Is FlaskMpeg out dated way to encode divx?

[divx_encode]

Just curious to know the current methods to encode divx format. I've been using FlaskMpeg with Angelpotions divx codecs and it seems to work pretty decent and only takes approx 4 to 6 hours for the entire process.

I could use the 4.01 or 4.02 divx codecs and encode using 2 pass VBR, but that process is double in the time it takes since it scans the entire movie before it actually encodes.

Just friendly suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

divx_encode@yahoo.com

[rmatei]

Friendly suggestions?
- Flask = pretty bad, though not that bad with divx4 2-pass.
- Angelpotion = very very bad. Why not just use the regular divx codec?
You don't seem to care much about quality, but do yourself a favor for the future and encode in divx4 2-pass. It will be much better that 1-pass. Flask is outdated, yes. If you want an easy all-in-one use Xmpeg, which is a newer breed of Flask. Moving up a notch into quality (and complexity), use divx4 with DVD2AVI and Virtualdub. And up yet another notch there is DVD2AVI with Nandub.

[divx_encode]

Actually I do care very much for quality, that is why I chose to encode divx above vcd. And when I encode divx, all of my dvd rips are on at least 2 cd's.

I do admit though that I am still in the learning process and have became comfortable in using flaskmpeg. It's fast and easy with good results. I did try using the divx 4 codec and encode 2pass, but it just takes to long (doubles the time).

Can you tell me if the Xmpeg encoder encodes faster then flask?

And do you honestly feel that angelpotions codecs are no good? The clarity seems pretty good to me when I use the low motion option.

[glenn]

The extra time a divx 4 2-pass encode takes is really worth the effort in terms of the quality you get. Just try a movie with angelpotion first and divx 4 after. I think you'll see the difference. If you want to learn other methods to encoding, there is a little link called 'guides' on doom9's main page, which you can click and then start reading =)

[Schultz]

like rmatei said AngelPotion Codec = Very Very Bad.. if you wish to read what truely goes on when you use the angel potion codec read this
http://www.virtualdub.org/virtualdub_news_old.html
scroll down to near the bottom dated 11/06/2000 or title of the post is Updates.. it tells all about AngelPotion.. Also my perferred method is using AviSynth+ VirutalDub to do a 2pass Divx encode.. it it a little harder to setup and stuff but you get a nice encode.. and for ppl that don't know it that well just use GordianKnot it is a frontend to nandub/vdub works very well.

[divx_encode]

I appreciate all of the suggestions concerning divx encode. I dumped Angelpotion codecs as "recommended" and I am in the learning phase with Gordian Knot.

I have a couple of questions regarding Gordian Knot and I put these Q's on my web site so I can better illustrate my questions. I would appreciate any and all feedback either in the forum or can e-mail me at: divx_encode@yahoo.com

My questions are at: http://www.geocities.com/divx_encode//index.html

Thanks!

[Schultz]

to answer your two questions.. the Interleaving is just calculating the over head of adding an audio stream into the avi file.. and when you have 1x and 2x that means either 1 audio stream or 2 audio streams since GKnot can mux two audio streams into an avi using Nandub. And it has a selection for using either ac3 audio or mp3 which GKnot will encode.
And on selecting the audio files weither A or B. if you have only 1 audio just use A.. And select the Mp3 file if you encoded it seperatly. Or if you are going to use GKnot to encode when the encoder screen pops up you can select teh ac3/wav file and have it recalculate teh bitrate to make sure you get the proper bitrate for the size of avi file you wish.

[MxxCon]

Audio A/Audio B is if you have 2 audio streams.
same thing for 1x VBR/2x VBR

w/ select button you tell gknot exactly which audio file you'll be working with and it'll do all calculations properly.

[divx_encode]

Schultz, MxxCon,

Okay just to clarify, how will I know how many audio streams I have? After I use DVD2AVI I get the "d2v file" AND the "audio streams", right? The d2v file will be independent and the “audio streams” will be individually separate, how ever many there are, right?

If that is correct, how will I know which audio stream to use, meaning if I choose one of the 192kbps files, how will I know it’ll be in “English”?

And lastly, if I have multiple audio streams, do I choose 2x VBR-mp3?

I’m just a little confused with that, because after I used the DVD2AVI function, I got the d2v file and two separate 192kbps files and another file that was 300 and something kbps (3 files in all). If these are 3 separate audio files, should I open them as I would mp3 files to verify if it’s the proper language?

Sorry for the ignorant Q’s lol, just trying to understand.

[wmansir]

1. The interleaving overhead options.

This section is used for calculating how many bytes are needed to interleave the audio and video (splicing them into one file). This requires a few MB, and is different for different types of audio and interleave settings. If you are just using a single MP3 sound track leave it at 1x vbr-mp3, the 2x options are for avis with two audio streams. The AC3 options are for people using the original DVD AC3 track.

2. Audio selection.
This section is for picking 1 or 2 audio tracks. If you haven't processed your audio you can just set track A to the mp3 bitrate you will use. If you are using a variable bitrate (VBR) mp3 it's usually better to encode the audio first, then select the file itself with the 'select' button. This will give more accurate results. Track B is used for a secondary audio track, if you want multiple audio stream avi.

The latest version of Gnot can also process (ac3->mp3) audio and can interleave the audio into the final video.

The files you were selecting were probably the AC3 files. Did they have names like
"vts_02_([0x80]_Audio_English_AC3(6Ch)_48kHz___)_ Delay_0ms.ac3"?
These are the original DVD audio tracks. The first one was a 6 channel track, the other two were 2 channel (probably a second language or commentary tracks). Don't select these files as track a/b unless you plan on keeping the original .ac3, otherwise it will throw your bitrate calc off. Instead just pick a bitrate close to what you will use for your mp3.

Also keep in mind the options on the bitrate page are used mostly for calculating the bitrate, you will have more options when you setup the encoding job. From the encoder tab, click add job and check out the 'audio 1' and 'audio 2' tabs. There you can specify what to do with the audio track (nothing, just mux, simple mp3 encode or custom mp3 encode). If you selected a .mp3 file you can just do nothing, or mux. but if you select the .ac3 you will have the other options.

Good luck.

Edit: typed this up before the other replies showed up, but though I would put it up anyway. As for what track to pick, you should just listen to them, most likely two will be very simialar (a DD5.1 or DTS track and a Pro Logic track) I usually pick the 2-channel track since I'm going to 2-channel MP3 anyway. I trust the studio's downmix better than my own, not that it makes too much difference.

[Schultz]

Originally posted by divx_encode
Schultz, MxxCon,

Okay just to clarify, how will I know how many audio streams I have? After I use DVD2AVI I get the "d2v file" AND the "audio streams", right? The d2v file will be independent and the “audio streams” will be individually separate, how ever many there are, right?

If that is correct, how will I know which audio stream to use, meaning if I choose one of the 192kbps files, how will I know it’ll be in “English”?

And lastly, if I have multiple audio streams, do I choose 2x VBR-mp3?

I’m just a little confused with that, because after I used the DVD2AVI function, I got the d2v file and two separate 192kbps files and another file that was 300 and something kbps (3 files in all). If these are 3 separate audio files, should I open them as I would mp3 files to verify if it’s the proper language?

Sorry for the ignorant Q’s lol, just trying to understand.

Pretty much just do the track that you need.. And they should be the same as on the DVD.. You can also look into Smartripper it will tell you which audio track is witch.. And you are getting all three because you have Demux All in the Audio options under Dobly Digital. Just select Demux and select the track that is the one you want.. English or what ever else the dvd has. And for the Ac3 if you want ac3 just add that in to A and click the x1 ac3. if you want just covert to mp3 select x1 mp3 and do the mp3 encoding in the GKnot encoder.. and check the recaculate option in the audio encoder so it will figure the correct bitrate for you.

[divx_encode]

wmansir,

Hey I really appreciate you taking the time to explain all that, it really helped me with understanding.

[divx_encode]

Schultz,

I appreciate your help! Hopefully now I have enough understanding and will experiment and see what happens.

[divx_encode]

Regarding the Audio Files, After using DVD2AVI, I only get the a2v file and these 3 files:
AC3 T01 3_2ch 448Kbps DELAY -66ms
AC3 T03 2_0ch 192Kbps DELAY -66ms
AC3 T04 2_0ch 192Kbps DELAY -66ms

I get NO MP3 files, is this normal? I ripped the DVD Rush Hour 2.

[Schultz]

yes this is normal .. Dvd2avi only demux's the Dolby digital files.. Gknot will encode these from ac3 to mp3 in the encoding session. though choose the ac3 with the correct audio.

[divx_encode]

Schultz

Quick Q regarding the dvd2avi prog. When I started encoding "vcd's" (not divx), I used a slightly older version of dvd2avi compared to the one I downloaded with Gknot, i.e. my older version was/is 1.74 (I think) compared to the newer version in Gknot which was 1.76

Now when I used the older version to extract the files, it did actually give me an MP3 file, along with the d2v. file, and I "never" recieved an AC3 file with this older version.

Is the AC3 file related too the Gknot prog some how? Could I use my "older" version of dvd2avi and use the MP3 file for my audio stream, OR, does the Gknot prog need the AC3 file to encode the mp3 itself?

Lastly, if I could use the older version and the MP3 file it produces, do you think the older version will give me a lower quality?

[glenn]

Quick Q regarding the dvd2avi prog. When I started encoding "vcd's" (not divx), I used a slightly older version of dvd2avi compared to the one I downloaded with Gknot, i.e. my older version was/is 1.74 (I think) compared to the newer version in Gknot which was 1.76

Now when I used the older version to extract the files, it did actually give me an MP3 file, along with the d2v. file, and I "never" recieved an AC3 file with this older version.
Is the AC3 file related too the Gknot prog some how? Could I use my "older" version of dvd2avi and use the MP3 file for my audio stream, OR, does the Gknot prog need the AC3 file to encode the mp3 itself?


The DVD uses Dolby Digital (AC3) files. If your old version of dvd2avi output MP3 files, it was configured to do so - i.e. convert to wav/mp3 instead of demux. Check which audio stream you need when SmartRipping, demux only that one, and you should have an ac3 and a d2v file. Just leave the ac3 file until you are in the "save & encode" phase, where you click the audio1 tab and choose your ac3 file. The default azid/lame settings will work just fine, though you can reap great benefits from reconfiguring the commandlines if you know what you're doing... Remember to set the correct interleaving (should be part of the ac3's filename), then back to the encode window and the audio will be automatically generated along with the video. Understand now? =]


Lastly, if I could use the older version and the MP3 file it produces, do you think the older version will give me a lower quality?


Yes, it will INDEED. Older ac3->mp3 solutions are no match for the azid/lame combination.