Guide: converting - step two

Most video editing programs allow you to output to a whole range of video formats, including the AVI format (where you have a choice of the video and audio codec.

Here again, you can have one of two choices.

DivX 5 video supports multi-pass encoding.  Compared to simply encoding in ONE pass, multi-pass encoding results in better bitrate allocation and more efficient encoding.  Thus, for the same bitrate, there is generally noticeable better video quality.

However, many applications are not designed to handle multipass encoding for AVI output so single pass is easier to do.

If you want to do single pass encoding to DivX, click here.

if you want to do multi-pass encoding to DivX, click here.

Step 2a: Single pass encoding

It is very easy to do single pass encoding to DivX with the right settings.

Firstly, have your project on whatever video editing program you are using all set out ready to output your short film (a masterpiece we hope!)  Make sure that the general settings are right.  That is:

• framerate = 25 fps (PAL) or 29.97 fps (NTSC)
• framesize = 640 x 480 (or 640 x XXX if you are making a widescreen production without letterboxing)
• audio sampling rate = 16-bit, stereo, 44.1 kHz

Then work out the average video bitrate you are going to use (so that it is within the competition specifications).  This can be easily done with the "Bitrate Calculator" application written especially for this competition.

For example, if my film was 3 min and 40 sec in length and I was planning on using 128 kbit/s MP3 as the audio bitrate, then I simply put the values into the calculator and press "Calculate" to yield...

and the answer = 1397 kbit/s

... 1397 kbit/s.  Thus, if I wanted to stay within the 40 MB limit, my average bitrate for the video should be less than 1397 kbit/s.   If you want to upload a smaller file, then change the "filesize" to a smaller value and press calculate to determine your target bitrate.

Now, on your video editor, change the AVI video codec to the below (the screen is from VirtualDub and it will probably look different on your application but the basic details are the same):

On the panel of codec choices, choose DivX 5.0.5 --> then click on a button named "Configure" or "Settings"

There will usually be a button named "Configure" or "Settings" or "Setup".  This will allow you to change the options in the DivX 5 codec to what you need.

On the DivX 5 codec setup, change the settings to what is on the following images:

1. Bitrate control --> change the "Variable bitrate mode" to "1-pass" --> change the "Encoding bitrate" to the value calculated before (it's a good idea to use a slightly lower value as a buffer)

2. General parameters

3. Profiles Change to above to "Home Theatre" then put in the numbers relevant for your clip

Click OK and you will have set up the DivX codec settings.

Now, you will have to set the audio codec settings.  Again, the actually dialogue box will probably look different in your application but it should generally contain the same information.

Select Lame MP3 --> and select 44.1 kHz, 128 kbit/s CBR, Stereo

And click OK.

Now, when you export your short film to AVI, it should be the correct settings!