TopTenREVIEWS has taken the time to explain what technologies go into a standard DVD. In part 3, we examine video format options such as AVI, MPG, DIVX, and MOV. For information regarding the latest technology, check out www.toptenreviews.com


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Video Transcription

Hi I am Justin with toptenreviews. This is the last in the series of three videos intended to help you understand some of the technical terms associated with DVD copies software. When you rip a movie from a DVD onto your computer, you have several options on what you can do with the file. You can burn them onto a backup DVD, put them on your portable devices or keep them in on your hard drive. To do this, you need to convert the raw DVD files into a format which is more compatible and takes up less space. There are several file formats you can convert to. AVI which stands for audio, visual inter lead is a Microsoft technology. AVI produces a high quality image and as well as high quality sound. This is a good choice for those who want to watch movies right from their computer. AVI files takes up less space than the raw DVD files and the computer will use less power reading from its hard drive rather than the DVD. AVI are also great for sharing because they are recognized by most media players. Another popular format is Div-X because its high quality images are comparable to DVD’s and high definition formats. A related format that operates in a similar manner is called X-vid, both Div-X and X-vid are forms of AVI files. The difference is the occasional need to download a video codec; a codec is a package of plug ins that tells your computer how to read the new files accurately. There are also MPEG4 files, a format which was developed by the moving pictures expert group. This format gives you DVD and high definition quality images, it is also the format exclusively used by Apple for its portable devices, so if you have ripped DVD files you want to put on your iPod. You need to convert them to MP4 and import the files into iTunes. If you use an Apple computer, the format you will most likely will be converting to is .mov or .m4v. These are the formats developed by Apple incorporated and used by their applications like quick time, iTunes and Safari. Like the previous formats mentioned, .mov delivers standard or high definition pictures without any loss in resolution. We hope this video series gives you an idea about the technology and some of the elements that help keep media enthusiast entertained. I am Justin, we are toptenreviews, we do the research, so you do not have to. Thank you for watching.