DivX to DV conversion?

cellarboy wrote on 1/29/2003, 7:24 AM

I want to print a DivX clip to tape (camcorder) but Vegas Video doesn't like DivX.

So, how can I convert a DivX (maintaining the aspect ratio) directly to DV format AVI?

I have been working around this problem by converting the DivX in Virtual Dub to an AVI codec which Vegas works with and then using Vegas to then convert to DV an print to tape, but this further compression is losing me vital quality.

I've tried to convert to DivX in Virtual Dub but get error message:

Error getting compressor output format size.

If I can use Virtual Dub to do this without the error, can someone post a guide please.

Cellarboy

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/29/2003, 8:32 AM

Are you using VV 3? I just downloaded VV 4 and it supports Divx (yippie yeah yeah!) The only bad part about that is that VV4 beta expired on Feb 20th, so then you'd have to back and use VV3.

cellarboy wrote on 1/29/2003, 9:03 AM

I'm only using VV3 and don't think I'll be upgrading for a while, due to upgrade cost.

Can anyone help?

Cellarboy

discdude wrote on 1/29/2003, 9:30 AM

DivX 5.03 (aka, the newest version) appears to work with Vegas 3 and Video Factory 2. At least it does for me ;)

When making DivX files, I would advise you to stay away from troublesome features like B-frames. They are nice but still in a state of flux, IMHO anyway.

On a related note, the latest XviD (newer than Jan 26 2003) also works in Vegas now.

Give those codecs a try.

cellarboy wrote on 1/30/2003, 3:43 AM

In answer to my own question, I had this reply on another message forum:

dv codecs will ONLY accept video in a certain size.
for pal it's: 720x576 @ 25fps
ntsc is: 720x480 @29.97fps (i think - i'm in pal land, so i might be wrong about that one)

open the divx in virtualdub and go video->filters and add the resize filter.
use the preview window to check that it looks right, and enter the height & width required. if your vid is not in the 720x576 aspect ratio, add letterbox bars to compensate. make sure the resize filter is set to precise bilinear.

e.g. if your video is 640x384 (15x9), resize it to 720x432 (15x9) and add 72 pixels of black to the top and bottom, to get the extra 144 pixels to make up 720x576.

then you should be able to export it to your dv codec for use in 'vegas video'. it may take some time due to the resizing process.

hope this makes sense, and hope it helps!

cmetom

Erk wrote on 1/31/2003, 11:55 AM

Hey, I just noticed something: not only does the Vegas 4 beta import most of my DivX files.... but after installing the beta, now Vegas 3.0c imports most of them as well. And I mean both audio and video. Some of my older DivX files don't open correctly (black video); I may have twiddled with the setting or something when I was experimenting with the codec.

G