Using "AnyVideo" to convert avi, mkv, etc... to HD format

[greatnitz]

Yes, I'm a newbie...so much information to soak in. This is what I'm attempting to do:

I have a HD 1080p TV that I want to watch movies on. I'm using my XBox 360's Media Center to access the downloaded movies on my computer's Hard Drive.

I want to use the 'AnyVideo' application to convert downloaded movies (on my computer) to the best quality HD format that I can watch on my TV through Media Center. A few questions:

1. What's the best video format I should try to convert movies to in order to watch on my TV?
2. Does it matter what format my downloads are in prior to converting, or can all formats be converted without losing quality?
3. Is the 'AnyVideo' application the best FREE application I can use to do such a task?

Thanks for the help, this is a very informative forum!

[edDV]

Yes, I'm a newbie...so much information to soak in. This is what I'm attempting to do:

I have a HD 1080p TV that I want to watch movies on. I'm using my XBox 360's Media Center to access the downloaded movies on my computer's Hard Drive.

I want to use the 'AnyVideo' application to convert downloaded movies (on my computer) to the best quality HD format that I can watch on my TV through Media Center. A few questions:

1. What's the best video format I should try to convert movies to in order to watch on my TV?
2. Does it matter what format my downloads are in prior to converting, or can all formats be converted without losing quality?
3. Is the 'AnyVideo' application the best FREE application I can use to do such a task?

Thanks for the help, this is a very informative forum!

Unless your new HDTV is total crap, it will do a reasonable job upscaling SD to display resolution.

What is the TV model?

The Xbox will get the best picture to the TV using analog component or HDMI.

[edDV]

2. Does it matter what format my downloads are in prior to converting, or can all formats be converted without losing quality?

Download the HD version. No conversion required.

How are you connecting your Xbox360 to the TV?

[greatnitz]

My TV is a Mitsubishi 738 series DLP. I'm connecting my XBox 360 via HD cable to the TV. Typically, what's the file extension for a HD movie? How about a Blue Ray movie?