removing audio from an avi

[tuongo]

Hi guys,

I just transferred some home video from my Canon Elura 100 using WinDV (avi type 1). If I use Virtualdub and strip out the audio will the file become smaller? Or do I just dub over it with my own music? I don't quite understand how it works, so I don't know if I'm adding to the file size, or writing over it, or what.

I want to put my own music over the video before I put in on a DVD.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

AVI is just a container for basically whatever format of video/audio you want to put in it. if you strip out the audio stream, it will get smaller. However, if you add music to it using a video editor, you will not add to the file size (unless you had previuosly taken out the audio stream).

 

[tuongo]

thanks, unfalliblekrutch. so let's say i'm working with 100 megs. the two options would be:
a) i strip the audio and it turns into 75 megs. i add my own audio (25 megs worth) and it goes back to 100 megs
b) don't strip the audio and add my 25megs of audio, which keeps it at 100megs?

 

[StopSign]

To keep it at 100 MB, you have to take out the original audio stream. There's no such thing as "free space."

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: tuongo
thanks, unfalliblekrutch. so let's say i'm working with 100 megs. the two options would be:
a) i strip the audio and it turns into 75 megs. i add my own audio (25 megs worth) and it goes back to 100 megs
b) don't strip the audio and add my 25megs of audio, which keeps it at 100megs?

Well, in an AVI file you can only have 1 audio and 1 video stream so I don't see how your gonna keep both unless you can add it in to the other audio stream (which would make the video out of sync would it not?

But to answer your original question, yea removing the audio will make it smaller, if you add your own, your making it bigger again. AFAIK, you can only have 1 audio and 1 video stream in an AVI file.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

ok. So you start with a 100mb file with audio and video.

If you strip out the audio it gets smaller (so lets say 75mb)

Then if you add your own audio in the same format and bitrate as the previous audio stream, it'll go back to the original size (100mb)

Or if you don't strip out the audio to begin with, but merge your audio with the original audio using a movie editing software, it'll still be the original size, unless you change bitrate or format (100mb)

 

[MichaelD]

A bit OT, but:

Tuongo: What do you think of your Elura 100? I have one too.

I've had it for a few months now, and have only run it on "EASY" (automatic settings for everything) b/c I'm video noob and too scared to try manual.

I like it a lot, but IMO it doesn't do so well in indoor light scenarios. I'm not talking about shooting in the dark, either. I'm talking normal room light. The video is dark and grainy.

I really like the widescreen format! It makes a big difference.

Sorry I can't help with your question.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: StopSign
To keep it at 100 MB, you have to take out the original audio stream. There's no such thing as "free space."

You don't have to take out the original audio. The size of the audio data is determined by length and bitrate. So if you have 30 minutes worth of audio at 192kbps, it will still take up roughly the same amount of space regardless of how much actual audio data you cram into it.

 

[tuongo]

thanks, guys. my questions are all cleared up now.

MichaelD: Happy overall. Widescreen is nice. Probably a bit grainy with indoor lighting, but I'm not too fussy aboout those things. I've had the camcorder for well over a year now. Good for vacations. I'm annoyed with indoor in that everything seems to zoomed in - so unless you live in a huge house, you literally have to stand in the next room to get a full body shot. Maybe this is all camcorders (I've never owned others, but I've used others and everything in this seems zoomed in).

For indoor situations (this is usually during family occassions), I tend to set up many lights where I want to shoot. I know this is inconvenient for filming stuff, but my thinking is that if my digital camera needs it, then the camcorder really needs it.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Tuongo. This is MY first camcorder too. How ironic, eh? I've used plenty in the past and borrowed many. I always wanted one of my own and w/the price coming down so much in the past year or so, this was an irresistable buy.

Seems that the "indoor lighting problem" is universal to the Elura 100. But, for the money, it's still a great cam.

Good luck.