We are a church that videos all of services. We have a small budget so everything is done by hand. The camera we use films in mpg in 2gb increments. So usually for a service we have 2 and 1/2 files for a total of about 5 gig! That is extremely large as you all know.
We then import the three files into vx4 and edit them and then we have been creating a custom mp4. An average conversion using the settings below, reduces the file size to about 300mg. Below are side by side settings. The left is the original file size (of just one of the 2 1/2 clips) and settings and the right is the edited file size and settings.
My question is does anyone have a better recommendation on format settings to keep the edited file in an even smaller size, with good quality, and ability to play on pc, mac, and iphone/ipad?
Your original video file is standard Mpeg2 suitable in burning a DVD, hence the file format as NTSC-DVD.
The data rate used in a video file directly controls the size of the video in Gb.
Using 9100 kbps will allow for 60 minutes on a standard dvd
Using 4000kbps will allow for 120minutes on a dvd, the quality being similar to VHS quality.
Reducing the recording settings may allow you to record longer videos, may be an option you may explore.
Your MPEG4
There is several issues here, first the aspect ratio uses 4:3 when clearly the original uses 16:9.
Two things may occur either the video will be distorted to 4:3, people looking tall and thin, probably not a bad idea or a borders will be applied to fill the space. Viewing your web site shows the videos with black borders, effectively you are only using part of the viewer.
You may be best to use a frame size using 16:9 ratio then the video will display in full.
If you wish to use 4:3 then change the settings in camera to record to 4:3
I have looked at the MPEG 4 templates using X4 and 1280 x 720 is suitable for 16:9 but will significantly increase the file size, approx 3 times. However using half frame size of 640 x 360 may be suitable, not sure if X4 allows you to select this size, it really depends on the codecs installed on your pc?
Flash
Flash video would reduce the file sizes, using a frame size or 640 x 360 x 1000kbps at full quality would use approx 8 Mb per minute, that’s equivalent to your Mpeg4
Using Make Movie Templates Manager create your own template to explore the options
The templates will show from Share Create Video File adjacent to the Custom option,
If using flash disable Non Square Pixel Rendering from the Options button before hitting save.
Different templates will render the video at different rates and this time may affect your decision as to which to use.
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As for I-Phones cannot really help, I do not use them, but there are many options from Create Video File Mpeg4
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I guess you have first to consider the aspect ratio 4:3 or 16:9
