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Veki




Posts: 381
Location: Croatia
PostPosted: Tue, 4th Dec 2012 10:58    Post subject: File formats, codecs and other tech stuff
So I have built a HTPC and connected it to my TV. Now I need some movies and show to watch.

Since my knowledge of video codecs and file formats is rather limited, I'd like to ask you what is good and what should I avoid.

From my limited experience I see mkv, avi and mpeg are most popular file formats while MPEG and H.264 video and AC-3, MPEG and DTS audio codecs are popular.

So which file format is preferred (I assume Matroska)?
And what video and audio codecs are preferred (I assume H.264 for video, but have no idea for audio codec)?

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teh_bad_clown




Posts: 175
Location: the rabbit hole
PostPosted: Tue, 4th Dec 2012 17:22    Post subject:
Well most movies come in mkv format ex. 1080/720p rips
BDRemux type of releases come as BDAV or mkv. If it's BDAV then it's mt2s. As for media player I suggest you try out XBMC or Jriver.
XBMC has a great user interface with pictures n shit and it's quite easy to use. As for codecs with the ones I've mentioned you don't need any they come with the software.
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Surray




Posts: 5409
Location: Europe
PostPosted: Tue, 4th Dec 2012 18:38    Post subject:
for my HTPC running OpenELEC I use 720p and 1080p bluray rips in mkv container, on h264 with DTS sound

for audio you might not be able to get DTS or DTS-MA sound if neither your HTCP nor your TV can decode it, not sure as I haven't had to deal with that in a long time.
If you can't use it, look for AC3 versions instead of DTS.


so what I'd recommend is stuff with 1080p.BluRay.DTS.x264 in it's release name Smile

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Veki




Posts: 381
Location: Croatia
PostPosted: Wed, 5th Dec 2012 12:26    Post subject:
Thanks for the answers, but I have a few more question. Smile

teh_bad_clown wrote:
BDRemux type of releases come as BDAV or mkv. If it's BDAV then it's mt2s.

What are BDRemux and BDAV releases? And what is their quality compared to BluRay rips?
teh_bad_clown wrote:
As for media player I suggest you try out XBMC or Jriver.
XBMC has a great user interface with pictures n shit and it's quite easy to use. As for codecs with the ones I've mentioned you don't need any they come with the software.

I forgot to write in OP that I already use XBMC and I'm quite happy with it.
Surray wrote:
for audio you might not be able to get DTS or DTS-MA sound if neither your HTCP nor your TV can decode it, not sure as I haven't had to deal with that in a long time.
If you can't use it, look for AC3 versions instead of DTS.

As I'm using XBMC, shouldn't it handle audio decoding? I have connected HTPC to TV via HDMI.
Surray wrote:
so what I'd recommend is stuff with 1080p.BluRay.DTS.x264 in it's release name Smile

Thanks for the tip, but what's with file sizes? I see they go from 1.5 GB up to 8 GB.
Also I see they are labeled 1080p, but their resolution is not 1920x1080, but a bit smaller. Is that original resolution of BluRay or rips have been resized or cropped?

Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.
Commisssioner Pravin Lal
"U.N. Declaration of Rights"
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nouseforaname
Über-VIP Member



Posts: 21306
Location: Toronto, Canada
PostPosted: Thu, 6th Dec 2012 01:11    Post subject:
Veki wrote:
Also I see they are labeled 1080p, but their resolution is not 1920x1080, but a bit smaller. Is that original resolution of BluRay or rips have been resized or cropped?


16:9 aspect ratio movies are 1080 high, 21:9 aspect ratio movies (anamorphic) are ~800 or so. Even some movies can have more or less pixels higher than the standard. That's how they come on the bluray disc, the movie is shot as a different shape that needs black bars to compensate on your TV.

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Veki




Posts: 381
Location: Croatia
PostPosted: Thu, 6th Dec 2012 08:07    Post subject:
nouseforaname wrote:
That's how they come on the bluray disc, ...

Thanks for confirming that. Smile

Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.
Commisssioner Pravin Lal
"U.N. Declaration of Rights"
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teh_bad_clown




Posts: 175
Location: the rabbit hole
PostPosted: Thu, 6th Dec 2012 08:30    Post subject:
Veki wrote:
Thanks for the answers, but I have a few more question. Smile

teh_bad_clown wrote:
BDRemux type of releases come as BDAV or mkv. If it's BDAV then it's mt2s.

What are BDRemux and BDAV releases? And what is their quality compared to BluRay rips?
teh_bad_clown wrote:
As for media player I suggest you try out XBMC or Jriver.
XBMC has a great user interface with pictures n shit and it's quite easy to use. As for codecs with the ones I've mentioned you don't need any they come with the software.

I forgot to write in OP that I already use XBMC and I'm quite happy with it.
Surray wrote:
for audio you might not be able to get DTS or DTS-MA sound if neither your HTCP nor your TV can decode it, not sure as I haven't had to deal with that in a long time.
If you can't use it, look for AC3 versions instead of DTS.

As I'm using XBMC, shouldn't it handle audio decoding? I have connected HTPC to TV via HDMI.
Surray wrote:
so what I'd recommend is stuff with 1080p.BluRay.DTS.x264 in it's release name Smile

Thanks for the tip, but what's with file sizes? I see they go from 1.5 GB up to 8 GB.
Also I see they are labeled 1080p, but their resolution is not 1920x1080, but a bit smaller. Is that original resolution of BluRay or rips have been resized or cropped?

Well, BDAV is the same as MKV in a BDRemux. Just different format, with mkv you can have chapters as in bluray.
If it's connected over hdmi make sure passthrough is enabled in XBMC and you should be done with it Smile

Btw guys, don't want to jack this thread but - what type of rips do you collect remux or 1080p rips?Very Happy
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Veki




Posts: 381
Location: Croatia
PostPosted: Mon, 10th Dec 2012 12:41    Post subject:
teh_bad_clown wrote:
If it's connected over hdmi make sure passthrough is enabled in XBMC and you should be done with it Smile

Will check it, thx.
teh_bad_clown wrote:
Btw guys, don't want to jack this thread but - what type of rips do you collect remux or 1080p rips?Very Happy

Well, according to answers in this thread, I'll be collecting mkv, 1080p, H.264 with DTS whenever possible.

Thanks all for your answers. Smile

Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.
Commisssioner Pravin Lal
"U.N. Declaration of Rights"
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