Dr. DivX

[imported_CromsDog]

I know this is an old one but I'd thought I'd ask anyway and see if anyone else has seen this. I ripped a dvd using DVDshrink. I then used Dr.DivX to encode the files into DivX format. Pretty simple stuff, but DR.DivX seems to eat up all my system resources. I am running a P4 2.66Ghz with 1.5 Gbs of ram. I have a Radeon 9800pro graphics card with an ATI TV wonder Pro add on. Why is my cpu processes maxed out @ 100% the whole time the encoding is going on. When I encode video into the computer from my digital cable box via s-video cable using the supplied ati software (on an ATI TV wonder Pro capture card) my system resources never peak above 35%. WTF?

 

[rh71]

It's normal for CPU usage to reach near 100% when doing video [re]encoding. I've done many with many different encoding apps (Dr. Divx, VirtualDub/Mod, FairUse, etc.). They all render my PC otherwise-useless for the duration of the encode.

When you use your ATI TV Wonder (which I also have) to capture, it is definitely less strenuous on the CPU. I don't have the technical explanation for this, but it may have to do with the rates at which the frames are coming in on a capture (15-29fps). For an encode of a file already on the PC, it processes frames as fast as possible, obviously. You could try adjusting the priority level for the app.

 

[imported_CromsDog]

makes sense. Do you have a preference between any of the programs you have been using. The files the I have done with Dr.DivX came out great. A 100 min video in less than a gig. I used the Divx certified High Definition profile which yeilded great results. I'd like to try a few others you might suggest. Thanks

 

[rh71]

Dr. Divx had some issues... depends on which version you use. I think the latest was problematic while the one just previous to that was perfect. If you're ok with it, then it's fine. The biggest thing is obviously your encoding profile. Personally anything done on 2-pass and above 1000kbps should be ok, but I use 1-pass because I'm lazy.

FairUse Wizard is just as easy, and slightly more customizable if I recall correctly.

I like to do things with VirtualDubMod instead because it allows for a lot of extra little tweaks (I can't name the differences right now since it's been awhile for me using others). If you know your way around the GUI, you can get it started much quicker than going through all the wizard menus of the above-mentioned tools too. Other things include being able to cut out clips, file merging, mpeg-1 & 2 conversion, encoding for PDA sized screens and diskspace, etc. If you want to learn it, hit videohelp.com for some guides. But again, for pure encoding purposes, you should be fine with Dr. Divx if you aren't experiencing problems (like sync issues).