converting mp4 to xvid avi

[tupidtunt2]

can someone please help me
i have a sanyo xacti cam mp4 ,but i have a samsung divx player . i can convert with some software but lose some quality , i have tried a lot have downloaded xvidpsp but for some reason wont play i need something that will keep the quality please

[Baldrick]

I guess your sanyo records in HD and you can't get any such quality on a samsung dvd divx player. It supports only SD (up to around 720x576 pixels).

You could try xmedia recode or winff and use the dvd player profiles.

[yoda313]

i need something that will keep the quality please

Baldrick has already mentioned that a dvd divx player will only handle sd resolution. For hd resolution you have to look at other options.

For starters in a pinch you should be able to hook up the camera to the tv and watch it directly that way. Assuming it has the connection cables of course.

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You will need either an htpc setup to playback the original file or a settop media player. Something like a wdtv media player will play the original file off a usb harddrive or flash drive. These settop units playback just about anything you throw at it. There are some oddball formats that your particular unit may not like. In those rare occasions you'll need to convert the file to a format it likes. But you'll be able to keep it in hd. Granted any conversion will reduce the quality somewhat keeping it hd will retain more quality than downrezzing it to sd.

Now be sure the unit you buy handles hd and see if it handles your cameras codec. It is probably h264 and most of the modern settop players will handle h264 just fine.

Just be careful if you buy used ones that you know which model you are buying. If you buy one that is really cheap it might be an older generation model that only handles standard definition resolution which would be a waste of money. Make sure the model you get can handle your file type and at least 720p resolution (minimum hd res).

The other option is more expensive. You could get a bluray burner and convert your file to bluray. The discs are more expensive than dvd and you'd have to invest in a) a bluray burner and b) a settop bluray player (though if you have a ps3 you can play it right now) and c) bluray blank discs.

One last option also involves a bluray player. You can make avchd which is high def video on a dvd. But because the storage space is less than a bluray you can't fit as much on a dvd (especially a single layer). Also not every single bluray player will play a avchd but most should. Also a avchd disc will not play on normal dvds but neither do blurays.

So you have some options to look into.

And in a pinch if you have a video out option on your current computer or laptop you can hook that up to your tv right now and playback the original file without any quality loss (assuming its high def you'd need to use either a component or hdmi cable to stay in the high def world, anything else will be lower quailty).

Edit - another option I forgot to mention is that an increasing number of bluray players do support file playback now. Either from a usb harddrive/flash drive or a burnt disc. Some tvs also have file playback capability.

The downside to these options is that many have restrictions on the type of files that can be played back. That would mean a conversion and more time wasted. However it is a possibility. Some players will be more supportive of file types than others but won't be as wide of a support as something like a wdtv media player.

[tupidtunt2]

thank you
i know now there seems to be a lot more than just downloading a piece of software and push a few buttons and play. will have to purchase something new as i only bought the dvd player 3 months ago and i know now these are out of date with most new formats once again i thank you both for taking the time to reply