Virtual Dub DivX Settings?

[mostonnick]

Hi,

I have worked out how to resize my avi files with virtual dub. I want to use DivX 5.02 as my compressor - can anyone suggest some settings that will give me excellent quality and reasonable file size (i have never used divx before) - my ultimate goal is to convert and burn to SVCD.

The 1 hour 10 minute movie I have at the moment (pre resize) is 699MB avi, I obviously don't mind my finished movie being bigger, but nothing beyond say 1GB

Thanks a lot.

Nick

[banjazzer]

I think you need to provide more information. I don't have a clue what you are trying to achieve. Is the avi you have already DivX? What do you mean by resize it? If it is uncompressed, using DivX will make it smaller, not bigger. if you want to convert to SVCD, why are you going via DivX? Every extra encoding stage means a drop in quality!

[mostonnick]

Hi,

What I mean is that I already have a DivX encoded .avi file at 640x256 resolution. I want a DivX .avi at 640x352 resolution that I will then encode via TMPG etc to get files to burn to SVCD.

I was just wondering what settings I should use with Virtual Dub (which i am using to change the picture size) to achieve a decent quality movie. I accept that altering to 640x352 will incur some quality loss.

Thanks
Nick

[vcd4me]

Nick,
I don't think you can make it bigger. and even if you could you might end up with a horrible picture very blocky .

Just my 2 cents
VCD4ME

[banjazzer]

You can go straight to SVCD with what you already have using TMPGenc and a SVCD template. To introduce an internediate stage would mean a definite drop in quality, as well as taking twice as long. There would be absolutely no point!

[mostonnick]

8)
Thanks for the advice.

I have actually just done it using a two-pass DivX 5.02, and it looks ok - if there's a drop in quality it isn't too noticable to me.

The reason I wanted to resize it is that when encode an mpeg from a 640x256 avi, it is letterboxed on my TV, even with it being 16.9 capable. I encode with TMPG, and use the 'keep aspect ratio' setting on the 'advanced' tab. This is mainly because I don't know what the hell to do! I have a suspicion that I could probably sort it out there rather than doing a resize with Virtual Dub.

It was just that when I made an SVCD from a 640x352 source it fit my TV perfectly.

At the end of the day, I am very much a begginer to all of this, so any advice you offer is appreciated. Thanks.

Nick

[banjazzer]

Yes, you should be able to sort it out in TMPGenc. What I would suggest is doing a few test encodes by using the source range in advanced settings in TMPGenc. First off I would try Center(Keep aspect ratio) and then Center(custom size). Also, set the Video>>Aspect ratio to 16:9 NTSC or PAL(whichever). You may need to load the *unlock* template to be able to alter this. I'm sure after a few samples you will determine your optimum settings.