Converting to Divx and Aspect Ratios

[matthewjohn23]

I have widescreen AVI files that are 720x480 and I would like to convert them to Divx. What is the best aspect ratio to use for the files? I was thinking 720x400. Also do you prefer the Divx converter or Auto GK?

[Soopafresh]

720x400 is good and AutoGK is fine.

[jagabo]

720x400 is OK for 16:9 NTSC material. I would use 640x480 for 4:3 sources. If your player supports it and you want to preserve as much detail as possible leave the video at 720x480 and use the DAR flags to set the aspect ratio.

[matthewjohn23]

My main purpose for the video is two-fold. One I want to be able to put it on a DVD at some point. I have a widescreen TV, but I also some 4:3 ones. Secondly, I'd like to keep the files archived in case I need to use them for another project or re-edit them.

[jagabo]

Converting to Divx/Xvid for later editing isn't the best idea. Quality will suffer each time you reencode.

[matthewjohn23]

I guess technically if I need to do more editing to a file I could store it as a wmv file or I could recapture it from tape. However, so far I haven't needed to recapture tape. I would store it as the captured AVI, but that takes up a ridiculous amount of space. I can also put it on a disc or send it to my external hard drive.

[mats.hogberg]

DivX and wmv are both end formats, not intended (and not good) for editing. divx AVI is possibly the better of the two.
If you want to archive your source video, do so in a format as uncompressed as possible. DV AVI (13 GB/hour) is a good compromise.

/Mats

[jagabo]

If your final output format is going to be a movie DVD and you really don't want to archive the original AVI files you might consider converting them to DVD compatible MPEG2 files. MPEG2 isn't the best archive format but at least you won't have to reencode (using the right editor) if you only make cuts and paste later on. Many DVD players will play MPEG2 files on ISO data discs so you might even be able to view your archives on TV.

[matthewjohn23]

Well, basically I have two types of footage. I have family videos stored on DVDs (VOB files) that I edit from a DVD into clips on my computer and after it's edited and converted to Divx I burn it to a DVD. The other footage I shoot is mostly for YouTube videos (720x480 AVIs or 640x480 and 320x240 Quicktime files). So far I haven't really done much editing with the older footage. What I will probably do is keep the family vids as Divx files. I usually don't re-edit those and I have it all on my original DVD if I need to edit something. For archiving the AVI files I'll make a DVD data disc and I'll keep my miniDV tape as a second backup.