How to choose a Codec/ container for dummies

Hi All,

I am pretty new in this field and would appreciate your knowhow on how to choose between all those Codex’s and containers.
My goal is to convert ripped DVD’s to a file that is practical to carry and view on a laptop (no need to 'distribute', personal use only).

So: Why should I take .avi or .mp4? What are reasons to use H.264? Or should i use Mpeg4? Different audio thinghy? And how do go from bitrates to quality?

My requisites that I need something:
-cross platform (mac and windows)
-Allows to include/select 2 or 3 languages
-Allows to include/select 2 or 3 subtitles
-Good to normal quality on an 13' screen (MacBook)
-Best to good compression available
I am using a mac on OSX 10.5 with Handbrake and VLC.

I find lots of info on the net. Mostly a waste of a beautiful good explanation as I don’t understand the higher evolved techno talk. I would be grateful for a introduction for a dummie.

Thank you on forehand!

If distribution is not a concern, then any format is good. In general scenarios distribution is the main concern because people try to pick a container/codec combo most computers can handle (for example even Unix or Mac or older PC’s with weaker processors).

In your case:
- AVI doesn’t support multiple audio tracks natively (though it can with a few hacks; nandub and virtualdubmod can make avi’s with multiple audio tracks). Also you’ll need a separate subtitle file (usually srt). Don’t know if you can put a subtitle track inside an avi, but I don’t think you can.
- mp4 would be a better choice since it supports all those kind of features. you might want to look into open source mp4 tools (I think a few are listed in the mp4 faq here http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s&threadid=62723 )
- if you don’t mind the extra effort, you can also consider mkv. probably the best container out there as it can do just about anything. only trouble is it’s not as widely supported (but not a concern since you’re not distributing).

for the codec part. h.264 (also called avc, or mpeg-4 part 10) is the best codec today hands down (best compression and best quality). nothing comes close, not vc-1, not mpeg-4 part 2. only downside is it can be processor intensive (even more so when encoding). you could research how to encode using the x264 codec (many open-source tools and tutorials out there).
if you’re a tad in a hurry and don’t mind the little extra size, you can use mpeg-4 part 2 instead. For example xvid or divx 6 give good results. you can also try 3ivx (which works better outside the avi container than the other 2). don’t use apple mpeg-4 (apple’s implementation is horrendous). many tutorials out there on using all 3.

Create explanation !

Thanks