Best Conversion Format for all USE Xbox360, PS3, iTouch, WDTVLive

[eruiz@lgwonline.com]

Hello All,

I'm relatively new to the world of video converting. I'm in the process of ripping my entire DVD/Blu-Ray collection to my newly purchased NAS. I wanted to know what would be the best general format for video conversion that can be used on the following devices (Xbox360, PS3, WDTV Live, iTouch). I have heard that .MP4 is great. I would like to keep all 5.1 surround on all converted videos for playback on my home theater systems. I have been using handbrake and have not been able to encode video and retain the 5.1 surround sound. I have both PC and MAC. I would like to keep files at no more than 4GB if possible or less while trying to maintain good video quality. Can someone please guide me in the right direction, provide instructions and what software should be be used to accomplish this project. Everyone's help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!!!

[guns1inger]

5.1 AC3 inside the MP4 container is a fairly recent addition, and most converters don't yet support it. I also don't believe the is a common format that will work on all those devices and give you the quality you want. To meet that request you would have to encode for the lowest device, in this case the iPod Touch. This will produce lower quality files that if you encoded one set to the iPod, and a different set for the Consoles and WDTV.

You might want to look at MeGUI for AC3/MP4 support.

[eruiz@lgwonline.com]

I'm ok with encoding separate files for the iTouch. I know these files are much smaller and would not produce a good image on the home theater system. I just want to know what would be the best format for home theater retaining close to HD quality with surround sound 5.1 and playable on the Xbox360, PS3, WDTV Live...

[guns1inger]

Are you streaming wirelessly, or over ethernet ?

I stream wirelessly to a PS3 and find that mp4 files often stutter or pause, although Xvid/Divx/Mpeg-2 files at much higher bitrates stream without issue. The same MP4 files play back fine from DVDs, USB HDD or over ethernet.

[eruiz@lgwonline.com]

Ok dont mind using the metioned formats, what software would you recommend? Rememberkeeping the 5.1 sourround and HD/DVD quality video? I have no issues streaming .mp4 to Xbox360, but I have had the same issue streaming .mp4 to PS3. Let me know and thanks for your help...