Recipe to convert mpg to xvid?

[erik]

My c:\temp directory is normally empty.
When I start pocket_encoder it unpacks a whole bunch of files in c:\temp
When you select an input file and hit the preview button a file called temp.sh is generated.
The second line of the file contains the command that is used to run mencoder
So you can experiment with pocket_encoder till you have something you like and then copy the second line from temp.sh to get the mencoder command line parameters.
Once you quit pocket_encode all the files it created in the c:\temp directory are deleted!!!!
This second line you then put into a .bat file (e.g. postprocessing.bat) to have it run automatically.
The two files you need from the c:\temp directory are mencoder.exe and xvidcore.dll. Copy them to the gbpvr home directory and modify the second line from the temp.sh you copy into postprocessing.bat like this.
Example as generated with PC output and the advanced setting High Quality option disabled.
Original line
./mencoder.exe "C:\Temp\x\t.mpg" -oac mp3lame -lameopts mode=2:cbr:br=96 -ss 387 -endpos 10 -vf scale=512:384,eq2=1.0:1.0:0.03:1.0 -sws 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vhq:vbitrate=640 -ffourcc DX50 -o "C:\Temp\x\t_PC.avi" >> 1.txt 2>> 2.txt
Changed line to be included in postprocessing.bat
mencoder.exe "%1" -oac mp3lame -lameopts mode=2:cbr:br=96 -vf scale=512:384,eq2=1.0:1.0:0.03:1.0 -sws 2 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vhq:vbitrate=640 -ffourcc DX50 -o "%~dpf1.avi"

You may have to change the ffourcc setting from DX50 to DIVX to be able to use your mediaplayer. Some experimenting helps.
I have not tested this in my postprocessing.bat but used it as standalone
If you have problems using it, send me an email with your postprocessing.bat
Good luck!

[rgann]

I tested both AutoGordianKnot and PocketDivxRecorder, as suggested.

AutoGK is a pretty nice program. It automatically runs a double pass xvid recording, and the output results are quite acceptable with minimum of blockiness. One can simply set a desired output size, and the program runs a compressibility test to optimize parameters. The aspect ratio is always maintained, so that video is never stretched out. Unfortunately, the author has chosen to make the audio vbr mp3 by default (so that virtualdub will have trouble with it), but this can be changed.

Pocketdivxrecorder might work for some, but for me it was rather weird. First, the automatically selected output for my 704x480 input mpg (from medium quality gbpvr recording) was 640x436. That ratio is certainly close to 704x480, but the output video is noticibly stretched horizontally. The encoding is very fast (easily 1/10th of autogk) but is fairly blocky for the same output size. Also, the program seems only to support divx (correct me if I'm wrong) which is philosophically a bit icky to me (not open source).

Although some may have usage suggestions that obviate my troubles with Pocketdivxrecorder (and I'd love to hear them), it seems like AutoGK is the better choice.

[wtg]

Also, the program seems only to support divx (correct me if I'm wrong) which is philosophically a bit icky to me (not open source).

I think you'll find an XVid option on the Advanced properties page.