mpeg1 at 640×480??? Can it be done? Deadline almost here!

[Sean Oneil]

First of all, copy and paste everything to a new sequence and make sure the settings are square pixels, 640×480, non-interlaced. Use the deinterlace filter if you must. Not the best way to deinterlace, but since we’re talking MPEG1 it’s fine in this scenario. Then export a self contained file. Now you’ve gotten that out of the way.

Now, try converting it to MPEG1 using “current” size. If it still doesn’t work, try MPEG Streamclip (google it and you’ll find it).

If that doesn’t work, copy it to a Windows PC and go to “Doom9 dot org”. It has a bunch of free MPEG encoders in the download section. One of them is bound to work. Try TMPGEnc, and install the plugin that lets you use Quicktime movies as a source. You can also try the other programs, but you probably have to convert it to AVI first.

Sean

[Todd Reid]

Sean-
When you say
Now, try converting it to MPEG1 using “current” size
what program are you referring to?

I downloaded MPEG Streamclip, but the mpeg function is greyed out.
Have you used this before? Can you help guide me due to deadline?

On another (much slower) computer, I’m trying to convert the Final Cut Quicktimes (from uncompressed 8 bit timeline) using Cleaner. It tells me another hour to see the quality of the first test (a 1 minute segment). If this looks clean than I’m here all night to make my deadline tomorrow.

[Jeremy Garchow]

You should test a 3 second segment, not a 1 minute segment.

[Todd Reid]

after a few failed attempts (quality very poor through cleaner), also couldn’t get MPEG Streamclip to work (mpeg1 greyed out). I ended up using compressor and mpg2.
I’m hoping this will work for my client.

Anyone know of any reason that mpg2 won’t be cool, when client asks for mpg 1.
(both have .mpg as an extention)
She actually said, match the example I sent”, and didn’t have a clue what that was.

[Jeremy Garchow]

Well, what’d she send you, and, Squeeze does custom MPEG1s.

Keep in mind that MPEG1 doesn’t look that good to begin with, so Cleaner might be doing it’s job. MPEG 2 is mainly used in DVDs (and other applications now) and is not typically a web delivery codec. Not every computer can read mpeg2 files, but almost all computers can read mpeg1.

jeremy

[Colin Mcquillan]

The simple reason your client asked for mpeg1 makes it uncool to give mpeg2 IMO. Unless you convince your client that a dif. format would be superior/better suited for intended purpose before delivery, you should always give your client what they asked for. If the delivered file is being passed directly through your client to someone making VCD’s,, a webmaster that wants all video to be mpeg1,,, whatever the case may be, if the mpeg2 that you gave is regected, holds up production and ends up costing your client a day,,, even a few hours,,, you might not hear from them again.. Then again nothing might happen,, the mpeg2 works just fine for her,, but do you take the chance??

as for the dif. with mpeg1 and 2,, mpeg2 supports higher resolutions/bitrates, where mpeg1 is said to be better than mpeg2 for lower bitrates. mpeg1 was used making VCD’s, mpeg2 for SVCD’s and DVD… im sure there a host of other differences,, but I honestly havent used the mpeg1 format in quite a while..

Colin McQuillan
Vancouver BC

[Todd Reid]

I know what your saying, but I’m under a deadline and the programs I own (compressor/cleaner) won’t do what I need.
The examples she sent me were mpeg1 640×480 and they looked great.
I was able to get cleaner to do the 640×480, but it looked like crap.

I think the only reason she said to match it is because she didn’t know the anwser to “what flavor of mpeg do you need”.

I am downloading a trial version of Squeeze to see if that will help.

I appreciate your comments.

[Ben Oliver]

your client should also give you more then a day to deliver, if they dont tell you upfront exactly what they want.

squeeze is great, i use it everyday. if you have QTpro, you can use that to render out files too. QT pro has saved me a lot of time in the past, when squeeze was acting up.

[Sean Oneil]

[todd reid] “When you say
Now, try converting it to MPEG1 using “current” size
what program are you referring to?

I downloaded MPEG Streamclip, but the mpeg function is greyed out.
Have you used this before? Can you help guide me due to deadline?”

Sorry I didn’t follow up with you in time.

In QT Pro Export or Compressor, when you pick frame size, often you can choose “current size” rather than manually type it in.

Like these guys said, Sqeeze and Cleaner can probably do this, but those are not free programs – which is why I reccomended the free demo of TMPGEnc for Windows – in case MPEG Streamclip doesn’t work (which it looks like it didn’t).