The original poster is converting for a reason. I'm wondering if they are converting so they can burn it to cd/dvd to watch on TV instead of the computer. In that case it will end up as an mpeg1 or 2: VCD=mpeg1, SVCD & DVD=mpeg2. Resolution: vcd = 352 x 240 (pal 352x288), svcd = 480 x 480 (x 576 pal), standard pal/ntsc DVD = 720 x 576 / 720 x 480.

I don't know much about other formats being used on dvd as set-top dvd players with this ability has only been a relatively new introduction.

I_Have_No_Account seems to know what they are talking about with video formats.

bitstream-surfie has made a great suggestion about obtaining other tools. Another good site to try is http://www.videohelp.com/ & also http://www.videohelp.com/convert.htm I would recommend you have QuickTime Pro. Obtain as many 3rd pary codecs you can such as DivX, XviD, 3ivx, & the ones recommended by QuickTime (go to QuickTimes preferences & use the Find & Install 3rd party plug-ins.) At least one of these 3rd party ones via QT link is very good but that's for size reduction without noticeable loss of quality for streaming purposes (similar to DivX.) (3ivx is inconsistent for playback for my liking.)

I had a discussion about a similar but slightly different topic here: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=35612

I use several & various tools as you'll see in the above link but, MPeg Streamclip (free) is very handy & will maintain the audio format if you choose so.

Yes some programs such as Toast will create a temporary conversion file which should later be deleted (I would not use Toast to convert by choice normally.)

In summary, it's difficult to give you specific advice without knowing exactly what it is you want to do. If you just want to view on computer then better to retain the original file as is. To burn to disk to view on TV then you should have QT Pro. (I use FCP & DVD SP for my work.) Hope everybody's suggestions are a help to you Dublin 1.