Resolution???

[Relion]

I m newbie (this is my first post actually) and have just ripped my first DVD. I last 3 days to find the right tools (easy way is not the right way ). The thing is the following: Its a very good 640*480 divx 4.12 rip and plays ok in my athlon 650Mhz but it looks choppy in my k6-450Mhz. What resolution is ok to work on most machines keeping good quality (say most = 300Mhz or more). Is it cpu problem, bitrate, or as I think resolution problem??? Sorry for my english.
P.D. Any help will be greatly apreciated. Thanks.

[Enchanter]

In that case, 640x480 is definitely too high for your 450. Even your 650 is probably only barely coping. For 300MHz systems, a resolution of 320x240 is optimal. You could try 480x360, though I wouldn't want to hold my breath there. The same goes for your 450. You could even try 512x384, but I think 480x360 will be just nice.

[Relion]

Thanks Enchant

Thanks. It plays ok on my Athlon anyway

[setarip]

To Relion

Just so that you're not mislead:

I play 720x480 DivX-compressed .AVI videos on my PII 266 laptop without problems. The only caveat is that I set the desktop (not the video) to 640x480 16 bit color...

[Enchanter]

What bitrate are you using anyway? Too high a bitrate is also a cause for choppy playback, esp. when coupled with too high a video resolution.

Setting a video resolution of 720x480 and watching it on a 640x480 desktop resolution is rather silly. The whole video takes away your entire desktop estate, esp. when you don't intend to watch it full-screen. Also, when your bitrate is just moderately high (700-1000), it is always a better idea to use a moderate resolution like the ones I outlined and end up with sharper picture. I've seen similarly-sized video files at different resolutions (512x384 and 720x480). The latter looks noticably more washed out in colour, even though it may be a tad sharper (Maybe...). However, CPU utilisation went up high for that video.

I have created and downloaded videos with 4:3 AR. Nearly all encoders (Shall I name the groups?) prefer the lower resolutions, rather than the full 720x480 DVD resolution. There is an unspoken agrrement between us that this resolution is just 'unprofessional.'

[Relion]

???

Ok, then whats are the best resolution/bitrate combinations, for my athlon and for my k6???

[setarip]

To Enchanter

At the risk of offending you:


First of all, you've missed my point to Relion completely - which is, to state it simply, lower powered machines are not nearly that restricting regarding playback.
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"There is an unspoken agrrement between us that this resolution is just 'unprofessional.' "

Secondly, your statement (above) is nothing if not arrogant. I guess it's a wise thing to keep it an "unspoken agreement". I guess I should feel pleased not be a member of any such restrictive unnamed "groups" that have somehow decided that the HOBBY of ripping, converting, and viewing compressed videos is now a "PROFESSION". I'm sure you'll forgive me for not sharing your point of view...

[Enchanter]

Ok, then whats are the best resolution/bitrate combinations, for my athlon and for my k6???

As I stated above.

To Setarip,
These groups are basically anime encoders. Their work is generally legal, as long as they are not working on licensed anime. A lot of these groups have excellent and knowledgeable encoders, who can whip up excellent episodes in as small a size as possible. And these groups also have translators, timers and God-knows-who-else working together with the encoder to create the episode. I am sure no one of us will view this whole thng as a profession, but there is a matter of skill and knowledge when it comes to this.