Qns on Converting video format

[Limsgp]

Hi.. have some question about the video formats and would appreciate any constructive advise & assistance.. was considering posting in kopitiam but decide to post here as this is where the video experts are.. ;p

I intend to convert rmvb files into a format that is supported by my video player. I guess the codec used in rmvb files is RV40. Which of the format listed below will preserve the most quality from the original file and which one will require the minimum processing of the video information (closet to RV40)? Thanks for any help..

# File extensions: .avi, .divx
# Containers: AVI
# Video profiles: MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile)

# File extensions: .mp4, .m4v, mp4v, .mov, .avi
# Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime
# Video profiles: Baseline, main, and high (up to level 4.1)

# File extensions: .mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .mov, .avi
# Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime
# Video profiles: MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile)

# File extensions: .wmv
# Containers: ASF
# Video profiles: WMV7 (WMV1), WMV8 (WMV2), WMV9 (WMV3), VC-1 (WVC1 or WMVA) in simple, main, and advanced up to level 3



Rgds

 

[jaegersing]

I suggest you check out this site for some tips on what to do with rmvb files:

http://www.jakeludington.com/dv_hacks/20051210_how_to_convert_rmvb.html

On the other hand, if you already have a converter that allows you to select all the options you mention it should be easy enough to convert a short sample to each format and see what gives you the best quality/file size combination.

 

[Limsgp]

I have a converter with all the options, problem is it is very time consuming to test all variables and it is very difficult to differentiate (have to freeze the video and compare exact frame).

Actually, I have already done a short test and selected a format to use. The problem is the file size is much bigger than the original (easily 2 ~ 3 times bigger) but the quality is not as good. If very high bitrate is used, the filesize became impractical to store and handle.

Hence I would appreciate if any experts who is familiar with rmvb and the various codec to advise which is the nearest format and requires the least processing to convert from rmvb.

Doing google search reveals all kinds of links but nothing specifically answers the question.

I suggest you check out this site for some tips on what to do with rmvb files:

http://www.jakeludington.com/dv_hacks/20051210_how_to_convert_rmvb.html

On the other hand, if you already have a converter that allows you to select all the options you mention it should be easy enough to convert a short sample to each format and see what gives you the best quality/file size combination.

 

[jaegersing]

I'm not an expert on rmvb, but from what I have heard it is very efficient and you would expect to get larger file sizes after conversion to other formats. When you talk about "least processing" I'm not sure if that is a realistic expectation, because codecs don't work that way.

What is the bitrate of the rmvb files?

 

[Limsgp]

I mentioned about "least processing" because read somewhere that rmvb(RV40) is like a subset of H.264? So maybe some type of H264 would require very minimum processing, and after conversion it would be support by the player.

I tried converting to H.264 (MP4) and the quality is similar with almost no loss but the file size is 6~7 times bigger....

I tested 2 files, the bitrate as reported by the player is as follows (not sure accurate or not)

rmvb H264 resolution
File 1 583kbps 1411kbps 704x396
File 2 1084kbps 1411kbps 1024x568

Not sure why the bitrate is the same for different resolution file. It's played with VLC.

For the rmvb.. it's very efficient indeed.. but not supported by the player

I'm not an expert on rmvb, but from what I have heard it is very efficient and you would expect to get larger file sizes after conversion to other formats. When you talk about "least processing" I'm not sure if that is a realistic expectation, because codecs don't work that way.

What is the bitrate of the rmvb files?

 

[Domeagain]

Hi, need your advise on converting DV tape into softcopy..
I heard about this...first step in any DV tape recording is to to convert to AVI...and AVI is the most clearity format.
Once AVI format is been done..than use any software to convert to others DVD or VCD or computer window format..

OK need your help...so far what is the best conversion format from AVI to Viewable format now in the market and is as clear as AVI ?

 

[Limsgp]

rmvb have 1 of the best compression ratio/quality. Meaning it can have very small file size while maintaining reasonable quality.

Some containers of AVI support lossless video. That is no lossly compression video format that have quality equal to lossless compress/uncompressed video. But rmvb comes close.

OK need your help...so far what is the best conversion format from AVI to Viewable format now in the market and is as clear as AVI ?

 

[jaegersing]

Hi, need your advise on converting DV tape into softcopy..
I heard about this...first step in any DV tape recording is to to convert to AVI...and AVI is the most clearity format.
Once AVI format is been done..than use any software to convert to others DVD or VCD or computer window format..

OK need your help...so far what is the best conversion format from AVI to Viewable format now in the market and is as clear as AVI ?

If you capture DV tape thru firewire to a PC, you will get DV AVI files that are exact copies of the video data on the tape. In other words, this is a good as you can get, and everything is downhill from here in terms of quality.

The question about "best conversion format" on the market isn't that easy to answer, so I won't even try.

For viewing on a PC, if you convert to any of the WMV, DIVX, XVID formats, you can get great quality for a reasonable bitrate. WMV is probably the most compatible across different computers, but if you don't care about that you can choose any of the H.264 codecs, including rmvb.

If you need to burrn a DVD to watch the video, you are kind of stuck with DVD format, but DVD can be very close in quality to the original DV source if you use a high bitrate like 8Mbps.

 

[Reportage]

if thats the format you always use, why not get a video player that reads rmvb. There are some dvd players that read not only xvid, divx but also rmvb.