Convert video format for my TV (divX)

[the_shyguy]

Hi,

I have a Teac LCDV2255HD and from what i can see it only reads DivX (avi)...
how would i convert WMV files to avi
AND
H.264 files to AVI?

There is a firmware update for the tv but im not sure if that changes anything???

[guns1inger]

I like Xvid4PSP. Use the AVI Hardware preset

[the_shyguy]

what do you mean avi hardware preset?

will i lose any quality with this?

[guns1inger]

Xvid4PSP converts many formats to many formats. In order to make life easier, it also has a series of common formats preset - stand alone Divx/Xvud players are covered by the AVI Hardware preset. There are also presets for the PS3, many mobile phones, iPods of differing ages etc. You can also modify and and tailor these to suit your needs.

Will you lose quality ?

Maybe.

Every time you convert a lossy format to a lossy format you risk losing quality. Will it be visible ? Depends on the quality of the source, the content of the video and the settings you use.

If, for example, your H264 is a HD video taken from a BluRay source then yes, you will lose substantial quality going to Divx/Xvid to meet the specifications required by your TV. You will have to lower the resolution, the bitrate etc.

If you want to retain the quality of your source material, and if your source material is high enough quality to warrant saving, then you are better off looking at something like a WDTV unit, which can play most formats without conversion.

[the_shyguy]

hmmm it didnt work... it came up with an error on my tv saying that it couldnt read the file properly.... it said something like GOC or something... the audio was fine...

it only has xvid in the options too on this tool... but my tv needs to be divx...

how much WDTV's cost? and how do they attach to the tv?

[guns1inger]

Divx and Xvid are generally interchangeable.

WDTV is AUD$199 plus the cost of a portable HDD to put the videos on.

They connect via HDMI and probably component and s-video, but you would have to confirm that.

[jman98]

They connect via HDMI and probably component and s-video, but you would have to confirm that.

Actually it's HDMI and composite - nothing else.

Maybe the_shyguy's problem is with GMC. While I have never used Xvid4PSP, I would have assumed that the AVI Hardware preset would not use GMC at all but maybe it did. I don't know.

[the_shyguy]

Yeah GMC thats what it said... and i admit the first time i just set it to avi...

set it to avi hardware this time and it worked... cheers! quality doesnt look good on my lcd tv but on my monitor there is no visual difference between the 2 at full screen...

are there cheaper versions of the WDTV? other brands?

[guns1inger]

Nothing cheaper that is reputable. You can find oddities on eBay, but I wouldn't touch them. The WDTV is the best I have seen, however Seagate has one, LaCie has a couple, then there is the Tivx (sp ?). I already have a PS3, which plays most stuff either directly, ot by streaming from my PC.

[the_shyguy]

well that was my other though.... would a XBOX360 or similar play WMV files?

i assume then i just connect that to my tv and then it will play the files...

my tv wont play mp3 or anything other than DivX which is really annoying... so instead of having to burn audio cds and convert wmv's etc. would be easier if there was something connect that does it all...

ps. the tv is a teac which comes with a built in dvd player... but limited in its features...

[guns1inger]

The Xbox will play some formats and not others. You may find you have to apply some firmware/system upgrades to get the latest video support. If your 360 is on your home network and connected to the internet then this should be easy to do.