xvid to divx

[glenn71x]

What is the best way to convert an xvid file to a divx? I have an xvid file that will not play on my Phillips stand alone player.

Thanks!

[Baldrick]

easiest: dr.divx.

[bugster]

Have you tried FourCC_Changer. It simply changes the header info to whatever you want, so change it to divx. This sometimes works in cases like this as the two codecs are supposed to be compatible with each other.

[Baldrick]

AVI FourCC Code Changer (clickable link).

[mats.hogberg]

the two codecs are supposed to be compatible with each other.

...but there are features found in XviD not present in DivX. If some of those features was used when the XviD was encoded, it won't work, patching the header. But I'd say it's well worth a try, before going thru a reencoding process.

/Mats

[celtic_druid]

Well there are features even in DivX that some standalones don't convert. Also it is perfectly possible to convert an XviD file with unsupported features to an XviD file that will play. Really no need for DivX unless you really want it.

[mats.hogberg]

Quite, but a XviD to XviD reencode would amount to the same trouble/quality loss as a XviD to DivX reencode, wouldn't it?

/Mats

[celtic_druid]

Yes, but I am just pointing out that just because a standalone won't playback a certain XviD file does not mean that you have to convert to DivX. The XviD to XviD re-encode may very well look better than the XviD to DivX one anyway.

[glenn71x]

Hmm so what is the best recommendation here to get this file playing in my Phillips Stand Alone player? How about changing it to mpg2? Or someone mentioned changing the xvid to a playable xvid? How is that accomplished? The only info I can add is that when I Open this file in Virtual DUB I get the message

"Detected an Improper VBR Audio Encoding in the source avi file, Virtual Dub will rewrite the audio header with standard CBR values during processing for better compatability. This may introduce 19403 ms of skew from the video stream. If this is unacceptable, decompress the entire audio stream to an uncompressed WAV file and recompress with a constant bitrate encoder. (bitrate 130.0 + 18.4kbps)"

Is this my problem, if so what should I do to correct it?

Thanks for the help everyone

[junkmalle]

The VBR audio isn't a problem for your Philips player. It's a VirtualDub issue.

Just reencode your XVID file to either XVID or DIVX but don't use the Global Motion Compensation (GMC) or Quarter Pixel (QPEL) features -- those are the features that the Philips can't handle.

If you have an audio sync problem after conversion with VirtualDub you'll need to export the audio as WAV file, then use that WAV file a the audio source in VirtualDub.

[glenn71x]

What process/utility should I use for that conversion with those options that you just mentioned?

[junkmalle]

VirtualDub has the ability to save the audio as WAV. Then use that WAV file as the audio source in VirtualDub.

[glenn71x]

Hmm a little confused...
You mentioned first just trying to reencode the xvid to xvid without those 2 features. Using VirtualDub? Or some other utility. If I use VirtualDUb can you point me to a guide on how to do it? Or is it just like 3 easy steps? Sorry...

[glenn71x]

Also...would it be easier or just more compatible to just covert to mpg file someway? The phillips plays those no problem.

[mats.hogberg]

Have you tried the header trick using AVI FourCC Code Changer ?
Reencoding to mpeg is always an alternative, but I guess you bought a DivX capable player to avoid that end of the business, didn't you?

/Mats

[glenn71x]

I will try the header trick,but im not sure that will work because myplayer has had noproblems playing many other xvids, so it must be something with the file.

[mats.hogberg]

That sounds like a reasonable assumption, yes!

/Mats

[junkmalle]

[quote=glenn71x]You mentioned first just trying to reencode the xvid to xvid without those 2 features. Using [url=https://www.videohelp.com/tools?[/quote]
Yes, you can use VirtualDub.

would it be easier or just more compatible to just covert to mpg?

Maybe. If you have an MPEG converter that can handle the variable bitrate audio without any problems. TMPGEnc for example doesn't handle VBR audio correctly either.

VirtualDub instructions:

1) Start VirtualDub.

2) File -> Open Video File, select your source file.

3) Ignore the VBR audio warning message.

4) Audio -> Full Processing Mode.

5) Audio -> Compression, select the codec you want and it's parameters.

6) Video -> Compression, select XVID from the list, press the Configure button. Make sure GMC and QPEL are not enabled. Select whatever other parameters you want -- I suggest using single pass Quantization (constant quality) mode at Q=3.

7) File -> Save as AVI.

If your audio ends up out of sync, we'll talk about WAV export/import later.

[glenn71x]

When I go to run the conversion, I get "No Audio Decompressor could be found to decompress the source audio format."

[Baldrick]

ac3 audio? use gspot to identify the audio...maybe that why it wont play on your dvd player.

[glenn71x]

Gspot lists audio as (Mp3, ISO) Mpeg-1 Layer 3. Says Codec is Installed.

48000HZ VBR
130kb/s

[glenn71x]

Any Recommendations on how to go?

[junkmalle]

Sometimes VirtualDub won't decode MPEG audio on the first try. I've had it take up to three attempts before it started working. So try selecting Save As AVI (or pressing the play button) at least three times to see if the error dialog goes away. If not, try removing your MPEG audio codec(s) and reinstalling it (them).

Or use another program to extract the audio as WAV. Just about any audio editor can do it.

[glenn71x]

I installed the Gordian Knot Codec pack and now the conversion seems to be working. What audio compression do you recommend? I am confused by the multitude of choices. Can I just leave it as PCM no compression for maximum compatibility with my Phillips Player?

[junkmalle]

What audio compression do you recommend? I am confused by the multitude of choices. Can I just leave it as PCM no compression for maximum compatibility with my Phillips Player?

Sure you can use uncompressed PCM, but the file will get much bigger. I usually use MPEG audio at 192 kbps or more.

[celtic_druid]

Why are you even recompressing the audio? I thought the problem was with the video stream? If so simply re-encode the video and leave the audio.

[glenn71x]

Well here is the update...

My conversion using PCM audio got the video to play on the Phillips with no sound!

Then I Tried a conversion to divx not changing the Audio at all but I got Lip Synch Issues playing back on my PC. I tried extracting the wav file and using that as my audio on the next conversion. When I put it in my player the picture is completely "Scrambled" just a mess. Anything to do with the bitrate or something? GRRRRR Any more help guys?
Thanks

[mats.hogberg]

Back up a little. celtic_druid's advice is very sound (no pun intended). Just:
Load your XviD in VirtualDub
Leave audio at direct stream copy.
Set video to full processing, choose and configure the DivX codec.
Save.

/Mats

[celtic_druid]

Better use VirtualDubMod or you will have sync problems due to the vbr mp3 and set the video to fast recompress not full processing.

[glenn71x]

Is there any difference in which divx codec i pick? 4? 5? is there any differences?