*** 2-pass 272p encoding for computers (PC, Mac), PS3 or Xbox, portable and mobile devices (Ipod, Itouch) . ***
*** Video is 480x272 H264; audio is 44.1 kHz/stereo AAC LC and container is MP4. ***

"Home" of my torrents (for Bookmark/Favorites in your browser) 
https://piratebayproxy.live/user/twentyforty

SCHEDULE for this week (and NO more requests):

Monday:  The Pacific as 360p;
         Breaking Bad as 720p
Tuesday: Chuck, "24", Gossip Girl as 272p MP4 H264;
Wednesday: Lost, "V" as 272p H264
Thursday: Criminal Minds as 272p MP4 H264;
Friday:  FlashForward, Grey's Anatomy as 272p MP4 H264;
         Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries and Fringe as [quark];
Saturday:  Smallville as 272p MP4 H264;
           Stargate Universe as [quark]
Sunday:  re-seed of week's episodes

I recommend CoreCodec for H264 (avc1, x264) video-playback, free DivX 7 for AAC sound-playback (and .mkv with AAC), Haali splitter (free, comes with CoreCodec) as the fastest and best combination for Windows Media Player. This is what I use.
VLC player (free), mplayer (free) and KMplayer (free) are available as alternative for all platforms (operating systems) out there and have BUILT-IN codecs and MP4 capabilities. But, video quality is approx. 10-15% lower, blurrier at least on system I have.
One can try CCCP matroska codec pack, where ffdshow codec/filter packs and Haali splitter comes in one package and support MP4 playback - but extra caution is required during the install process.
QuickTime of course, supports H264/AAC natively.
MP4 is ISO 14496-1(H264 video & AAC LC sound) .
recommended resolution for computers is 1024x768..
PS3 + HDMI cable + newer TV have been reported as best combination.
I am very proud on sound quality and hence I recommend use of stereo system and proper loudspeakers (connect Line Out of Soundcard or standalones with Line In of any Stereo rack).
And please, do not watch it with a nose in the screen, take proper distance to the monitor or TV (as advised in TV manuals).