Clarification Needed -= Please

[Eyenovation]

I am totally new to VCD - but am a quick study.
I am trying to learn as much as possible by reading previous posts but am hoping you guys can clarify a few things with simple yes or nos.

1. If I am understanding: AVI is a more compressed file than MPEG. But Virtual dub can take an AVI and convert it to VCD MPEG format? Is that right? Will this also work (virtualdub) in converting DIVX to MPEG?

2. If I want to put home movies on VCD, I have to get a capture video card? Then some software? and then transform the capture into MPEG? Will this capture audio from the source as well?

3. What exactly is a DV video camera? If my ultimate goal is to make DVDs and VCDs do I need one of these to get a good picture? Or will an 8MM work good too ?? Or..?

[agzz]

1. Nope, well it depends. avi can be anything from uncompressed (huge) to comprssed very much using for ex a Divx codec.
Virtualdub does not convert to vcd (mpeg) but with VirtualDub you can add filters and the frameserve to a encoder.
on how to do that, click the dots in my sign.

2. you'll need some cind of capture device capture card or tvcard, and software. You can capture with virtualdub. Some cards capture to mpg directly some you have to convert afterwards. you probibly have sound in on your soundcard.

3. I dont know how bid the differens is between 8mm and dv. but 8mm is ok, so if you a one, i'd say start off using that and get a dv if you feel like it.

[kinneera]

1. No, AVI is typically much larger and much less compressed than MPEG. Divx, however, is one of the compression codecs that can be used in an AVI, in which case it will be more highly compressed than MPEG.

2. Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Software is typically included with a capture card, and you can often capture directly to MPEG, although for a lot of applications this won't yield as good of quality.

3. DV is a digital video camera. It is to a camcorder what a digital camera is to a regular camera. It will probably give you very good results, in particular since there is no analogue-digital conversion (as is the case with capturing). It may be overkill, though, depending on your desired application...it is not an easy question to answer.

[Eyenovation]

Thanks so much for your input.
So - if I am downloading DIVX files..

1. Whats the smartest way to convert them to MPEG.

2. DO I want to even convert them or is the compression so much for a DIVX that when I go to uncompress them - its pointless ??

3. Can one convert AVI to MPEG compression?

[agzz]

I have a guide on how to convert avi (divx etc) to SVCD/VCD on my site. the dots in my sign bring you there.

Converting Divx is not optimal. Divx is not a great source, but it works, try it out and see if it's ok for you. typically you'd fid 50-60 min on a cd. By tweaking, going non standard or sacrificing quality you can fit more.

[Eyenovation]

Converting Divx is not optimal. Divx is not a great source, but it works, try it out and see if it's ok for you.

Thanks so much for all your help.
So - what is optimal ? Ripping from the DVD directly?

[agzz]

yea, from DVD is far better, DIVXs is already lossly encoded,(probibly from dvd)