Sound quality not good

[DaSnowMan]

The files I have created, the picture looks ok, not as good as DVD, but tolerable, but my concern is for the sound. It is no where near as good as the DVD, i have to turn it up almost twice as loud, and I dont seem to get the full surround sound anymore. I am using the Divx converter directly from the divx.com website and have it set to theatre mode and using the 5.1 surround for the audio, but my end result is not the same.

Should I be using a different software to convert with?

Also, my main goal is to be able to get as close to DVD quality video and sound. I'm trying to create a video library on Hard Drives that I can watch without having to worry about DVD's. Im getting tired of not being able to find my DVDs when i want to watch them, or freezing and skipping.

I tried just creating the VOB files directly to my hard drive, but my stand alone player (phillips HTS3544) which I connect with a USB connection to the hard drive, tends to have a lot of glitching most likely having a hard time keeping up with the file size transfering via usb.

Divx files play fine, but the sound for me is not acceptable.

I also have an XBOX 360 if that has a better way to watch the movies. I guess if nothing else will work I will just have to build a computer for my entertainment center so I can watch the vob files directly.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[mr soft]

Hi, that looks like a nice standalone.

Philips always put out some descent players,but they let most of them down with a usb 1.1 . I don´t know if this is your case .
If it is, it would explain the jumpy playback from the HD.
I´d also check your power supply adaptor to the HD . There is a min. on the power supply needed,can´t remember how much.
I think your xbox would be the way to go , with a add on HD.

What is your selected file size when you are encoding, it might be auto down converting your sound.
Have you tried AGK? or staxrip?