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How to convert DivX (AVI) movie to MPEG1 or 2 with TMPGEnc INCLUDING subtitles? A common situation: you have a DivX movie (*.avi or *.divx, see Ripping DVD to Divx and Downloading Movies from the Internet for details). You also managed to find the subtitles (SRT or SUB) for this movie. Your problem: you want to playback the movie on your DVD player that's standing in the living room and you don't want to use the TV-out option which some computers have (actually: it's the video card offering this option - if at all). You also want the subtitles to be included in the movie. Solution: Since current DVD-players cannot playback DivX, we must convert the movie to a different format. We use MPEG1 for DVD players that support VideoCD, or we use MPEG2 for those that support Super VideoCD. The latter is much better in quality. The only tools we need are the DivX video codec and the TMPGEnc. The TMPGEnc can be downloaded from the TMPGEnc website. For subtitle support, we do also need VobSub. Note: there are two version of TMPGEnc: the "free", where MPEG2 quits working after a 30 day trial (MPEG1 remains working), and a "Pro" version. The "Pro" version however is not for free. Tip: Although we are discussing here the conversion from DivX to MPEG, the same tool can also be used for converting DV (camcorder) and other AVI video formats. In fact: it's actually made for that purpose. Note: AVI files with AC3 audio will not work with this trick! Note: This trick will work with either SUB or SRT files! Note: Converting a movie to MPEG does NOT improve the quality! So don't expect a DivX with a lousy quality to become excellent by converting it to DVD or SVCD! Note: don't forget to read the disclaimer!

Introduction: What format should I choose?

Tip before we start: take a good look at the Video Formats page, for details!

First of all, we need to know if our standalone DVD-player can handle CD-R or CD-RW media.

Newer models, specially those that support MP3 playback, usually are capable of dealing with both media types. Older players usually don't. You will have to simply test this.

If CD-R media doesn't work, then please try to use CD-RW media, since the reflection behavior of CD-RW is very similar to DVD. I tried this once with my old Toshiba DVD player and it usually works.

If neither media type is supported (CD-R and CD-RW), you're out of luck. Consider buying a new DVD player.
If either of these do work, then you're ready for the next challenge.

What format should I use? VideoCD or Super VideoCD?

Well this depends again on the capabilities of your DVD player.

Does it support Super VideoCD? Then Super VideoCD (SVCD) is the choice to make because of the higher image and sound quality.

If the DVD player does not support SVCD, then go for VideoCD (VCD). Unless that's not supported either, then you're back to the "buy a new DVD player" solution.

See also the Video Formats page for more details on the two formats.

So now we know the MEDIA TYPE and the VIDEO FORMAT we want to use.

The required software

Software for movie playback

First try if you can playback the movie on your PC using the Window Media player.

If not, then we will need to install (if not already) the Video Codec. For DivX go to the DivX homepage .

This is needed for playback. MPEG Encoder uses the codec suitable for the movie, just as it does with basically any AVI file format.

Software for Subtitles

For this purpose we use VobSub. Download VobSub from the download page or from the VobSub website.

Software for transcoding

Here we are at the core of our conversion process (called "transcoding"). Download TMPGEnc from the TMPGEnc website. First use the trial version to see if it works the way you expect it before buying the "Pro" version. I know I'm convinced that this is a tool worth it's money, but make sure you do too. Install it and run the application. Also keep in mind that the quality is similar to that of CCE and MainConcept MPEG Encoder, however, much slower than these two.

Install the software first!

The real work: TransCoding

Transcoder means something like "converting from one format to another".

After downloading and installing TMPGEnc, start it. You will see a window like this (I used version 2.59.47.155 Plus):

TMPGEnc starts with the Wizard

TMPGEnc starts without the wizard

As you can see, TMPEnc can start with or without wizard. After a fresh install, TMPGEnc usually starts with the wizard.

We will continue working with the wizard.

Tip: In case the wizard is not visible, choose from the "File" menu the option "Project Wizard" (or simply press the key combination CTRL+W).

Preparation: DirectShow filters settings

Before we can use subtitles, we need to do some settings in TMPGEnc. For that purpose we need to leave the Wizard for a minute. So if you're in the Wizard right now, click the "Cancel" button.

From the menu "Options" choose "Environmental settings". In the upcoming window, choose the tab "VFAPI plugin".

We will now increase the priority of the Directshow filters so they will be used during transcoding. This is done by giving "Directshow multimedia file reader" top priority.

Right click "DirectShow Multimedia File reader" and click the option "Higher priority".

Repeat this until "DirectShow Multimedia File reader" is on the top of the list.

TMPGEnc: DirectShow to top prioriy.

Click "OK".

Note: while working with TMPGEnc, using an AVI that has subtitles, you will notice a green arrow appearing in the systray (where the Windows clock can be found - lower right corner of your screen), which indicates VobSub activity:

Note: if the arrow DOES not appear, then verigy if both AVI and subtitles have the same filename, for example MYMOVIE.AVI and MYMOVIE.SUB.

Step 1: Select the proper format

What video format do we want?

A: FORMAT

In field A we can choose VideoCD (VCD), Super VideoCD (SVCD), DVD or a custom format.

The TV-system, ie. PAL (25 fps), NTSC (±30 fps) or NTSC Film (±23 fps) is rather important. Two considerations here:

1. For a correct conversion, convert a NTSC movie to NTSC film, etc.
   Downside could be that you DVD player is only able to play either PAL (Europe) or NTSC (USA). You will have to test this.
   
   
2. If you have this problem, the transcode to a different (fixed) system. Note that converting from NTSC to PAL and vice versa does not always give good results!

Note: Most movies you download fromthe internet are NTSC!

B: VARIABELE BITRATE or CONSTANT BITRATE?

Note: this option is not available when creating VideoCD, VCD only supports constant bitrate (CBR)!

Both Super VideoCD and DVD support both constant bitrate and variable bitrate.

Constant means that the available will be used fully, even if it is not required (for example still-images).
Variable means that bandwidth usage will be adjusted based on the need for bandwidth.

Praktically said: VBR (Variable BitRate) usually needs less storage space than CBR (Constante BitRate), with a similar picture quality.

I always choose: VBR standard format at B.

C: WIZARD?

Check C if you want TMPGEnc to always start with the Wizard.

Now click the "NEXT >" button.

Step 2: Select Source file(s)

TMPGEnc: Which AVI do you want converted?

At "A" (Video) click the "Browse..." button, and choose the AVI you want to convert. Close the dialog (after selection) by clicking "OK".

Verify at "B" (Audio) if it shows the same filename now (usually does). In case there is no filename here, the click "Browse..." for this option and SELECT THE SAME AVI FILE as you choose for Video.

Note: Do NOT copy the other settings, like "Video type", "Field order", TMPGEnc will automatically enter data into these fields!

Click "Next >" again.

Step 3: Filter settings

Leave this page as it is and click "Next >" again.

Note: none of the checkboxes (except "Enable this Wizard at start up") are checked!

Step 4: Bitrate

This step is a bit more complicated, so please pay attention here!

Note: bitrates, when creating a VideoCD, are FIXED. If you are creating a VCD (not a Super VideoCD!) then you can skip this step.

Bitrates, or: how many CD's do we want to put the movie on?

Previously we decided which format we will use for the movie, for example Super VideoCD. The question for this step: how many CD's do we want the movie to be put on?

At "A" choose the type of disc (only use VCD/SVCD formats for VideoCD or Super VideoCD!) and check "B".

Just below "A" you will see how much disc space will be used for this movie.

Most likely, shit hits the fan now: When transcoding a 700 or 800 Mb movie, the most likely it will NOT fit on one CD. The bitrate calculation within TMPGEnc is not helping you very much here.

Suppose you would like to create Super VideoCD formatted movie spread over 2 CD's, then you will see that TMPGEnc will not allow you go beyond a minimum bitrate. With SVCD movies commonly take 2 or 3 CD's and in that case you will see something like this:

Oops: this movie will not fit a single CD! (not a real probleem)

Don't worry, ignore it. We will fix this later! Just don't forget you had this problem in order to indeed fix this problem!

Click "Next >".

Note: TMPGEnc will warn you if a movie tends to become too large for a CD's. Just click "Yes" in order to continue!

Step 5: Output File

In the next window, we select the "Output file:", the filename of the transcoded movie. Either enter it manually or click "Browse...".

Output filename: enter name and directory

Remove the checkmark at "Start encoding immediately".

Finally click "OK".

Step 6: Ready to go?

The next screen:

TMPGEnc: Can we start transcoding?

Please run through this checklist before we can start:

• Video Source
  Is the proper AVI filename entered here?
  
  
• Audio Source
  Do you see the same AVI filename as seen in Video Source?
  
  
• Output file name
  Do you see the proper filename here too?
  
  
• Stream Type
  Check if "System (Video+Audio)" checked (although you cannot change it with some formats - for example SVCD)
  
  
• Output formaat
  In the lower part of the window you will see a line with format, resolution, type of video bitrate (VBR/CBR), videobitrate and audio format with bitrate. You might want to verify them.
  
  
• Does the movie fit on your desired number of CD(s)?
  At Step 4 you might have had the problem where the movie does not fit one CD. In that case please read the next part carefully!

Step in between: adjust bitrate

Note: Skip this step if you did not have a problem at Step 4!

Note: With VideoCD you CANNOT change the bitrate and you can skip this part as well.

Note: Later on you can cut a movie with TMPGEnc after transcoding.

OK, so the movie will become too large.

Commonly VideoCD and/or Super VideoCD, uses 2 to 3 CD's for one movie.

Use the WeetHet Bitrate Calculator and determine the desired bitrate for video. Don't forget to set the Audio bitrate - in the Bitrate calculator - to 224 Kbps.

So now we knop the video bitrate we will nee. Click "Setting" in TMPGEnc. This screen appears:

TMPGEnc: VBR MPEG Bitrate settings

Next to the field "Rate control mode:" you see the button "Setting", click it. This window appears:

TMPGEnc: Bitrates in detail

In the field "Average bitrate" you will have to enter the bitrate suggested by the bitrate calculator. Leave the other values as they are (or copy the ones from the screenshot - keep in mind that these are Super VideoCD settings.

Click "OK" twice so you return to the main window of TMPGEnc.

Final Step: Start transcoding

This is simple: Click the "Start" button and wait a few hours ... (MainConcept MPEG Encoder is MUCH faster!).

As soon as TMPGEnc starts transcoding, you will see again the green VobSub arrow in the SysTray:

Note: if the arrow DOES not appear, then verigy if both AVI and subtitles have the same filename, for example MYMOVIE.AVI and MYMOVIE.SUB.