How to change AVI and Mpeg files to smaller dimension

[John Hung]

I watch TV shows downloaded from the itnernet, but they are typically large files (350+ meg for an one hour show). The dimensions are usually 6xx/3xx (VGA). If I want to watch these shows on my PPC, I believe these files need to be encoded down to a smaller size (320x240). What programs do you recommend to this conversion?

Thanks for your help

[husky99]

I have used Microsoft Encoder as well as some Divx tools. Encoder is pretty easy to use and you can play them back in MS media player. I forget which Divx tools I used, but they do the job if you don't want to use M$. When you get down to even smaller sized files you can start messing with slower frame rates and audio compression.

[powerbook17]

Don't use win encoder, you don't want that crappy wmv on you ppc. Downloas Pocket divx encoder (free) and it will give you everything you need. For a player on the ppc use betaplayer, simply the best (free also)
http://www.exceed.hu/~picard/betaplayer

[SteveHoward999]

Don't use win encoder, you don't want that crappy wmv on you ppc.


Have you got something concrete to back that up with? Windows MovieMaker is about the simplest app I have found for reencoding movies to a good size for desktop, web, PDA .. whatever use. It offers two presets for PPC and the files play great for me on my Toshiba E755.

[Darius Wey]

Both WMV and AVI (DivX) have their ups and downs. I wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions here. For the purposes of TV shows / movies, both formats work well - which one you use really depends on the kind of day you're having.

WMVs work great for photo stories. :)