This might be in the wrong section, but I don't know where to put it.
I've noticed that more and more videos are being encoded into x264/mkv formats. I'm sure this is because HD sources are becoming more and more available (HD DVR's, Blueray, and HDDVD)
Doing a lot of research on the topic it seems like x264 is a wonderful format, and the quality of the output is amazing.
But I have to question the useability of the format. It takes a pretty powerful computer to playback an x264 encoded video with 1080 lines.
I guess my point is, if I'm going to have to download or store 4 to 8 gigs of data for a single movie, doesn't storing it in plain on DVD format seem the most logical? at least I can play it back on a set top box when I feel like it vs. the 4gb .mkv file that I can only play on my desktop... Even with a 3ghz Xeon It takes hours and hours to encode a HD mkv file to a DVD for burning.
my set top will play divx, does anyone think future players will playback x264/mkv files?
Quote:I guess my point is, if I'm going to have to download or store 4 to 8 gigs of data for a single movie, doesn't storing it in plain on DVD format seem the most logical?
If you have the DVD format, you don't have the HD quality. Most people don't play the HD on their PC, they play the HD content through Xbox360 or PS3.
As for future hardware, I don't know if they will support MKV playback soon. They might develop standalone players that support x.264 in a mp4 container though.
i play .264 from pc up cables to my HDTV to watch in HD quality (need hd graphic card)
also hd quailty going to converting is great going to dvd and same speed for me as avi. what app you use? and wahts time difference? and have you installed different codecs for HD?
some .264 files are smaller than 4/8gig rare though (maybe 720p) had them 1 gig, these are great for converting to dvd, small file and good quality to start
