Understanding CODEC's for VS X2

[less2008]

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OK, I give. I've searched the web, these boards, geez I've even broken down and read the users manual for X2, but I still don't understand CODEC's. I get the general gist of them, in that they either compress or decompress digital files.

Now maybe it's do to my rather large sloping forehead, but I still can't make the connection between which codec is the one I'd want to use and why I would want to use it in the first place.

I've used the basics, mpeg, avi, (I'm not even sure mpeg or avi are codecs?) but there seems to be a slew of codecs to choose from both in VS X2 and other video capture programs.

Are there better codecs and some not so good codecs? And more to the point, does it really matter when the end result will be a DVD or Blu-Ray?

Thanks

[Black Lab]

To confuse you more: What Is A Codec?

[sjj1805]

In a nutshell.... the codec that you need to use is determined by what you intend your final output to be.

If you are making a "DVD" - one of those circular shiny things with a hole in the middle - then you use MPEG2 for standard definition.

If you are making an AVCHD - again one of those round shiny things with a hole, its is still MPEG2 but you use higher bit rates.

If you are going to put it on the internet, you use either MPEG4, DivX, MOV, Flash or another similar output. What you need to do is check with the web site concerned (VEOH / Google Video / You Tube etc.) to see what they prefer you to use on that web site.

[less2008]

LOL --- I like shiny things

Thanks for the info and link.