Transcoding (the process of ripping and converting audio/video files) is extremely configurable.
In
OGMRip, my favorite DVD transcoder, the default DivX profile settings may not always produce the most desirable results. Some movies or programs are just so long that the video quality drops in order to accommodate the length and still fit within the 700 MB default parameters.
The solution is to increase the file size to increase the video quality. But the quality and size can still be controlled by using the Constant quantizer option. The end result will still be an
avi file with the DivX/XviD codec.
The
OGMRip Official Manual does mention Constant quantizer:
Constant quantizer: Also called constant quality, this encoding method gives very high quality videos but very big files. A lower quantizer gives a better result.
However, this really doesn't tell you what you need to know.
In OGMRip, go to Edit > Profiles and then select
DivX for Standalone Players. Click on the Edit button:
The Qualitizer number at the bottom of the screen can be adjusted.
* 1 & 2 results in the highest quality and the largest file size.
* 3 & 4 are the sweet spots resulting in good video quality and manageable file sizes.
* 5 & 6 will result in roughly equal quality to the original default settings.
* There is really no point in going beyond setting 6.
There are plenty of other variables that can affect the finished product. Experimentation is the best method for finding just the right balance for your transcoding projects.
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Disclaimer: Due to legal constraints, I cannot divulge certain information.
I was trying to transcode a certain DVD (that shall remain nameless), but it had something to do with the third man of ferrum (look it up). Anyway, this unnamed movie contained about 100 titles in its table of contents -- only one of which was the legitimate title.
Handbrake couldn't access any title other than title 2, which was the wrong title. When I tried to load the disk in OGMRip, OGMRip crashed and closed itself -- as did several other Linux transcoders.
"Challenge accepted!" One transcoder was able to access the disk.
Thoggen. Now, in order for this to work you must know in advance that the correct title number is four more than the answer to life, the Universe, and everything. (Are you with me so far?)
I set Thoggen to its maximum quality setting and an hour and a half later had a
.ogv Ogg/Theora file of the video at 1.9 GB in size. Not really what I wanted, I used Handbrake to convert the Ogg file into a
.m4v file of 900 MB -- which is what I was trying to do in the first place. Much better!
Note: Do not crop the image in Thoggen. Handbrake will crop the file when it converts the video.
Nice try, major undisclosed Hollywood studio! But Linux was just a little too smart for you.
You make it, we'll break it. Better luck next time.