Using CCE to convert *.avi (xvid) to *.vob

[Parypv]

Hi,
Is it possible to run the CCE on an xvid avi and convert it to a vob file. The input is of a good quality and i'd like to fit four of the same size xvids onto one DVD5. This is normally doable but there's sometimes an issue of out of sync/pixels showing etc.
Would it be possible to run the cce encoder on the xvid avi to create a vob - which could later be burnt onto a dvd?
and also i'd be using nero vision to burn the dvd - will the quality of the output (cce encoded vob) change when burning the files.
as i'm normally asked to lower the bitrate when adding a total of 4 vobs to the project since it is too big.

normally i just add the xvids into the project (4 of them, and lower the bitrate so that it just fits onto the disc.) and it converts and burns .

would the quality be better if i add the xvid into the project (4 of them, lower the bitrate to fit to DVD5) and then burn.?
or to use the cce to make the vob then add to the nero project (then lower the bitrate of the cce encoded vob to fit to DVD5) and then burn...?

im' hoping it's the cce encoded one (the second one)
as this would make a better quality vob when encoded and then the quality of all 4 when the bitrate has been knocked down a little should still be of a decent quality (and better than when the xvid's bitrate is knocked down from the source file without any other conversion)

sorry for the complicated description.
any more info needed please ask

Thanks for the help

Parypv

[guns1inger]

No. You can use CCE to encode the video (and audio, although I would suggest somethig better be used), but then you have to author these into a DVD.

As for quality, the best quality will come from putting less on the disc. Quality is, in a large part, a product of bitrate. Enough bitrate, the quality is retained. Lower the bitrate, and quality drops off. Bitrate is derived from running time and size. That is, Bitrate x running time = size. For DVD, size is a constant, so as you vary the running time, you also vary the birate. Make the running time longer, you get a lower bitrate.

Realistically, you should keep the running time on a DVD at full resolution to under 120 minutes if you want to maintain the quality of the original Xvid.

I also would not use Nero Vision, as it is a stupid program that insists on encoding compliant material. So even if you created compliant video that fit a single disc, Nero Vision would, in all likelihood, re-encode with it's poor quality encoder, reducing your overall quality.

[Parypv]

so i'd be better off using the cce encoder for video and then extracting the audio and converting it.
and then using the vobs to make a dvd using which software?
i had a load of software before but i got rid of them but i could install them again if needed.
and also i tried opening an avi with cce a qhile ago and it says that the file is in use all the time
i restarted the pc shut everything off and it still says it
wmp or anything related to video wasn't open so i'm not sure what the problem is

EDIT:- turns out that it's converting the files ok now but i get mpv's and wavs
what do i do with them?
thanks for the reply guns1inger..

Parypv

[drewzor]

Hi Parypv,
Some xvid video has varible bite rate mp3 audio and this can cause audio sync issues.
Also some xvid video is cropped to unusual dimentions that can cause a look of pixalation when it is converted to standard 4:3 or 16:9 dimentions.

Virtualdubmod is free and should be able to open the xvid file, From here you can seperate the audio and save the video and audio seperate in a more usable format for nero. Divx and wav seems to work ok for me. VirtualDubMod can also resize the video by adding black bars or cropping to get the right aspect ratio before burning to dvd.

DVDAuthorGUI can use .mpv and can add audio streams with .wav
it is free also

[guns1inger]

I use FitCD to calculate the resize numbers for an avisynth script that I use (it has a few extra filters in it), and load that into CCE. I extract the audio with virtualdubmod and convert it to AC3 with Sound Forge, but you could also use ffmpeggui. I only use AC3, never mpeg1-layer2.

[aia]

No. You can use CCE to encode the video (and audio, although I would suggest somethig better be used), but then you have to author these into a DVD.

What "something better" would you suggest instead of Cinema Craft?

[drewzor]

Hay Guns1inger, may i ask why "never mpeg1 layer2" ?

[guns1inger]

CCE's audio encoding is limited to mpeg1-layer2, and is pretty average.

My preference is for AC3 because it is more universally accepted, and because it is a completely digital transport in my home system. My amp, like many, will take AC3 and DTS as digital signals, but will only take mpeg1-layer2 if down-mixed to PCM and sent out the stereo analogue ports.