H264 Question

[RDS1955]

Does the H264 conversion Process create a AVI comparable File? I want to take my LOTR Extended versions and put all three episodes on one DL DVD. I was going to go with Xvid but reading a little bit here the expertise says it makes a smaller file and the quality is superb.. Does VLC, Nero or Media Classic Play them once converted or do I need a different player? any pointers would be appreciated..TIA

[Jeremiah58]

One of possible better solutions:

http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/convert_dvd_movie_to_nero_digital.cfm

[RDS1955]

Thanks for the link.. I was there a bit earlier... what I'm looking for basically is converting to H264 making the Movies into an AVI type file which I can view with VLC, or Media Player... I believe that Nero Digital can only be viewed with Nero...I'm looking for something that once I do it to my DL DVD, I can pop it into my Laptop and watch it with Windows Media Player or VLC, which is what's installed on it, and not have to install another player on the already crowded thing. Nero's on my main PC so it's not an issue on it..Feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken..

[ricardouk]

my WMP plays nero digital files fine, no problem at all

[junkmalle]

You can use VirtualDubMod to create AVI files with x.264 encoded video (if you have a compression codec installed). If you have an x.264 directshow decompression codec (ffdshow) installed you can use Windows Media Player to play it.

Does X.264 deliver better results than Xvid? It depends. In my experience with clean sources like DVD rips, Xvid with deblocking and deringing enabled looks very similar to x.264. With noisy sources like TV/Cable captures x.264 can look much better because part of it's compression involves a lot of spacial and temporal filtering -- less noise results is less bitrate spent encoding the noise.

[celtic_druid]

Nero Digital = mp4 which can be played back by numerous players including wmp and VLC.

I wouldn't recommend avi as a container and x264's cli encoder offers way more features than the VfW one and I for one won't be submitting any more patches to update it.

XviD in an avi container isn't exactly a good thing, but at least you have hardware compatibility. No hardware plays AVC in avi so there is no real point in using it. The only real advantage I guess is the fact that you don't need to install a new splitter since windows comes with a (some what limited) avi splitter.

[Jeremiah58]

I believe that Nero Digital can only be viewed with Nero...

No, you could use other players on your laptop.
I would recommend BSPlayer, small, configurable, has been arround for a long time. I've been using it for 5 years for all .avi files. It's a freeware. Install new version of ffdshow and using BSplayer you could watch almost any video format.
If you want to use subtitles there are 2 options with Nero Digital, so let me know if you want to use them.

[RDS1955]

Thanks for the Many replies...
Jeremiah, at Present I will not be needing any subtitles, thanks for the offer..
Celtic_Druid; you're talking a bit over my head; m'friend...Point me to someplace where I can read up and get a better understanding what you're talking about.....and HEY!.. I've seen your name concerning work you've done .. I for one am very appreciative of your efforts, labor and time you put into the stuff..Thanks for what you do...

[celtic_druid]

Easiest way to playback NeroDigital (mp4) is probably just Media Player Classic with ffdshow installed. Media Player Classic now has a built in mp4 splitter. Otherwise a combo of Haali's splitter and ffdshow is good.