Are there any programs or ways I can convert files to MPEG 1? I am pretty new to all this stuff and any help would be appreciated. I am looking to convert some AVI, WMV or MPEG 2 to MPEG 1 format. Again, thanks again in advance.
Have you taken a look at TMPGEnc in the guides at all? Apparantly the free demo will encode MPEG-1 no prob without having to dl the entire app. It'll do you avi's and such no prob. Not so sure about the MPEG-2 to MPEG-1 though.
TMPGenc free (not TMPGEnc Plus, which can) can neither load or encode MPEG-2 files. The greatest drawback and that it cannot load DVD2AVI's .D2V files which are used to load VOBs i.e. DVDs (look in http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/ DVD --> VCD, if interested).
It's a very pity, because sometimes also plain VCD movies can be decent, provided the input format is good. But TMPGEnc free is limited to low-quality stuff (WMV, ASF..), plain MPEG-1 mpegs and AVIs.
I have tried TMPGEnc but I can not seem to load the AVI files. I keep getting an error message. I also get some error about not being able to load P3 package. I am not very concerned about video quality because of what the files are to be used for. I am trying to make PVD's for my neices to play on a videonow. The file formats supported are AVI, MPEG1 ASF, WMV and Quicktime. However, I can only seem to get a few MPEGS to work. I am not sure why the AVI files do not work in either the videonow or TMPGEnc. I can watch all the files on my computer and make vcds, but can not make them work elsewhere. Some of the files only play audio on the video now, but no picture and I have no idea what is wrong with them. When I check to see what type of file it is, all it says is video file. I am not sure if it AVI or MPEG. I know this was a little off topic, but I thought if you knew what I was doing, perhaps it would be easier. I thought changing it over to MPEG1, a format that I know works, would allow me to use these files for the videonow. What about Quicktime? I have never used that and have no idea of the file type it uses. Is there any way to change files over to Quicktime?
Sounds like you have a codec issue. Not a biggie, you just need to download a codec that will allow you to open the avi's and view them properly.
First codec is Xvid: www.xvidmovies.com/codec/ (windows)
www.xvid.org/ (source)
Second one (cause xvid doesn't always do it) is DivX: www.divx.com/
Further, if you have any other issues with files that you're trying to play, there's two bits of software I've found helpful to find out what codecs you need to run it.
They are: AVIcodec and GSpot. You don't need both, it's just up to you which one you like the looks of better.
Thanks so much for your help. I downloaded both codecs and TMPGEnc now works for what I want. It didn't until I downloaded the second 1. Funny thing now is, with the right codecs now installed, I no longer have to conver the AVI files to mpeg because the videonow software can now play the video as well. Go figure, I never even thought of that. 1 more question, do you know of any free/good software that will allow you to edit AVI or mpeg files? I can only fit about 20 mins on a disk and with credits and titles, thats not very much room. Thanks again for all your help. . . and patience!
Hmmm, someone else may have to jump in here. My knowledge of AVI editing is limited. I know TMPGEnc has the option to edit clips as well as Nero as part of its native software. Further, I'm not sure if it's better to edit the AVI or the mpeg. Can anyone step in on this one?
Also...are you burning to a CD? Because 20 minutes of footage on a dvd isn't a whole heck of a lot.
Yes, I am burning to cd. A pvd actually, which is a couple millimeters smaller than a cd, that is why only 20 minutes will fit, and why this is all so difficult! I actually came across a program on 1 of the download sites you gave me that will allow me to convert these files as well. I have managed to get a hold of the software and it appears you can edit in all these formats through this program as well. The program is called AVS video converter. not sure if you know anything about it? It appears you have helped solve all my problems so far, even if you didn't know it! I am going to tinker some more with this program and see what I can do. If it doesn't do what i want I may have to look around some more. I am keeping my fingers crossed though. Thanks again
