Converting video files

[Muninn]

So I need some help from the tech savvy here, again. Which format would be best to convert flv files into? Avi, mpeg... Any suggestions at which would be better in file size as well as quality?

[Richard K Niner]

It depends, I guess, on what codec the flv was using (or if it was using screen, which is uncompressed)...

And, if you're converting to avi, what codec you will be using.

[The MAZZTer]

AVI using XViD video codec and MP3 audio codec is my preferred encoding.

VirtualDub (can't handle FLV) and MPlayer's MEncoder (can) are my favorite encoding tools.

[nickspoon]

If you're using Windows, Super(c) is an amazing encoder, and I advise its use because it's awesome. As for what to encode it to, that depends on what you want to do with it. I'd personally use Ogg Vorbis, but it isn't supported by a lot of stuff. Second choice would be XviD with MP3 audio.

[likeafox]

Whatever you convert your flv file into, be aware that converting to a less-lossy format or with a higher bitrate will NOT increase the movie's quality, it'll just take up more disk space. Infact if it is a lossy format and there are encoding discrepancies between the two formats, you will end up actually losing picture quality.

I'd only recommend converting the files if you want the movie played on a different, possibly more full-featured, player.

As for what format to convert to I'm sure these other guys can give you good advice. I'm usually happy just as long as I can play it.

[Muninn]

Okay, XVID seems to be getting the most voice so I'll go with that.