MPEG -> FLV

Russinating · 31 Mar 2010 at 21:59

I'm trying, desperately, to convert a number of MPEG (720p) video files to FLV for web use. I've tried numerous programs including Allock and SUPER (based on ffmpeg) and both are absolutely rubbish - bad quality or ridiculous file size.

We would just use embedded YouTube but as they automatically block/restrict video with copyrighted audio it's just not possible.

The question is, how do YouTube get 720p videos to be of such a good quality and such a low file size? They've obviously invested millions into this but where can I start to try and match it?

RaV · 31 Mar 2010 at 22:04

The adobe media encoder that comes with CS4 would do that fine, just means you need CS4

Im not sure about any other programs though.

asim18 · 31 Mar 2010 at 22:09

FLV is a container. You should use H.264 video and aac audio.

Mint_Sauce · 31 Mar 2010 at 23:36

I agree with RaV, the Adobe Media Encoder does a fantastic job.

alexakasloth · 1 Apr 2010 at 09:47

As mentioned, adobe media encoder works very well, but I also agree with asim...why not use h.264 for youtube?

Russinating · 1 Apr 2010 at 10:26

Using AME now, but still playing with settings to try and get the best filesize:quality ratio. At the moment I'm converting at 900x506, 25fps (H.264), AAC 128/44 @ VBR 1-1.5mbps (2 pass).

What filesize per minute is usually deemed acceptable for web use?

alexakasloth · 1 Apr 2010 at 21:57

20mb a minute is what mine have turned out at with PAL res, 25fps and it gets very good results.

I see you hire out the Z7, how have you found this camera with low light? I have the option to use that next year along with the EX3 and HVX200.

Russinating · 1 Apr 2010 at 22:48

$loth said:
20mb a minute is what mine have turned out at with PAL res, 25fps and it gets very good results.

That seems quite high? I've managed to get 720x404 to about 7mb a minute and the results are pretty good. I guess it depends how much you want to risk it for your viewers - the trouble with self-hosting rather than using YouTube is you can't as easily integrate the option to switch to a lower res/file size.

$loth said:
I see you hire out the Z7, how have you found this camera with low light? I have the option to use that next year along with the EX3 and HVX200.

Very good

. We film in low light all the time (wedding first dance usually) and the results are always good. You can see a few examples at the end of our showreel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odlgI34ICPc) or on our non-live site (http://v2.idoweddingfilms.co.uk/example-wedding-videos/). For your info this topic was in relation to the videos on that page

.

alexakasloth · 2 Apr 2010 at 09:40

That's good going, what settings were you using? I haven't played around with them myself because the clips I upload to vimeo are between 2 and 8 minutes so I haven't had a need to make them smaller.
That's great, the low lights capabilities look really good, and the groom flipping over his bride was awesome :cool:

georges · 2 Apr 2010 at 13:08

Why don't you upload it to youtube and let them convert it all, then just download the flv

using orbit downloader+grabit or equivalent?

Russinating · 2 Apr 2010 at 22:34

georges said:
Why don't you upload it to youtube and let them convert it all, then just download the flv using orbit downloader+grabit or equivalent?

A lot of the videos have the audio blocked due to copyright (which is the original problem) so any downloaded FLVs would be audio-less.

I've decided to upload two of every video and have the user choose normal or high quality before the video loads.