They are so wrong and what they fail to understand is some of the smartest people are working together.
If you need any proof of this, see the recent changes in Standard Definition x264 release standards… Frankly the darknet puts the standard process of the likes of Ultra Violet to shame…
The whole NFO file is here.
-ªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªª¼ - - - The SD x264 TV Releasing Standards 2012 - LªªªªªªªTTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTTªªªªªªª- -ªªªªªªª++ªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªª++ªªªªªªª¼ - Lªªª[ INTRO ]ªªª- - - - - x264 has become the most advanced video codec over the past few years. - - Compared to XviD, it is able to provide higher quality and compression at - - greater SD resolutions. It also allows better control and transparency over - - encoding settings. With CRF in the mix, we can also ensure that a diverse - - array of material will get the most appropriate bitrate for them and not - - arbitrary and fixed sizes. This standard aims to bring quality control back - - to SD releases. There are many standalone players/streamers such as TviX, - - Popcorn Hour, WDTV HD Media Player, Boxee, Xtreamer, PS3, XBOX 360, iPad, & - - HDTVs that can playback H264 and AAC encapsulated in MP4. - - - - The SD x264 TV section was formed to separate releases from the ruleless - - world of TV-XviD. This document will cover the rules and guidelines for - - only SD resolution x264 television rips. - - - LªªªªªªªTTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTTªªªªªªª- -ªªªªªªª++ªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªTªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªªª++ªªªªªªª¼
I would go as far to as to say some of the best video encoders and there results are in the darknet including the likes of Yify, Froggie100, etc. Of course I’m not condoning what they do but its amazing they are able to squeeze a HD video down to a 700meg CD.
Question: How do you do it? Making movies so small, yet such good quality?
Answer: Magic hehe. But in all seriousness I use a combination of software and settings that I have found to work best. For beginner encoders I recommend Handbrake and Format Factory, very powerful tools that do a really good job.