Compressing recorded shows

[Shurik]

Well, I believe people already discussed this quite a lot, but I am still a little bit confused about video compression. So, I recorded few shows, but they are huge - like 15 Gb per show and I'm running out of my HDD space pretty fast - I think I've got about 30 Gb left on 300 HDD. Well, anyway, I decided that it's time to compress the video and move on. So, I searched the forums, found out that I need an Elecard Decoder (for XViD) and downloaded v. 2.0-something from a link posted somewhere in forums here. It's the version that does not require keys and registration. Anyway, I thought I am all ready, but I keep getting "Error" message every time I try to compress video to Xvid format. I can compress to WMV, but would like to use XVID if I can. I believe that this should work, regardless of what some people are saying here, since this is implemented - it mast have worked for developers.

So, any ideas? And if not, then I would really appreciate any suggestions as to what software to use for compression, if I need to do that outside of MP.

Thanks

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.1.0
MediaPortal Skin: MCE 720p
Windows Version: Win XP SP2 WMP11
CPU Type: P4 3Ghz
HDD: 2x300Gb, 60Gb
Memory: 1Gb PC3200 ECC
Motherboard: MSI
Motherboard Bios: Award
Video Card: Radeon 9600 Pro 256Mb
Video Card Driver: Latest Catalyst
Sound Card: Built-in on the MB (SoundMax)
1. TV Card: Hauppauge PVR150 MCE kit
1. TV Card Type: analog
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Shaw Cable
HTPC Case: SilverStone LC20
Power Supply: Antec
Remote: MCE
TV: LCD Daytek 32"
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI

[Sh4nn0w]

If you use the Video Editor in MP to convert files from dvr-ms to MPEG, that'd be a good start. Remove Commercial's if applicable.

For outside of MP, Doom9 Website and forums are good reading.

Just found a thread on Doom9 regarding possible options.

[Noelix]

The Xvid compression is more or less broken at this point. My guess is that after the new tv server and engine are fully implemented that it will be revisited and fixed properly.

I did get it to work, but it wasn't worth it, and I'll explain why. You have to download a particular older build of the Elecard decoder for it to work in MP. It's a trial install so unless somebody has a registered version on these forums, after 15 days it's going to add this annoying-ass bouncing square all over your shows. Honestly you'd be better off doing the compression outside of MP, and even better off on a different computer.

My suggestion is to convert to MPEG-2 with the compression function in MP, and then use VirtualDub or MediaCoder or something to compress it to Xvid outside of MP. If you would prefer an automated process, I have a large guide in the tips and tricks forum.

[Paul S]

I use VideoReDo (not free) to edit and save the files as true MPEG2 files. I then use the new open-source (free) version of Dr DivX to compress the files.

Dr Divx 2.0.0

[brickbat]

When I had MCE, I used Nero because it accepts dvr-ms files natively. But since I installed XP and Mediaportal on this box, something very strange is happening with Nero - It is using 100% of my CPU and I am getting a sync problem with the video and audio of the resulting file. My MP PC is an Athlon 3700+ with a gig of RAM. It didn't jump to 100% of CPU ever before. I have not idea whats causing the problem but when it was working, it was an awesome solution. I will eventually have to have a look at it to see what is happening.

[darklord2005]

I am using avi.net, its free and is very easy to use..try it out I converted a 7gb video to xvid last nite