Converting and compressing mp4 video for iBook Author
I'm working on an iBook on Propaganda in WW II and would like to include loads of videos.
The Internet Archive has a great collection:
Example: "Out of the Frying Pan Into the Firing Line (1942)"
http://archive.org/details/OutOfTheFryingPanIntoTheFiringLine
Most are in mp4 format. I have tried bringing the mp4 into QT or iMovie and both seem to do about the same job of converting. Plus they increase file size by about 50%
Primary question
I'm targeting my iBook as a free resource for schools. File size is an issue for school iPads that might be 16 GB. Is there anyway to reduce file size, without losing quality? I saw some discussions about Compressor, but that seems to be designed for Final Cut Pro and I'm not a video expert.
Secondary question:
Is there any way to improve the quality of these old videos. Perhaps there are some settings I'm missing in QT or iMovie??
I'm an instructional design guy - not a video guy. Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated ... especially in laymen's terms.
Thanks
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.4)