XviD playback question

[janlafata]

I have a 975 MB avi movie file that was originally ripped from a DVD using XviD. I want to send it to a friend of mine in Japan on a CD to be played back by her Windows Media Player. In case your wondering why I don't just burn the whole thing to a DVD, so she can play it back on her home DVD player, is because her machine, an ONKYO, will not play back DVD R or RW's.

So I've gone to plan B and decided to just send her the movie on a regular CD, because she doesn't have a DVD ROM or burner either. But to get it all to work I have to both shrink the file to below 700 MB's, and also add subtitles.

I posted a thread on here and afterdawn.com yesterday, asking for suggestions as to the best way to go about all of this and several very nice people gave me some great advice.

However, one of them, AVI Recomp, says that it reduces the size of the file using XVID, so that means that, in the end, you'll still end up with a file that has XviD compression on it, but just smaller.Does that mean I should tell her to install the XviD codec before she plays my disc?

Also, while I'm thinking about it...The file I was mentioning and a few others all initially said that they ripped with XviD, but my WMP plays them back fine and I have no XviD codec installed! Why do you think that it works in WMP then?

I do have DivX installed, but that's about it, no other popular codecs are installed, at least none that I know.

I'm a newbie here as far as computer video goes, so thanks for your patience as I continue to learn by asking lot's questions.

[guns1inger]

If she has Divx it should open Xvid files, and vice-versa - for playback on a PC there are virtually interchangeable. Personally I would have gone down the AutoGK path instead of AVIRecomp, as it has more options.

You should also have posted this as a continuation of the original post, as it does not warrant a new post being started.

[janlafata]

guns1inger,

Thanks again for replying. I was getting kinda worried about getting any responses at all, being this the holidays. Your right I should have posted this as part of a continuation of the original post. What can I say, I'm a newbie at this!

Anyway here's what's been happening. I downloaded everything that people told me to in the first post, The AVI Recomp, VirtualMod and VobSub and AutoGK and ImgBurn. AVI recomp would not recognize the AVI file that I imported and said that it's not valid. I thought that was odd, being that I have successfully burned it to a disc before, so I uninstalled that and let the author of the program know what happened.

Then I moved on to installing VirtualMod and VobSub. I followed this guide: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic272736.html, though I felt the installation instructions were a little vague when it came time to install VobSub. I ended up installing it into the program files of VirtualMod, because I assumed that's what he wanted.

I continued to follow Baldricks instructions to convert a file. I loaded the AVI, then imported the srt file and hit save. As soon as I did, it started processing the video. I could see the subtitles in the output video too so I knew I had at least dome something right. But I aborted the conversion process for now because I was looking at the target size in the little window that comes up while your recording and it kept hovering at around 890 MB's or so.

I didn't know if I had continued with the process or not whether that would go down to below 700, which of course is what I need it to be to fit on a CD or if it would have stayed where it was. I was surprised that Baldrick did not mention anyway to guarantee that my size would come out at 700 MB's or less, unless I missed something in the instructions. Would you know?

Also, I looked at the guide for running the conversion process and burning it right to my CD and I must say, I thought it was more complicated than I wanted it to be, but for now I'm not worried about that. Also I should mention that right after I first opened VirtualMod, I got a little message that said something about this being an older program and that I should consider using program X and B etc. Actually I'm amazed that this program runs at all on Vista being as old as it is.

So if I can't do what I want to do with VirtualMod and VobSub, I will try AutoGK like you said. Until then any insight you can offer on how to get that MB size down in VirtualMod would be appreciated.

Also I forgot to mention that I also did see a link for a VirtualMod Version 1.60 with Dolby surround available. I don't know whether that version would be any better than what I've got now.

[redwudz]

VD Mod with surround sound is just a modification of the original VD Mod, not really newer. VD Mod itself is a modification of VD to enable using a few file formats that the original couldn't. The newer versions of VD work about the same, but you can open other file formats by adding plug ins. I still use VD Mod most times as I like the way it handles audio better.

With any version of VD, to set a specific filesize, you can do a two pass encode. This is especially handy if you need the most compression from a long running file and still want good quality. Or you can do a single pass encode and it usually comes out right. This isn't a VD problem, it's the way the codecs themselves work. VD is just a GUI to manage the codecs, filters and other add ons.

[manono]

I was surprised that Baldrick did not mention anyway to guarantee that my size would come out at 700 MB's or less, unless I missed something in the instructions.

Are you referring to the AutoGK with subs guide to which I linked in the other thread (why, again, is there this new thread about the same topic?):

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic316471.html

If so, then he clearly says:

Set the Output size

Did you set the output size for 700 MB? If so, then you should have let it run as the final size being guessed by VDubMod fluctuates as the encoding continues and only zeroes in on the final size as it gets near the end.

[jman98]

In case your wondering why I don't just burn the whole thing to a DVD, so she can play it back on her home DVD player, is because her machine, an ONKYO, will not play back DVD R or RW's.

How old is her DVD player? 5+ years? Yes, older models will not play RW discs, but I've never heard of any DVD player that won't play any DVD+/-R discs. Maybe they won't play bad quality discs, but even my ancient DVD players will still play DVD+/-R discs. They were fussy about types and I remember that basically any DVD+R worked in my players but only some DVD-R discs did. I guess your friend could have a player that simply won't play any burnable DVD media, but if it can play Divx I'm finding it really hard to believe that it really won't play any brand of DVD+/-R discs. Just something for you to think about.

Anyway with regards to your problem with the encoding, you could always split the file you have so it fits on 2 discs or simply encode with a lower bit rate to make it fit. Or set the output file size to a specific target as manono said. You might set a target of 690 MB rather than 700 as if the encode barely exceeds 700 MB, you'll have to overburn and I have the feeling that this is an issue you should probably avoid at this time.

[janlafata]

Man lot's of responses!

This is great...Thank you all! First...redwudz, thanks for the VD Mod help. I opened up the program though and looked for where I need to set it to do a "two pass encode" (sounds like a football play!). Couldn't find that anywhere, though I haven't looked very deep yet, because right now I'm trying to learn how to run three different programs at the same time!.

You also said I can do a single pass encode and it usually comes out right. I'm a little confused here. Does that mean that the software will somehow know that I'm trying to squeeze this thing down to fit on a CD?

manono...No I was not referring to AutoGK. I haven't even gotten around to installing that yet. I'm still trying to give these other programs a chance first!. The article I was referring to was given to me by gunslinger: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic272736.html.

Also you asked "Did you set the output size for 700 MB? If so, then you should have let it run as the final size being guessed by VDubMod fluctuates as the encoding continues and only zeroes in on the final size as it gets near the end". The answer is no I did not set the output size. That's why I initially made that statement about the Baldrick instructions for VirtualMod being a little vague in that area. So where exactly do I set the output size in VirtualMod?
Thanks for your help though. I very much appreciate it.

Finally...jman98 Yes I agree with you. Her player should at least be able to play DVD+- R's. But you see this gal is not tech savvy at all, so I've had a hard time getting the information I need out of her. Thanks for bringing that up though because I think what I'm going to do now is ask her what model that is and research it myself.

I did a little bit of that when I first was trying to do all of this for her and I kind of ran into a brick wall! One of the things that I learned is that many of the players in Japan are different from ours, although I cannot pin down for you in exactly what way. They are NTSC, but they have some kind of country code on them that will only allow them to play back certain media.

Also you said, in regards to VirtualMod, "simply encode with a lower bit rate to make it fit. Or set the output file size to a specific target as manono said." Yes and that is something I'm used to doing with my Ulead MovieFactory, is lowering the bitrate, but I'm not sure where to do that in VirtualMod, nor, as I said to manono, am I sure about where to set the output size.

I thinking I'm getting closer to figuring all of this out though, so thanks to everyone for bearing with me while I absorb this "crash course" in video editing! God Bless you all for you help!

[filmboss80]

Deleted. Missed the part where you said she didn't have a DVD drive in her computer.

[manono]

Since you have no idea at all what you're doing, use an all-in-one program to do it for you. It doesn't have to be AutoGK. It can also be FairUse Wizard, StaxRip, AVI.net or something else.

You say the girl isn't tech savvy? Sounds to me like a case of the blind leading the blind.

[janlafata]

manono,

Where do you get the idea that I do not know what I'm doing? As I believe I stated in my first post, I am new when it comes to messing around with video on computers, but I am not new at working with computers, in fact I build them from the ground up for myself and others. You see I have mostly been an audio guy in the past, but now that's changing is all. Hence the need to learn about a topic in a very short amount of time.

And just in case you are not aware, there are all kinds of people out there who know computers and are tech savvy, yet they still need some extra immediate assistance, occasionally, when they want to explore a area of computers that they just, for one reason or another, never had to deal with before.

Also your comment about "the blind leading the blind" in my opinion, is rather rude. However since I new to this website I'm going to overlook it for now and not go off on my rant about rudeness on the internet.

So while I do appreciate you suggestions, in the future, if you are going to reply to my posts by wording things in the same smart-ass manner that you just did, then do not bother replying. There are plenty of other well-mannered people on here that explain something to me in a more polite way.

[redwudz]

You set the size of the output file in the codec configuration, With Xvid, there is a calculator there. The filesize is set by default at 665600kb to size for a 700MB disc. Or you can use the VideoHelp Bitrate calculator.

The multi pass option is set in the 'Encoding type', again in the codec configuration. It's set at 'Single pass' by default. If you are 'crunching' a two hour video down to a 700MB CD, two pass would be my choice.

[Noahtuck]

Also your comment about "the blind leading the blind" in my opinion, is rather rude. However since I new to this website I'm going to overlook it for now and not go off on my rant about rudeness on the internet.

Whats rude about that ??
Just stating someone inexperienced trying to help someone else that is inexperienced....
You better get some thicker skin if something so trivial offends you

Where do you get the idea that I do not know what I'm doing?

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic361383.html#1920541

As I believe I stated in my first post, I am new when it comes to messing around with video on computers, but I am not new at working with computers, in fact I build them from the ground up for myself and others. You see I have mostly been an audio guy in the past, but now that's changing is all. Hence the need to learn about a topic in a very short amount of time.

Seriously.... what does one have to do with the other ??
Building Computers is not the same as running and working with advanced programs.
Lots of people can drive a car but have no clue how to take them apart and fix them.

[manono]

Thanks, Noahtuck.

Where do you get the idea that I do not know what I'm doing?

I've been reading your bloated posts for 2 days now. My first suggestion in your earlier thread here was for you to use AutoGK for the job and even pointed you to a very simple and easy-to-follow guide to using it for what you want. The very first reply to your thread at Afterdawn was the exact same suggestion along with instructions that are almost exactly the same as those in Baldrick's guide. Had you followed those suggestions your problem would have been solved 2 days ago. At some point maybe you'll begin to show some common sense.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/731717