The software used in testing the different codecs: Tmpg Encoder from Pegasys. Our test video is available in 16:9 format - the specification of 720x576 pixels (4:3) is incorrect.
A summary comparison of different video compression formats: at an extremely low data rate of 250 kBit/s, Divx 6 and 5.2.1 are unbeatable. The WMV9 codec exhibits obvious blurring. All DVD movies still use MPEG-2, a codec that is outdated and has big problems at lower data rates.
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Video Format
File Type
Bit RateImage & Sound
Minimum bit ratefor good quality
Memory needed for60 min. of film
Standalone DVD playerplayback possible
Video quality
Dolby DigitalAudio
DV
AVI
29000 kBit/s
29000 kBit/s
12700 MB
no
excellent
no
Divx 5.x
AVI
10 bis 16000 kBit/s
1500 kBit/s
660 MB
yes
excellent
yes
XviD
AVI
10 bis 16000 kBit/s
1500 kBit/s
660 MB
yes
good
yes
MPEG-1
MPG
1374 kBit/s
1374 kBit/s
600 MB
no
very poor
yes
MPEG-2
VOB
1200 bis 9800 kBit/s
6000 kBit/s
2600 MB
yes
excellent
yes
Quicktime
MOV
10 bis 32000 kBit/s
1700 kBit/s
750 MB
no
satisfactory to good
no
Windows Media
WMV
4 bis 20000 kBit/s
2000 kBit/s
880 MB
no
good
no
Overview and evaluation of the most important video formats.
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