making files smaller

[Booldawg]

I've created an avi file using the capture feature on my web cam. Its only 3 mins long but takes up nearly 250 MB. I want to put it on YouTube and it needs compressing. Zipping it only saves about 30 meg. Can I convert it to a less memory hungry file type?

[Gandy]

try coverting it to divx or Xvid at 320x240 resolution. The file shouldn't be too big then.

I'm trying to figure out just how a webcam grab of 3 mins length got to be 250 meg in the first place. Even a DVD copy isn't that bad.

[Booldawg]

thanks. will see if i can convert it to another format. not sure if media player does this. also not sure why the file was so big in the first place, there are no settings to change the quality.

[Gandy]

Mdia player doesn't do it. You'll have to download Windows Media Converter (Free) http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ forpros/encoder/default.mspx

This won't however convert it to Divx or xvid but will offer a range of compression options.. You'll have to download either Divx or Xvid to convert them to one of their formats

[fo3nix]

I can recommend Super for converting video files:
http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html#Dnload

It lets you change the resolution, so lower it to something easier to manage and the size should drop (remember that the YouTube player only has a small size anyway).

[SteveSxx]

I agree with the last one - SUPER is SUPER