09: VS 11/11.5: Encoding in Xvid MPEG-4

[rguthrie]

VideoStudio 11/11.5 Plus: Encoding in Xvid


Background

Xvid is an open-source codec that compresses video in MPEG-4. Being that Xvid is open-source, it is a completely free codec (under the GNU GPL license). DivX only offers the decoder for free. Also, if your like to upload videos to YouTube, MPEG-4 encoded in Xvid (and DivX) is recommended for high quality videos (see How can I upload Higher Quality Videos?).

Additionally, Xvid makes an excellent choice for archiving videos since it compresses at a high rate while maintaining excellent, high quality. Xvid is also capable of encoding HD resolution video and has been optimized for "specific support for latest PC processor extensions like SSE2/SSE3 SIMD instruction sets or dual-core/hyperthreading technology" (Xvid.org, Project Info).

So, you may ask, "What is the compression ratio?" Well, I encoded a tutorial at the normal VS project settings, that is MPEG-2 NTSC-DVD quality. The resulting file size was 273,192KB. The same video encoded in Xvid was only 20,494KB. That's 1/13 the file size!

Installation

Go to Xvid.org:Downloads to download Xvid. BTW, it's a small file a doesn't add any bloatware to your computer like many programs today!





Next, run the exe file to install Xvid.





VideoStudio Configuration

I'm going to take you through the steps to create a YouTube template. However, once you have gone through these steps, creating other templates, such as for HD will be straightforward.

First, select Tools, Make Movie Templates Manager....





Next, select New.





Name the template Xvid for YouTube and select OK.





Select the General tab. Here you can adjust the Frame Rate, Frame type, and the Frame Size. We won't be making any changes.



Now click the AVI tab and in the Compression drop-down box, select Xvid MPEG-4 Codec. Also change the Audio Format to MPEG Layer-3.





Next, select Configure..., then Other Options. Deselect Display encoding status and select OK.







NOTE: If you're video has a lot of motion, you may want to change Encoding type to Two pass - 1st pass.





Select OK.

Now select Advanced.

Check Interleave audio and video, set Pack audio data for every x frames to 1, and select OK.





Click OK. Click OK again.

Select Close.





Now click the Share Step tab, select Create Video File and you'll see that Xvid for YouTube has been added to your rendering options.





And that's it!

Some folks like to set their Project Properties to the same as their output. To do so select File, Project Properties or ALT+ENTER.

Select Microsoft AVI files in the Edit file format drop-down box. Scroll down and you should see that Xvid MPEG-4 Codec is already selected. However, there are two major differences! Notice that the frame type is Lower Field First and audio encoding is set to PCM, which is not the same as what I created in the template manager. Depending on your intended output this may need to be changed. Since you're now familiar with the movie template manager I won't go into detail on how to edit this since it's the same process. Choose Edit, etc.




Enjoy!

[sjj1805]

Clear, useful and a good alternative to DivX which has to be purchased.
Good luck in the competition.

[liquidtension89]

I'd REALLY REALLY like to do this, but for some reason it's not showing up in my "Create Video File" drop box. I did everything you said, and then I did it again and it's just not working. I even restarted Ulead. It just AIN'T workin'! HEEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

[rguthrie]

Which version of VS are you using?

[liquidtension89]

11 Plus

[rguthrie]

But you are seeing the codec I assume? So the only thing is that for some reason you can't see the "Xvid for YouTube" shot right? Hmm, this is perplexing, and I'm stumped for the moment.

[liquidtension89]

But you are seeing the codec I assume? So the only thing is that for some reason you can't see the "Xvid for YouTube" shot right? Hmm, this is perplexing, and I'm stumped for the moment.

Si. Everything thus far has worked smoothly from your tutorial. As soon as I go to share...nothing.

[rguthrie]

At the bottom of my tutorial I talk about doing it with Project Properties. Can you give that a try? The steps are the same, just not permanent (I believe, 'cause I usualy don't change it). Then go to Share, Create Video, and use Same As Project Settings. I'm still scratching my head!

[rguthrie]

OK, don't get mad at me, but you do have a clip on the Timeline, right?

[liquidtension89]

OMG IM SO MAD!!! AAAAAAAHHHH!!!! Ya, I've got a clip in the timeline.

[rguthrie]

Scratch that last post, I reread you previouse post. Doh!

[sjj1805]

liquidtension89

Can I suggest you double check you have followed each step correctly.
I followed Ron's tutorial one step at a time using alt-tab to switch to the tutorial and then to the step being completed. It works perfectly on my system.

[tommytucker]

but Windows Media player only plays sound, no video.

[Ron P.]

but Windows Media player only plays sound, no video.

I would suggest trying another media player. WMP has problems with several things. There's an older version, Windows Media Player Classic.

Another good media player is VLC Media Player from Video Lan.

Then if you use VS (10 or 11) they bundle the freebie WinDVD 8 Silver.

[renx]

I concur, after creating a new profile and closing, it does not appear in the "create video file" drop down list. I am also using VS11