MKV or AVI question

[DigitalDivide]

Hello, I usually encode all my movies using GKNOT with XVID in an AVI container or to x264 in an AVI container. I've done a little reading up on Matroska but have a question.

If I am encoding my movies with the AC3 track is there any benefit or reason to move to say x264 in an MKV format? Is it preferable to encode x264 in mkv rather than avi?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[celtic_druid]

The advantage of mkv is that both XviD and x264 can be stored natively.

[riggits]

you'll probably never see standalone MKV support. However, there're a few good players can do AVI.

[Manao]

If it's to use h264, go for mkv or mp4 ( and please drop the avi ). If you need ac3, then you can't use mp4, so the choice is obvious.

> The advantage of mkv is that both XviD and x264 can be stored natively

In other terms, data are stored in a proper way in mkv, without having to wrap them into the vfw ( vfw ~ avi ) framework, which wasn't meant to contain modern codecs.

[bond]

In other terms, data are stored in a proper way in mkv, without having to wrap them into the vfw ( vfw ~ avi ) framework, which wasn't meant to contain modern codecs.not if you encode with x264 to .mkv in virtualdubmod

[celtic_druid]

That's why I said "can be", not "is".

[DigitalDivide]

Okay I got most of the discussion exept
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manao
In other terms, data are stored in a proper way in mkv, without having to wrap them into the vfw ( vfw ~ avi ) framework, which wasn't meant to contain modern codecs.

not if you encode with x264 to .mkv in virtualdubmod

Let's put it this way. I am using GKNOT and downloaded the x264 Codec
x264 VFW Revision 281A (+SAR Fix)
but now I noticed there's a link for
x264 CLI Revision 281A - supports MP4 & MKV output and Avisynth.
WARNING: MP4 and MKV outputs are broken for 23.976 FPS.

Did I download the wrong one. Funny thing is when I open up GKNOT there is an option for MKV even though I didn't install the second option above.

thanks for the help guys!

[Manao]

I wouldn't use GKnot with x264 ( because then, you use the vfw codec, whatever the container - mkv or avi, and that's not the right way to go ). So if you need a GUI, go for MeGUI.

[DigitalDivide]

Thanks Manao.

Is there some type of guide for meGui or at least something to get you going? The reason I use GKNOT is it's very simple AND there's plenty of guides for noobies like me. Also using meGui can I keep my AC3 stream without converting it to AAC?

[jellysandwich]

I wouldn't use GKnot with x264 ( because then, you use the vfw codec, whatever the container - mkv or avi, and that's not the right way to go ). So if you need a GUI, go for MeGUI.

What's wrong with the vfw version?

js

[Axed]

Theres nothing wrong with the VFW version itself, just VFW. It's limitations require workarounds (as far as i understand, someone with more knoweldge can elaborate if you need it). For example, you cant encode a varible bitrate MP3 file using VFW AFAIK because of these limitations. The more annoying problems, from what i understand, have to do with B-Frames and other 'basic' features of both Mpeg4-ASP and AVC.