DV To DivX, MPEG-1 or MPEG-2

[State Of Mind]

I am wondering what the best method is to use to convert DV to either DivX, MPEG-1 or MPEG-2. I found that with TMPGENc encoding to MPEG-1 at 2500 bitrate it was better quality in the respect that there was no blurring/smudging of the image. For example, if I record an area of the ground for a few seconds and convert it to DivX at 1500 bitrate, it is smudgy looking. Is there a way I can make it look clearer without maxing up the bitrate? I don't like the XviD codec. I use VirtualDub and TMPGEnc for anything other than DivX.

[BSR]

Don't know the best, but for:
XVID I use Virtualdub
MPEG2 I use TMPGEnc.

Might just have to play around with the settings to get better results in DIVX. A stupid mistake I've made is just be sure to encode interlaced or not interlaced depending on what your source is, or make the conversion with at good filter.

[Suntan]

Gee, don't give too many details about how you encoded them...

One thing, if you are only doing clips that last a few seconds then Divx is going to have problems. It takes at least 5 to 10 minutes of video stream for any Mpeg 4 codec to get the quality in line.

Why don't you like Xvid?

Other than that, can't help you unless you supply more info like which version of DivX and what settings used.

-Suntan

[State Of Mind]

CPU - Intel P4 3.0 GHz
RAM - 1.0 GB DDR
Video Card - ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
DivX - v5.1.1
Media Player - Zoom Player Pro v3.31
Encoding Tools - VirtualDub-MPEG2 v1.5.10, TMPGENc Plus v2.521.58.169.
Encoding Method - Multipass (2 passes) with 2500 kbps, 720X480. Deinterlacing (blend), Sharpen by 8 in VDub. (Note: Above details are when I used MPEG-1 conversion)

Need anymore details? Here's a screenshot at my monitor's maximum resolution (1280X1024) of a DivX 1500 kbps clip.

I just copied and pasted a small portion of the screen. As you can see, the entire image is very smudgy looking.

[BSR]

How long was this clip that you encoded?
And how often did you use I frames, i.e. every 300?
Also, Blend is not the best deinterlacer. Might want to try Smart Deinterlacer filter.

[State Of Mind]

Clip duration: 3:06
keyframe every 300; left as default
Smart De-Interlacer? Where can I find this?

[State Of Mind]

Ok, I have the filter you mentioned...what settings should I use and how should I adjust them?

[BSR]

I just use the defaults:
Frame only difference.
Compare Color Channels
Motion threshold=15
Scene Change threshold =100

Also curious, if you increase your bitrate to say 2500 does it help the picture any?

Don't know much about DIVX 5.1.1 but you might want to post all your settings so someone that does know about it can help you. Like 1 pass or 2, any DIVX filters, or default settings? I see you posted about your MPEG1 settings but not DIVX.
The DOOM9.org site is an excellent source of info for mpeg4 encoding, Divx and XVID.

[ZippyP.]

If you're converting using TMPGEnc from home footage then you might want to try the noise filter. It adds to the encoding time (alot) but it frees up bitrate that gets used up by the noise. I'm not sure of the settings, try the default on a short clip and see if it helps.

[State Of Mind]

Well, I successfully reduced filesize by using psychovisual and noise options in DivX, the only problem now is the major smudgy look when the image gets dark and the artifacts. Here is a screenshot of the top of my head. Notice the black dots above my hair are where my hair used to be on that part of the picture, but the motion precision or the deinterlace or something makes bits of the image remain where they previously were even after the image moves elsewhere. if someone knows how to fix this, please let me know!

[State Of Mind]

I'm thinking maybe it is an inefficient use of the bitrate or management of frames with the Smart Deinterlacer filter settings? I'm really hoping someone with good knowledge about this sort of thing can help me out.

[flaninacupboard]

well, that's what divx DOES. that's how it's so heavily compressed, doesn;t update areas of the screen that probably don't need it.

What do you actually need to do with these files? play them back somewhere? archive them? email them?

If you want good quality from Divx, then set your key frames to 30 or 15 and use a bitrate above 2mbits.