What's the best format for movies?

moltas · 2006-03-08, 13:11

I am about to compress my movies from DVD to something else. I want to save space but still want good quality. (I have an old fashion television and no surround-sound (yet) so I don't need state-of-the-art quality.) Does anyone have some suggestion on what format to use? I am currently giong for XviD. Is it better with DivX or Mpeg? I realize that there are different degrees of compression but are there any one format that is "better"?

/Moltas

Tech Geek · 2006-03-08, 16:33

If you want the smallest files or the best quality for the size then H264 is best. Compared to XViD or DivX files can be up to 40% smaller for similar quality. However, it takes a fast CPU or a newer ATi or NVidia video card to even play it due to the complexity of the format. It also takes hours to compress a single hour of video but ATi has already demonstrated tools to speed up compression using a GPU and I'm sure NVidia is working on it as well.

Between XViD and DivX... they are about the same. One is open source and the other commercial. Frankly, I use XViD just so I don't have to see the DivX logo on all my videos.

You'll have to decide what format you want the audio in. AC3, MP3, etc...

Paranoid Delusion · 2006-03-11, 21:16

Hi Moltas

Must admit to convert/compress DVD's I use Magic DVD Ripper which gives you a choice of compression and codec, also does not seem to screw up using pc, and is pretty fast and Reliable.

8)

2006-03-08, 13:11	#1 (permalink)
moltas Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What's the best format for movies? I am about to compress my movies from DVD to something else. I want to save space but still want good quality. (I have an old fashion television and no surround-sound (yet) so I don't need state-of-the-art quality.) Does anyone have some suggestion on what format to use? I am currently giong for XviD. Is it better with DivX or Mpeg? I realize that there are different degrees of compression but are there any one format that is "better"? /Moltas __________________ ======================= Hurrah for the developers of MP! =======================

2006-03-11, 21:16	#3 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 6,619 Thanks: 129 Thanked 233 Times in 207 Posts Country: My System	Hi Moltas Must admit to convert/compress DVD's I use Magic DVD Ripper which gives you a choice of compression and codec, also does not seem to screw up using pc, and is pretty fast and Reliable. 8) __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

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2006-03-08, 16:33	#2 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you want the smallest files or the best quality for the size then H264 is best. Compared to XViD or DivX files can be up to 40% smaller for similar quality. However, it takes a fast CPU or a newer ATi or NVidia video card to even play it due to the complexity of the format. It also takes hours to compress a single hour of video but ATi has already demonstrated tools to speed up compression using a GPU and I'm sure NVidia is working on it as well. Between XViD and DivX... they are about the same. One is open source and the other commercial. Frankly, I use XViD just so I don't have to see the DivX logo on all my videos. You'll have to decide what format you want the audio in. AC3, MP3, etc...