Converting using WinAVI

[Antibug]

Hi, I need to convert a WMV file into AVI using the DivX encoder (so that the AVI file is playable on an AVI compatable DVD player). I decided to do it with WinAVi, but in the Advanced option of the coverter there's no DivX codec in the Video Encoder list... The default one is ZJMedia MPEG-4 Encoder, like here:



Im a novice when it comes to video/audio conversions/authoring etc etc, so can anyone tell me whether the AVI will still be playable if I leave the deafult options. If not, what are my alternatives?

Thanks in advance

[guns1inger]

Have you installed the Divx codec on your system ?

Personally, I would not let WinAVI onto my computer. It produces output of dubious quality in many cases, often crashes, and has no support at all from the people who sell it.

That said, why not use Xvid ? It's compatible with Divx, and of arguably better quality.

[Antibug]

Oh, I read some comments in the WinAVI section on this site and most of them were very much positive, so I thought this was the best problem to go with...
What would you recommend?

As for DivX, my understanding is that if I hadnt had this codec installed I would'nt be able to watch movies encoded in it, right? If yes, then i do have it since I can watch the other AVI movies i have on my HD...

[guns1inger]

An Xvid decoder will play most divx, and you certainly have Xvid installed. Also, some players - VLC for instance - have decoders built-in. FFDShow is another decoder that does Divx.

I don't do a lot of Divx/Xvid avi encoding, but when I do I use AutoGK. It uses Virtualdubmod in the background, and seems to a good job. It also has the advantage of being free.

[shootmeplz]

winavi converted avi to dvd but dvd player can't read it

Hi all,

When I insert my PHILIPS DVD+R disc into my standalone dvd player, it
says loading... and it can't read it.


Here's how I created it:
Downloaded a BBC docu from internet with bittorrent. This is an avi
file of around 280MB. I then converted this file to dvd format with
Winavi program. So now I have a folder audio and video which is about
2.4GB large. Then I bured these files to above mentioned disc with Nero
Burning ROM (burn dvd movie files). The disc plays well on my pc but
not in my standalone dvd player. I tried burn speed 4x as well as 2.4x.


The media (dvd+r) is ok because I use it to backup original dvd movies
with dvd shrink and this works fine in my player.


Am I doing something wrong since it's the first time I use avi files?
Any suggestions?


Thanks for your help.

[mats.hogberg]

You managed to use the 2 worst applications for their respective task - WinAvi + Nero.
If you must convert AVI to DVD (I strongly suggest you get a DivX/XviD capable player (can be bought for little more than the WinAVI converter software!) to say goodbye to all this AVI to DVD conversion business once and for all), use convertx2dvd, burn with imgburn 2.

/Mats

[fltk]

I also use WinAVI. Please install both the Xvid and the Divx codec then you´ll get the option to choose between them to see which one produces the best results. Personally I prefer Xvid. As far as I can see it gives same quality by slightly smaller file size output. Also it is pretty fast in converting.

[mats.hogberg]

The disc plays well on my pc but
not in my standalone dvd player.

This is not a matter of quality, but of making at all playable disks. First thing first!

/Mats

[guns1inger]

Two codecs, encoding at the same bitrate, will produce the same size file, give or take a very small amount. So if you use the same settings for an Xvid and Divx encode, they will produce the same sized file.

[fltk]

Two codecs, encoding at the same bitrate, will produce the same size file, give or take a very small amount. So if you use the same settings for an Xvid and Divx encode, they will produce the same sized file.

Yes off course. The filesize depends on the bitrate, but the quality can be different at the same bitrate using two different codecs.

[mats.hogberg]

True, but

same quality by slightly smaller file size

is still valid when comparing 2 different codecs. Now, "quality" is highly subjective, as we've seen time and time again...

/Mats