Divx -> Mpeg encoder

Ocean Moves · 22 Jun 2006, 01:41

Can anyone recommend one for the purposes
of encoding divx (avi) files back to a dvd?

9while9 · 22 Jun 2006, 02:02

Ocean Moves wrote:Can anyone recommend one for the purposes
of encoding divx (avi) files back to a dvd?

You could try this > http://www.xilisoft.com/divx-to-dvd-converter.html

Not sure how goo dit is....

weebleswobble · 22 Jun 2006, 02:50

I use Nero version 7 (I think) the b*gger is often AVI creates a lag in audio-I often have to turn AVI to MPEG 4 (using Cucosoft version something)

There are shed loads of software out there that I'm sure are better, I'll be watching this thread with interest....

22 Jun 2006, 09:35

weebleswobble wrote:... often AVI creates a lag in audio...

I've found that too.

Also, the lag seems to persist into an MPEG converted from it.

A lot of DVD players have DivX playback these days; maybe time to upgrade?

MAtT · 22 Jun 2006, 13:03

Your title says you want to code divx to mpeg, but in the thread you say it's divx to DVD?

For the latter this is the easiest FREE way I know of doing it - a kind of one-stop solution:

http://www.trustfm.net/divx/SoftwareAvi2Dvd.html

For converting divx files to other formats (like MPEG), you'll need to use something like one of these (again all free):

http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

http://www.virtualdub.org/index.html.gz

http://virtualdubmod.sourceforge.net/

Top one is the easiest really. However, the whole world of video encoding on computers is a complicated minefield. Suffice it to say that "AVI" is not actually a specific format, it's just a "container" that may contain files in various other formats; hence some files having issues and others not - depending on what codecs and video player you are using.

For the uninitiated, here's the best free software I've found for playing and manipulating video files:

VLC - hands-down best video player. Does not need codecs or anything else installed on your PC as it renders everything itself. Also cross-platform. Won't play absolutely everything though.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Media Player Classic - My back-up media player. Light, small and versatile, and using the next things I mention, you can also play Real Media and Quicktime files on this. I use it also when VLC can't play something (so long as you have ffdshow installed - see below)

http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/

Quicktime Alternative and Real Player Alternative - as mentioned, install these and you can ditch crappy bloatware like QT and realplayer forever

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Qui ... native.htm

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Rea ... native.htm

FFDshow - This rendering thingybob can be used instead of installing tons of independant codecs (like divx, xvid etc). It's not a codec-package containing loads of them (DONT USE THEM - THEY WILL EVENTUALLY SCREW UP YOUR VIDEO SETTINGS!), but something that does the work instead of the usual codec. Somehow.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow

Install all the above and you'll pretty much be able to play everything with no trouble.

If you want to do other things, like edit join or convert video, try the progs at the top of this post.

Good luck campers!

James Blast · 22 Jun 2006, 16:35

I have a disc of Sisters gigs in MPEG4 format, I want to convert them so I can play them on my domestic player, any MacClues?

22 Jun 2006, 16:41

James Blast wrote:I have a disc of Sisters gigs in MPEG4 format, I want to convert them so I can play them on my domestic player, any MacClues?

I have an older version of moviegate that can encode virtually any video to DVD. If you put it at too low bitrate it can go a bit blocky (especially if you try to get too much on one disk).

James Blast · 22 Jun 2006, 16:49

I knew the fiendish one would know

bananacamel · 22 Jun 2006, 17:22

Thanks MatT, very useful post.

Now all I need to do is try and understand it

Ocean Moves · 23 Jun 2006, 03:58

I can't get
http://www.trustfm.net/divx/SoftwareAvi2Dvd.html

to recognise any audio streams on my avi file;
it just says I havn't got any.

Anyhow, maybe I just need a Dixv dvd player...
and do these players play a variety of avi's
without problem?
Any anyone (Mark?) recommend a model?

thanks

MAtT · 23 Jun 2006, 06:50

Well... believe it or not, mine was a "for dummies" explaination. Try a proper one for size:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_format

Wanna stick with mine

"Anyhow, maybe I just need a Dixv dvd player...
and do these players play a variety of avi's
without problem?"

The answer is "no" unfortunately. As i said, .AVI is just a container, the format within can be any number of different things, and one of those DVD players will only play some of them. Many stick the DivX symbol on their fronts, which means that they will play files encoded with DivX, but even then it depends on the properties of the DivX file within the AVI container itself - compression, rates etc etc. Many will also play certain versions of MPEG files, and some even XviD files (which most AVi files you may download will probably be).

When I bought my DVD player, I went into the shops with a DVd containing a load of movie clips in different formats, and insisted on testing the display models. Every DVD player was different in what it would and wouldn't play properly.

Eventually I went for an LG DR175 - plays DivX and XviD really well.

Maybe this will help you, maybe not:

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php

As far as your audio problem... the audio stream on each file is encoded with a different codec to the video stream... so it's minefield number two.

I forgot to mention this before... but this tool is ESSENTIAL - use it to see what video/audio codec you need to play the files as it tells you how the file has been encoded:

http://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Most likely you need a specific audio codec like AC3

http://ac3filter.sourceforge.net/

To get an idea of what I mean, randomly check some .AVI .MPG .MPEG .ASF files etc... you'll see that the file extension often bears no resemblance to what the file actually is (after all, any old user can change it), and that all AVI or MPEGS are equal, but some are more equal than others.

Again, good luck (lol)

23 Jun 2006, 10:03

My LiteOn HD/DVD recorder plays a lot of .avi .mpg .mpeg etc. files (I even think it plays some .wmv

) but as MAtT says, by no means all of them.

ffmpeg is a good (cross-platform) tool to convert video from one format to another.

davedecay · 23 Jun 2006, 14:44

This was recommended to me by a person who knows a lot about DVD players. It's a $70 player that outshines big-name machines that cost far more.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... sku=340190

Here is what he wrote:

I just bought this one for $69 at J&R:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process ... =nsa&nsa=1

http://www.guide2net.net/mobile_interne ... 41108.html

Read the Amazon reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002X ... e&n=172282

It's basically the same functions as the Sungale, but it's about a year newer ... a few generations in DVD player years.

It's more solid, has a crisper picture, a better menu, and most important, it plays about twice as many files as the Sungale, including some weirdly encoded ones downloaded from the net (such as Japanese p0rn).

It plays some self-recorded discs that choke the Sungale, and plays some DVDs that for some reason a couple of my other players won't recognize.

There's also a sticker on it that it's "Nero Certified", whatever that means. Have to do some more reading but I assume it recognizes some sort of proprietary encoding from Nero as well.

http://www.avayon.com/pages/divx.html#2

I've got an expensive Samsung upscaling DVI player on my plasma, but the picture from the Avayon is in the same league.

In short, an incredibly featured DVD player for seventy bucks.

Don't worry that it's a cheapo made in China. I looked at the Kenwoods, the Toshibas, even the Sonys ... all are flimsier and all are made in China too. This player is a steal and a sleeper.

PS: Here's the region unlock code...a matter of about 30 seconds:

Checking the current Region/Zone
- Press Open on the remote control
- Press 1030
- Press Display
- The current region will display at the bottom left hand corner of the TV screen

Setting the desired Region/Zone:
- Press Open on the remote control
- Press 1030
- After entering "1030", enter the region number.
- Press 0 for all regions
- Press 1 through 6 for specific region
- The selected region will display at the bottom left hand corner of the TV screen

a friend of mine purchased one based on me sending this to him, and he's been very happy with it. don't know if you can get them outside the USA or if they are rebranded. good luck!