Batch conversion - MPEG-4 to MPEG-2

[EwanG]

Have a number of AVIs I created using the MS MPEG-4 and DIvX codecs, and am about to setup a home media server with MediaMVP devices as my front ends. Which would be fine except the MediaMVP (starting out with just one) wants MPEG-2 or MPEG-1. I assume for quality's sake I'd want to go to MPEG-2 given the choice.

With that setup, is there a good "batch" program for doing a number of conversions? Suggestions on best codecs to use on the end would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ewan

[Soopafresh]

From the MediaMVP site : "Play MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 videos (New! Now plays DivX movies!)" Perhaps you won't have to encode to mpeg.

Many apps can batch convert. TMPGenc is probably the most common one.

[EwanG]

Unfortunately, the DiVX support requires (according to the same site) a 2.4 GhZ machine to be able to do the decoding and streaming at the backend.

TMPGenc looks like a decent option, though I'm a bit nervous to see that the program has to "check home" every so often to keep the license valid. Still, if I only have to deal with this for a period of time, that might not be so bad.

No freeware options out there eh?

Thanks,
Ewan

[Soopafresh]

VSO DivxtoDVD will do a good job of encoding, plus it is free. You'll end up with .VOB files which you can convert back to regular MPEG2s.

[TBoneit]

Unfortunately, the DiVX support requires (according to the same site) a 2.4 GhZ machine to be able to do the decoding and streaming at the backend.

TMPGenc looks like a decent option, though I'm a bit nervous to see that the program has to "check home" every so often to keep the license valid. Still, if I only have to deal with this for a period of time, that might not be so bad.

No freeware options out there eh?

Thanks,
Ewan

TMPGenc Plus, and DVD Author programs do not need license validation over the Internet. TMPGenc XPress and the AC3 Plug-in both need to have the computer connected to the Internet now and then for license validation. It isn't that often as near as I can see using all four of these products. Plus would probably be good for you as it is what I use for avi to MPEg conversions. For PAL DVD (w AC3 Audio) to NTSC w/AC3. I use Xpress however as it has easy to use autosize of the output to fit a DVD, Does a real nice job of the framerate conversion to NTSC and all of these except the AC3 Plugin have trial periods.

Freeware? Well TMPGenc Plus will also output Mpeg1 forever beyond the trial period which is only for MPEG2 encoding.

Good Luck
Hope this helps. Let us here know.

Edit: Almost forgot "TMPGEnc DVD Source Creator", which I believe doesn't need periodic license validation, Not totally sure as I do not use it.

[EwanG]

Freeware? Well TMPGenc Plus will also output Mpeg1 forever beyond the trial period which is only for MPEG2 encoding.

At the risk of being a TOTAL Newbie, am I worrying too much about the quality difference I would see using MPEG-1 versus MPEG-2 if I am not planning to burn to DVD?

[johns0]

You dont want to encode to mpg1 unless the avi is really crappy and low resolution,mpg2 is far better for any good quality avi.

[TBoneit]

I use the TMPGenc products, They work, they're easy to use.... They are reasonable price for function.

One thing to think about, TMPGenc Plus has batch encoding support. IE Set up the encode hit Ctrl B and add to the batch list. When everything is set up just select run from the batch list and go to sleep.

I'd set them to be DVD Spec encodes so I could burn a DVD if need be in the future. I Don't l;ike to burn my bridges behind me.

MPEG1 (IE VCD is 352 by 240 res.) DVD is 352 by 240 or 352 by 480 or 720(704) by 480 in NTSC land.

Keeping in mind that the higher rsolution will need more disk space for storage.

OH yes, There are no Codecs that you select for MPEG 1 or 2. It's not like an avi. You either have a codec for MPEG2 or you don't play them. Most people get the mpeg2 codec when the install a software DVD Player. MPEG1, I don';t recall ever installing a codec, I just oplayed them in WMP. This isn't to say that there are no MPEG2 codecs, more like it's not a biggie in terms of encode quality. Encode quality is dependant on the program doing the encodes and the settings.

IMHO, YMMV
Cheers