looking for compression program

[PHOTOGJJ]

need a video program to compress large quicktime file down to view.
video 1080i, audio16bit; do not want to loose much quality.
file size is 35 gigs, 2 and half hours long.
want to try to get under 5 gigs
cannot reconvert or reedit.
when saving as qt took 14hrs to save.
edited on avid and tried to open with adobe but file size to big to transfer.
file is on a external hd and will play but needs to be moved and resized for DVD.

 

[bluffton]

QuickTime H.264

You're going to have to cut it in half or figure our how you want it on the DVD. If you are using dual layered DVD's you should be fine, but otherwise, you will need to put 1hr59min on one and the rest on another or half and half.

Most DVD software will compress it for you and adjust the settings appropriately to fit. But 2hrs is the max on one sided DVD's.

If you are wanting to archive it on a data dvd then you may want to consider H.264. Pretty doggone strong codec really. The settings are up to you, and you will have to fudge with them.

I can get a gig down to 20-35 mbs with little artifacts at SD Anamorphic aspect ratio.

It really depends on what the file will be distributed on later (computer or Television -- yes I know television will be computer monitors soon, but most people will still have SDTV's at home).

Good Luck!