best format to encode to for keeping a file on my comp

[JA]

Once you rip a DVD, what is the best format to encode it to just for keeping it on your computer. I encoded one big file with TMPGEnc SVCD with the highest bitrate(2520 is it?) and it turned out pretty good, but the file is 1.6 gig How does MPEG compare to Divx, quality wise? I know Divx files are a lot smaller, and the ones i have on my computer are pretty good quality. But are Divx and AVI the same thing? Because i've downloaded stuff that was "divx", but the file is actually an AVI.


thanks for any help

[Craig Tucker]

Divx is a type of compressed avi file. So yes a divx will have an avi extension. In general divx can be compressed down to smaller sizes than mpeg (vcd or svcd), but retain comparable quality. Or they could be of a comparable size with superior quality, depending on the source of course.
So for just storing movies on a PC divx would be a more efficient use of space than vcd or svcd.

Craig