.VOB TO HIGH QUALITY AVI?

[Thunderbrain]

I've been trying this for some days using both FlaskMpeg and DVD2AVI but always end up getting a low quality movie even though the source is 720 x 480.

I used both Xvid or DivX Pro 5.0.3 as encoder and I think that the problem might lay in the encoder configuration. So my question is does anybody knows how to configure them so I can get a good quality avi file? or maybe there is a better way to do it.

I've been testing with a 20 min episode extracted from one of my DVDs the file is 980MB long and I always get a good quality .wav audio file but the video file always looks bad. Please advice.

Thanks in advance
I forgot to mention I'm new in this.

[Nitemare]

Have you used a bitrate calculator to figure your bit rate? What bit rate have you used? Quality is almost always in the bit rate.

[Thunderbrain]

No but It doesn't hurt to try does it.

[Thunderbrain]

I used the calculator of Xvid but it doesn't let me enter the size of the file, I tried different combinations but at the end the results were almost identical (final size of more than 600MB) I've seen great quality avi videos of 20 mins in a file of 150MB(512 x 384). Sorry I just don't understand what is wrong. I had to use an encode bitrate in DVD2AVI of 3000Kps to get something decent but it was never close to the original.

[Nitemare]

Are you running DVD2AVI in "forced film" mode? (under the Video menu) If not, try it. If you're trying to make an interlaced file into a divx then it will look like crap no matter how much bit rate you throw at it. Divx files don't support interlacing but most DVDs are progressive with a pulldown flag added to make your player interlace it as it plays. (neat, huh?...it's more technical than that really but the info is still accurate)

If you run DVD2AVI in forced film mode, it removes that flag and gives you a 23.97 fps progressive source. Make the Divx the same frame rate and it should look great.

To see if your VOB is a film source (23.97fps) hit the F5 key after loading your VOB in DVD2AVI. The status window will tell you if it's reading interlaced (NTSC) or progressive(film) frames. If you get a % in the high 90s, you should run DVD2AVI in force film mode.

To reduce file size, convert the audio to a CBR (constant bit rate) MP3 file. Most people use 44,100hz and 128kbps. Using uncompressed WAV files for an audio source will make your file sizes extremely high. Using a variable bit rate MP3 will likely cause synch issues. Stick with CBR MP3s.

I'm guessing (but fairly sure) that your problem is an interlaced VOB file. If setting DVD2AVI to force film doesn't work then do some research on IVTC (inverse telcine) and go for the progressive source the hard way. You "could" de-interlace the video...but then you'll be throwing away half of your video data (and quality)...although a quick de-interlace would be a good way to test my theory.

Keep me posted!
Nitemare

[Thunderbrain]

Actualy yeah, my vob is an interlaced file. I encoded it using the "force film" option and as an interlace instead of progressive. The result was something nice but not good enough, at least that is what I think every time I look at the original. I think maybe I shoud try a different program. What do you think.

[Nitemare]

First, I recommend Virtual Dub, myself. It's free and just about the the most useful piece of software I use. I've never had much luck with Flask. It doesn't like my XP machine and even when it does work it's really slow.

Second, you may want to try divx 5.02. I've "heard" that some people have trouble with 5.03... not sure why. I don't pay much attention to what I "hear" but there may be something to it.

Also... try looking at the file on another PC. I think my divx files look a bit "grainy", but they look AWESOME on anyone else's PC. (???) However, when I convert one of my divx files to SVCD I am extremely happy with the results and see no grainy effects at all. I suspect this is either an issue with my PC monitor or a 24bit vs. YUY2 color thing. (anyone?)

Finally, are you SURE that this issue is solvable? There is no way to make a divx, SVCD, etc. look as good as an original VOB file. Is this the issue? Or have you seen "acceptable" quality divx files and you just can't seem to match that quality?

Try Virtual Dub. Whatever quality is missing may be solvable using it's excellent filters. Many people like avisynth but it's got a serious learning curve. Keep ripping "force film" and encoding at 24fps progressive. Keep boosting the bit rate until you're happy with it.

You could also try lowering the bit rate. Too much bit rate reportedly kills quality also. Never tried it myself though... too lazy.

Do some research and try a 2 pass divx encode, maybe? Just my $.02 worth...