Compression for Dumbies (Okay, a Dumby) (aka: WMM-2 Help)

anime_angel_ash · Post by **anime_angel_ash** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:40 pm

I'm going to come right out with it and say that I don't understand the guides. Every other thread that contained a question similar to mine didn't help, because all the posts were either people pointing to the guides, or using terminology I don't understand. So, hopefully, I can get some help with this. Here's the situation:

I have been making AMVs for a while now, but I've never used anything particularly complex to do it. In fact, up until recently, all I had at my disposal was WMM1, and footage downloaded from [redacted]. Now, I have WMM2 and footage from [redacted] (that's a step up right there!). I am unfamiliar with virtualdub, Huffy, and most of the other types of software talked about in relation to this topic.

Currently, I'm trying to enter some of my videos into a convention contest. I can easily fit all the requirements for it, but I've run into a bit of a problem. Two of the requirements conflict in my case, namely that it has to be .avi, and it has to be under 125MB. If I fulfill one, I can't currently fulfill the other. Thus, I have to compress the file to make its size smaller. However, when I've gone to the guides or other threads trying to figure out how to do this, I didn't understand a thing they were talking about since, like I said, the only thing I use to make AMVs is the footage and WMM2.

So, if one of you is patient enough to help out a complete dumby who needs to be walked through the process of compression, I would be eternally grateful.

-animeangelash

[Kalium: URLs for source material redacted. Please read the org <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=289">Forum Rules</a>.]

Kalium · Post by **Kalium** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:55 pm

Export as a DV-AVI from WMM2. Then compress it externally. Don't expect your editing program to do everything for you. Be sure to compress the audio, too.

anime_angel_ash · Post by **anime_angel_ash** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:56 pm

...Hmm. Strange. I thought that particular site was well-known and used around here. My mistake.

anime_angel_ash · Post by **anime_angel_ash** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:18 pm

I did the first part already and got to the second part, but as I mentioned, I don't entirely understand the instructions given by the guides. Also, when I attempted to download virtualdubmod, there were several errors that I'm not sure how to repair (though I am working on it).

Seriously. I am honest to God really this clueless about how to get this to work.

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 11:52 pm

install the amvapp it has the programs you need to compress

compress your Video and your Audio this will make an xvid encoded avi file.. a single pass should fit those requirements..

okay just use the screencaps in those guides to fill in the same information in your program...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JaddziaDax wrote:well this is the "break down" to steps (to make it easier)

1. Rip and convert DVDs choose - one
2. import and set up
3. Edit to your taste (the fun part)
4. export
5. compress your Video and your Audio
6. upload to the org

Trouble Shooting:
1. Windows Movie Maker FAQ
2. Windows Movie Maker Forum (on the org of course)

anime_angel_ash · Post by **anime_angel_ash** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:20 am

Okay, so I got amvapp, and am looking through Quu's Guide to video game footage use. In that, it is mentioned that virtualdubmod can compress and clean up a video post-editing. I like that idea quite a bit, since the video I'm trying to compress is already complete. Virtualdubmod accepts my source footage well enough, but for some reason, when I try to load my actual AMV into it, I get this response:

- Couldn't locate compressor for format 'dvsd' (unknown).
Virtualdub requires a Video for Windows (VFW) compatible codec to decompress video. DirectShow codecs, such as those used by Windows Media Player, are not suitable. Only 'Direct Stream Copy' is available for this video.
- AVI: Type-1 DV file detected - VirtualDub cannot extract audio from this type of interleaved steam.

The good news is, I can vaguely understand what that means. The bad news is, I have no way of fixing it. Does anyone have any ideas?

(And thanks once again for helping me out guys. It means a lot).

JaddziaDax · Post by **JaddziaDax** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:25 am

youre missing a step: export