Video editing / windows movie maker?

Question

okay so I want to export the video I've made in windows movie maker with maximum quality. I can do that using 'best quality for playback' but then the resolution is like 600x400 or something.

I want the same thing but for the video to be smaller (320x240) but if I use High Quality (small) the video is shite compared to the other.

So basically how do I make a small video w/ great quality or find a way to change that great looking 600x400 video smaller?

Answer 1

I agree with grgurmg - you may be able to use Super to convert your DV-AVI video to the required format and size.

Answer 2

Essentially Windows Movie Maker doesn't give alot of options for output.  The two options you are speaking of are listed as variable bitrate with no options to refine the settings.. so essentially there's some sort of fixed quality target.  Long story short, the quality  is being determined by the resolution.  Technically you said you want the maximum quality and that would equal a higher resolution video.

However, for whatever reason, if your trying to get something in a lower reason but better quality then what movie maker is apparently giving you, I'd recommend the following. Output from Movie Maker at the absolute max quality.. which I believe would be "DV-AVI" in this case.  Then utilize a seperate program to convert that video into a smaller resolution and perhaps a different file format.  If you go to Download.com you can find a good catalog of freeware video utilities that may do what you need it to do.. namely a program that gives you more output/compression options.

Also, might I ask what this video is being made for specifically? If I know, maybe I can give a more specific recommendation on how best to compress/format the video to meet you needs.

---- Addendum ---

For free video software, I'd recommend trying download.com

Here's a link for freeware editing software they have listed....

http://www.download.com/3150-13631_4-0-1...

Here's another link for freeware video conversion software they have listed....

http://www.download.com/3150-2194_4-0-1-...

They conveniently have descriptions, reviews, and ratings to help you make a decision. Also, if you switch the filter from "free" to "all licenses" you'll be able to see software that may be available for trial (in other words that you'd eventually need to pay for to continue using).

There are obviously non-free and sometimes significantly expensive options.  I do video work professonally and I use Adobe Premiere as an editor.  For pure video conversion and encoding, Procoder and Sorrenson Squeeze are good. They'll all set you back a nice chunk of change though.. so I wouldn't recommend it unless you do video stuff often.