What is the best way to convert? Size or Quality

[joeyras]

Hey I just wanted to know what everyone's favorite ways to convert regular dvds. I know how to do it don't explain that just what settings do you like to use and what kind of quality do you get. Do you use mpeg4 or h264? What bitrate? What audio bitrate? Everything else like that too. I want to know what is the most optimum way to do it so that the video shows good and also doesn't take up too much space. Also is it possible to use a bitrate lower than 768 and not have big changes in the quality if I am just watching the videos on the ipod screen?

[Midiman]

I usually use an h.264/768k profile at 320 width. I don't use the TV out so anything bigger is a waste for me.

[msopnet]

If you use a h.264, 576kbps (or less, test for yourself), 2-pass or Advanced, you should turn up pretty good looking output.

I also switch Audio to 128kbps Mono - it takes 1/2 the size and I've never noticed a degredation in the experience while watching movies on the iPod screen.

[laurenglenn]

Hey I just wanted to know what everyone's favorite ways to convert regular dvds. I know how to do it don't explain that just what settings do you like to use and what kind of quality do you get. Do you use mpeg4 or h264? What bitrate? What audio bitrate? Everything else like that too. I want to know what is the most optimum way to do it so that the video shows good and also doesn't take up too much space. Also is it possible to use a bitrate lower than 768 and not have big changes in the quality if I am just watching the videos on the ipod screen?

I use 760kbps for videorate and 160kbps for audio. With iTunes version 7.2, you don't have to worry about the 161kbps issue any more; the iPod will still get loaded with the video file.

The videorate might still matter which is why I use the 760kbps for video. Most of my videos end up being 761kbps which is below the 768kbps max video rate.

These settings are good enough when you use an iPod DVD player, which is what I always use.

Lauren

[Sketch]

2-pass @ 1440, 640x480, Audio @ 156

[joeyras]

Cool that's exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks everyone.