Best Universal Compression

danthemanjenna wrote on 11/12/2002, 1:10 PM

Hi

I've just compressed the final render of this animation. it will be distributed on CD. I compressed it to MPEG2 320x240, and when I sent it to my mate who was using Windows 98 with the latest version of media player - it didn't work (im using XP).

What is the most commonly accepted compression format?

Comments

dcrandall wrote on 11/12/2002, 2:11 PM

I would render in "wmv" format. (Microsoft does not include a MPEG2 decoder in their Windows Media Player)

kkolbo wrote on 11/12/2002, 2:42 PM

There is no UNIVERSAL compression. MPEG2 or anyother compression only works when the computer or player is equipped with the decompressor. If you are sending to a Windows compter of '98SE or after, Windows Media V8 or lower is a pretty safe bet. Cinepak will play on almost anything, but it is not the greatest, just the oldest<g>.

If your mate is connected to the internet, then you can send WMV, QT(.MOV) or Real and he can get the player or decompression CODEC for free on the net. MPOEG-2 costs money :)

K

danthemanjenna wrote on 11/12/2002, 3:19 PM

What about MPEG-1 then? is that a free codec? The animation I have made is an intro to a multimedia CD for my band with cd tracks and a music video. Alot of other CD's seem to use MPEG to encode their videos. Packing Windows Media Player with every CD seems cumbersome and probable violates some copyright laws.

salad wrote on 11/12/2002, 3:36 PM

I agree on the WMV! Don't torture 'em with RealMedia :-( (just kidding).
MPEG2 @ 320x240? MPEG1 would have been the better choice for that size anyway.
I believe to encode GOOD .Mov files with good audio, you need to purchase the full/pro version. If audio isn't important, them Quicktime(.mov)is good too...using the free encoder.
Most PC's can easily play back MPEG-1 files.