What is the most popular AVI 2 Mpeg Mac program that I could "find&quo

[The Pagemaster]

I have these AVI files that I want to author for a dvd. I guess I need to convert to mpeg before I make a dvd. Is there a program for mac that will do this with NO quality loss? I do not understand why people do not rip to MPEG, as it plays on most dvd players and is also better forr authoring on both mac and PC. Makes no sense. Anyway, I have been ripping my hair out on this one trying to google for a popular MAC program to do this. I want to have it be popular enough to "grab" somewhere. Or does someone have a HOMEBREW program out there for free like Mac the ripper has? Thanks, I hope someone out there could lend a hand here.

[redwudz]

You may get better answers in our Mac Forum. Moving you.

[Mildew]

I have these AVI files that I want to author for a dvd. I guess I need to convert to mpeg before I make a dvd. Is there a program for mac that will do this with NO quality loss? I do not understand why people do not rip to MPEG, as it plays on most dvd players and is also better forr authoring on both mac and PC. Makes no sense. Anyway, I have been ripping my hair out on this one trying to google for a popular MAC program to do this. I want to have it be popular enough to "grab" somewhere. Or does someone have a HOMEBREW program out there for free like Mac the ripper has? Thanks, I hope someone out there could lend a hand here.

AVI (DivX or XviD) files are better quality than mpegs at the same file size and bitrate. DivX/Xvid encoders are very efficient at compressing video files while shrinking size. Unfortunately, if you don't have a DVD player that can play AVIs directly, then you must convert to MPEG-1 (VCD) or MPEG-2 (SVCD).

ffmpegX is a great application for converting AVIs to other formats. There are other applications that will also do this, such as Toast Titanium (well worth the money), VisualHub, and MPEG2 Works 4. I recommend either ffmpegX or Toast Titanium. Toast will also burn your video files which is an added bonus. However, Toast is slower than ffmpegX at converting the files.

Now, do you want to convert your AVIs to VCD or SVCD?

[The Pagemaster]

DVD, want to be able to put the files into final cut, edit, and then put then into DVDSP2 and author a chaptered dvd. Thats why i need to convert.

[Mildew]

DVD, want to be able to put the files into final cut, edit, and then put then into DVDSP2 and author a chaptered dvd. Thats why i need to convert.

I've never used Final Cut Pro before, so I don't know what file format/codec it prefers. I hear that Apple's Intermediate Codec is superb for film editing, but others on this forum--like Tugboat--know much more about Final Cut.

But ffmpegX will convert your AVIs to MPEG-1 or DVD (video_TS folders).

What is DVDSP2?

[The Pagemaster]

DVD Studio Pro, its an authoring program where you just drag and drop your assets into the timeline, put your markers and link them. When I try to stick a an AVI file in the timeline I just get the spinning beach ball all day long. So I need to stick a mpeg2 in there. Its cool cause I can use it to cut out commercials. There is a file that I need to get for the Mpeg2 conversion program you named, but the url they give me for it is now DEAD! And I cannot find that small file anywhere its the one on the top of the three listed to get and then insatll in the library/applications folder before the program will run. Any ideas? Thanks for the ongoing help guys, hope we can get me up and running here.

[jreffner]

I've got almost the same problem. I have an AVI file that I need to convert to an MPEG so that I can merge it with a subtitle file before burning it to DVD as a DVD video disc.

I have FFmpegX and I can't see anywhere where to do this. I did convert it to an mp4 file (MPEG 4) which the app still wouldn't take to merge it with the subtitle file (extension must be .mpg), and the conversion left the video out of sync with the audio.

Can anyone give us clear instructions on how to convert our .AVI files to an .mpg?

Thanks in advance!

[SERBIAN]

http://www.mpeg2works.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=174

[The Pagemaster]

That worked for the other gent maybe, but for me I am still having problems doing this. I just wante to convert my AVI files to Mpeg so that I may edit in final cut, author in DVD studio pro. The program I have to do that requried mw to DL three extensions from other sources for LEGAL reasons, but the link for one of the componets, IS DEAD! AHHH, help.

[Case]

The program I have to do that requried mw to DL three extensions from other sources for LEGAL reasons, but the link for one of the componets, IS DEAD! AHHH, help.

ffmpegX binaries are available to anyone else ?!?
• mplayer: ffmpegXbinaries20060307.zip (SourceForge)
• mencoder: ffmpegXbinaries20060307.zip
• mpeg2enc: mpeg2enc.intel (Option-click to force download)
Someone even put all three in a .dmg file.

[The Pagemaster]

ok. cool. Now I have the program installed I BELIEVE. However now there are so many options that I do not which one to use. I am assuming that I select Mpeg2 DVD? Well, that keeps "failing" Which conversion do I use for just turning the AVI into a editable Mpeg2? Or do I go with Mpeg4. If I do that though I do not think the versions I have of Final cut OR DVD Studio Pro will work with it. I am SO lost its not funny.

[Case]

There are so many options that I do not which one to use.

Well, ffmpegX is all about having many options at your disposal, imho. The line at the top of the main window gives a guide (and order), though: "1. Drop file, 2. Select target format (=preset), 3. Encode"

I am assuming that I select Mpeg2 DVD? Well, that keeps "failing"

I'd go with "DVD ffmpeg" preset for starters. Its quality is quite good and it's fast. In the Video tab, set Autosize to "DVD 16:9" for 16:9 content, or "DVD" for 4:3 content. De-select the "Author as DVD" checkbox in the Options tab, if you just want the mpeg file.

Which conversion do I use for just turning the AVI into a editable Mpeg2? Or do I go with Mpeg4. If I do that though I do not think the versions I have of Final cut OR DVD Studio Pro will work with it.

I'm no Final Cut user, so I can't help you with that.

[SERBIAN]

I have these AVI files that I want to author for a dvd. I guess I need to convert to mpeg before I make a dvd. Is there a program for mac that will do this with NO quality loss?

There is no program which can do lossles conversion from allready compressed to even more compressed file on any platform including Mac...During every conversion it has to be some quality loss...Sometimes les sometimes more depending on input and output file formats.

Which conversion do I use for just turning the AVI into a editable Mpeg2? Or do I go with Mpeg4. If I do that though I do not think the versions I have of Final cut OR DVD Studio Pro will work with it.

If you want to do editing in Final Cut PRO then its much better for you to convert your AVI(s) to one of the native, real time editing formats like DVHCPRO or DV /depending on your Mac power/ using the QuickTime PRO...Then do your editing in FCP and export final as MPEG2 DVD ready using Compressor /I assume you have the Compressor app since you do have FCP and DVD Studio Pro/...Note that you will loose some quality during mentioned conversions, of course...

If you want to do some basic editing then open your AVIs in Quick Time /you will need PRO version/, do some Cut/Copy/Paste/Add/Trim and then save the file as Self Contained...Then convert it to MPEG2 with one of the mentioned apps and make DVD...

There is one more route for basic editing...Convert your AVIs to MPEG2 and then get MPEG Streamclip application and open made MPEG2 with it...Do some Cut/Trim etc. and re-save your MPEG2...

[The Pagemaster]

Thanks to the people who have given me all this info. Its has been GREATLY appriciated. I will go off annd try this new information out tonight. Thanks again one and all.

[SERBIAN]

[The Pagemaster]

hello there people. One last problem and I think I will be fine. I made the dvd, but, the audio gets outta sync. Why and how do I fix this. Thanks again.