AVI download rips

[Cooly-O]

What's the best way to view those downloadable AVI movies (e.g. from Kazaa, imesh, etc)?

I'd like to watch them on my DVD player (Apex5131)? Do I have to encode these to VCD or SVCD? Why does AVI seem to be a popular format from these download peer-2-peer programs? Most DVD players can't play AVI files, right?

Is it true that these AVI files are smaller than VCD/SVCD?

[DVantrease]

Most (not all) AVI files found on Kazaa and similar networks are probably in Divx format. They can only be viewer on a computer (with Divx installed, go to www.divx.com), they cannot be viewed on a DVD player unless they are converted to VCD/MPG format. Divx is very popular because the video files are HIGHLY compressed, which shrinks the filesize alot, for example a Divx movie can be 1/3 the size of an MPG movie (which is already compressed).

[Cooly-O]

Most (not all) AVI files found on Kazaa and similar networks are probably in Divx format. They can only be viewer on a computer (with Divx installed, go to www.divx.com), they cannot be viewed on a DVD player unless they are converted to VCD/MPG format. Divx is very popular because the video files are HIGHLY compressed, which shrinks the filesize alot, for example a Divx movie can be 1/3 the size of an MPG movie (which is already compressed).

Qaulity wise: How does a Divx file converted to a VCD compare with to video that was compressed to VCD originally? Do many people download the Divx files and then convert them to VCD so they can watch on their DVD players? Is this a popular way to use Divx files? How can I be a better judge of Divx quality before I download?

I'll go to www.divix.com to get to know these files better myself (in the meantime). Thanks much.

[vcd4me]

DIVX is for movies and is similar to
mp3 for music
They are both compression formats.

QUESTION-Qaulity wise: How does a Divx file converted to a VCD compare with to video that was compressed to VCD originally?

ANSWER-You will lose a little quality from the origial movie,but not that noticeable to most people. There is one advantage to making your on vcd, and that is you can get them in vide screen. Original produced vcds(from asian countries are in pan and scan (like VHS).

QUESTION-Do many people download the Divx files and then convert them to VCD so they can watch on their dvd players.

ANSWER- Yes most of us do, but remember crap in equal crap out in other words don't waste you time with the current theater movies unless you know for sure that it is a true screener version

QUESTION-Is this a popular way to use Divx files?
ANSWER- Yes this is why most of us use divx so we can share.

QUESTION-How can I be a better judge of Divx quality before Idownload?
ANSWER-You can preview the movie but I've never done it.If you stick to dvd rips you usually will end up with a good file.

GOING OVER TO DIVX.COM IS A GREAT IDEA MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FAQ PAGE FOR NEWBIES

HOPE THIS HELPS
VCD4ME

[Cooly-O]

Thanks vcd4me. That was great help. Only one part I need more info on:

QUESTION-Do many people download the Divx files and then convert them to VCD so they can watch on their dvd players.

ANSWER- Yes most of us do, but remember crap in equal crap out in other words don't waste you time with the current theater movies unless you know for sure that it is a true screener version
VCD4ME

Why do you call it "current theater movies"? Are you expressing that this infers something bad or low quality?

Does "true screener version" mean that it was the final production release and not just a developmental cut?

Feel free to add more hints on what to look out for where quality Divx files are desired.

[Cooly-O]

What is the best Forums to participate in for people who are into these types of downloads? Is http://www.divx.com/forums among the best forums??

Would one be missing out on some good opportunity if they didn't get involved with www.mirc.com or the likes???

[frenetic]

Screeners = good stuff
Theaters/Cams/Telecine = really bad stuff

Screeners: Are limited pre-releases of DVD movies sent to, for example video stores. These are the same quality as the soon-to-be-release retail DVD.

Theaters/Cams/Telecine: These are for the desparate. These videos are basically screen captures of the actual theaters screens in the actual movie theater! I personally think these are hilarious. The audio and video quality are apalling to say the least. You can usually spot the Theaters/Cams/Telecine downloads by thier file sizes. A cam will usually be split into 2 VCDs. These will also no be completely filled VCDs for example VCD1 = 325MB VCD2 = 213MB.

[vcd4me]

What I mean by current theater movies is movies like spiderman for example or anything from the theater.
Unless it is a screener meaning a advanced copy to theater owners it is usually a movie that someone has taken a camcorder in to the theater and video taped the screen.These are called CAM

There are however some other ways of getting movies, if you read the FAQ page about half way down there is a section saying what is cam, TELECINE...etc. read there and it will explain what all of them are.There are some other good quality movies out there besides screeners. The problem is mostly caused by people renaming their downloads.

As for irc I'm trying to learn it now it does take time. People say you can get movies as soon as the are released and that they have better quality downloads including new theater movies. They are without a doubt the fastest downloading speeds.

ANY more question just go ahead and ask away
I more than willing to Help
VCD4ME

[bugster]

hey guys, in terms of downloading movies I find usenet to be quick and reliable once you have found a good server. IRC (IMHO) can get you stuff early but speeds vary significantly and it can be unreliable. For usenet, I use www.easynews.com, a commercial service but worth it. I got a spiderman divx 2 days after theatre release, the SVCD was available a few hours later. Maybe not quite as fast as some IRC channels but quick enough for me! (oh, and much more reliable than ANY P2P service!)

[Mordant]

You should check out the new spider-man telesync before you badmouth that format too much. I think you might be surprised. It certainly isn't as good as a DVD rip, but it is very watchable. Telesync does not involve filming the screen, but taking a feed directly off the projector.

The Spider-man telesync is in SVCD format, and is a lot better than the LoTR telesync (which was VCD format).

[Cooly-O]

Guys, What's a good template for making SVCD's from Divx? I'm used to making SVCD of my camcorder captures and I use CBR and the rest of the default SVCD setting in TMPGenc. Is that good enough setting or are there special considerations for Divx-to-SVCD (like a recommended template)??

In general, are templates that big of a deal? If so, fill me in.

[vcd4me]

MORDANT,

I personally am not not bad mouthing telesync. I was just trying to tell him that there are diffrences and you never know what you are going to get because people mislabel their files.That's why I told COOLY-O to read the FAQ page.

Take you for example you wrote:
"Telesync does not involve filming the screen, but taking a feed directly off the projector"
You gave the discription for TELECINE.

Here is the definition for TELESYNC taken directly from the FAQ page on this site:
Telesync - These are also recorded in a cinema but usually on an expensive camera and they should have a seperate audio source (so the audience cannot be heard), these are generally very good quality and highly watchable.

I did not do this to bust your chops I'm only saying that some people just make mistakes. God knows I've made plenty of mistakes.
Let me give an example:
ANIMAL.TS.disc1.avi This was without a doubt the worst download I have ever seen. In the first five minutes of the movie I saw at least 5 people's heads and I heard the audience. Learned my lesson.

Some people refer to
TS being a Tele Sync or
TS being Taped Screen

Hope this helps
VCD4ME

[Mordant]

No worries...you are correct about the definitions given here. Still, the Centropy Spiderman 3 disc SVCD is called a Telesync at Sharereactor, but there are no audience heads ect...I find it hard to imagine it was done with a camera in a theatre.

[spidey]

I believe a Telesynch is almost a Prism placed in front of the lens on the projector, so they cap it right there rather than film it. THen they took a line out for the audio.

Telesynch's are definatley a notch above normal cam copies, but obviously less than Screeners and rips as they used the source VOB's as the source.

I would highly recommend the Centropy Telesynch's, especially SPider Man. Centropy does an awesome job !!!!!