Plextor ConvertX (MPEG2/4 encoder) - Page 2

Akjun · #21 10-21-2003, 04:23 PM

Thanks, SHS. Please feel free to comment on the encoding quality (anyone...). I thought it did a good job encoding the baseball clip (DVD high quality 26 sec.)- although it is only 6mbs CBR.

SHS · #22 10-21-2003, 04:27 PM

well it most not be to ISO compliant been I play the one made by apple on my Xcard but I have to GraphEdit it fro that to due to a bug in the player, the rigth extension should be .mpg4

SHS · #23 10-21-2003, 04:28 PM

by the way what input did you use?.

Akjun · #24 10-21-2003, 04:33 PM

I used composite for these captures. I have some s-video captures also (but I used a different source: a Direct TV Tivo-recorded stream). Let me know if you want some examples (although decoded Direct Tv streams do look different than analog cable).

The Convertx manual states: "Mpeg-4: ISO/IEC14496-2" video compression.

Akjun · #25 10-22-2003, 01:05 PM

FYI.... Straight from the source (Plextor)

"The ConvertX supports real-time MPEG-4 (ISO) compression in hardware for the incoming video. Although information compressed with MPEG-4 compression is not editable, and you cannot convert it into another format, you can view these files. Just capture files with MPEG-4 compression, then view the files using the WinDVD 4 player that's part of your ConvertX software bundle."

In other words, they created a proprietary MPEG-4 format, that can only be used with their software (I have yet to find something besides their player that will support it). What a valuable function.......

On another note, the included WinDVD Creator application (which is the only GUI that ConvertX uses) will transcode AVI, MPEG1, and MPEG2 into Divx MPEG-4 format (or MPEG1, MPEG2). You do not have any adjustable options (again, the Divx profiles are set - just like all the other profiles with this device). Note: the WinDVD Creator software will not let you import ConvertX MPEG-4 files to be transcoded into Divx MPEG-4. If the software will let you import a particular file, you do have many presets to choose from (You can even convert a NTSC clip into PAL).

SHS, I used the WinDVD Creator software to transcode the 26 sec. "DVD HIGH QUALITY" clip into Divx MPEG-4 using two preset profiles. One profile keeps the original resolution (for same strange reason the file size is larger than the original: 27mb), and the second profile halves the resolution (size: 8.9mb). I can upload them if you want to see them (I tested these clips with several Mpeg-4 players).

I hope this information helps those of you who were interested in this device. Please let me know if anyone has any further questions. We are finished testing it, and will most likely move on.

SHS · #26 10-22-2003, 02:01 PM

Thanks Akjun

Akjun · #27 10-22-2003, 06:07 PM

One last note:

The white noise problem we were experiencing (that can be seen on the clips located on SHS's server) were caused by a driver issue in our test equipment. Plextor has a new driver located on their website. This new driver, in combination with the very latest video drivers for our test equipment, resolved the issue. Please be advised to follow their driver update instructions very closely.

phenixdragon · #28 02-26-2004, 05:59 AM

This seems like a pretty good product. I know with myself I have been ripping my DVDs with Supper DVD Ripper over to DivX. But when I change the bit rate from 780 to 4 bits the file can not be viewed by any media player. Actually for some reason it corrupts the file, but if I stop the ripping before it finishes the file plays fine up to that point.

After seeing this I might have to pick it up.

Now my point is, well really a question. If I pop in a DVD, will ConvertX read the individual VOB files? If so, if you set ConvertX to rip to DivX at one of the higher settings, is the file perfectly compatible with media players?

Thanks!

SHS · #29 02-26-2004, 08:44 AM

Brian is that the newer Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U?.

phenixdragon · #30 02-26-2004, 12:08 PM

No, I wasn’t saying with the Plextor one I was having problems. What I had problems with is when I was using the DivX codec with any ripping program. So I was curious if it has been tested with ripping a DVD at a higher quality.

Personally I think HDD is pretty much unlimited so I don’t mind more then 4 or 5 gigs for 2 hours of a movie so I want the high quality.

Akjun · #31 02-26-2004, 02:46 PM

Well, I do not have much time to comment - but I can tell you that the new version of the ConvertX is completely different (different encoding chip - -I think it was created by WIS Technologies). That is why it can do Divx in Hardware (supposedly).

We have not tested one in our lab, so I can't comment much on the new unit. The first ConvertX had a customized version of WinDVD Creator that allowed you to import .vob files and convert them into several preset video file formats (VCD, SVCD, DVD, Divx, etc..) I do not believe that the presets were customizable, however.

I do recall that you could choose several Divx presets (different resolutions, bitrates, etc.) I remember successfully converting an unencrypted .vob file with this program. If all you are looking for is something to change .vob files, you might want to check out WinDVD Creator. I do not know if they have a trial version. I hope this helps.

SHS · #32 02-26-2004, 03:15 PM

Well if that ture that just suck becuase it Audio output only PCM

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