Hi

I have used Cucusoft and more recently winavi but both have given me problems

What is the BEST avi to mpeg2 converter on the market that allows me to edit the resolution AND THE OUTPUT SIZE! I also want a quick converter. Waiting 3 hours for one file is not an option

Most of the others ones I've tried don't let me change the output size and give me files of 2gb rather than 500mb!

Thanks

My favorites are TMPGEnc and Procoder Express.

I gave TMPGEnc express 4 a go a while back

Took about 3 hours, the file was huge, and the quality was terrible

Not heard of procoder, so ill give it a go

Thanks

It all depends on your settings, it's not the encoder's fault. Yes, TMPGEnc is one of the slowest but it produces great quality if set correctly. Slow speeds are also due to lack of processor power. Procoder Express is quite a bit faster.

But if you're creating DVD-compliant MPEG2, file size is pretty much GOT to be around 1GB for 30 min, or more. Anything less will look like crap.

Converting from avi to mpeg2 your output is going to be much bigger in size if you want high quality. Get used to it. And the speed of the process depends largely on the speed of your cpu. If you want to go faster, I suggest getting a faster computer, possibly one with a multi-core cpu, though not all encoders can take advantage of multi-threading.

Some of the better mpeg2 encoders are: CCE, CCE Basic, ProCoder2 or 3, ProCoder Express, TMPGenc Plus (slow), and MainConcept. Of those, CCE is probably the fastest (and most expensive). CCE Basic would probably suit you best---much more affordable, good speed and high quality output. It just won't hold your hand through the process of setting up your conversion. You need to know exactly what you want to do with the settings.

The others I mentioned have better user interfaces, at least for someone new to the process.

A simpler program would be something like ConvertXtoDVD. But it is similar to the programs you've been using.

I don't think that is strictly true...

Well converting a 350mb avi file into a 700mb mpeg2 file produces very good results IMO and it allows 6 episodes onto a single layer disk.

I also have a very competent pc, 1gb ram, 3GHz processor...

Everyone has different perceptions of what is tolerable. I side with CDan on this one though.

I generally put two tv episodes on a dvdr, since my aim is highest possible quality rather than saving a few cents on dvd media.

Well I don't want 500 dvd disks per tv episode collection!

Anyway I borrowed the cinema craft program from a friend and WOW! brilliant - speed & quality is awesome.

One problem though... I sometimes get the error message "the wave format is 85 acm" something something... and the audio file does not create.

I did some googling and somebody said that that the message appears if audio is in mp3... BUT I have similar files from the same location also in mp3 that work perfectly...

hmm

Since there's about a zillion different types of "AVI" files, a lot depends on what type you have. It sounds like some variation of MPEG-4. The AVI file size itself has very little to do with what size MPEG-2 you wind up with, it's the length of the clip (minutes) that determines that. More than 2 hours on a DVD-5 and you're stretching it. I'll allow 3 hours sometimes, if I'm starting with a very high bitrate video.

If you're squeezing this much material onto one DVD, then you will see considerable differences between the encoders in terms of quality, but again this is determined more by the settings you use. One encoder may have better default settings than another for high compression, but that doesn't make it a "better" encoder. I do think that many people would rank CCE as tops for high compression, but TMPGEnc is not far behind, if it's behind at all.

But here's the rub: If you're encoding and compressing with file size as your measure of success, your odds of being disappointed are high. If you view these videos on a 50" or larger monitor, the odds of disaster go up a lot.

CDan
If he is going to go to such a reduced bitrate in mpeg2, do you think using a custom matrix would help at all? Like the ultra-low bitrate preset in CCE or something like AVAMAT6 or 7? Here is a reference I found over at doom9. Or is this just too little help to make a difference?

bluefoxtim
You might want to demux your problematic video before reencoding and convert the audio to ac3 separately. ffmeggui can do this, though I'm not sure if its the best solution available. You'd have to use an authoring program to get to dvd format, but I'm assuming you're doing that anyway to have menus for your 6 videos.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I have primarily been watching the episodes through a portable and seriously, you may not think it, but a 700mb mpeg2 file looks absolutely fine.

Yeah I have watched them a few times on my 26" LCD, quality is alright, but I certainly wouldn't want the quality any less.

Another reason I use the smaller files is because I often have to give copies to other family members, so encoding, authoring and burning tens of disks is not exactly fun!

I think I'll stick with winavi, maybe I'm asking too much especially when I am converting at just about the smallest output possible.

Again I really wouldn't have the time (or patience) to customise each video and seperately encode the audio.

Nothing really wrong with winavi, it gets the job done well (and quickly) just sometimes the audio goes out of sync and using another version of winavi will fix it.

Thanks!

WinAVI gave you problems? you might want to download the fix (for the older version - 6.x) or the newer version (7.x) from WinAVI's site - www.winavi.com

Since you doesnt seem to be an advanced user I'd say TMPGEnc Plus 2.5
//Danne

Have found an excellent converter......

Total Video Converter

i have found it to be an excellent coder for more than just video files...
Eg can convert mp3 files smaller..ie 128kb to 64kb with practically no loss of quality ( perfect for mobile phones etc...)

Not sure if this is for all but works fine for my needs..

Speed..." 15 mins ! "to convert 700meg avi to 500meg Mpeg... Like i said...works fine for me to play on my in-car Dvd player

ya, but it splits files when the encoded file goes over 1 gb.. what to do?

Decent looking convertor over at www.giveawayoftheday.com right now

I´ve installed it but not tested it yet.

This is free if you get it and install it during the 24 hour period...about 10 hours left at this moment.

TMPGEnc Plus gets my vote

...and another offering today only at www.giveawayoftheday.com
This time it´s the ZC Video Converter

If you want to try it, you have 12 hours left to get it for free: download and install and register...

TMPGenc is good.

You can also try Super Converter

http://www.erightsoft.com/S5E01.html

Is free and is a great software that works with all the known video formats.