The Process:
Step 1: Pop the DVD or 2 VCDs one after the other in your drive and browse in Windows Explorer. In case of VCDs, you will notice a folder called MPEGAV. Within this folder will be files with names either like AVSEQ01.DAT or MUSIC01.DAT. These are the actual video files in a VCD. You can double click to play them in media player. Copy these files from both VCDs to your hard disk. Most cases you will have 2 such files from 2 VCDs. In case of a DVD, look for a folder called VIDEO_TS. Within that you will find files with the extension .VOB. Copy all the VOB files to your hard disk.

Step 2: Unzip the downloaded Virtualdub zip file and run Virtualdub.exe. Open the AVSEQ01.DAT or .VOB file within Virtualdub using File > Open Video File. Virtualdub will first scan the video file.

Step 3: Go to Audio and select Full Processing Mode.

Step 4: Next click on Compression in the Audio menu and the audio codecs installed on your system will be displayed. Select MPEG Layer-3 at a bit-rate of 128kbit/s. Press OK to continue. This will take care of the audio in the movie file.

Step 5: Next in the Video menu, select Full Processing Mode and select the DivX codec from the list. Click on configure and make sure that the Variable Bit-rate Mode is 1-Pass and the Encoding Bit-rate is 780 Kbps.

Step 6: Press Control-F to bring up the filter selection dialog box. Press the Add button and select the Resize filter from the list and press OK to configure it. Set Filter Mode to Precise Bicubic (A=0.60). This will give the movie the best size and shape for your monitor.

Step 7: Press F7 to save the file. Virtualdub will prompt for a file name. Let it simmer. This will start the encoding process. You will need to wait till the conversion is complete.

Step 8: Take a look at the DivX encoding process. It should be done by now. The time taken will largely depend on the size of the file and your system configuration. Voila! Your first DivX file is ready to go. Serve with at least 2 buckets of pop-corn and something cold.

For those who are into fast food and would rather take a simpler no-mess way even if it’s more expensive, check out the state of the art encoding app from DivXNetworks called DivX Converter. An evaluation version is available at www.divx.com . But you need to buy it to use it. Happy encoding!