First of all, you said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by aca85  you have to use a codec (many have heard of this before, codecs like xvid, avi, mkv and the first to be used of all DIVX) to compress the file make it into a container file. |
AVI and MKV aren't codecs, but I'm just assuming you didn't mean this since you properly identify them as being containers later on.
But in what way was DivX the first codec ever used? That just doesn't make any sense.
/end nitpicking
Anyways, this is a fantastic guide for everyone out there. However, I'd just like to add one thing. Just because everyone here no knows what the difference between LQ, HQ, and HD is - it doesn't mean that every one else does out there- even fansubbers.
For some fansubbers out there, HQ and HD are (incorrectly) used interchangeably. Just because something is labeled HD doesn't mean it's HD, and even if it is labeled HQ it might actually end up being HD. Some groups will release an anime as HD even though it was never officially released in HD (either on TV or Blueray/HD-DVD).
What makes matters even worse is that you can't even tell if an anime is HD or HQ simply by looking at the resolution. Some fansub groups have a nasty tendency to upscale anime. That means that they will get a RAW that is 640x480, but release it as 1280x720 or something, needlessly making the file size bigger. The end result would be the same as if you had downloaded a 640x480 and just manually resized the video player window until it was 1280x720- it's the same thing.
With the vast number of fansub groups out there, it is always the best option to try to go with the more experienced groups. The skills of the people encoding anime differ greatly, and the difference in quality of one anime done by two groups (even at the same resolution) can be shocking.
Heck, its not totally unheard of to find an anime that is 640x480 and labeled as HQ that is vastly superior in quality to the same anime done by another fansub group but labeled as 1280x720 HD.