Virtualdub mpeg2 to divx problem.

[bat5hit]

Hi, I have captured some footage from TV onto the pc. My capture device automatically saves it in mpeg2.
I used Virtualdub mpeg2 to convert it to divx and it works pretty well, however the recording was in 16:9 PAL and when I save the AVI it always comes out in 4:3 PAL. Anyone know what I am doing wrong ?
I also tried converting to Xvid using the latest codec but I always end up with sound but no video.
Thanks.

[laspis59]

I use VD-MPEG2 but have you tried the popular tools, AutoGK or avi.net yet to see if they work?

[Baldrick]

You can make "16:9 anamorphic" divx but few software players supports it.

You can instead resize it to a 16:9 video frame size like 640x360 (and crop all black borders) and it will look okey with allll players.

Or try Autogk as laspis recommends.

[bat5hit]

I'll try AutoGK and see if that does the trick.
Thanks for the replies.

[bat5hit]

That did the trick first time, thanks. Only thing is the Divx file came out bigger than the mpeg2

[laspis59]

That is probably down to the bitrate chosen for the DivX.I personally dont do what your doing and have only done this once with VirtualDub MPEG-2.I have no experience with AutoGK.If it gives you the option to set the max size of the outputted Divx or choose a bitrate of for example 500 then the filesize will be a LOT smaller.

Another example,in VD-MPEG2 you can just choose Video>Compression and select the DivX codec and configure it to the bitrate you want.

Maybe someone who uses the tool can point out which setting needs adjusting for bitrate.

Well I'm glad that the DivX is coming out in WideScreen for you with AutoGK.

[Baldrick]

You can choose the output file size in AutoGK, under "Step 3" set it to custom size.

[Scorpion King]

In VD you select Video, then Compression, your Divx codec, Configure, then in the Divx Configuration click on the Video Tab. Video Resolution: Source Aspect. Use the drop down list box to set your aspect ratio. In your case PAL 16:9.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

[bat5hit]

I tried that scorpion but had no joy. I have been using AutoGK and have been pretty happy with the results. I noticed the section where you can specify the output file size, but am never sure what size to set so I don't lose too much quality from the original file.

[manono]

Hi-

I noticed the section where you can specify the output file size, but am never sure what size to set so I don't lose too much quality from the original file.

Studying the log with the result of the compression test will give you a clue. If it's too low, AutoGK will switch the resizer and matrix used, and try to get the percentage above 65-70% for the size you specified. Also, if you have the resolution on Auto, it'll lower the heck out of it if necessary. You can check the AVI later on in GSpot to see what it chose, and see if it's lower than you might have liked.

One good way to insure even quality is to use the 1-pass Target Quality setting. Since one pass is done, instead of the normal 2 passes, you'll get results much more quickly. You can choose your width in the Advanced Settings if you like. The tradeoff is that you lose all control over file size. But after a few tries of playing with the percentages (the default 75% is very good, but you may find you can go down to 60% or so and still get good results) and widths, you should find the settings you prefer, and eventually get a rough idea of the final sizes you'll get based on the length of the shows you cap.

Edit: Fixed a typo.

[bat5hit]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just tried to convert an 11 minute mpeg2 I captured which was around 240mb. I turned the sound off to see what size file I would get and ran it at 75% quality using the xvid codec and the resulting file was around 210mb.
The quality was good though.
Where will I find the log you mention and what am I looking for when I find it ?
It baffles me a bit all this converting, how come you see tv shows ,for example,which have been encoded to xvid which are around 340mb for 45 minutes ?

[manono]

Hi-

I forget what the log is called, something like MovieName_log.txt.

It baffles me a bit all this converting, how come you see tv shows ,for example,which have been encoded to xvid which are around 340mb for 45 minutes ?

Apples to oranges comparison you're making. Often the XviDs you've seen are from DVDs. Or if of TV shows, from a Hi-Def source. Unless I'm mistaken, you're capping an SD source, and perhaps it's full of noise, which can be very hard to compress. I believe you got a width of 704 or thereabouts. I suggested lowering the resolution earlier. Maybe choose 640 width in the Advanced Settings, or 576, or 512. Instead of 75%, choose 65% or 60%. I mentioned it might take a few tries until you find that sweet spot of quality and resolution and file size. Once you find it, it should be fast and easy to set up all your encodes after that. Maybe set up half a dozen of the same capture one time, with varying widths and percentages, so you can compare them when they're done. Just a suggestion, though. You can always go back to doing 2-passes for a set file size. But then you're back to your original problem of how to choose the right size.

[bat5hit]

OK, thanks again manono. Yes it's a SD source I have capped and it's 720x576 16:9 PAL.