Is the DivX Converter MPEG-2/DVD Plug-in really worth it?

[blurredvision]

I'll most likely be ponying up the $20 for the DivX codec and converter suite here soon, as I was wondering if the extra $10 for the MPEG-2/DVD converter plug-in was actually worth it? I wouldn't mind to rip a couple of my movies from time to time to throw on my Vision M, and while I've never really gotten into the whole DVD ripping scene, I can't imagine it will be as simple as paying $10 extra with no hassle.

So, can anyone vouch for this program/plugin? Is it simple plug-and-play? Or should I just save my $10? I plan on using the DivX converter program for some video projects my friends and I are working on, and wouldn't mind to have the extra plugin if it actually works.

Thanks!

 

[mercanucaribe]

Xvid is free.

Compressing movies takes longer than watching them.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Xvid is free.

Compressing movies takes longer than watching them.

The problem is that I'm a complete noob when it comes to encoding video. I can edit it easily, but when it comes time to choosing the right codec and the right settings to get a decently sized file with decent quality, I'm lost. In the past, I've never been able to get the right settings, and I don't want to take the time to learn right now. The DivX converter makes it all too easy for me, something that's worth $20. Hell, I remember downloading xvid from their site one day, and I couldn't make any sense out of what they gave me. I had to google an installer package from another site.

So, with that said, anymore advice? Is xvid as simple as dragging or opening a created AVI file into a program and it converting it automatically with dumbed-down settings? Cause that's what I need.....

 

[sswingle]

In my experience watching the two formats, divx has a lot of issues syncing sound, while xvid deos not.