AVI to MPEG-2 for tivo

[tonemgub]

I'm having trouble finding software that will convert a standard downloaded AVI movie, typically in a wide screen 2.45:1 aspect ratio with a resolution, like 528x218, to MPEG-2 in a format that a Series 2 Tivo will accept.

I can export under Nero 7 Vision, and set a custom resolution of 544 x 224, and this works perfectly. Problem, Nero is sllllllllllloowww.

I've tried Videora Tivo Converter (which I think uses FFMPEG in the background) with no luck.

The issues I have are mainly aspect ratio and resolutions problems. The video plays in all cases on the tivo, but the right hand side will be chopped, or the screen will be stretched vertically etc.

The resolutions tivo's support site indicates are 720x480, 704x480, 544x480,480x480, or 352x480. These are all 1.x:1 aspect ratios. Note it took a video at 544 x 224, so this isn't an all inclusive list.

http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv251080.htm

thanks

[tonemgub]

Turns out that tmpgenc handles this correctly.

No need to use a goofy res for this to work properly. 720 x 480 works fine.

I used 3.3.x.x and it worked fine.

I also tried a trial version of 4.2.1.188, and it worked here too.

Now as far as speed goes, it seems similar to Nero, so I'm not sure this is an improvement.

I don't understand why burning to DVD only takes about 1:1 time, which is still mpeg2, but exporting to a file takes like 1.5:1 time. 50% longer to send it to a file, instead of straight to DVD. Both should be mpeg2.

Maybe .avi wrapper has something to do with it?