Getting Started

Fx MPEG Writer is a format conversion tool for creating new movies of various digital video formats from a given source movie. Supported input source file types include properly formatted Windows Media, AVI and MPEG movies for which you have valid read and write codecs. In the free version files can be saved to MPEG-1 and AVI while, due to the patent holder's licensing restrictions, MPEG-2 output is supported in the full version only.

Please note that this tool will not convert copy protected movies or movies for which you do not have an appropriate license.

• To create a video CD you need a CD burner in your computer and VCD burning software to create the support folders and files.
• To create a DVD you need a DVD burner in your computer and DVD burning software to create the support folders and files.
• To play DVD formatted movies on your computer you need an MPEG-2 playback codec. Windows Media Player does not automatically install MPEG-2 codecs.

At it's simplest, Fx MPEG Writer requires only that you select a valid input file; indicate the path and file name of your target file and then, using the preset default properties, select a file type (MPEG-1, VCD, SVCD or DVD).

	The standard MPEG file format.
	The VCD format is a subset of the MPEG-1 standard specifically for creating Video CD's to be played back by devices that support the standard.

To access the advanced MPEG settings, uncheck the box to the left of Use MPEG Presets. Be aware that changing from the presets can produce files that do not comply with the standard. Such files might be rejected by editors, CD/DVD authoring tools and other applications that expect standard format parameters.

The default presets will set the size, bitrate, frame rate and other variable properties to the normally accepted standard for the video format that you have selected. If your CD or DVD burning software does not accept the presets you will have to modify the MPEG settings to meet the requirements.

See Understanding File Formats for more.

You may also perform more complex actions such as changing the input audio, the audio and/or video codecs or many of the output movies properties. To load a separate audio file, uncheck the box to the left of Use Source Movie's Audio.

To keep the duration of the target clip equal to the source, check the Keep original duration box.

To pop up a list of all installed AVI audio codecs or to set the audio properties for MPEG files, check the Display Audio Codec Dialog box.

To set dithering for 256 colors or less, change the Dithering  dropdown.

Click on the hot spots above or see Movie Essentials and Video Codecs for details about the property settings.