Movie Formats

VCD

VCD is an mpeg1 based format, with a constant bitrate of 1150kbit at a resolution of 352×240 (NTCS). VCDs are generally used for lower quality transfers (CAM/TS/TC/Screener(VHS)/TVrip(analogue) in order to make smaller file sizes, and fit as much on a single disc as possible. Both VCDs and SVCDs are timed in minutes, rather than MB, so when looking at an mpeg, it may appear larger than the disc capacity, and in reality u can fit 74min on a CDR74. I can see quite a few of you guys going "oh that's what the 74min on the CDR meant!!" Yep... it also refers to 74 min of audio that can be stored on a CDR, in audio cd format. Mp3 you can store upto 700mb. Just a FYI in case you ever wonder how to play a VCD on PC, when u open the cddrive look for files most likely to be named "avseq01.dat" you can play it in windows media player.

SVCD or SuperVCD

SVCD is an mpeg2 based (same as DVD) which allows variable bit-rates of up to 2500kbits at a resolution of 480×480 (NTSC) which is then decompressed into a 4:3 aspect ratio when played back. Due to the variable bit-rate, the length you can fit on a single CDR is not fixed, but generally between 35-60 Mins are the most common. This format is few and far between. I have yet to come across any SVCD.

DivX / XviD

DivX is probably the widely spread movie format in history. Everybody uses it for it's excellent quality and brilliant performance, not to mention impressive compressiblity. In case you are wondering what exactly DivX is, its basically a codec (set of files similar to driver files) that is used to both decode (read) and encode (write) movies. That means that if u have the codec installed in your system, you should be able to watch movies encoded using divX. You should also be able to convert/encode video's into DivX.

Why do i call it impressive, you ask. Well let me take the help of an example. Let me compare it to two choices that we have, VCD and DVD. VCD as described earlier can store movies in small resolution and 74min per 700mb, quality here is ok at best. DVD as is going to be described next is 4+gb for a 2+hr movie (in excellent quality). Another thing is the sound, in vcd we can only have 2 channel sound, DVD can have 5.1 surround sound. Now a 2+ hour movie encoded in DivX, will be not more than 1.36 GB (2 cd's) Also we can have 5.1 surround if the encoder decides. With the advent of DivX compatible DVD players, i can actually fit 6 movies on 1 DVD (700mb each) All in excellent quality (video and sound). Of course, if you have a kicka$$ big LCD/High Def TV, then you will notice a quality difference between DivX and DVD video, but hey, its a price i am willing to pay to watch 6 movies on 1 DVD.

Oh and Xvid is a different codec with same/similar features as DivX.

DVD-R

Is the recordable DVD solution that seems to be the most popular . it holds 4.7gb of data per side, and double sided discs are available, so discs can hold nearly 10gb in some circumstances. SVCD mpeg2 images must be converted before they can be burnt to DVD-R and played successfully. Well these are mostly, stripped down copies of DVD's after removing the extra features and compressing it to fit on a 4.7gb disc. Quality is gr8 if encoded well. These can be written directly on a DVD-R and watched on a regular DVD player.

HDDVD x264/720p

This is the latest addition. This the rip of HDDVD. These will come with labels such as x264 or 720p. Also nowdays Blu-ray rips are showing up. These are only meant for people with HIGH END systems and HIGH END Televisions, Hometheatres, dvd players.. you know the works... Shouldn't be bothered with if you have a small TV, without 5.1 surround and Rosita (FRIENDS anyone??) Of course this is my opinion...

I shall however include a list of stuff which i have installed on my system which ensures that practically any audio/video file is playable.

1. DivX (video codec)
2. Xvid (video codec)
3. Ac3 (audio codec)
4. Real media alternative (video codec)
5. Quick time player (vide codec, comes along with itunes, need not be installed if u have itunes)
6. vlc media player (this baby plays everything under the sun, excluding .rmvb)

For all of these except for the players, you need to install only the codecs, no need to install any players (divx has its own player)

I seem to have left out RMVB in all this, This is again a video codec which compresses even more than divx. If done well, the quality difference is minimal but evident. But the compression really makes up for it. For eg, a 700mb file can be reencoded in rmvb to be 450mb without a huge loss in quality.

Hope this helps in explaining about movie formats. Of course feel free to get in touch with me for any help... I shall try and help you out the best i can.

Cheers!