Xvid and WMP

[Cunhambebe]

I guess you all have read my topics around here on Divx, Xvid and GK. This time I'll be concise, I promise. I have both Divx Pro and Xvid installed here.
Divx Decoder was the default.
I converted a couple of my MPEG2s to Xvid. Great. First of all, I though the problem would be with checking options for converting the file such as checking both Quartel Pixel and B-VOPs. Basicaly, files encoded this way presented some kicks on the video and some color distortions (yellow, green spots).
Other files encoded without selecting these options played smootly and with no problems at all, even though presenting some granularity.
Reading some articles on the web, I've found out this one:
http://www.xvidmovies.com/faq/#2.1
So, I've decided to check it out if the problem was with the Divx codec, used as default. I followed this guide:

If your system has a newer version of Windows Media Player installed you can still access the older version to make the needed changes. Simply goto the Start menu in Windows, select "Run..." and enter "mplayer2" in the box. Then click the OK button to start Windows Media Player>Browse>Select XVID Movie>Advanced Tab>Open Divx Decoder and uncheck Support Generic MPEG4 (if you want to enable again, do it the same way or then going Start>Applic>etc). Open same Xvid file in WMP, same steps, Advanced> Xvid Decoder>Properties>I've checked both Compatibility Renderer and mp4v.

Now Xvid files play correctly even the ones converted with those options Quartel Pixel/B-VOPs. No granularity anymore, even though a problem remais. Don;t know if it's my processor but video still seems to play in "kicks". I've read that this may be cause by the processor power - Atlhon 1,7 1 GB RAM. Anyway, if this is what causes the problem why Divsx movies play well and with no kicks - remeber up there, when Divx Decoder was selected as default; there was granularity but files converted without the options Quartel Pixel/B-VOPs played well and clear - despite the granularity. So, is there something wrong with the processor or with any config? this is curious becasue if my pc playes even MPEG2s with no kicks....why would this happen with MPEG4?
Thanks in advance.

[celtic_druid]

even MPEG2s?? MPEG4 requires way more CPU power to decode. Especially if it uses qpel and b-vops.

Try ffdshow for decoding. libavcodec uses less resources than XviD's decoder.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks, for taking time to respond, celtic_druid. Thanks for the tip on the codec, and thanks to St. Patrick, too.
I'll may upgrade to an Atlhon 64 3,5+ next week (not exclusively for playing Xvid, of course - lol). Anyway, the problem was converting checking both QP and GMC- yes, they make the file much more difficult to be decoded - please red this:
Gordian Knot guide:
Avanced Users: If you intend to use Quarterpel and/or GMC you should be aware that most AVI compatible standalone DVD Players will NOT play this type of file!
Doom9.org Guides:
Furthermore we have Quarterpel, which enables quarter pixel motion estimation - a more accurate motion estimation. Quarterpel can be useful especially for lower resolutions. Note that you need a MediaTek based standalone player in order to handle QPel.
Global Motion Compensation can be useful to save bits on panning scenes. Note that there is currently no standalone player that can handle XviD's GMC. If you decide to use it, make sure the VHQ option is used (and you can go higher than VHQ level 4 with GMC).

Manono, who is one of the users around here, just sent me a PM to let me know he suggests Media Player Classic, which is not one of the WMP versions (he says is much lighter than the heavier WMP 10). About the Media Tek based sp - don't know what to say.

So, to share my scenes previously redered with Lightwave on the web, I guess (and most of you should do the same) I must not check both QP and GMC when I convert MPEG2 to Xvid - despite the fact selecting these options will convert to a final file with a quality never before seen, but yes, with some drawbacks:
- incompatible with most DVDs (just in case someone tried to go from Xvid to DVD).
- too heavy, really!

So, I'd like to ask celtic_druid what he suggests us do when we convert a file, what options, should we check??? I see that OP and GMC are not compatible at all (but quality is amazing - despite of the video jigs); how about selecting B-VOPs? There's also the option to leave Divx decoder working for all MPEG4 (but this will leave your video with some granularity). I'll try Divx and ffdshow with a file converted using both QP and B-VOPS...
Finally, all of you have the option to choose between the older WMP version still available on your XP OS, WMP 10 and BSPlayer. You can also check more info on Media Tek, etc...
Thanks to all. Hope are enjoying what's been discussed here.

[celtic_druid]

My standalone is MTK based and yep qpel is fine. That info is probably a little old. Current Sigma and Zoran chipsets I think also support qpel. So that just leavs ESS that doesn't support qpel. Still no 3 warp point GMC support though.

If you wanted to access DivX's decoder config and you are using a crappy player that doesn't give you filter access wouldn't it be easier just to click on the link in your startup menu?

If you want a player that is light on resources, try mplayer.

If you are worried about XviD settings and compatibility. Use the DXN HT profiles.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks, celtic_druid, but....

My standalone is MTK based and yep qpel is fine.

- That's what I was trying to say right avobe! By the way, being a newbie with Xvid, where can I get a player with MTK?

So that just leavs ESS that doesn't support qpel.

- leave ESS???? What do you mean - Not to check QPEL?
About the players: thanks for the tip, in fact I'm trying to encode some of my own scenes rendered with Lightwave and not really DVDs - because here, I prefer to backup my DVDs as the real thing - MPEG2 (VOB). In fact, I'm more worried with what others will see than with my own player. Anyway, I guess for the ones who backup their DVDs as Xvid and have a compatible DVD player + AC-3, discussions on DL media are a bit useless since these guys can (may) fit many DVDs on a single layer disc. Maybe my way to backup as VOB with DVD Shrink, etc....is outdated.

[celtic_druid]

I mean that leaves ESS as the only chipset maker that doesn't produce chips that support qpel.

LG and Pioneer both do nice MTK based players.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks again for the tips. Maybe all or most LG DVD drivers come with MTK...I'll have to check it out.