Video Conversions to smaller files

What are the best and/or most popular utilties and codecs for downsizing video currently in use?

For instance, I have purchased an HD MOV file with a resolution of 1080i and a file size of 172M. To create a video for the web, I will want to scale this back to 1024x768. To keep rendering and application overhead down, I will want to resize my video clip, before import, to the project resolution of 1024x768. I could use QuickTime Pro or AVS, but I have seen the output from those to render artifacts and sloppy video.

What are the cleanest "tools of choice" and the preferred Codecs/settings to configure?

Should I be using a utility in Adobe (I have CS3)?

What are you folks in the community using?

I have been away from this for a while and assumed the availability of better tools has changed since I did it last (about 3 years ago).

Thanks in advance,
microchp

If you have CS3 Premier Pro or After Affects use that. Just set the size you want and it's basically automatic. Should only take a couple minutes to downsize. You are smart buying the full size HD as royalty free, now you can use the full HD and downsize as needed to SD or even web size.
.
If you bought a Photo JPEG HD then make sure you have the settings set the same and keep it progressive. If the HD is interlaced (Motion JPEG) then keep it interlaced and same codex.

I use Adobe CS5 and my last version was CS3, they both do great work on video.

There is a free program called streamclip that will do what you want. You have a lot of export options with is. BUT use CS3, that will be your best option.

Thanks phantomewo,

I tried conversion in Premier using a number of different output settings. I am working with clip #993325. I just can't seem to get the output looking like the pond5 clip on the site. I understand that is Flash, but can't I get an MOV to look that clean at that size?

The detail on the clip only tells me HD 1080. It does not tell me if it is photo JPEG - or would it be specified if that were the case? Is there a utility that provides all the technical details of a clip? Part of Premier or Photoshop maybe?

It looks like that file is an After Affects produced file and more than likely a progressive P JPEG. Also do you have Quicktime Pro (very inexpensive).You can import directly into QT and export to the size you want.

In PP open then go to file ... export ... media. On Export Settings select Quicktime by format By Video Codex select Photo - JPEG. Under Basic Settings set the size to 1024x768, progressive, quality about 92 and square pixel aspect. That should do what you need. If it doesn't drop a note to P5 and see if they can format it for your needs.

Good luck,
Don

Microhp to the right of your clips price there is (gray i) key on it and you'll see all the info about your clip.