VirtualDub vs. VirtualDubMod

[D0C]

Can anyone explain the difference between these two? One major difference that I noticed is the lack of Audio options in VirtualDubMod.

I've been following this guide re-encoding some avi files with seperate .sub/.idx files to be hardcoded subtitles with the VobSub filter.

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=272736

I've been using the Xvid codec with defualt configuration which is using single pass. Should I be using Two Pass (1st pass or 2nd pass)? The files are coming out quite considerably smaller than they are going in, which isn't neccecarily a problem for me but I dont want to be losing more quality than has to be lost. Any tips would be appreciated.

Doc

[mats.hogberg]

The big diff is that VirtualDubMod accepts mpeg2 video (and that the menu options are att different places.) For pure AVI filtering and encoding, there's no practical diff. 2-pass usually provides better quality at a given output file size, but takes twice as long to do.

/Mats

[D0C]

So unless I'm going to be working with mpeg video Its best to stick with VirtualDub I'm guessing.

I found a post that explains the optimal Xvid settings:

Starting with the defaults (press Load Defaults at the main Xvid configuration dialog): I usually use Xvid in single pass, target quantizer mode (constant quality) with a quantizer of 2 to 3 (lower number = higher quality), MPEG Quantization Matrix (sharper picture), no B-VOPs (some players don't like B frames, they're lower quality too), Motion Search Precision at 5 (pretty fast), VHQ mode at 0 or 1 (pretty fast), maximum I frame interval 100 (for better seeking).

The problems I have with this is:

I cant find where to change the quantizer mode to constant quality
(allthough I have set it to 2)

And I cant find an option to set "no B-VOPs".

[jagabo]

Xvid: single pass, target quantizer is contstant quality (as opposed to target bitrate mode which is constant bitrate). Just set the quantizer value to get the quality level you want.

B-VOP control is on the dialog you get if you press the "more..." button to the right of the "profile at level" pulldown on the main config dialog.

[D0C]

Alrighty, Looks like I'm all set for now. Thanks for the hand guys.

edit: Looks like my file sizes are coming much closer to the originals.

[D0C]

One question I forgot to ask:

Is there any way to save this configuration as the Xvid defaults?

[jagabo]

Xvid remembers the settings automatically.

[D0C]

This probably isnt the right section of the forums for this question, but since I have this thread going already...

I have a movie that is split into three files. All the audio is AC3 format, but one of the files is 5 channel and the other two are 6 channel. I am trying to join these files. I tried using and AVI Joiner that I've had much success with but it doesn't like the different audio formats.

The only way I see to do this is use Decompress.exe which comes with Avi2Vcd to decompress all the audio and reencode everything with VirtualDub.

Is this the best way to accomplish this?


Doc

[D0C]

If this is the best way I figure I'll just use

Video>Direct Stream Copy

Audio>Full Processing (using AC3 5.1 Compression)

and Append AVI Segment for the 2nd and 3rd parts of the movie.

[D0C]

Small Problem. When I try to do what I described above, It doesn't give me the option for 5.1 Channel AC3 unless I check show all formats.

I'm guessing PCM doesn't retain multiple channels and just puts everything into stereo. BAH

[mats.hogberg]

True. You can't join AVis with different video or audio properties. But why are you joining?

/Mats

[D0C]

I dont like to have multiple files for one movie. I have a home theatre with a Dedicated PC with WinXP Media Center on it and rather than have it stop at 1/3 and 2/3 to load the different parts, I want it to play straight through with 1 click.

I will say that this looks interesting though.
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=290454

[mats.hogberg]

Wierd if different parts of the same movie are encoded differently!
I'd settle for stereo audio for 'em all then.

/Mats

[D0C]

Its quite weird. I got them that way so I can't put any blame on myself. I'm going to give this Aud-X stuff a try and see what its all about.