converting a DVD to HD Mpeg or AVI

[rbV5]

EDIT: Did you notice that in the testing comparison you're referencing that they didn't do the highest end STBs, more mid-high range models? Combine that with HD-DVD playback I really question the conclusion of the article. STBs still have some advantages over HTPC

Not really, the biggest ommision from my perspective is the lack of comparison to PC video enthusiast standard fare....dscaler, ffdshow ect. for DVD decoding. Thats the real debate as far as I'm concerned.

this isnt a debate of can i or cant i or should i or shouldn't i..
its a matter what what can i use to do it.

True, that debate has been settled long ago. Upscaling the video during encoding will introduce artifacts and reduce the PQ of your video.

 

[gsellis]

As long as you can deal with quality similar to VHS -> DVD, then why not try MPEG to DV-
AVI -> WMV-HD. Plenty of tools to get it to DV. Then download the MS Windows Media Encoder and create a profile to suite your needs. You probably do not need better than 5-6Mbps encode rate. "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" was 720p at around 8.2Mbps from film content (at least 4-6 times the info as 720p - RAW film would be above 300MBps with a big B).

 

[Slammy1]

I read that the author wanted to just look at the decoders, so they stuck with some standard setups to make the comparison more meaningful. In the end you couldn't draw any absolute conclusions from the article, at least not the ones people were drawing that HTPC is better than STB. Still a testament to the power of the new generation of decoders, but with newer STBs that are focussed HTPCs, I don't think any absolute statement could be made even had they stuck with the standard enthusiast tools.

PP, I'd check out the Toshiba A1. It really is a bargain at under $500, and I'm thinking HD-DVD just might win over Blu-Ray (reported less glitches, better PQ) but the marketting arm of Sony cannot be denied (just look at Beta vs VHS...). Another good upconverting player is the Oppo 971H at just under $200. Wish I had more for your main question about conversion to DiVx (though you might consider conversion to HD wmv instead).

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: gsellis
As long as you can deal with quality similar to VHS -> DVD, then why not try MPEG to DV-
AVI -> WMV-HD. Plenty of tools to get it to DV. Then download the MS Windows Media Encoder and create a profile to suite your needs. You probably do not need better than 5-6Mbps encode rate. "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" was 720p at around 8.2Mbps from film content (at least 4-6 times the info as 720p - RAW film would be above 300MBps with a big B).

Why WMV? Xvid and mpeg4/h263 will whoop it's ass.
Your going to be going from 720x480 to 720x480. Waist of space to do otherwise. Then when you want to watch it, use ffdshow to upscale it.

If you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to record it at 1280x720 (thats 720p right?) then I guess there's a setting in the xvid tab to set the size you want it at. Just make sure to make it a 1:1 otherwise then your video might look a little weird (streched/squashed)

Either way, if it's a DVD, your going to have to get it on your HD (DVD Decrypter, make sure filesplitting IS OFF), then use Virtual Dub Mod to encode the first pass to an avi file, then do the second pass (posted a guide a while back in this thread for 2-pass thing), then you'll have to take care of the audio (headAC3che/dbpoweramp), then if you don't have any subtitles, you can put it together in a mkv format if you like, or just combine the two in the avi file.

I think you might be able to use a ffdshow encoder to upscale it with some sort of filter if you REALLY WANTED TOO.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: wizboy11
Why WMV? Xvid and mpeg4/h263 will whoop it's ass.

Not necessarily. There is no color space or significant compression advantage. You get GPU support with X1xx or 7xxx video cards (and a smattering in older). You have a codec that is supported on HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, so no reauthor to put it on a disc later. Modern editors can edit it (I can edit/reauthor 1080i/1080p/720p WMV-HD to other codecs and play it in real-time in Avid Liquid 7.1). Definitely not as brutal as H.264.

Played with the Windows Media Encoder? Encoder Pro page (don't recommend playing with Studio yet). VBR dual pass kicks butt.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: wizboy11
Why WMV? Xvid and mpeg4/h263 will whoop it's ass.

Not necessarily. There is no color space or significant compression advantage. You get GPU support with X1xx or 7xxx video cards (and a smattering in older). You have a codec that is supported on HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, so no reauthor to put it on a disc later. Modern editors can edit it (I can edit/reauthor 1080i/1080p/720p WMV-HD to other codecs and play it in real-time in Avid Liquid 7.1). Definitely not as brutal as H.264.

Played with the Windows Media Encoder? Encoder Pro page (don't recommend playing with Studio yet). VBR dual pass kicks butt.

Thanks, I'll look at it.
But until I see for myself, I stand by Xvid (it's free after all)

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: wizboy11

Thanks, I'll look at it.
But until I see for myself, I stand by Xvid (it's free after all)

Then you will love WME too. It is also free