how to use .avi container with megui

[saint-francis]

So I am pretty new to using megui and to video encoding in general. I have been encoding with x.264 following the wiki and I am not able to make the final container .avi. I am only given the options of .mkv and MP4. I have read that it is possible to end up with .avi but I can't seem to be able to make it happen. The wiki says that the container formats available depend on previous settings in megui but neglects to describe what settings exactly. My concern is that some players might not be able to play MP4. Is this the case? Can wmp play MP4? If it can then this isn't an issue really but more of a curiosity. And what are the differences between .avi and MP4 and the benefits respectively?
Thank you for your time.

[DarkZell666]

One of the possible causes is that you maybe asked for AAC audio (which isn't meant to be contained in avi in the first place, but in MP4, or in raw .aac format).

Try asking for mp3 audio and see what that gives (I haven't used MeGUI for a while now, so I don't have a real clue).

[Sharktooth]

Well, wmp can play MP4s. Just install the Haali Media Splitter (aka Matroska splitter).
Both containers (avi and mp4) have their own advantages. however mp4 is newer but officially supports mpeg video/audio codecs only.
If you're going to use non mpeg codecs than mp4 is not a choice, on the contrary when using mpeg codecs mp4 is very efficient and spec compliant.

[saint-francis]

Well the audio I gave megui was mp3 so tat isn't the case. I will try to do some more research on container comparisons and get beck to this thread.
Thanks for the responses.

[saint-francis]

The mp3 audio was vbr. Is it true that .avi doesn't support vbr. Mp3 and that's why I am only given the option of MP4? I dug that up some where.

[Sharktooth]

Well AVI doesnt officially support VBR streams but you can store them in AVI thru workarounds (Avimuxgui does it, for example...).
However why dont you use MP4 (converting your audio in AAC instead of MP3)?

[saint-francis]

I have just been operating under the assumption that .avi would be easier for the average person to play. Apparently this may be a delusion. Also I like virtualdub and it can only edit .avi's. But I am still learning and for my own personal use MP4 is fine as the player I use (MPC) plays them like a dream.