What's the "best" compression type for vidcasts??

[mental-escher]

Been struggling with this recently as I try to evolve Cyberpunk TV. Seems there are a slew of possible ways to compress video (unlike the rather straightforward audio (mp3 @ 64/96/128 kbs and stereo/mono) compression. Any words of advise, wisdom? And yes, I've already Goooogled it, played around, and am still a little confused:

Size: iPod (320x240) or larger (640-480)?

Format/Compression: MPEG-4, mpg, mov, swf, eek-gads! so many choices, not to mention mp4, m4v, etc.?

Which format does NOT work on Macs, or PC for that matter? Which formats tend to need additional pug-ins (for real player for instance)?

[dangercast]

Been struggling with this recently as I try to evolve Cyberpunk TV. Seems there are a slew of possible ways to compress video (unlike the rather straightforward audio (mp3 @ 64/96/128 kbs and stereo/mono) compression. Any words of advise, wisdom? And yes, I've already Goooogled it, played around, and am still a little confused:

Size: iPod (320x240) or larger (640-480)?

Format/Compression: MPEG-4, mpg, mov, swf, eek-gads! so many choices, not to mention mp4, m4v, etc.?

Which format does NOT work on Macs, or PC for that matter? Which formats tend to need additional pug-ins (for real player for instance)?

I think 640x480 is too large, unless the compression is really low quality. I think going with 320x240 is the best bet.

I definitely wouldn't go with Real Player. I think their codec sucks and their player has this tendancy to load crap on your machine that you don't want.

I personally chose, MOV(h.264). It plays in iTunes and (theoretically) the video ipod, and despite what some people might say, most windows machines already have the QuickTime plugin installed.

[deansevlin]

i agree with dangercast
i did the my first episode as an m4v file because it was the standard ipod format created my quicktime pro
but for my last 5 episodes i used mov h.264
the files are as small as m4v
they work in itunes and in quicktime
furthermore you can create advanced podcasts
meaning you can give your video chapters for people to watch their favourite sections, skip ahead etc.

[dangercast]

i agree with dangercast
i did the my first episode as an m4v file because it was the standard ipod format created my quicktime pro
but for my last 5 episodes i used mov h.264
the files are as small as m4v
they work in itunes and in quicktime
furthermore you can create advanced podcasts
meaning you can give your video chapters for people to watch their favourite sections, skip ahead etc.

I've also noticed that the mov h.264 files are actually smaller in size but offer the same vid and sound quality.

[Metaphore]

What program are you guys using to transcode into .MOV h.264?

[mental-escher]

What program are you guys using to transcode into .MOV h.264?



Yah took the words right out of my mouth! What app are you guys using for the h264 compression? Mine (some preloaded windows LE movie program) only has h263 :(

Please don't say Final Cut ($1000!!!) Pro!

[mental-escher]

It seems (dah on me) that quicktime pro ($30) does h264 for both mov and mp4. But an win app for ACC audio encoding (and thus accessed ipod/itunes chaptering feature) still eludes me...

[dangercast]

It seems (dah on me) that quicktime pro ($30) does h264 for both mov and mp4. But an win app for ACC audio encoding (and thus accessed ipod/itunes chaptering feature) still eludes me...

Hey...

I'm using QT PRO too. Somebody told me that my mov h.264 files ain't working on the video ipod, so I am going to have to do some research there. Theoretically they should, according to Apple.

For the "enhanced" chapter feature, I can't help you out. I posted about it a few weeks ago and it seems that all the solutions were Apple-based software. I'm an Windows XP user, so that's all I can really say about that.