Please recommend Divx solutions

[xeen]

Hi. I'm about to start ripping my DVDs to Divx and need some help.

My goal is to backup my TV show DVDs to Divx files so that I can fit many episodes of a show on one DVD-/+R disc. The end result should be such that they will be playable on a standalone player that supports divx. I'm going to do some research on this before I start doing it, but would like some general answers first from people with experience.

What format is recommended? (divx, mpeg4, xVid, etc..) and what's the difference between them?

What's the difference between .divx files, .mp4 files, and .avi files since they seem the same to me? AVI files seem to be DIVX files to me.

Finally, what encoding settings should be used for the most compatibility with most players? Is there certain frame size, bit rate, audio format, etc.. restrictions or will standalone players play anything? I want my files to be compatible as "standard" as possible, since there isn't really a standard like vcd or dvd for divx that I know of.

Also what encoder what you recommend to use?

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the help.

[ktan]

.Divx files are just .avi files which people have renamed to .divx
Why?
So that its easy to tell if that .avi file has been compressed by the DivX codec, rather than one of the many other codecs out there.

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For all round compatability i would suggest encoding to one of the preset DivX profiles. And to use CBR MP3 as the soundtrack. Now, that wont give you the best quality, but it will give you (AFAIK) the best compatability.

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Altho alot of DivX playing standalones are capable of playing Xvid, (Which is basically an open source version of the DivX codec. And its considered to be 'slighty ahead' of the DivX codec) Personally i dont use it, as i find DivX easier to use, and i know what all the setting mean :-) and from 8 feet away on my small TV its impossable to tell the slighty extra quality Xvid offers anyway.

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Oh, and i got a Kiss-450 standalone, plays all of my backed up DVD's fine:
Encoded with GKnot
DivX's with Bi-directional (I used GMC for a couple, but it looked a bit cr*py)
VBR MP3 or Original 5.1 soundtrack (depending on the film) (dont forget most TV shows will only be stereo)

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If you take the time to get to know GKnot, its the only one you will ever use. - THE BEST

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Pretty sure all this is right, if not, someone feel free to politly correct me.

[wildboar]

hi... i have a query on the similar lines... can xvid encoded avi files be played by standalone DVD players??? here i m talking about most DVD players found in the market.. i guess not.. so what's the price range of those players.. my other question is that can I burn different XVID encoded file into the DVD +R disk which can be read by these players..
i m confused in this as i need to burn these files into the DVD +R disk so that they can be played with standalone DVD players.. DO i need to convert xVid ---> Mpg2 first? Also i want to know if mpeg2 can be played in these players... and what about SVCD?
thanks for some responses !!

[ktan]

Most Standalone DVD players will not play DivX or Xvid , Only specific players specially designed to do so will play them.

*wanders into the realm of dont really know*
VCD and SVCD will play on most DVD standalones out there.
You convert straight from the DVD to VCD/SVCD
I think that: VCD is a CBR MPEG. SVCD is a VBR MPEG.

Altho, dont ask me about the actual VCD/SVCD encoding....I've never done any. Try looking u a program called DVD2SVCD

As for prices: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=525819#post525819

[stephanV]

Originally posted by xeen
Hi. I'm about to start ripping my DVDs to Divx and need some help.

What format is recommended? (divx, mpeg4, xVid, etc..) and what's the difference between them?
MPEG4 is a standard, DivX and XviD are implementations of that standard. Other codecs that use MPEG4 are e.g. 3ivx and ffvfw.

What's the difference between .divx files, .mp4 files, and .avi files since they seem the same to me? AVI files seem to be DIVX files to me.

.divx files are indeed renamed avi-files. I guess its done so they are automatically associated with the software DivX-player. If I were you, I wouldn't rename them to .divx though. MP4 is a different container from AVI, it is specially designed to hold MPEG4 audio and video streams. But DivX-players normally only support the AVI-container.

Finally, what encoding settings should be used for the most compatibility with most players? Is there certain frame size, bit rate, audio format, etc.. restrictions or will standalone players play anything? I want my files to be compatible as "standard" as possible, since there isn't really a standard like vcd or dvd for divx that I know of.
There is; DivX has profiles to ensure compatability with DivX-certified hardware players.
audioformat: I guess the best options is MP3 (VBR should work)
frame size: keep the width an height multiples of 16

Standalone players will certainly not play anything; the only way to ensure compatability with a DivX player is using DivX-profiles. Anything else might or might not work.

Also what encoder what you recommend to use?

An easy to use package is AutoGK.

[Sharro@Home]

The MT1389EE chip Philips can play ALL Divx PRO features without problem.

Under Xvid the problem remains with GMC where playback stutters. All other features ok.

I own one and the quality of construction is far better than my previous one (Ascomtec DVD 3004 - MT1389DE), even though it costed 30 euros more....


Just my 5 cents.

All the best

Sharro

[SeeMoreDigital]

If you live in North America try the Philips DVP642 or if you're in Europe try the Philips DVP630.

Both players use the ESS chip-set and are able to play Mpeg4/Mp3 streams stored in either the .AVI or .MP4 container.


Cheers

[xeen]

What about what video and audio bitrates to use when making dixv files? Can I use any bitrate I want?

[bond]

Originally posted by xeen
What's the difference between .divx files, .mp4 files, and .avi files since they seem the same to me?.divx files can also be raw mpeg-4 video streams

[Soulhunter]

Originally posted by ktan

I think that: VCD is a CBR MPEG. SVCD is a VBR MPEG.
Picky, SVCD is MPEG2... ;)


Bye

[ktan]

Originally posted by Soulhunter
Picky, SVCD is MPEG2... ;)


Bye

Is that correct tho ?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by ktan
Is that correct tho ? Yes, SVCD is Mpeg2


Cheers

[musicnyman]

Originally posted by bond
.divx files can also be raw mpeg-4 video streams

check out labs.divx.com for more information on the new divx format. they're probably going to use .divx extension for the new fusion container.

the nice thing about this container is if you have a divx certified player already, all manufacturer has to do is include this format in their next firmware release and you should be able to play .divx fusion files. which is basically the same as the .mp4 container that can contain menus and chapters etc...