How to author my Xvid files

[Cunhambebe]

I have converted some of my animations with Lightwave (Targa sequences) to Xvid files (muxed with AC-3). My question is quite simple here. What do I need to do to let DVD players (compatible with Xvid) play the file? I mean, should I burn a CD with the media as a data CD, or I'll have to author the CD as VCD or SVCD? Thanks in advance.

[jimmalenko]

If your DVD player can play XviD/DivX, then just burn as a data CD.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks so much for the input, jimmalenko. I'd like to ask some other questions here....
If my DVD were not compatible with Xvid, then I guess I'd have to author and burn a VCD and a SVCD...What's the difference here? I mean, regular DVDs have VOBs that are nothing more than MPEG2s with some additional information such as subs, chapters, etc...What do VCD and SVCD have - MPEG1?

One more question: is that possible to author a whole DVD or a SVCD with Xivd files (menus, subs, etc...)?
Thanks in advance

[jimmalenko]

VCD is MPEG-1, SVCD is MPEG-2 - check out the "What is ..." sections (top left) for the particulars of each.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks again.

[celtic_druid]

and XviD is MPEG-4. Hence it can't be used for (S)VCD's or DVD's.

MPEG-4 specs do however allow for menus, if you use the mp4 container. Just don't expect it (menus) to work on any standalone players or most software players either.

Another thing. XviD is just a video codec. To be used with audio it requires a container. For max standalone compatibility right now you should use avi although some players do support mp4. AC3 however is not part of MPEG-4 specs.

Last thing, DivX networks have come up with their own .divx format (based/hacked on avi) which has menu's, etc. and should eventually work on all DivX certified devices. Don't think any of the tools work with XviD though.

[Cunhambebe]

See next reply

[Cunhambebe]

and XviD is MPEG-4. Hence it can't be used for (S)VCD's or DVD's.

- thanks for the input. I author regular DVDs and deal with MPEG2. Divx and Xvid are new subjects for me. I didn't know what I was missing...

Another thing. XviD is just a video codec. To be used with audio it requires a container. For max standalone compatibility right now you should use avi although some players do support mp4. AC3 however is not part of MPEG-4 specs.

-OK, I have some Xvids in their AVI containers along with their respective AC-3s. Hope it's compatible with those DVD players that can play MPEG4 (this is my final goal here), even though I'm a bit confused by what you have stated righ overthere..." for max standalone compatibility right now you should use avi although some players do support mp4."

By the way it's lunchtime around here...and I had time to check some DVD players made in Brazil that are DivX compatible: Philips, Samsung, LG and Gradiente (local brand for JVC) are among many other ones (although I couln't find if they have the MTK chipset). I was just wondering if they can play Xvid...
-ops...just found two:

1.Philips DVP642K
2.divx Samsung P240K (this one is QPel and GMC compatible)

http://www.forumpcs.com.br/viewtopic.php?t=99068

(site is in Brazilian Portuguese - this dvd still has some errors with latin letters and signs in all romantic languages: French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Romenian - such as â, ã, ï, é, è, etc.. when you play Divx/Xvid muxed with Soft Subs. Please take a look at that site; the second picture clearly shows some subs with this problem ... Also, the dark stripe is totally odd at the bottom of the screen where subs are located) Note: Samsung has already released a firmware update to fix this problem. It can be downloaded here ftp://ftp.info.abril.com.br/firmware_dvd_p240k_samsung.zip
Unzip and burn a regular DVD with Nero; play the disc to update the firmware.

Last thing, DivX networks have come up with their own .divx format (based/hacked on avi) which has menu's, etc. and should eventually work on all DivX certified devices. Don't think any of the tools work with XviD though.

-I must be blind because I've never seen these tools that make menus, etc....but thanks anyway for this tip. I'll check it out.

One more question here...
Can I burn a DVD (instead of a CD) with Xvid files and play the disc on a DVD player????

[celtic_druid]

http://labs.divx.com <-- for info about the .divx format.

Sure you can burn to DVD. Once again for best compatibility. Stick with ISO and not UDF. This means 2GB's max per avi file.

The LG should be MTK based. It is here.

[Cunhambebe]

Thank you very much for the input, deltic_druid. I guess there's nothing more to add here. Any more ideas?