Should I upgrade to the DivX 5.1.1 codec (from 5.0.2)?

[phædrus]

I've been encoding for about a year with the 5.0.2 (Pro) codec. I'm reasonably happy with it.

What advantage would I gain by moving to the 5.1.1 (Pro) codec?

I don't use bi-derectional encoding, because it seems to cause skipping/dropped frames on playback on slower computers. I do use Q-pel and GMC. Are these features still individually toggle-able in 5.1.1? Most frequently I encode widescreen content at 360x640, which I play back at a 480x640 screen resolution. This seems to work (barely) with my 800MHz Celeron-based machine, without skipping, as long as I don't bump up the postprocessing.

I'm also worried that if I switch to the 5.1.1 codec and don't like it, there might be some reason it will be difficult to un-install and go back to the previous one. Can anybody put to rest these concerns?

If I play back using Windows Media Player 6.4, will the new 5.1.1 codec consume more resources? I'm just pushing the edge with my old computer now, and I don't want to switch to a more processing-intense codec. That'll push it over the edge and I'll have dropped frames again.

phædrus

[Sharktooth]

Originally posted by phædrus
I've been encoding for about a year with the 5.0.2 (Pro) codec. I'm reasonably happy with it.

What advantage would I gain by moving to the 5.1.1 (Pro) codec?

I don't use bi-derectional encoding, because it seems to cause skipping/dropped frames on playback on slower computers. I do use Q-pel and GMC. Are these features still individually toggle-able in 5.1.1? Most frequently I encode widescreen content at 360x640, which I play back at a 480x640 screen resolution. This seems to work (barely) with my 800MHz Celeron-based machine, without skipping, as long as I don't bump up the postprocessing.

I'm also worried that if I switch to the 5.1.1 codec and don't like it, there might be some reason it will be difficult to un-install and go back to the previous one. Can anybody put to rest these concerns?

If I play back using Windows Media Player 6.4, will the new 5.1.1 codec consume more resources? I'm just pushing the edge with my old computer now, and I don't want to switch to a more processing-intense codec. That'll push it over the edge and I'll have dropped frames again.

phædrus
Well, first of all Qpel and GMC require more decoding power than b-frames. Try to encode without Qper and GMC and enable b-frames.
Those features are still "individually toggable" in 5.1.1 (disable the DivX profiles and in the next configuration page you will be able to select/deselect them at your choice).
The new version is surely more compatible with standalone decoders than 5.02. Profiles will help producing standalones compatible divx.
5.1.1 is also a bit slower in encoding than 5.02 but the benefit is better quality (i'm still happy with the 5.02 smoothness but 5.1.1 preserves more details).
Another advantage is the 5.1.1 decoder thats a way better than the old one and is able to decode a large variety of mpeg4 compliant streams (including xvid).
As opposed to the older 5.1 which had some "uninstalling" problems, 5.1.1 uninstall works flawlessly and if you encounter some problems there are a couple of tools (one of them made by koepi, the other one by DivX network - if i remember correctly...) to fix the registry.
For what about concers the playback workload i havent enaugh informations to tell you if the new decoder is as fast as the old one but since it was heavily reworked and still one of the fastest around i think its not a problem.
Happy testing.

[phædrus]

sharktooth, that's a lot of great info. I think I will test out the b-frames and disable the q-pel and gmc just to see the difference.

I don't care about longer encoding times, if it results in better quality. You've convinced me I should try the new codec.

Thanks.

[DigitAl56K]

Originally posted by phædrus
[B]I've been encoding for about a year with the 5.0.2 (Pro) codec. I'm reasonably happy with it.

What advantage would I gain by moving to the 5.1.1 (Pro) codec?


Profile mode encoding (encoding for DivX Certified devices, e.g DVD Players), a completely revised and improved rate control, a completely new implementation of psycho-visual enhancement, the rate-distortion algorithm (note that Standard/Slow/Slowest modes map slightly differently in 5.1.1, consult the 5.1 users guide), EKG, probably other things...


I'm also worried that if I switch to the 5.1.1 codec and don't like it, there might be some reason it will be difficult to un-install and go back to the previous one. Can anybody put to rest these concerns?


You might have a couple of problems:
1 - There is a protexis bug that prevents you downgrading from 5.1

To work around this run the BigFix tool:
http://forums.divx.com/viewtopic.php?topic=54711&forum=1
Select "DivX->Fix 'Downgrading from 5.1' Protexis issue

2 - Each serial number has an activation limit assigned to it, but we now have an automated limit increase page here:
http://www.divx.com/support/divxpro/request_increase.php
(Scroll to the end of the page)

Using these two tools you shouldn't have any problems downgrading.


If I play back using Windows Media Player 6.4, will the new 5.1.1 codec consume more resources? I'm just pushing the edge with my old computer now, and I don't want to switch to a more processing-intense codec. That'll push it over the edge and I'll have dropped frames again.


No, infact the 5.1.1 decoder is faster than the 5.0.2 decoder. Not only that but it now features an advanced "automatic post processing adjust" feature which means a) You never drop frames b) You always get the highest quality your PC can decode real-time. It also features an option for "Generic MPEG4" - essentially handling XVID decoding also.

Make sure you get the latest installer bundle from our site ( http://www.divx.com/divx ), which we updated last week with a small decoder fix.

Get your free upgrade here:
http://www.divx.com/divx/pro/upgrade.php