I was wondering if there are any good programs that compress video files. I have a lot of videos that I make, and they are usually 150-250MB each. Is there any program/format that compresses these files without loosing the quality?

I save them in .wmv.

I've heard of DIVX, but it seems you have to pay to get the video compressor.

Are there any freeware alternatives that are any good?

XviD is the open source alternative to DivX. They are roughly the same quality. AutoGK can compress video files to XviD and it's free.

http://www.autogk.me.uk/

Nero has a very good H264 codec built in and can really do a beautiful job of compressing video with no discernible loss in quality. H264 is the standard now since the quality is so good.

http://www.cdrinfo.com/sections/news/Details.aspx?NewsId=11764

Some others that are free...

http://dcunningham.net/encodehd/

http://handbrake.fr/

+1 for handbrake. Although I think it's mostly for compressing DVD rips for things like MP3 players -- which it is great at -- it can also compress most common video files.

The thing I like about handbrake is that you can remove features you don't need or want, change the bitrate, remove unnecessary audio streams and overlays, etc. It's slower than other programs out there (~20 minutes to compress a DVD to an iPod-quality Mp4 on a 3.6Ghz C2D), but the resulting compression and quality are better than other programs I've used.

Thanks for the quick replies.

I think I'll try XviD or Handbrake.

If you want to Stay Free:

1. Install a Good MP3 Codec (i.e. LameMP3)
2. Virtual Dub 1.8x *Though now there are modded Versions too)
3. XVid MPEG4

For The XVid and MP3 Codecs:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/codecs

For Virtual Dub:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/Virtualdub


Basically, Open Your Video:
Under Video Menu, Goto Compression, Choose XVID , Select your quality.
Under Audio Menu, Choose "Full Processing Mode", Then Goto Compression and Choose an MP3 Codec and your quality.
Under File, Save AVI as, enter file name, hit OK, and it will compress to a new AVI.




DiVx Is trial ware now, since Version 5.0, We are at 7.0 (7.1 in beta) and from 7.0 on Divx Can Compress H.264 High Def Files. I Use DiVx 7.0, but only their Codec, I dont use their playback or encoding software.