Changing video size from 1080p to 720p - what new bitrate should I use?

[Elliot B.]

I am converting a video taken on my JVC Everio GZ-HD620 from 1080p to 720p using Windows Live Movie Maker.

I believe the original video bitrate is around 22.7 Mbps (according to KMPlayer).

WLMM wants to know what bitrate it should use when it sizes it down to 720p (in kbps).

What would you use?

L:\Desktop\Videos To Sort\Camcorder\00016.MTS
   General #0
      ID : 0 (0x0)
      Complete name : L:\Desktop\Videos To Sort\Camcorder\00016.MTS
      Format : BDAV
      Format/Info : Blu-ray Video
      File size : 249 MiB
      Duration : 1mn 27s
      Overall bit rate : 24.0 Mbps
      Maximum Overall bit rate : 24.0 Mbps
   Video #4113
      ID : 4113 (0x1011)
      Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
      Format : AVC
      Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
      Format profile : High@L4.0
      Format settings, CABAC : No
      Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
      Format settings, GOP : M=1, N=24
      Codec ID : 27
      Duration : 1mn 27s
      Bit rate mode : Variable
      Bit rate : 22.8 Mbps
      Maximum bit rate : 22.6 Mbps
      Width : 1 920 pixels
      Height : 1 080 pixels
      Display aspect ratio : 16:9
      Frame rate : 25.000 fps
      Color space : YUV
      Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
      Bit depth : 8 bits
      Scan type : Interlaced
      Scan order : Top Field First
      Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.439
      Stream size : 237 MiB (95%)
   Audio #4352
      ID : 4352 (0x1100)
      Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
      Format : AC-3
      Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
      Mode extension : CM (complete main)
      Codec ID : 129
      Duration : 1mn 27s
      Bit rate mode : Constant
      Bit rate : 256 Kbps
      Channel(s) : 2 channels
      Channel positions : Front: L R
      Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
      Bit depth : 16 bits
      Compression mode : Lossy
      Delay relative to video : -40ms
      Stream size : 2.67 MiB (1%)
   Text #4608
      ID : 4608 (0x1200)
      Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
      Format : PGS
      Codec ID : 144
      Duration : 1mn 26s
      Delay relative to video : -40ms

[Wombatt]

Keep it the same as your original footage. Play around with it if you find the file size is too big.