What exactly is 2-pass encoding??

[psxdude007]

see subject

[Faustus]

Each pass allows the encoder to more accurately decide where higher bit rates are needed. More passes be higher quality and higher efficiency of the VBR.
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[DivXExpert]

Its so you can apply bits more efficiantly.

1st pass, is to see what parts of the movie need more bitrate than others.
2nd pass is actually encoding those frames, some with more bitrate, others with less.

You end up having a better looking movie, because your not wasting bits on parts that don't need it. and you can use that to add extra to the ones that do.

[psxdude007]

so 2 pass is better quality? is it worth the extra time to encode?

[DivXExpert]

I only do 2-pass. But then again, I never do any SVCDs or VCDs anymore. Only DivX.

But yes. You will notice a difference. Especially in TMPGEnc.

[ZippyP.]

It is more efficient than CBR. It applies bits where they're needed and saves them when they're not. However, if you don't care about the number of disks, crank up the bitrate in CBR and you'll get the same quality in half the time. 8)