Which XviD to use?

[gurabli]

Hi!

I have a quite stupid question, please do not kick me out:)

I used DivX and XviD codecs for encoding DVDs.
It was hard to decide for me, which was better, I liked them both.
I used DivXPro 5.0.2 for long time.
Than I started to use XviD.
Now, I do not like the new version of DivX 5.1, it is very slow and for me not better than XviD.

Sorry for this long introduction...

My question is, which is at the present situation, the most stable, and safest XviD build available. I use the one included in GordianKnot, but I am sure there are newer versions out.
But it is very important for me to have a good encode, so I don't have time to check the new versions.

I think stable releases are better for me, if I understanded well.
(but which?)
THX!

Gurabli

[Nic]

At the current moment use the one off my site, or use the latest "Latest development (unstable) binary" off Koepi's site. The difference between the two is minimal, but I'd probably recommend koepi's as that contains more features that you've probably heard about.

But if development build's scare you, then use Koepi's "stable" build from last year.

-Nic

[Pen-Pen]

don't be scared by dev builds ;)

I use koepi's last dev build since it's been out, and I've never had any playback problems

I may be wrong, but I think that stable builds do not include b-frame support, so I personaly think that you're better off with Divx 5 than with XViD stable builds ;)

[gurabli]

Thanks for Your help!

I do not like DivX anymore, I became "addict" to XviD :)

Can You help me about B-frames, where can I find a good description or a guied about it?
Is it true that B-frames degrees quality of picture and the overall quality or contrary?

[kalxas]

Greetings everyone!

I 've been testing several codecs in the last couple of days, in a big PSNR and speed test. Though, my results are not yet completed (I will post them when they are), I have already reached to the conclusion that among XviD builds, the CVS Dev-api 4 1-9-2003 build, is a bit faster and gives slightly better PSNR results. Now I know that this build is HIGHLY unstable and risky to use (though it worked prety stably for me in the 8 encodes I used it). Also Koepi's and Nic's latest builds, seem VERY stable at the moment and I don't see why they are not named as stable.
Anyway, I have also to comment that, in my own opinion, since I 've been using DivX and XviD for a long time, DivX 5.1 gives the best results at the momment. As for the speed issue, my test shows that there is not even an issue at all... when using DivX 5.1 at standard mode, gives encodes of higher PSNR than older DivX codecs, and curent XviD dev-api 3 builds. The speed of DivX 5.1 is around 1-2 fps slower that DivX 5.05 and 2-3 fps slower than XviD. So, I don't see that kind of speed difference... When someone, wishes to use Slow and Slowest modes, must be prepared for the low speed, but also gets unbelievable results. It's a matter of choice...
The job being done at the moment at XviD dev-api 4 seems very promising, and I look forward to the XviD 1.0 release rising the standards of MPEG 4 once again :)

[Pen-Pen]

@gurabli

there a LOTS of threads talking about b-frames...

b-frames higher compression AND lower quality, BUT, if you choose your settings well (not too many b-frames, which do not have a too high quantizer), you'll get a better compression WITHOUT visible quality loss. So, for the same file size, you'll get a better overall quality than without b-frame (do I make myself clear ? :D)

for the settings, you'll find lots of threads explaining the impact they have on your encode

(my settings, though lots of people will not agree :D :

2/150/100/100

lots of b-frames, but not so much quality loss and really good compression... give it a shot, you'll see it's not bad at all

anyway, you'd better read posts about ipb-frames decision if you want to make your own idea (which is always better ;))

good luck :)

[gurabli]

Thank You once more for help!
It was understandable about b-frames, and I will look after the topics.

One more thing!
I know that this is not a DivX forum, but let me ask:
in DivX 5.1 the standard encoding speed and psychovisual set to slow and GMC and Bi-direction on, the speed is almost equal to DivX5.0.5?!
And the quality is noticable better?

Gurabli

[kalxas]

Hi gurabli,

I think that the latest testing results that I posted at
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63735
will answer your question.