Newbie Question: Lowering CPU Usage when watching videos

[EManU3LXX]

This has probably been posted before, so I'm sorry if this is a dupe, I'll try to keep it simple

I'm having my CPU shoot up extremely high when watching videos (I have a ton of movies I ripped to my server).
Is there a file type or compression method that will allow me to keep the videos at a decent HD display res. or is there a way to change the basic transcoding within subsonic to lower my CPU usage? Thanks alot for your help!

[GJ51]

Convert the video to MP4 and do not transcode. JW Player will play mp4's as a mative format so there won't be any transcodeing. You can also use flv.

[EManU3LXX]

Will I lose any video quality that way?

[GJ51]

No.

[EManU3LXX]

Thanks alot man!