Best software for converting M2TS -> avi (Divx)

[flanagaj]

I have always struggled to find decent software for converting my Panasonic hdc-sd600 footage into avi divx. I am currently trying AVS Video Converter. Whilst it works ok, I really struggle to get the compressed footage looking good.

The 40 minute m2ts file is 8Gb and I am trying to get a final size of < 4gb. Anyone have any tips on compressing using divx compression ?

 

[grahamlthompson]

m2ts is essentially already divx. Divx is a variant of mpeg4 as is h264.

To make the files smaller you have to reduce the bitrate and/or the resolution.

 

[flanagaj]

m2ts is essentially already divx. Divx is a variant of mpeg4 as is h264.

To make the files smaller you have to reduce the bitrate and/or the resolution.

Which codec gives the best compression without loss of clarity or are they all very similar?

 

[grahamlthompson]

Which codec gives the best compression without loss of clarity or are they all very similar?

mpeg4 is probably the best but in terms of it's flavours there's not much in it.

Basically the file type is a container for the compressed content. If you convert from h264 to divx without changing the resolution and bitrate it's a lossless conversion, so the file sizes will be near identical.

If you don't mind a long wait you can reduce the file size with very little effect on quality by using vbr (variable bit rate). This varies the bit rate dynamically according to the amount of change between each frame. VBR requires two passes through the data, the first to analyse it. I don't have a Panasonic camcorder but believe a degree of on the fly vbr is used so you might not get much more compression anyway.