I just bought a Plextor ConvertX to capture video from my TiVo, remove the commercials, and archive on DVD. The ConvertX can compress via MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and DivX. I want to get the most recording time without sacrificing quality. According to the appendix of the manual, that would lead me to either MPEG-4's HQ setting or DivX's Home Theater setting. The listed specs for these methods are the same:

Resolution - Full-D1
Video Target Bit Rate - 4,000 Kbps
Total Data - 0.52 MB/s
Data/Minute - 30.94 MB
Time (min), 4.3 DVD - 141.48 min

Which should I choose? MPEG-2 specs show recording time of 96.02 min but a higher bit rate (6,000). Is it better quality? Is it worth the sacrifice of over 45 min?

Are there any other factors, like DVD player compatibility, that I need to consider?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Only mpeg-2 will be played by regular dvd players. Divx home theater profile will play with all divx certified players.

Bummer... How do you know if a player is DivX certified. Would there be a logo on the machine somewhere? Otherwise I'd assume the only way to see if a player supports DivX is to burn a test disc.

Very few players support DivX. It should say something in the manual about DivX or at least MPEG4.

My understanding of the process is this. First the ConvertX encodes the video and places the file on my HD. Second, I use the included video editing software to edit the video. Third, I use the included DVD authoring software to author the DVD and burn the disc.

So are there two point at which the video is encoded? Once on it's way to my HD and once on its way to the DVD? If so, doesn't that sound a bit like transcoding? In the audio world, transcoding is EVIL! Is it also evil in the video world? Or am I wrong and the video is only encoded once.

It's also evil in the video world, but it's also often unavoidable. Lossless video files are, as they say, xxbox-hueg.

OK, so knowing that it will be encoded twice, what encoding method should I choose when capturing the video? Should I just use the same encoder and quality settings as I will to burn the DVD?

I think I just realized something... This page that mirrors some of the info in the appendix I spoke of earlier (Plextor PX-M402U- Digital Video Convert) is only telling me how much video data I could store on a DVD as files that need a software player to play. It does not tell me how much video I can store on a DVD that would be playable in a home theater DVD player. Is that correct?

that is correct.

some random thoughts:

- it is possible to edit mpeg files losslessly, but you are limited to keyframes /and cut only/ afaik.
- i imagine you will need fast computer to play d1 at 4000 k (divx).
- for better hardware compatibility record to mpeg2.

and a question:

if you record to divx., how is audio compressed?

Maybe this page answers your question...

Advanced Specs

Seems like MP2 is used for the audio no matter what compression is used.