Software review: DivX – Create DVD quality video

I figured I’d do my first software review here. I was thinking what software to review when I received an email from a mailing list I’ve been on for years, stating that there was a new software upgrade to a particular piece of software I’ve been using for the last 5 years. This software is called DivX.
DivX is a piece of software that allows you to watch and create your own videos in DVD quality. DVDs have quite large file sizes (~4700mb at their largest), so DivX basically lets you have the same quality, except a lot smaller (~700mb at most). This is invaluable to me, as I upload a lot of videos for family and friends to view, and it would take a long time to upload full DVD sized videos. It only takes a few minutes to upload, or email, the smaller DivX converted videos! Its also useful if you use YouTube or other similar websites.
Another advantage is that you can burn 6 DivX videos to a DVD. This is very convenient, you must admit, especially if you want to give the disc to friends/family to keep.
So how do you create your own videos? Well, DivX have a built in converter with their software. You basically pick the DVD you want to convert, and it does the rest. It may take up to an hour though, depending on the speed of your computer. Modern computers will convert it a lot faster than older computers though.
Also, these videos should work in all new DVD players so you can watch them on your TV, as well as your computer and the internet, and even some mobile phones support it too so you can watch videos on the bus or train. Very handy.
In conclusion, it’s a very good piece of software. The company started with only a few people and have grown in a few years to become the biggest video conversion software company in the world, even going so far as to become an industry standard for video playback to the extent that DVD player manufacturers all over the world are now including their software in their DVD players due its popularity. That must mean something.
To play these DivX videos, you can download the free software from the DivX website, but the software to actually create the videos can be bought from their online store for a small fee (about $20).
Link to the website is here:
DivX Pro 7

HiDef resolutions: 1080p, 1080i, and 720p

OK, so we know that HiDef basically means better quality picture. This is because the picture has a higher resolution. Images are made up of squares (pixels) so the higher the resolution, the smaller these blocks appear, thus making the picture more smooth and less blocky. Resolution is also the name given for the number of pixels that can fit on the screen at any one time.

But what do all the numbers mean exactly?

See below for a list of the main resolutions you are likely to encounter:

1080p – Resolution: 1920×1080, so 1920 pixels across, and 1080 pixels from top to bottom.

1080i – Resolution: 1280×1080, so 1280 pixels across, and 1080 pixels from top to bottom.

720p – Resolution: 1280×720, so 1280 pixels across, and 720 pixels from top to bottom.

These are all widescreeen also.

The easiest way to look at it is, if realism is in the details, then the higher the resolution, the better your TV is equipped the see the minute details on screen. For example, you can make out wrinkles more clearly on a full HiDef 1080p TV than a 720p.

Regarding buying one of these TVs, the best way to decide is to figure out how big you want your TV. Only if you decide to buy at least a 42 inch TV, then bother thinking about 1080p. The reason for this is simply that the human eye cannot distinguish that much extra detail on a 32inch TV for example. 1080p only works to the desired effect on larger TVs. Some people would even say that if its not 50 inch, then don’t bother with 1080p.

With this is mind, you can get a TV for even cheaper, since you won’t be paying for Full HiDef, and you won’t notice any difference at all.

Some purists will tell you to still fork out for full HiDef, but don’t mind them, they only say that coz they can’t live without having the absolute top of the line features for the TVs! Pick the size of TV you want, and pick whichever one is in your budget. Simple as that.

Hi-Def: Whats all the fuss about?

OK,

So I’ve decided to start this blog off with a topic that has had most of the internet arguing, debating, and generally discussing to death over the last few years. I am, of course, talking about High Definition.

First, if you dont know what Hi-Def is, I’ll explain.

Hi-Def is the latest technology in TV viewing. It allows your TV to display 6 times the details that your regular “Standard definition” TV displays. As a result, your picture will be clearer, with better picture and colour. If your local TV stations send out HiDef signals, it will also have the added benefit of including Dolby Sound in the transmission too. Overall, its just an upgrade to the current way of watching TV. Of course, its not only TV that can have HiDef picture. DVDs have also gotten this “upgrade”. This new format is called “BluRay”. As with all new technology, initially it is quite expensive, but will go down in price over the coming months.

Now, if you are wondering whether to go HiDef or not, the answer is simply YES! If you are buying a new TV, it makes no sense not to upgrade. Think of it this way, when colour TV came out, a lot of people said they were happy enough with black and white. A few years later, nobody had a black and white TV, and shuddered at the thought of going back to B&W. Its the same here, you may thing you don’t need one because you’re happy with standard definition, but 5 years from now everyone will be thinking how they never watch anything in standard definition anymore. Besides, the price of these new TVs has dropped considerably so nearly any household can afford one.

Of course, if your current TV works fine, and you can wait until it breaks down before upgrading, thats fine. At the moment, you’re not missing much.

So, what is all the fuss about anyway? As a self confessed technology addict, what do I think personally of HiDef? Well, for the last while I’ve been watching HiDef movies, TV and playing my PlayStation 3 on HiDef also, along with BluRay DVDs. Well, to be perfectly honest, the TV isnt that great. Its an improvement, but nothing as big as going from Black&white to colour. Where it is good however, is on the playstation. The games look absolutely amazing and even more realistic than ever. The BluRay DVDs also look great.

Why is it that DVDs and games look good, but TV isnt great, you may ask. Simple. Its all about the source of the signal. The playstation and bluray produce full hidef signals, and the DVDs and games were made originally in full HiDef, ie 1080p, whereas the TV is in 720p. What does this mean?

Tune in next time to my next blog, where I’ll explain the difference between high definition resolutions in greater detail.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog entitled “etechreview online”.

This blog will contain, reviews, discussions, links and general information on anything technology related. I will explain a few technical terms, review hardware and software and generally fill as much of my knowledge into this blog as I can.

Hopefully you can all learn something from reading it.

Hope to see you soon.

Regards.