What is the best way to convert video for online viewing? Very frustrated here

[Peter Helps]

Hey guys,

I am very frustrated here because I have been trying to convert my video to either quicktime, swf or flv and it looks like crap.

The current format is .mod file. I'm not sure if I need to change the bit rate, fps, and all that other stuff.

I tried several different software that I had in my disposal including:

Sothink Video Encoder
Xilisoft FLV converter
magix Movie Edit 12

None of them are giving a good quality video. The original video was recorded with a camera.

I would greatly appreciate any help as to what I need to do, use, settings, etc. Thank you so much.

[Loren Woirhaye]

I'm not familiar with the .MOD format - but if you
are getting really lousy video with a 240x320 size
output frame chances are either your source file
is bad or the settings you are using are not good
for what you want.

Do you want to upload to YouTube and similar sites
or host them yourself?

If uploading to YouTube you don't have much control
over streaming but a higher-quality source file results
in better-looking video on YT.

If you are self-hosting there are some things you need
to know about compression. I recommend encoding with
On2's VP6 codec for .FLV files. If you are encoding with
h264 codec you can expect a bump in image quality with VP6.

[rgenterprise]

Noob here and having same issue. Except I'm having issues converting them to avi files...they just won't work. Does anyone know anything that will work? Also any FREE converters out their that don't have some kind of logo or water mark unless you upgrade..?currently using firefox converter btw

[Peter Helps]

Thanks for your reply Loren.

I'm going to be hosting it myself. Actually, it's a testimonial and I don't want it to look like crap.

I think the problem is the compression, encoding and settings I'm using. I'm not a pro at it so I'm not 100% sure what to do.

Thanks Loren. I'll look at the encoder that's on there, hopefully it will help.

Also, it looks like I'm not the only one who is having this problem

Thanks again.

Peter

[Loren Woirhaye]

Originally Posted by rgenterprise

Noob here and having same issue. Except I'm having issues converting them to avi files...they just won't work. Does anyone know anything that will work? Also any FREE converters out their that don't have some kind of logo or water mark unless you upgrade..?currently using firefox converter btw

XVid4Psp - best free converter I've found. Does a lot of stuff and is
fast. I have other converters too but Xvid4psp is still really nice.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Keep the quality on your source files higher than you need
in the end-file. I don't know if this is necessary, but basically
you cannot go UP in size without losing quality. I usually
start with .WMV and only go to .AVI if I need to do special
stuff.

XVid4Psp won't render in VP6 as far as I know - it renders .FLV
to h264 and many variants. I don't understand 1/10th of
what it can do, actually. It's extremely versatile.

Best cheap (not free) VP6 encoder is Flix Standard - makes
nice-looking, compact flash files.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Try to render self-hosted .Flv in the 180-240 kbps range. Don't
mess with frame-rates unless you are sure you know what will
happen.

Encode audio to 24 mono - 32 is okay too but 24 is just fine for
spoken content. I've tried going lower with poor results.

[Peter Helps]

Thanks Loren. This helps. Are those all of the settings I need to worry about?

Peter

[Rich Mann]

I've never of a .mod format either but one of the best free converters is called SUPER you can find it here SUPER .

Rich

[Loren Woirhaye]

Originally Posted by pk80356

Thanks Loren. This helps. Are those all of the settings I need to worry about?

Peter

Yes - if you are self-hosting and you want you videos not to stop-and-start
for visitors on wireless connections.

VP6 basically puts a heavier load on the computer of the person watching
the video - so it can stream better at lower bitrates. h264 needs to
stream at higher bitrates to get comparable quality because it puts less
load on the recipient machine.

Viewers will forgive bad video quality but not bad audio - and they
will also get frustrated if you've encoded for people on broadband if
they aren't.

[GoldTrack]

Hi,
I use AVS Video Convertor from www avs4you dot com - I have never had any issues with quality but I have never converted an .mod file before.

I think you can download a trial version to give it a bash.

Cheers
Will

[Josh Anderson]

Your problem is that you are using cheap or free solutions that do not encode using the best codecs.

The quality of your image is going to be effected by a couple factors:

1. The codec you use
2. How much you compress it (the bit rate)

Your frustration and crappy results are because you are using crappy encoders.

Here is what will give you the best results:

1. Never encode to flash unless your encoder has vp6 codec.
2. Set your bit rate to an acceptable balance (up to your opinion) between compression and quality. Personally I always go for higher compression in the 220kbps range using vp6 codec. But some people prefer to encode in the 350kbps or higher range. Just remember that higher means larger file and potential buffering issues for slower connections.

The rule of thumb is that you should never encode any video for the web using any codec other than vp6 for flv or h.264 for mp4.

The lowest cost option for vp6 encoding is called Flix Standard from On2

You will not find a cheaper option with vp6 codec because of the licensing fees to use it in software and On2 is the owner of the codec.

Finally the last thing that effects quality is the quality of your master video file.

Try to start with high quality ntsc dv avi format video files and encode down from there. NEVER start with a wmv because wmv is a compressed format. Always start with as uncompressed a format as you can like an ntsc dv avi file.

If you first need to convert your video file from a non standard format to avi then go with Super.

But do not use Super or any other free or cheap encoder to encode to swf or flv as all will give you inferior results to using vp6 codec available in the Flix 8 standard encoder which is very affordable.

[Peter Helps]

Thanks Josh. I really appreciate your comments. I know that when it comes to video and compressions, you are the man. I'll definitely check out the software you are recommending. I'll probably even buy it.

if it can reduce the frustration and eliminate the headache, then I'm all for it.

Thanks again and thank you to everyone who has commented so far.

When I download and install the file, are there any kind of settings I need to adjust?

Peter

[Peter Helps]

One other question: When I record on my video camera, currently I get .mod output file. Is there a way to change the output?

Also, once I get the file recorded on the video camera and them transfer it to the computer, be it that it is in .mod file format, what do I need to do to get the best quality possible?

Should I first use super? If so, to what format do I encode?

Then what? How do I convert it in the software Josh has recommended? Thank you so much,.

Peter

[Josh Anderson]

I am not sure why your camera outputs a mod file but that is a very non standard format. Some cheap and even some annoying expensive cameras output to proprietary or non standard formats.

If you want the best results you want as camera that records to minid dv tape or at the least will record to an hd in avi or mp4 uncompressed formats. I always recommend going with tape because that is how you can know you are getting the best quality since you can then capture from tape to uncompressed avi in video editing software like sony vegas.

At any rate if you are stuck with the mod just use super to convert it to an avi at the highest quality possible.

Then encode that avi with flix standard to flv format.

[Peter Helps]

I'll check into that camera and see if I can change the settings. This particular camera records directly to a hard drive that's on there. It's not a tape.

Thanks for all of your help Josh and everyone else here.

One more question, If I need to edit the clip, remove a part of the clip or something, what do you recommend? Can either one of the above programs do that or do I need to use something else.

Peter

[Steve Robertson]

Originally Posted by pk80356

I'll check into that camera and see if I can change the settings. This particular camera records directly to a hard drive that's on there. It's not a tape.

I'm not an expert on the .mod format, but someone in another thread said that this is essentially the same as the MPEG-2 codec used to compress video for DVDs.

In other words, a camcorder that outputs the .mod format is never giving you full quality video. It is already compressed before you transfer it to your computer's hard disk.

Many video editing programs will capture video directly from a camcorder. You might check to see if you can use a Firewire or USB cable to output standard DV video from your camcorder to your computer's hard disk. of course, this would give you limited mobility unless your computer is a laptop.

Steve Robertson
R.A.M. Video

[Peter Helps]

Hmmm...great point Steve. I'll definitely take a look at that. That would be great to use if I'm recording something and have it hooked up to a laptop.

Thanks again,

Peter

[lovelylucy01]

Three professional and powerful software are all available on the market now.



4Videosoft DVD Ripper Platinum:

1.Easy to use
4Videosoft DVD Ripper Platinum is really easy to use. The whole process of conversion can be finished in few clicks.
2.Support all the parameters.
All the parameters of profile can be provided for you to choose the exact settings for your players.
3.Support preview
You can preview both your source video and the effect of converted video before you begin the conversion.
4.Fastest conversion speed
Provide the fastest conversion speed (>300%), completely support dual core CPU.
5.Powerful editing functions
Support the mutual conversion between all the popular video and audio formats;
extract audio from video;video splitter,video cropper;video joiner;take snapshot.

4Videosoft iPod to Computer Transfer:

1.Transfer iPod to Computer
4Videosoft iPod to Computer Transfer makes it easy to transfer or backup iPod songs, music, videos to Computer without losing anything.
2.Discern iPod property automatically
This software would discern your iPod properties after you connect your iPod, including the iPod type, capacity (used and available space), version, serial number, and format.
3.Track Filter and quick search
Find what you want quickly and easily, and sorted by Genre, Artist, Album.
4.Easy to use
Only a few step to finish all the transfer from iPod to Computer, connect your iPod, select what you want transfer songs or movies, export to Computer.
5.Support all iPod devices
Support iPod, iPod nano, iPod classic, iPod shuffle, iPod touch, iPod Touch 2.x, iPhone, iPhone 3G.


4Videosoft Video Converter Platinum:

1: Easy to use
4Videosoft Video Converter Platinum is really easy to use. The whole process of conversion can be finished in few clicks.
2: Support all the parameters
All the parameters of profile can be provided for you to choose the exact settings for your players.
3: Support preview
You can preview both your source video and the effect of converted video before you begin the conversion.
4: Fastest conversion speed
Provide the fastest conversion speed (>300%), completely support dual core CPU.
5.Powerful editing functions
Support the mutual conversion between all the popular video and audio formats;
extract audio from video;video splitter,video cropper;video joiner;take snapshot.

[malfumos]

YouTube Downloader - Software to download and convert YouTube video

Try to download youtube downloader because it converts all kinds of file. From video to audio and many other.

[jensrsa]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

XVid4Psp - best free converter I've found. Does a lot of stuff and is
fast. I have other converters too but Xvid4psp is still really nice.

Hi Loren, Is there any way to trim a video with Xvid4psp?

Jens

[sparky.ebiz]

Another great FREE video program is VirtualDub. VirtualDub has a nice split screen preview feature which allows you to view the original video on the left while watching the converted video on the right. (So you can actually "see what your output video will look like as it is processing" instead of waiting until its done) VirtualDub uses all the latest codec plugins that you can download for free. I recommend the XviD codec (Mpeg-4) you will give high quality video with a small file size. (XviD config settings = Profile = AS@L5, Encoding type = single pass, and target equalizer = 4.00) Example: Original video = 525Mb AVI 640x480, new converted = 2.5Mb AVI 320x240 - without any apparent loss in quality.

[petevamp]

Originally Posted by pk80356

Hey guys,

I am very frustrated here because I have been trying to convert my video to either quicktime, swf or flv and it looks like crap.

The current format is .mod file. I'm not sure if I need to change the bit rate, fps, and all that other stuff.

I tried several different software that I had in my disposal including:

Sothink Video Encoder
Xilisoft FLV converter
magix Movie Edit 12

None of them are giving a good quality video. The original video was recorded with a camera.

I would greatly appreciate any help as to what I need to do, use, settings, etc. Thank you so much.

One simple question are you still using xp or is it vista

[Peter Helps]

It's Vista, why?

[Loren Woirhaye]

Originally Posted by jensrsa

Hi Loren, Is there any way to trim a video with Xvid4psp?

Jens

It is not an editor Jens, but it does do cropping which is one thing
I like about it a lot. Honestly I don't know much about what all
it CAN do, because it does a lot and I'm a guy who just learns
enough to get the result I want.

For editing I use Sony Vegas - it works fine and is a bargain price-wise -
lacks cropping though as far as I can tell.

[amotivatedmom]

I am new to converting videos however I have used these to handle the job and they worked well for me.

Free Video Encoder V2.0 Koyote Soft
Prism Video Converter Video Converter Software - Convert AVI MOV WMV FLV Video Files

[magentawave]

I need to convert a quicktime video to an avi or whatever will work that I can insert into a website using XsitePro. I downloaded XVid4Psp but it is showing the video in the preview box as being upside down? And then when I played the "converted" file it was only audio in windows media player.

So then I downloaded Super hoping it would be easy for me to figure out and when I set it to AVI then mpeg 4, it is only playing back the audio of the original video in windows media player just like the XVid4Psp did?

I know its tough with you there and me here but does anyone have any ideas as to what the heck I am doing wrong?

Thanks
Steve

[Loren Woirhaye]

try using another video - try a Quicktime and another format to
see if Xvid4PSP is just running bad on your machine or if
it's a problem with your source file.

I haven't converted a QT file so I am unfamiliar with the
problems that come up.

[magentawave]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

try using another video - try a Quicktime and another format to
see if Xvid4PSP is just running bad on your machine or if
it's a problem with your source file.

I haven't converted a QT file so I am unfamiliar with the
problems that come up.

I tried running a Quicktime (mp4) and an f4v file and both of them were upside down in the Xvid4PSP player and only created an audio (no video). Then I did the same with Super and it only created an audio.

Both videos were created with a PC program called Muvee and then rendered on Schwup.com. I would like to figure out how to use those converter programs but for now I think I'm just going to have her render it again in AVI format and send it to me.

Sort of off topic, but how come if you click the "Web" or the "Youtube" setting button in Camtasia it will always create your video as a Quicktime video (mpeg 4)?

Thank you
Steve

[Loren Woirhaye]

I think MP4 is YouTube's preferred format going back a few
years - when I first started submitting videos YouTube was
not as good at converting them as it is now - these days
it works reliably with more formats.

My guess is your problem is with your software or schwup.com
doing something funky. I use Vegas movie studio and
recommend it. I usually render to .wmv or .avi and then
convert to .flv - the reason is because when I get into
other formats I encounter unfamiliar problems - and my
goal is not to troubleshoot but to get a video rendered and
online.

[magentawave]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

I think MP4 is YouTube's preferred format going back a few
years - when I first started submitting videos YouTube was
not as good at converting them as it is now - these days
it works reliably with more formats.

My guess is your problem is with your software or schwup.com
doing something funky. I use Vegas movie studio and
recommend it. I usually render to .wmv or .avi and then
convert to .flv - the reason is because when I get into
other formats I encounter unfamiliar problems - and my
goal is not to troubleshoot but to get a video rendered and
online.

You may be right in that there might be something funky that Schwup does with the code sp I just embedded the Schwup code on the site and said to heck with trying to do it without their clickable link, etc. I'll have to play with that program with another video. Have you used Super too? If so, why do you think Xvid4sp is better?

Thanks again.
Steve

[josefnew]

Guys, you are the best reading through these comments is like been in a classroom, Thanks once again.

[Velrajan Thangavelu]

Why don't you try Video Scraper Plus -- Software for bulk video download/upload/conversion

You have 17$ WSO for Video Scraper Plus..(look at my signature for link)

[Loren Woirhaye]

Originally Posted by magentawave

Have you used Super too?

No. I think I looked into trying it but it didn't have a feature
I was looking for (cropping)... or something.

Originally Posted by magentawave

If so, why do you think Xvid4sp is better?

I don't. It's just what I use sometimes and I've been impressed
with it. I know it works good. It's never crashed on me. It's
fast and it's free to try it out with no watermarks and no
expiry date.

[magentawave]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

I use Vegas movie studio and
recommend it. I usually render to .wmv or .avi and then
convert to .flv - the reason is because when I get into
other formats I encounter unfamiliar problems - and my
goal is not to troubleshoot but to get a video rendered and
online.

I just ordered a little Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080P High Definition Camcorder from Amazon based on a bunch of positive reviews. Apparently it creates the movies in an .MOV file which for some reason the Sony Vegas Movie Studio software doesn't like (at least that is what I read somewhere). Or perhaps they were using an older version of Vegas? I have version 8.0. Do you know offhand if version 8.0 has a problem with .MOV files?

I also have Roxio 9, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, and even Camtasia Studio 6 I can use to edit and am wondering which might be best?

Thanks
Steve