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pdot · Mar 15, 2002, 07:34 PM

I had some time and decided to run some tests on the recent codecs out there. Here's what I found:

zygo - low bitrate (even on best setting), low quality; very choppy playback; either very CPU intensive or not mature enough for this type of video

vp3 - good quality, but uniform block artifacts on lighting and textures; smooth playback

sorenson3 - very low quality (@ VCD bitrates) when it comes to complex lighting; very smooth playback even at 1MB/s

3ivX - very high quality; some choppy playback even at 100 KB/s; very CPU intensive

I used the free versions of each codec. The source footage was the "Digital Video Compression Center" logo that I ripped off a DVD (that I own). The reason I chose it was because of the varying complexity of the lighting during the display of the logo.

lucylawless · Mar 15, 2002, 08:21 PM

if you have access to Windows, how do the various versions of divx compare?

pdot · Mar 16, 2002, 12:50 PM

I have VPC, but I'm not familiar with the DivX codecs. Also, since 3ivX is comparable and since DivX playback compatibility is not so good on OS X, I see no reason for me to use a codec that I may not be able to play back, let alone play back at optimal levels.

MadMacs · 11:58 PM

pdot · Mar 17, 2002, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by MadMacs:
So, which do you think was the best? Did you take a look at the non-free codecs?

no, I didn't look at the non-free codecs. That's why the topic is "free Codecs comparison". I personally like the quality of the 3ivX codec the most because you can get something that's 2-3 as good as VCD quality at the same bitrate. The only thing I don't like is that during complicated scenes you may lose a few frames. I don't know if it's b/c the codec needs more optimization or if my computer is too slow, but with a G4/400 it should be enough to play a movie, so my guess is that the codec needs more optimization. Too bad work seems to be slowing down.

If you're looking for more compatibility, esp. with older machines (assuming they can use QT 5), I suggest the Sorenson3 codec. VP3 is a higher quality codec, but I'm not sure how it'll run on older machines and you still need to install it separately (but as long as you have internet access, you can just use the QT updater). Also, VP3 is much less popular on the Windows side.

What I'm really looking forward to is MPEG4. There's quite a bit of hype and, in a way, it has already proven since DivX is based off of it. It should be a cleaner codec, though, with better cross platform compatibility and probably better playback optimization (esp. for the Mac with QT6).

Chuck_star · Mar 17, 2002, 07:53 PM

IMHO
divx is awesome in osx.
3ivx plays great on my 450 mp.

These are currently the best codecs for movies.

Most 1.5 hr flicks will look great(full screen) at under 700 mb. Both using mp3 audio.

lucylawless · Mar 17, 2002, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by pdot:
I personally like the quality of the 3ivX codec the most because you can get something that's 2-3 as good as VCD quality at the same bitrate. The only thing I don't like is that during complicated scenes you may lose a few frames. I don't know if it's b/c the codec needs more optimization or if my computer is too slow, but with a G4/400 it should be enough to play a movie, so my guess is that the codec needs more optimization. Too bad work seems to be slowing down.

first, I think they get a little peeved when you say "3ivX" instead of "3ivx", although they deserve whatever confusion with DivX they get for picking a name like that....

anyway, I agree that (A) 3ivx is the best codec and (B) it's not optimized enough yet to play full screen on your computer (it runs great on my dual-GHz, if it makes you feel any better). Development has indeed been sluggish in the last several months, but the head developer has begun to resurface on hotline recently, and he says the next revision will likely be released in April.

pdot · Mar 17, 2002, 11:19 PM

oos, sorry about the 3ivx mixup. I just got so used to seeing the capital "X" that I forgot. As for the development picking up again, I wonder if it's too late. Even with the MPEG-4 politics going on, I rather put off any encoding until it comes out just for compatibility and consistency issues alone.

In response to "divx is awesome in osx," no offense, but what are you smoking? There are so many little incompatibilites (esp. that MP3 problem) with the recent updates that it's a pain to play them. It's all fine and dandy when the files works right off, but half of the time, they don't (in my experience anyway). Either way, divX on OS X is 2nd rate compared to DivX on Windows. I think even linux development is a small step ahead of us.

Chuck_star · Mar 18, 2002, 01:24 AM

Sorry pdot. let me re-phrase
MS DivX divx Divx or however you spell it plays awesome in OSX.
smoking? hmm...

[ 03-18-2002: Message edited by: Chuck_star ]

rcfuzz · Mar 19, 2002, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by Chuck_star:
Sorry pdot. let me re-phrase
MS DivX divx Divx or however you spell it plays awesome in OSX.
smoking? hmm...

[ 03-18-2002: Message edited by: Chuck_star ]

Where can I get DivX for OSX?

Bob

rcfuzz@mac.com

Chuck_star · Mar 20, 2002, 01:27 AM

I can't find the link. But check your mail.

memento · Mar 20, 2002, 08:00 AM

you can get DivX for OSX at www.divx.com

T Allen · Mar 26, 2002, 05:33 PM

Hows about this one? I've seen the last two DivX 5 moivies - The Hunt and xXx - and this one just "smokes" the current DivX 5 codec. And it's a old beta.

For more info check out today's post at the DivX Forum for Mac users.

OwlBoy · Mar 27, 2002, 08:32 AM

well, I dont think sorenson MPEG4 is free... or is it that its not offialy out? Either way, I would expect Apple's MPEG4 codec to be just as good or better than that.

-Owl

[ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: OwlBoy ]

T Allen · Mar 27, 2002, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
well, I dont think sorenson MPEG4 is free... or is it that its not offialy out? Either way, I would expect Apple's MPEG4 codec to be just as good or better than that.

I guess you didn't get it.

Sorenson, I've "read", is the developer for QT's MPEG 4 codec. And that was a T-W-O year old MPEG 4 beta codec. It was better than anything I've seen/watched to date. Did you notice the data rate/movie size, etc.? I was impressed.

I would hope and expect that after two years Apple has been able to improve upon this. QT 6 is going to rock!

Oh, well . . .

OwlBoy · Mar 27, 2002, 02:38 PM

Originally posted by T Allen:


I guess you didn't get it.

Sorenson, I've "read", is the developer for QT's MPEG 4 codec. And that was a T-W-O year old MPEG 4 beta codec. It was better than anything I've seen/watched to date. Did you notice the data rate/movie size, etc.? I was impressed.

I would hope and expect that after two years Apple has been able to improve upon this. QT 6 is going to rock!

Oh, well . . .

sorry sorry, I read through the divx forum after I posted that. I undrstand whats up now. and I also have a copy of that clip you encoded. it is great quality.

-Owl

[ 03-27-2002: Message edited by: OwlBoy ]

T Allen · Mar 27, 2002, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
I also have a copy of that clip you encoded.

FWIW: That's not my clip. I downloaded it too.