What am I missing (DVD to Divx)

[suppafreak]

I am trying to create Divx files of my favorite TV show, but I cannot achieve the desired result. I have been using the following software: AutoGK, DVDx, Gordian Knot, SimpleDivX, avi.NET and Divx Converter 6.2. I have been using the user guide with each application and yet I was not able to get the file the way I wanted.

To compare the files I downloaded a file from the web. The downloaded file was 175MB, 640x480 and 23 min. So I was trying to create the same file, but instead of 175mb I decided to make it 200MB.

With AutoGK, I was able to get the Divx file, but AutoKG converts the NTSC 29.97 fps file into the 23 fps file. I even was able to access the hidden option and set the frame rate 29.97 fps. That created the 29.97 fps file, but the playback was kind jerky and I could see the interlacing artifacts.

With Gordian Knot, I spent about 20 min entering all the options just to find that for some reason I could not do the 2nd pass encoding. I was getting some error code -2. Plus there is also some kind of ratio of file size to encoding and it needs to be around 0.2 anything below will not be good. I actually had to reduce the file resolution from 640x480 to 480x352. I was reluctant to do it, because I was not sure how it would look on the TV.

SimpleDivX would crash, DVDx takes to long and it does not have the batch processing. Divx Converter 6.2 creates .divx file, which probably will be OK, but I prefer to have an .avi file.

Right now I am converting the files using the avi.NET. Again as Gordian Knot, avi.NET is trying set the ration of file size to encoding of around 0.2. The files I try to create sets that ration to 0.11.

I was not able to use the FairUse Wizard because I did not rip the entire DVD only the separate episodes.

So my question is what am I missing? How the file that I downloaded was created? It seems those the file size was set to ¼ of the CD and the play back is smooth with no interlacing artifacts.

[celtic_druid]

If AutoGK is converting to 23.976fps, then that would be because the source is 23.976fps and you should leave it. By the way just about all the avi's you download will be compressed with Xvid. not DivX.

[suppafreak]

I tried Xvid and there was no difference. When I start encoding process with AutoGK, it displays the source 29.97 fps and 40K frames. Than it runs thru more process and shows that converted file will have 30K frames. That's conversion from 29 to 23 fps. If I open the hedden options I see that fps is set to 23 fps.

So my question is how those avi's were created.

[suppafreak]

I guess no one knows.

[Baldrick]

Please wait a couple days before you bump your topic.

Maybe the other video was from another source like dtv/hdtv.

[suppafreak]

I ripped the episoded from a DVD. They are standard NTSC 29.97 fps.

[Abond]

They are standard NTSC 29.97 fps.

How you check this?

[suppafreak]

When AutoGK starts the encoding process it demuxes the source and displays the information in the log. It's displaying the resolution 720x480, fps 29.97 and number of frames, which is around 40k.

When I tried the Gordian Knot, part of the process was to use the DVD2AVI. When you save the project (F4) DVD2AVI runs the process and displays the Information window where it also shows source info, which is, 720x480, NTSC, 29.97 fps, # of frames around 40K and whether it is interlaced or not. My source is interlaced.

[Abond]

I think this is not correct. Better simply drop a vob in GSpot and look for 23.976 in the pictures per second and 3:2.

[suppafreak]

Did that too. Same thing 29.97fps. It is a US TV show. It would not be in 23.97 fps.

[Abond]

Well, some are. Post a screenshot of GSpot analysis if you want, maybe we can see something.