I must be a total dumbass

[AchtungAffen]

Yes I think I am. I wanted to start with this XVid thing, so I read the faq and download the PDF with the Encoder Guide. I first had another XVid codec, and because I saw things were different from that guide I go and download Koepis binary. So I try it with virtualdubmod, and to my surprise, not only the first dialog of the compressor was almost the same as before (without "First Pass" and "Second Pass" buttons), but also the Advanced tabs had even less options than and b-frames were greyed.

Everything has been going wrong since I tried XVid... I don't understand how to set up the size of the file for the 2nd encode, can't find that option or value to set!, when I encode with 1st pass I get rectangles on white characters sometimes when they overlap over the edge of a black figure, I also get rectangles on some acceding panes. Everything wrong!

Please help! What am I doing wrong??

[KpeX]

Step 1 is to relax, this stuff isn't easy at first. Sounds like you download Koepi's stable build and not the latest unstable alpha. 'Stable' builds have only fully tested options available. For advanced options like b-frames and vhq and qpel that haven't been fully debugged you'll need the 'unstable' binaries. As far as the rest of your problems, it's hard to say. Try posting a AVS script or GKnot logfile or somehow giving more info about how you're encoding. hth,

[AchtungAffen]

I just downloaded the binary you said, I still can't see the option to set the size for 2 pass. Where is it?

And also, the main dialog is different from that of the guide... I wonder if its just because of virtualdub... I dl'ed Gknot and I'll try out now.

This is a screencapture of the dialog I'm seeing when I configure the compressor:
http://www.affensvault.no-ip.com/images/articles/xviddialog.jpg

[Nic]

You set the size when doing the second pass ( set "encoding mode" to: "2 pass - 2nd pass" after doing the first pass).

-Nic

[AchtungAffen]

You mean the "2 pass 2nd pass int", right?

PS: I wonder, where can I learn how to set the correct bitrate for CBR? I also mean... what does this mean, to set a bitrate? What does it exactly do.

And to stop bothering with such lame questions... where can I learn the specifics of basic things like these, like bitrate, like quantizers, etc..?

[Nic]

It is hard, there are no easy answers other than to read lots. and use www.google.com to find your answers as well as using the search of this site. Find a bitrate calculator on Doom9's download to help you with CBR bitrate. Do some reading now...and post back with more specific questions. Or maybe read up ( and maybe eventually post ) in the newbie's forum of this board until you have more of a grip on video encoding....

Also the glossary at www.doom9.org will contain many useful bits of info for the beginner.

-Nic

[AchtungAffen]

Thanks!