[Dave Puryear]

CBR = Constant Bit Rate mode
VBR = Variable Bit Rate mode

Your file is VBR, and I’d keep it the way it is.

You would probably benefit from doing some introductory reading on media compression theory. There are several books, websites, wikis, etc. available on the subject. For starters, try https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_compression. There are enough hyperlinks in there to keep you busy for a while.

[Dave Puryear]

The OP made no reference to quality, only file size. Frame size has nothing to do with the bitrate calculator because kbps = kbps. (We’re also assuming CBR here). One minute of 500kbps at 320×180 is the same file size as one minute of 500kbps at 640×360. I learned this the hard way, too, by encoding a file to 2mbps 640×480 PAR 4:3/DAR 16:9 vs 2mbps 848×480 PAR 1:1/DAR 16:9. The output file sizes were the same, but the anamorphic encode looked better because there were fewer pixels, or more bits per pixel.

[Dave Puryear]

mediainfo.sourceforge.net

[Dave Puryear]

[Akram Husseini] “I think I used DVD_PAL_Lg or DVD_PAL_Sm not sure”

Take notes, please.

[Akram Husseini] “I squeezed the 2.1GB but the result was a 5GB file! can you beleave that? even though the average bitrate in the squeeze settings was around 8-9 MB/sec”

Yes, I can believe that. The longer you do this, you’ll see more examples.

[Akram Husseini] “I’m really getting second thoughts now about squeeze,”

There’s nothing wrong with Squeeze.

[Akram Husseini] “also I’m thinking it’s useless to try to compress an already compressed MPEG file”

That depends on your goals.

[Akram Husseini] “is 2.1GB file ok for a 1:30 hours video, with the above resolution and 15MB/sec bitrate?”

It seems low. We need to know more about the source file. Is it CBR or VBR? MediaInfo.exe is a great tool for analyzing media files.

[Akram Husseini] “do you think there is a better solution than squeeze for compressing files on disk”

That’s a loaded question. Again, there’s nothing wrong with Squeeze. It supports many of the latest and greatest codecs.

[Akram Husseini] “Also squeezing the file took a very long time, hours. is that normal for a file with this size?”

Yes. I’d get used to it. Run jobs overnight if you have to.

[Dave Puryear]

If your source is 4:3, then we recommend keeping your output 4:3. Therefore, use DVD_PAL_Lg.

Regarding file types, you need to open the encoding preset of choice and select Program Stream output instead of Elementary Streams.

https://forum.sorensonmedia.com/f/sfaq.php#f18

[Dave Puryear]

IIRC, not all codecs are multi-thread enabled, and I doubt any are 16-way. What are your source and output codecs and containers?