Reducing file size while keeping features
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 2:15 am
First I'd like to say that if these questions are basic, or have been asked and answered once or many times before, I apologize and appreciate links to the previous threads with answers. I have tried searching the forums but haven't come up with the answers and just the file processing and playback forum has over 1K topics, so trying to find the answers by browsing could take hours.
Like everyone here (I imagine) I have converted many (hundreds) of my DVDs & BluRay discs to .mkv files. I use that format as opposed to ripping to .mp4s, as .mkv files can keep multiple audio tracks as well as multiple subtitle / closed caption tracks that can be switched on and off when playing back with VLC or other software. Unfortunately the resulting .mkv files are usually huge, and will exceed 30GB for a longer movie. (Note, none of what I've converted is 4K content.) With extra features, some discs take up 50GB or more of drive space. I've long since filled my 4 and 6TB drives, and even a 14TB is starting to look crowded.
I would like to convert and compress my .mkvs to another format which can keep the multiple audio and subtitle tracks, but with significantly smaller file sizes. I am not obsessive about resolution. 720p (or for older stuff even 480p) is fine. I primarily would like to keep the option of switching to the creator audio commentary or turning subtitles on & off, etc. but do not know if any format besides .mkv natively supports this. Is there a way to embed the subtitles and extra audio into something much more compact, like .mp4? I know that .srt files can be paired up with video for subtitles, but then it seems there can be syncing issues, so you have to go into the player settings to adjust the subtitle timing. That hasn't happened with any of them embedded in the .mkv files.
I do have Handbrake as well as other video converters I've gotten from sites like GiveawayOfTheDay. In my case it's a matter of ignorance of what formats can do what I want, which programs can best accomplish that, and then how to actually do it.
Thanks in advance to anyone who knows the answers to these questions. Again, if it's been asked and answered before, please link to those threads and I'll read them. I simply haven't been able to find them on my own.
Like everyone here (I imagine) I have converted many (hundreds) of my DVDs & BluRay discs to .mkv files. I use that format as opposed to ripping to .mp4s, as .mkv files can keep multiple audio tracks as well as multiple subtitle / closed caption tracks that can be switched on and off when playing back with VLC or other software. Unfortunately the resulting .mkv files are usually huge, and will exceed 30GB for a longer movie. (Note, none of what I've converted is 4K content.) With extra features, some discs take up 50GB or more of drive space. I've long since filled my 4 and 6TB drives, and even a 14TB is starting to look crowded.
I would like to convert and compress my .mkvs to another format which can keep the multiple audio and subtitle tracks, but with significantly smaller file sizes. I am not obsessive about resolution. 720p (or for older stuff even 480p) is fine. I primarily would like to keep the option of switching to the creator audio commentary or turning subtitles on & off, etc. but do not know if any format besides .mkv natively supports this. Is there a way to embed the subtitles and extra audio into something much more compact, like .mp4? I know that .srt files can be paired up with video for subtitles, but then it seems there can be syncing issues, so you have to go into the player settings to adjust the subtitle timing. That hasn't happened with any of them embedded in the .mkv files.
I do have Handbrake as well as other video converters I've gotten from sites like GiveawayOfTheDay. In my case it's a matter of ignorance of what formats can do what I want, which programs can best accomplish that, and then how to actually do it.
Thanks in advance to anyone who knows the answers to these questions. Again, if it's been asked and answered before, please link to those threads and I'll read them. I simply haven't been able to find them on my own.