Encoding to "wmv" or "asf"

yachts wrote on 2/24/2003, 11:32 AM
I'm trying to find an acceptable encoding software for streaming video. I used VF2 to render as a "wmv" then renamed the file to ".asf", for a 7 minute movie. The quality is OK but I'm sure there must be something better out there. I am trying the TEMPEnc for Meg1/2 but, it doesn't appear to encode to WMV or ASF.
Can anyone offer any advice on this?
I have a demo at : http://www.yachtcollection.com/newsletter/bonbonvideo.htm
if that helps. Thank you in advance.
Larry

Comments

discdude wrote on 2/24/2003, 2:49 PM
VF2's templates are rather limited when it comes to Windows Media Video (".wmv") files. This is frustrating because you can get a free encoder from Microsoft that has many more templates than VF 2 and lets you make your own custom templates as well.

You can download Microsoft's "Windows Media Encoder" from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp

Look into templates that use "2-pass encoding." 2-pass encoding yeilds better visual quality.

Also, you won't find many encoders for ".asf" files since that file format has superseded by ".wmv" files.

TMPGEnc only creates MPEG files (".mpg") so it is absolutely useless for creating Windows Media files. However, MPEG does have its place. Almost every media player on almost every platform can play MPEG-1 files. Windows Media files, with a few execeptions, can really only be played with the Windows Media Player on a Windows computer.

Also, it is important recognize the difference between media containers (a.k.a. file formats) from codecs (compressors/decompressors). Codecs are algorithms that do the acutal compressing of the files while media containers are simplay a way of organizing data in a file. This can be confusing since some names, like MPEG or Windows Media, refer to both a media container and codec. However, once this is clear in your mind, you won't embarass yourself by asking someone for an AVI codec since there is no such codec as AVI or Quicktime. These are media containers that could use codecs such as DivX, Indeo, Sorenson, etc.

Hope this helps. Don't be afraid to ask more questions.
yachts wrote on 2/24/2003, 3:02 PM
Discdude:
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your patience with my lack of experience in this field.
I have used "Windows Media Encoder" but found that the latest version requires the viewer to download updates if they aren't using Windows Player 9. I thought this was a draw back when I market tested the movie, since some people don't like to "fix something that isn't broken".
Is there a way around this that you know of?

discdude wrote on 2/24/2003, 3:39 PM
Windows Media Video 9 requires you to download the new Windows Media Video 9 codec if you are still using Windows Media Player 7.x or 8. There is no way around this if you want to use 9.

As an alternative, you can choose a template that uses Windows Media Video 7 or 8. Or you can download the old Windows Media Encoder 7.1 (which only supports Windows Media Video 7 and 8)

Still, it really is painless to add the necessary codec even with a modem (its automatic and a small download). Take a look at the "Codec Installation Package" area on the link I mentioned earlier. 4 mins to download on a 28.8 modem. People shouldn't complain too much unless they are still using Windows 95 or NT (since the new Windows Media Player doesn't work with those OSes).
yachts wrote on 2/27/2003, 10:35 AM
I tried converting back to Media Encoder 7.1 and kept getting an error. Even tried uninstall/reinstall several times to make sure on both versions. Not sure if this Bill Gates way of moving us forward;)
Thanks for your feedback.
discdude wrote on 2/27/2003, 12:35 PM
Well, I guess you have to go to plan B, creating custom Windows Media Video (WMV) 8 templates. I can't give you a step by step instructions on how to create a template because I can't use Windows Media Encoder (WME) 9 since I'm still using Windows 98. Instead, I'll give general instructions from WME 7.1 that I think still apply to 9.

On the screen where you select the template to use, there should be a "Create and Manage Profile" button. Click it. There should be a list of profiles with "New", "Copy", "Edit" buttons. Select your favorite Windows Media 9 profile and click the "Copy" button. Give the new profile a good name. Find your new profile and hit "Edit." Keep clicking next until you reach a screen that has a drop down where you can select a video codec. Select Windows Media 8 (or 7) instead of 9. Save the profile and use it.