Divx to DVD: multiple questions

[sameer2000]

converted a Divx movie file following the "How To" conversion guide on this site. I now have an .m2v video file and a .wav sound file of the original .avi Divx clip.

1. Should I have these two types of files, or did I do something wrong (or do you suggest a different conversion method)?

2. The original Divx clip was 640x272. After conversion, the .m2v clip is 720x480. Do i need to worry about this, will it affect the quality of the final clip that plays off the DVD?

3. I downloaded a codec that allows me to play the .m2v file using Windows Media Player. When i play the file using Media Player version 9, the video is very slow/choppy. When i play the same file using Media Player 6.4, the video is just as slow/choppy if i just let it play; however, if i pause the clip (for at least 2 seconds), then unpause it the video plays quite smoothly. Is there any way i can tell which way it will play on a DVD player?

4. I will be using an iMac to burn the DVDs. Can i author with iDVD using .m2v and .wav or will I have to convert to another format for that program? Do you have any suggestions for better authoring programs for use with Macs?

5. I hear about AC3 sound...should i convert to AC3 rather than .wav? Why or why not? Best coversion tool for this process?

Thank you all so much for your help.

[bugster]

1. This is OK but wav sound does take up a lot of space on the DVD reducing the video bitrate and so possibly reducing quality. Consider converting it to mp2.

2. 720 * 480 is the correct resolution for DVD. Other valid resolutions can found under the what is DVDR link on the left of the page.

3. Hmm, not sure, what spec PC do you have?

4. I know nothing about Mac's sorry

5. AC3 is compressed, so takes up less space than wav leaving more room for video. (see point 1). If your source divx has ac3 audio, keep it. Convert a stereo soundtrack to wav, mp2 or Ac3? IMHO, mp2 is as good as Ac3 quality wise and for stereo it makes little difference the only downside being that some US DVD players can't handle mp2 audio. Converting to Mp2 is simpler than Ac3 but both are possible, its up to you. Personally I would never use wav (PCM) for the size reason alone.

[sameer2000]

Thanks for the answers.

Any idea if a Pioneer DV-333 DVD Player can handle mp2 audio?

And my PC is a bit outdated, which may be the cause of the choppy playback in WMP 9, although other movies play fine and it does work with WMP 6.4. Pentium III 600, 256MB RAM, 16MB 4X AGP graphics card.

[bugster]

Any idea if a Pioneer DV-333 DVD Player can handle mp2 audio?

Not really, but from what I know there are only a few that can't. Try a short test clip of a DVD-RW to find out.