws up A/V sychronisation if you try to edit with it – highly likely if someone is wishing to convert the format. Does Mpeg1 have these compression issues?

Graham

https://www.qcit.co.uk – web design
——–
https://www.shiveringcactus.bravehost.com – Free FX for amateur films

[Steve Roberts]

There is no video file format or codec for all purposes. Codecs that play well on most machines (and the web) don’t necessarily edit well. The idea is to create a video file that has been compressed for a specific purpose, such as:

– layoff to tape (e.g. Blackmagic or DV)
– high-quality for eventual transfer to an editing station (e.g. Animation or Microcosm)
– space-saving archiving (Photo-JPEG)
– playback on hard drives (Photo-JPEG, WMV or others)
– playback over the web (H.264, Sorenson Pro, WMV)
– quick client previews (WMV or MPEG-1)
– playback on standard set-top DVDs (MPEG-2)
– transfer to a specific editing station for easy editing (Avid Meridien or DV)

So … for now, I recommend you create a high-quality file for archiving using the Quicktime Photo-JPEG codec, maybe at about 89% quality. (if you have a lot of space, use the Quicktime Animation codec.) Then, when you know the specific output needs, you can use AE, Sorenson Squeeze or Apple’s Compressor to create the needed file, possibly in one of these delivery formats if you like:

– MPEG-1 for hard drive/web format
– WMV for web format
– Avid meridien if the editor has an Avid
– DV if the editor edits on DV
– MPEG-2 for DVD

Does that help? If you need more info, you might want to check out the Compression Techniques COW.

[Graham Quince]

Thanks Steve

Yeah I think that clears it up. Seeing as it’s for the DVD-Rom element, I think I’m going to try and provide Mpeg-1 as Andrew suggested with the Quicktime Animation / Quicktime Photo-JPEG codec depending on file size. His current EPK dvd is only 20 minutes, so I’m going to have lots of room.

Many thanks

Graham

https://www.qcit.co.uk – web design
——–
https://www.shiveringcactus.bravehost.com – Free FX for amateur films