Relative Quality of Formats: DVD, MPEG 4, etc.

[dabler]

Sorry to ask such a basic question, but would you rank the quality of the various formats for me?

Obviously, DVD has the highest quality, but what comes after that?

A list like this would be helpful:

DVD, MPEG 4, MPEG 2, etc.

I never had the need to rip an entire DVD. Instead, I'm just interested in short clips of about 1 minute. I only plan to view it on a computer vs. on a DVD player.

Thanks for your help,

Rand
ueharar@coe-dmha.org

[yongkuk]

It all depends on the bitrate and the resulting file size. DVD uses Mpeg2, however it is always going to be better than SVCD because DVD can utilise higher bitrates. DIVX (Mpeg4) is good when you consider how much smaller the file sizes are compared to DVD. If you have a 2 hour movie as a 1GB DIVX and a 2 hour 1GB DVD you will see a huge difference in quality, the DIVX will be much better. So there are a lot a variables to consider. Using these files on your PC I would go with DIVX or some implimentation of Mpeg4 as having the best quality when taking the other variables into consideration.

[drewson99]

don't be so quick to say DVD is the best, I have seen some horrible looking storebought DVDs, and some gorgeous XVID. it all depends.

uncompressed AVI or DV AVI I say is the best.

[yongkuk]

I didn't say DVD is the best. Can you read?

[dabler]

Hmmm. Thanks for your reply. Clearly, I'm new to this subject.

So DIVX and/or some form of MPEG 4.

Using SmartRipper and then FlaskMPEG, I'm able to grab select scenes from DVDs and I was just wondering which compression I should use in order to get the highest possible quality for viewing on a computer.

I guess I need to read more and get familiar with the difference(s) between MPEG 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Thanks for making this forum a very real resource for people interested in learning more.

Dabler

[drewson99]

I didn't say DVD is the best. Can you read?

calm down and don't be a jackass, can *you* read? why not scan the thread and see if maybe I was referring to a comment other than yours... like maybe... the original poster?

Obviously, DVD has the highest quality...

-A

[Nelson37]

Can either one of you read? Yongkuk did in fact say that DVD is always going to be better than SVCD, which is simply not true.

Is a Porsche better than a Yugo? How about after it is run over by an 18-wheeler?

DVD is a storage medium, not a format. It enables MULTIPLE formats and an infinite number of bitrates, some of which are better than most, some not.

Sure, AVI is better, but having the original studio masters would be the absolute best, actually having the actors and stage in my living room would be best, just not very practical.

Each format has advantages and disadvantages, and practical reasons for and against when judged against real-world parameters, as most of us must do.

The number of variables involved make it impossible to determine a "best" format unless some of the other factors are taken into account, such as available storage, playback device, source used, equipment available, time required, features wanted, etc.