what format to re-convert avi into?

[gizmobently]

First like to say hello to all here. It is time I frequent this forum and learn all I have the time to learn.

I just downloaded a TV series and each episode is a separate file in avi format. Should a burn in this format to view the episodes or does anyone suggest I convert to another format that would be easy to do as a beginner? One thought that comes to my mind is Xvid or Divx. I have a video player that supports this format, but have not yet started to burn any videos. These TV episodes are the first I have downloaded, and all are in the range of 400 MB or less, which is ideal for using CD's to start.

I would appreciate all input on this, as I am not sure how avi and divx compare. Again, thanks in advance and hello to all.


gb


Hi there. Subject headings should be a bit more specific - this time I've changed it for you.

/Mod Offline

[jagabo]

Your AVI files are probably Divx or Xvid already. Just burn them to CD or DVD as data discs and see if they play.

You can use GSpot to verify the video and audio codecs (Divx and Xvid are video codecs, your player probably accepts MP3 audio, maybe AC3).

[guns1inger]

Chances are very high that these files are already Xvid/Divx, and suitable for playing on a standalone player. You can confirm this by either using a tool like g-spot to show you how they have been encoded, or by buying a DVD -RW disc and burning them to it to test playback. Don't waste you time with CDs if you can fit 10 episodes or more to a single DVD.

[PuzZLeR]

Hi welcome.

Let me make a distinction for you.

AVI is a container. It can contain many types of video codecs.

DivX and Xvid are video codecs. Not to get into detail, but it means a type of video.

I agree with the previous two posts that these files in your possession are highly likely to be DivX or Xvid already since they are the most popular compressed formats usually found in AVI. Your player may already play them as is so re-encoding will be a waste of time and you will lose quality un-necessarily.

You can find out what video codec the AVI contains with the mentioned G-Spot or another good one called MediaInfo. Or you can take advice and try on a RW disc to make sure in your player. Keep in mind, if it's Xvid it's very similar to DivX and usually has no trouble playing in a DivX Certified device.

As well, burn the files simply as data to disc for your player. And I agree with Guns1linger to use empty DvD which has much higher capacity (more room for video). Empty CDs are only good when creating home-made audio CDs but for everything else, including even storing MP3s, they are a dead format.

If by some chance your video files aren't DivX/Xvid and don't play on your player let us know if you need to convert them.