Why avi files?

[mataharimata]

Hi everyone,

This is something that I have been wondering about for a while now but still haven't found the answer... why are avi files the most popular, most available and used files?
I usually get an avi file, then run it through TMPGenc Xpress to make it an mpg file and then either burn it onto a VCD or make from a few files a DVD with TMPGenc DVD Author.
So I was really wondering why do people offer avi files? Why not encode them already and them make the mpg file available, so that everyone else saves the encoding time? Or is there an easier or a different way to deal with avi files, less time consuming?
I am not trying to have it the easy way and get everything ready on my plate, it is just something that I would really like to know... as I have a feeling that there is something that I don't know and spend hours and hours encoding...
Thank you, I appreciate it!

[Forum Troll]

The vast majority of .avi files are encoded in the divx/xvid format. It makes them more compact for downloading and enables you to have different types of soundtracks (ac3, mp3, wav).


You are in breach of the forum rules and are being banned. Do not post false information.
/ Moderator John Q. Publik

[mataharimata]

The part about avi files being more compact for downloading and the different type of audio, I understand. But do you mean that there are more possibilities to make out of avi files? And does that mean that everyone goes through the long process with TMPGenc Xpress to be able to watch them on their DVD player?
Thank you for your info.

[jimmalenko]

... And does that mean that everyone goes through the long process with TMPGenc Xpress to be able to watch them on their DVD player?

Most people I know buy them on DVD (if available, of course)

The main benefits are as mentioned - small filesizes (therefore quicker downloading / distribution) and multiple audio streams. Also, with the proliferation of DivX/XviD capable DVD players now, there's not a distinct "need" to convert to DVD-compliant MPEG any more either.

[mataharimata]

Thank you for the info.
Do you mean that running the avi files though TMPGenc Xpress is not necessary and that I can just burn several avi files onto a DVD, and if so how?
I am sorry for asking so many questions, it's just that I really would like to find out if I am wrong or taking the long way...
Thank you!

[jimmalenko]

Some DVD players can play DivX or XviD straight off a data disc. You need to find out if yours is one of these, or alternatively look at purchasing one of these if you don't wish to go the re-encoding route.

[mataharimata]

Now I understand, well, mine doesn't play avi files off data discs, I have tried... so in my case I do need to run then through TMPGenc Xpress and there is no other way, right?
Thanks again!

[lordsmurf]

AVI is a wrapper (container), nothing more.

The format inside varies greatly. An AVI can even contain MPEG data (and I'm not talking MPEG-4).

Therefore, it is
NOT most popular,
NOT most available and
NOT most used

Calling all of these "AVI files" is akin to calling all cars "Fords". Not really the same.

-- MPEG-1 is popular for CD formats because it's somewhat decent and fits on a CD.
-- MPEG-2 is popular because it offers high quality on a DVD
-- MPEG-4 (AVI wrapper XVID and DIVX, for example) is popular because it is decent quality, and is a small file size for online distribution. Quicktime MOV is also a type of MPEG-4 format, apparently. Official HTTP videos are often MOV format, not AVI.

[mataharimata]

Thank you for the clarification!
However the process that I go through remains the same - using TMPGenc Xpress to encode from avi to mpg, which makes it possible to burn on VCD or eventually DVD(knowing that I cannot play avi files from data discs), as of course the end result that I aim for is to be able to watch it on my DVD player, and my question was "are all Fords cars..."?

[pfh]

Depends on the source and how that source is obtained. After that it depends on what the intended use is.

Since it appears to me that your source is all AVI then your only options are choosing a faster encoder.

[vhelp]

From an encoding point..

Because its as close to RAW (original quality) as can be. Some add in
a flavor of compression (aka, CODEC -- ie, mjpeg; divX; dv; huffy; etc)

You never really want to use an mpeg (if *you* captured it w/ cap card)
because this form is reduced in quality and much meat is cut from this
area (capturing to MPEG, and used as if AVI to re-encode, for instance)

AVI is like having the original Film/Source and that is where you start..
with the original source. It's not in MPEG. (though, you could look
at commercial DVD's as an original) anyways.

-vhelp 3283

[junkmalle]

why are avi files the most popular, most available and used files?

From a programming point of view, AVI is popular because Microsoft created the AVI container 20 years ago as an open specification. MS also created a large library of functions to support the spec and continues to support those functions. So anybody who wants to write A/V applications can easily use the AVI container without paying royalties to MS. A large ecosystem of tools have evolved around AVI.

For online distribution it's a convenient meeting place. Everyone has a player that can play AVI files (although you may have to download a codec). Since AVI is the most popular container most codecs and tools support it. Sure, you can put Divx/Xvid/whatever video in an MP4, MOV, or MKV container, but fewer people have players that can handle those formats. And there are fewer tools that support the manipulation of those containers.

People distributing stuff on the net may not be interested in you putting the files on a DVD and watching on your TV via a DVD player. They're more interested in reducing the file size for transfer. Would your rather send someone a 90 minute video as a 700 MB AVI file or as a 4000 MB MPEG file? I thought so...

[mataharimata]

Thanks, you all have been very helpful. Great information!

[lordsmurf]

why are avi files the most popular, most available and used files?

From a programming point of view, AVI is popular because Microsoft created the AVI container 20 years ago as an open specification. MS also created a large library of functions to support the spec and continues to support those functions.

It's also one of the only wrapper choices available. Monopoly.

[celtic_druid]

What about .mov, .mp4, .mkv, .ogm, .nut, .dsm, .nsv, etc.? There are plenty of other container choices, some with certain limits for what they can contain like ogg or mp4, but others like mkv can contain anything that avi can and do it better.

[mataharimata]

I understand now everything about avi files, from the quality point of view and variety that it has, to the small files size. But what are the different ways to get an avi file to play in a DVD player if encoding it to an mpg is not recommended as it looses quality?
Thanks

[lordsmurf]

What about .mov, .mp4, .mkv, .ogm, .nut, .dsm, .nsv, etc.? There are plenty of other container choices, some with certain limits for what they can contain like ogg or mp4, but others like mkv can contain anything that avi can and do it better.

AVI and MOV are a monopoly. AVI far more than MOV.

The others are insignificant, comparatively. I work (and play) with video daily and never even heard of some of the extensions you just mentioned. MKV and OGM are barely heard of outside a couple places online (even this site has very little in the way of these).

[lumis]

mataharimata,

you should save yourself the encoding time and buy a dvd player capable of playing mpeg-4 (xvid, divx)

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=312093&pfp=SEARCH

[mataharimata]

Yes, but I just got mine very recent and I am just finding out that there are different kinds of DVD players. We all make mistakes, but it starts by first finding out what the mistakes are, and then correct them the next time possible... and in the mean time find a different way of dealing with things...
However, I am sure I am not the only one with an uncapable DVD player, and does that mean that everyone in my case really goes through all the encoding time and that is really no other way... or at least shorter way and that without loosing quality...?
Thanks

[jimmalenko]

... and does that mean that everyone in my case really goes through all the encoding time and that is really no other way... or at least shorter way and that without loosing quality...?

Yes. If you can't play raw files, then you must convert to VCD/SVCD/DVD to get playback on a settop player. There's no other way around it. There's plenty of software out there that is much, much quicker than TMPGEnc - this includes other dedicated encoders ( https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=9#9 ), and all-in-crap-one tools ( https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=35#35 ).

So basically, if you want to continue dealing with AVI files, then you're SOL ATM and have to take "the long way" I'm afraid

[lumis]

if you just got it very recently, return it to the store and get your money back.

[mataharimata]

You have a good point there Lumis, but funny enough, I bought the DVD player in another country, but thank you anyway!
Jimmalenko, I will check out your recommedations
Thank you all

[lacywest]

NeroVision Express 3 ... works very good to convert a set of avi files ... to a watchable DVD

I usually set the bitrate to about 5000 kb and if the ending result is too big ... I shrink it with DVD Shrink 3.2 or with DVD Rebuilder

[mataharimata]

OK, so here comes my next question: I was wondering if these all-in-one programs can encode different types of avi files (DivX or XviD ), or let's say with a different type of audio e.g. avi files but the one is with AC3 audio format and the other MPEG1/2? I am asking this because when I tried with DVD Santa to make a DVD from 2 different movies at the same time (both avi files), there was a huge audio delay on the second movie, so I am not a real fan of all-in-one programs, and believe that each avi has to be treated separately. Is this correct?
Thanks!