DivX-Pro's and Cons. at DVinfo.net

Adrian Douglas · May 3rd, 2002, 08:28 AM

I've just started to look at DivX for Web/CD/DVD and am interested in opinions, hints, tricks etc.

Rob, you've mentioned it a bit, which is why I checked it out. What kind of settings do you use for say a 1min 4:3 web video.

Rob Lohman · May 3rd, 2002, 09:00 AM

Did I mention DiVX? hmm... Well, I know it is a great format
and that it is used a lot, but I don't use it actually. I usually
output to MPEG2. Sorry :) ... But I do know quite a bit about
formats, so I can tell you some of the pro's / con's...

Pro:
- very small size / quality
- free to use (non-pro version)
- should have smaller encoding times then MPEG2

Con:
- not everyone has DiVX codec, it is also not available
for every platform!
- Only playable on a computer (not DVD player for example)

I think that sums it up..... If I think of more I'll let you know.
The easiest way to decide your format is to first lay down:

- quality demands
- file size demands
- platform / player demands

That usually gives you the answer of wether to go with
MPEG (1 or 2), DiVX (mpeg 4), QuickTime or perhaps some
other encoding technology.

Hope this has helped some

Bill Ravens · May 3rd, 2002, 09:11 AM

Adrian....

DivX is an MPEG4 format that is about as good as MPEG2(SVCD and DVD) The difference between DivX and MPEG2 is that DivX compresses to a smaller file size than MPEG2, however, it requires much more processor power to decode. So, that's the tradeoff. The beauty of DivX is its ability to do variable bitrate, multi-pass encoding. For my experience, QT5(sorensen 3) is not nearly as good as either Divx5 or SVCD at bitrates over 3000 Kb/sec. But, this is a religious issue...;-)

While some set top boxes will play SVCD (APEX), there are currently no set top DivX players. I understand that the people at www.mydivx.com have recently licensed their technology for the manufacture of a set top DivX player.

Adrian Douglas · May 3rd, 2002, 09:11 AM

Thanks Rob, as usual good info.

I guess I got you mixed up with someone else. Sorry bout that.

Rob Lohman · May 4th, 2002, 05:29 AM

Adrian,

No problem! MPEG2 can also do variable multipass bitrate
files.

May 3rd, 2002, 08:28 AM	#1
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	DivX-Pro's and Cons. I've just started to look at DivX for Web/CD/DVD and am interested in opinions, hints, tricks etc. Rob, you've mentioned it a bit, which is why I checked it out. What kind of settings do you use for say a 1min 4:3 web video. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

May 3rd, 2002, 09:00 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Did I mention DiVX? hmm... Well, I know it is a great format and that it is used a lot, but I don't use it actually. I usually output to MPEG2. Sorry :) ... But I do know quite a bit about formats, so I can tell you some of the pro's / con's... Pro: - very small size / quality - free to use (non-pro version) - should have smaller encoding times then MPEG2 Con: - not everyone has DiVX codec, it is also not available for every platform! - Only playable on a computer (not DVD player for example) I think that sums it up..... If I think of more I'll let you know. The easiest way to decide your format is to first lay down: - quality demands - file size demands - platform / player demands That usually gives you the answer of wether to go with MPEG (1 or 2), DiVX (mpeg 4), QuickTime or perhaps some other encoding technology. Hope this has helped some __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 3rd, 2002, 09:11 AM	#4
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	Thanks Rob, as usual good info. I guess I got you mixed up with someone else. Sorry bout that. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

May 4th, 2002, 05:29 AM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Adrian, No problem! MPEG2 can also do variable multipass bitrate files. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 3rd, 2002, 09:11 AM	#3
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Adrian.... DivX is an MPEG4 format that is about as good as MPEG2(SVCD and DVD) The difference between DivX and MPEG2 is that DivX compresses to a smaller file size than MPEG2, however, it requires much more processor power to decode. So, that's the tradeoff. The beauty of DivX is its ability to do variable bitrate, multi-pass encoding. For my experience, QT5(sorensen 3) is not nearly as good as either Divx5 or SVCD at bitrates over 3000 Kb/sec. But, this is a religious issue...;-) While some set top boxes will play SVCD (APEX), there are currently no set top DivX players. I understand that the people at www.mydivx.com have recently licensed their technology for the manufacture of a set top DivX player.