problems with encoding to DIVX or XVID

[zwitek]

Hello

I have searched for such kind of problem but I haven`t find nothing so fat. I am running FRESH copy of Windows XP Pro SP2 with instaled only what`s nessesary (newest chipset drivers, graphic driver) and additionaly DIVX 5.1.1 codec, XViD Coepis build and Mainconcept DV Codec. For conversion I use Virtual Dub 1.6.10. I got 6 minutes long clip in DV format, which I have ripped from my Sony HC-32 MiniDV camera. I am trying to convert it to DiVX format. In my little conversion I have find this guide very useful: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=244151. According to it, I am opening my clip in Virual Dub, next I am applying some filters: Video-> Filters (deinterlance blend mode and resize with lanczos3), next video-> compression -> Divx 5.1.1 and there using build-in BitRate Calculator I am choosing the right bitrate for my 6 minutes long clip. Rest of the settings here I am leaving as it is. I choose Full Processing Mode, in audio settings I choose direct stream copy, next Save as Avi. Compression process begins. After that I am opening my converted Divx clip and all I see is just a full green picture (screen) with audio. I have tryied to use another version of Divx codec (like 5.2.1 f.e.) and Xvid codec, but the only difference was that the picture was fully black. Please help.. What I am doing wrong ?

P.S. Sorry `bout my poor english.

[junkmalle]

I think you are using Divx's 2-pass first pass option. After the first pass finishes (which doesn't actually save the video) you need to run a second pass. Go to the Divx config dialog and select 2-pass second pass and Save as AVI again.

[zwitek]

I don see here 2-pass first pass option. All I see is:
- 1-pass
- Multipass, 1 pass (that`s what i was choosing)
- Multipass, nth pass

But multipass, nth pass works great. Thank very very much for your help !! :P

[junkmalle]

OK you did Multipass first pass, now you need to do Multipass N'th pass.

The procedure is to set up everything the way you want, set Divx to Multipass First Pass and Save AVI. When that is finished, change Divx to Multipass N'th Pass and Save AVI again.

During the first pass Divx is only examining the video to see how much bitrate each frame needs (it saves the information in a file in it's temp folder). During the second pass it does the actual compression using the information from the first pass to decide how best to distribute the bitrate over the entire video to give you the reqested overall average bitrate.

If you want, you can perform more passes (at Multipass N'th Pass). Each pass will refine the results a little more. But beyond 2 passes you only get very minor improvements.

[zwitek]

Thanks. Now everything looks clear as a new day I wonder if it is a way to script everything, so the two parts of the whole process will occure automaticly one after another.

[junkmalle]

When you select Save as AVI you'll see a little checkbox at the bottom of the dialog that says "Don't run this job now; add it to the job control list so I can run it in batch mode." If you use that option for both the first and second passes they will be queued up in the job control list. Then select File -> Job Control... and press the Start button.

[zwitek]

Ok .. as I have understood I can queue the first job up, than queue the second job up and then run both of them in order they appear on the list right ? But if I apply the two filters and the first pass conversion to the first job, do I have to apply the same filters to the second job ? Or just select the right metod of second pass conversion ?

[junkmalle]

You should keep all settings the same for both passes -- except the Xvid 2-pass first/second pass setting.

[celtic_druid]

You don't need to keep all the settings the same. You could for instance run the first pass with VHQ =1 and the 2nd with VHQ = 4.

I wouldn't recommend using any VDub filters. Better to use AVISynth and use it as a source for both passes.