What is the most common format for AMV's?

MindBug · Post by **MindBug** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:05 pm

I am going to be posting my AMV's to the site and was wondering what format is the most common for people to post in. I assume DivX will be the favorite, but I prefer the copies I keep to be in MPG [DVD format]. I can do whatever people think will be the most "user friendly". Any advice is appreciated, I hope to post some of the video within the following week. Thanks.

-MindBug-

EarthCurrent · Post by **EarthCurrent** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:11 pm

Uncompressed .AVI...

OmniStrata · Post by **OmniStrata** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:36 pm

EarthCurrent wrote:Uncompressed .AVI...

Perhaps I should have you shot biotch...

Uncompressed avi... ^_^ The thought of it is disturbing ^_^

I think it'd be better if you have this in mind...

XviD - will nail all pc users... Best compression vs. quality performance...
Mpeg - will nail all... Mac, PC, OS2, Linux, etc...

^_^

Illia Sadri · Post by **Illia Sadri** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:42 pm

basically vidx or divx compressed avi files or mpeg are the favored formated of amv makers.

But yeah, I personally stick with mpeg partially because you have the best audience there and you don't have nearly as many issues with the various codecs and such liek divx and xvid encodes. Also you know that people on macs and linux as well can play the format.

VegettoEX · Post by **VegettoEX** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 3:57 pm

I really never understand why lots of people assume that all AMV creators prefer distributing their videos in DivX / XviD format... it's far from true.

Without attempting to get FAR too into the DivX (all-inclusive) vs MPEG debate, there's a reason why some of us pick MPEG over DivX:

- as has been noted, nearly everyone can play MPEGs (MPEG-1, mind you.. not MPEG-2). Whether you've got a PC, a Mac, hell... a Dreamcast... you can play MPEG files pretty damn well, on almost any kind of computer, be it from 10 years ago or purchased tomorrow

- not everyone who obtains your video is going to be an AMV creator. Not everyone who's NOT an AMV creator understands DivX. Not everyone who uses a computer understand DivX. You're risking alientating part of your audience when someone who doesn't know how to install codecs (or even know what a codec IS) gets your video and has no idea how to play it. Keep in mind that your website and/or your video's entry page will (most likely) not be the ONLY places people get your video. Look on some P2P programs; there's tons of AMVs up there, maybe even yours... and I'm willing to bet YOU didn't necessarily put it there. Some random user out there may want to download your video, but can't watch it, because they're a novice computer user and don't understand why some *.avi file won't open correctly in Media Player. I know *I'd* rather have 5 random fans be able to view and enjoy my video more than I'd rather have 1 AMV creator be able to view it, and 5 random fans NOT be able to view it.

- You CAN get a good looking encode in MPEG format! Sure, it's going to be a little bigger, and sure, it "won't look as good as DivX encodes" can be... but you know people will be able to play it, and you know that they'll be able to play it back CORRECTLY without a big strain on their CPU. I know some people with lower-end computers out there (now-a-days, that being.. like... below a 500 mHz processor) have problems viewing the latest XviD encodes! They don't seem to play "in real time," so to speak.

- With the local hosting, you've GOT space (with nice transfer speeds!) to host these MPEG files!

I hope that at least gives a few reasons why someone might pick MPEG over DivX :/ And who's not to say you can't have BOTH versions! You're only able to have one version up locally, but if you've got the space, you're more than entitled to have two versions of your video available. Personally, I like to have only ONE encode of my video available, because then I always know exactly what version people are seeing, but...

... in the end, it's really up to you :D.

Dead_Pool · Post by **Dead_Pool** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 5:07 pm

I like mpeg thats what it comes out as when I am done, but for distro over the net yikes MPEG 2 looks great but dam my files are usually over 225 mb so I used DivX just today and turned them into 50 mb files and they still look pretty great, and its pretty easy to get the codec for windows media player, if they don't have it media player will search it out 8)

NicholasDWolfwood · Post by **NicholasDWolfwood** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 5:28 pm

Erm, I don't know what you're smoking, Dead_Pool, but Media Player will NOT search and download the codec.

Deaths_ally · Post by **Deaths_ally** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:14 pm

NicholasDWolfwood wrote:Erm, I don't know what you're smoking, Dead_Pool, but Media Player will NOT search and download the codec.

I don't know about searching.. but media player does download codecs automaticly..
I use WMP 9 and it has the option.. I can't say anything about any of the earlier versions.
I believe that WMP downloads them from the microsoft site if they are there..
if they aren't it won't look however.

Azen_Dragonus · Post by **Azen_Dragonus** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:19 pm

Just make sure that the format is supported by most people (mac/win/linx) Or maybe that the vid just works...

Dead_Pool · Post by **Dead_Pool** » Sun Jun 01, 2003 7:30 pm

hehe I am not smoking anything, but I didn't have the right stuff to play a video one day and it looked it up for me, geezz don't have to be rude man