2009 Video Codec Choice

[jason]

DVD to H.264 / DivX / Xvid

If there is another codec that you use, let me know and I will add it.

[jagabo]

Choice of codec depends on application.

[filmboss80]

Are you asking what codecs we use to watch movies on PC? I'm trying to understand why you limited it to just those 3. I see no MPEG-1 or 2, WMV, FLV DV-AVI, M-JPEG, MOV, etc, etc, etc.

For some of us, different codecs may be used at various stages for a single video project. Such stages may include raw footage capture, frame-accurate editing with effects, then distributing multiple sources (including DVD, web streaming, or a good-quality/small-file-size format that can be downloaded).

What's the point of this poll?

[jason]

DVD to H.264, DivX, Xvid

What format are you using to compress your movies. That's the point of the poll. I thought I made it pretty simple.

good quality / smaller file size

[filmboss80]

Nowhere in the original title of this thread ("2009 Video Codec Choice"), nor in the introductory post, were the words "DVD" or "movies." Couldn't read your mind.

This forum is frequented by shooters and editors -- not just movie viewers alone. Be a little more specific next time.

[jason]

Sorry about that, I tried to make it a little more clear in the first post.

[jagabo]

Why is AVI in the list? It's not a codec, it's a container. It's like asking which is the best juice -- apple, orange, tomato, plastic bottle?

[jason]

Are there any other codecs I should add?

[gadgetguy]

You still haven't told us why you want to know. What is the goal in compressing the DVD? And do you mean the whole DVD or just the movie? What will they be played on? Computer? Media player? DVD player? Website? Youboob? etc? Of the choices listed, I use none.

[jason]

I have over 100 movies on my hard drive. I used DVDfab and chose the main movie option. Now I would like to compress them to about 1-1.5GB. Just trying to figure out the best format these days. From what I have read, H.264 w/ AAC is the top choice.

[gadgetguy]

...From what I have read, H.264 w/ AAC is the top choice.

That's useless if you plan on playing it on a Curtis DVD7026A as it wouldn't recognize the audio or the video. At the risk of repeating myself...

What will they be played on?

[jason]

What has the most hardware support? DivX & Xvid

[gadgetguy]

I fold. You win.

[lordsmurf]

42

[gadgetguy]

42

[JimmyJoeBob]

42

[jason]

Good one

[Skith]

42

oh noes! the mice are gonna take lordsmurf's brain now!


For standalone dvd players - DivX / Xvid are about your only choice - be aware not all players support playback, and those that do are often picky about the format and specifications. A caveat is that most, if not all of these players only support playing such content from CDs not DVDs.

AVC/.264 encoding and playback is far more intensive, and less likely to be supported on a standalone. Although for SD resolutions you should be fine unless your PC is ancient.

If you don't plan to use your PC for playback, you might be better off getting a dvd player or TV that supports playback from an external usb hard drive/media player - like the western digital one.

[ron spencer]

xvid....can be encoded with autogk to look perfect at 1.5 meg for most movies on 37" lcd or less....for larger, use originals

[Dv8ted2]

42

I had to take a five yard penalty and punt myself. I will never understand the need for all of these questions on codec of choice - Which is the best way - I am afraid to be an individual and try something for myself. That would be too much to ask for situations.

In the end, all that matters is what works for you.

[steelahlive]

I chose WMV as my write in answer to the poll, but stopped short of submitting it after reading the "You win, I fold" comment, followed up by 42 . Either way, i will throw in my 2 cents as being quite new as a poster here on the forums but an avid reader for about 4 years now. There is no BEST Codec nor is there a 2009 variety. It's all down to simple choice of what you want out of the codec you choose. IF like you say you want the best Hardware support i'd ask why? Why because what is your current playback method? I use WMV exclusively for all my projects, i want them to play on anyone's computer that is running Microsoft Operating system, and on my Xbox 360. Edit**1 I convert all my movies using TMPGENC Xpress either blu-ray or dvd. And always use wmv 8 and wmv 9 with about 4700kbps to 5200kbps for video and 348kbps 5.1 WMA Pro for Audio. This produces a 1.9 - 2.1 gigabyte file for a 45 - 50 minute TV Episode, that is great on quality and encodings usually take no more than an hour. As for exclusivness to WMV that was slightly wrong, i do use AVI's captured with my Blackmagic Intensity Pro capture card and they use an MJPEG codec to keep file sizes down.

Movies are usually set to about 5700-6000 kbps and produce about a 4.1-4.3 gb file. If blu-ray rips then i set them to wmv9 and go play some xbox or something for about 3 hours.

System Specs **

Dual Quad Core Xeon E5405 2.00GHz
8.00 GB Ram
64bit Vista Ultimate.