newb question about mpc-hc video decoding on DVD & mkv files

[mrhuge]

OK, I'm just barely getting started figuring out the concepts of splitters & filters etc, so I'll probably say/ask something stupid/ignorant, but here goes ...

I have some ripped DVDs with TV episodes on my HD. I decided to try to organize them by converting them to .mkv files using MakeMKV. I've just noticed that when I play a newly-created .mkv file in mpc-hc, it plays in a different aspect ratio (more widescreen) than if I play the original DVD files using mpc-hc (these play in 720x480).

On further investigation I realized that when I play the DVD files (by opening the top .IFO file in the VIDEO_TS folder), I see a different set of filters being used. Specifically, playing the DVD I see "MPEG-2 Video Decoder", whereas when I play the .mkv files I see "MPC Video Decoder". So I assume that's where the playback difference is coming from. But nothing I've tried in changing the settings in either mpc-hc or in "LAV Splitter Config" has made a difference (I'm using LAV filters to get bitstreaming in .mkv files).

It seems like I must have done something wrong in the process of setting up mpc-hc and LAV filters/splitter for bitstreaming audio, such that (A) .mkv video files are decoding video with a different filter from DVD files, and (B) .mkv files which should be playing back in 720x480 resolution are actually playing in some other widescreen res.

But sadly I don't know how to fix this, or what is the correct video filter to use.

Any advice or pointers for a humble noob would be greatly appreciated...

[mrhuge]

In poking around with this I've realized that I have been so focused on audio filters (in making sure that I could get bitstreaming to work with HD audio) that I haven't paid any attention to video filters/decoders, and I have no idea what I should be thinking about in that area...

If you've read this far, I kind of want you to ignore my first post and just point me to a resource that will help me to figure out what the best video decoder is to use with mpc-hc in different scenarios. I've started to get a handle on how to control what decoder gets chosen, and I'm sure I'll figure out the whole aspect ratio thing shortly.

Should I just send everything I can through LAV Video decoder? I'm feeling pretty good about what LAV Audio is doing for me...

[entrecour]

There are several good mpc setup guides available on the web, here is one

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1357375

[mrhuge]

There are several good mpc setup guides available on the web, here is one

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1357375

Thanks! I'm about half-way working my way through that thread already, but I appreciate the confirmation.

I solved my immediate problem by adding LAV video filters and setting it to preferred in mpc-hc, but obviously I just need to educate myself some more. The more I learn the more I realize how much I don't know - maybe the hardest part is figuring out what's relevant to my setup and what I can ignore.