Hi all,

I am experimenting with converting tv captures to divx/xvid format. I have tried using mpeg files encoded with Mencode captured via an saa7134-based Pinnacle 40i video card as well as raw mpeg output captured from a Hauppauge PVR-150 card.

I have then used avidemux to further compress the mpeg file with xdiv. But I am not happy with the resulting encoding; too many compression artifacts (layering in darker regions). I have been using two-pass encoding and not trying to compress too much (ie, 2.5 gb mpeg --> 1.4 gb xdiv), but there appear to be other factors as well.

My experience ripping dvds with dvdrip is that it is possible to produce very high quality xdiv encodings, without compression artifacts (acknowledging of course that dvd mpeg offers much higher quality material to begin with than tv output).

I'd be most grateful for any suggestions or tips on how to obtain good results encoding tv output.