the best codec.

[seb fernando]

hey, i've been rippin dvds for quite sometime now, and i hav a few questions on my mind:

1. what is the best codec out of 5.0.3, RVP, divx 4, divx 3.11,
i've been usin divx 4 fast motion for sometime, but i was wonderin is 5.0.2 or 5.0.3 better. also if i was 2 to do a 2 pass bitrate or a nth pass bitrate by how much would that increase the quality of the video.

seb.
:evilaugh:

[UncasMS]

i consider divx 5.0.2/3 with two passes the best choice

[Batman]

You should conduct your own tests, and see for yourself which is the best codec.

I prefer SBC or XVID.

[techno]

3.11alpha suits me very well, without a doubt, quality and LOW file size, unlike DIVX v4 + and 5+

[The Edge]

Why use 3.11a has it does not have motion search precision, unlike 5.03 or XviD? It is a hack of a MS codec too.
But as Batman says, conduct your own tests and decide.

Edge

[techno]

excatly, and what he said is correct. I find 3.11alpha to be perfect for me, and also, it's not because i'm a fan of MS, it's cause it's a true quality for me :)

What do u exactly mean by motion search precision?

[The Edge]

Currently, there are no mpeg4 encoders that will encode more than 2 passes. The explanation lies in SearchPrecision of the codec. If you notice, XviD has 6 search precisions, these all change how much math is actually done per macroblock during the encoding process. Nandub and XviD only use two passes for easy filesize prediction. (Nandub had absolutely no ability to set search precision) With DivX 3.11, you cannot control search precision, you get what you get, two passes only gives us filesize prediction.

For something like CCE, it uses multiple passes for both higher precision and filesize prediction.

I hope this makes sense;)

Edit
DivX 5.03 has something called Nth passes, but I have not got a chance to test.

Edge

[techno]

yeh, gotcha, i was thinking about something else.......


well, to me the original and best is 3.11a. "OLD IS GOLD" heheh :)

[The Edge]

With DivX 5, you change search precision with the setting marked 'Performance/Quality' under the Advanced tab. And two passes is only used for filesize prediction.

With XviD, same thing, except its marked as Motion Search Precision.

So there's no reason to do more than 2 passes in XviD/DivX 5 because we already have control over our precision and filesize, in DivX 3.11 we lack the necessary resources to influence the precision one way or another (because of the limited interface we control the codec through and its closed source nature).
I might use 3.11a every so often for friends or whatever.
Still holds it's ground though!

These treads usually lead to flame wars I find, so maybe it's just best to say test yourself and decide.

Edge

[techno]

hey yeh, i know, and i am not the type of guy to start flame wars! we all got our little baby, let's keep it ;)

[UncasMS]

Currently, there are no mpeg4 encoders that will encode more than 2 passes.

you must have missed the latest DIVX 5.0. 3 ;)

[The Edge]

I did mention it above but have not got a chance to test:(

Looks promising though. Have you tested?

Edge

[UncasMS]

i did run a 4 pass test yesterday and another one right now

doesnt look promising/worth the extra time to me.

check the DIVX5.0.3 thread

[The Edge]

Cheers.


Edge

[seb fernando]

so i should be going for divx 3.11 alpha or divx 5.0.3 (i havent tried that one so...)
also:
what is the best bitrate for 3.11?
i normally use around 1300kps. and one more thing.
by how much is divx 3.11 better than divx 4 fast motion?
thanx for ur help
seb
:missile:

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by seb fernando
so i should be going for divx 3.11 alpha or divx 5.0.3 (i havent tried that one so...)
also:
what is the best bitrate for 3.11?
i normally use around 1300kps. and one more thing.
by how much is divx 3.11 better than divx 4 fast motion?
thanx for ur help
seb
:missile:
The DivX 3.11 codec will only be able to stand up to the other more recent codecs when used with nandub (which allows for its 2-pass encoding mode). Otherwise, it is pretty much inferior to the competition.

For normal movies, XviD or DivX 5.x will probably offer the better quality, although SBC (2-pass encoded DivX 3.11) tends to be free of ringing artifacts and generally sharper. For animation movies, SBC has my vote for the best codec.