RealAnime 4 - General Questions and Troubleshooting Thread

[Sirber]

FINALLY!!!

I got the Stop buttonm working #1 :D

Hurray!!!

[Eretria-chan]

Hi Sirber,

The link to the directory where the files will be uploaded is http://www.eluni.net/downloads/RealAnimeLE

Then just add your filename to it, of course. I set up an ftp in case you want to upload it there, in case you need bandwidth. I'll send the login information through a pm. If you don't want it, I can always upload those files manually when I have the time.

Cheers!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that there is a 100 mb quota. It is a safe precaution only.

[Sirber]

Many thanks! I will put a4 this weekend on it (as well as in the other places).

What's to come is... MP4 input :D

[Sirber]

New:
* MP4 input management
* OGM/MKV/MP4 track selection using language infos
* XML configuration version

Updated:
* Low Bitrate matrice (mp4's guy) updated to v2
* Profiles ("Extreme" users please rollback to "High")
* x264 rev 367
* ffdshow 2005-11-03

Fixed:
* Stop button really stopping now :D

ToDo:
* Audio input (WAV, AAC (2 channels), AC3, MP3)

Notes:
* You will lose your configuration: RealAnimeLE.xml will be renamed to RealAnimeLE.xml.crap
* "Extreme" and "Insane!!!" profiles use experimental features which kill the encoding speed. Please use High instead, which have the sqme quality as alpha 2 "Extreme".
* This is the latest alpha. Please report any bugs / feature request ASAP.
* Many thanks to Lain and Eretria-chan for their support! :D

Happy trying! :D

Download: http://www.detritus.qc.ca

[Kayser]

Thank you Sirber, I'll test it today, if I find something I'll tell you.

Edit: I tested OGM and the ususal AVI imput and everything works great! Good job Sirber and the RALE team!

[EvilSin]

Overall alpha 4 works very well. Thanks Sirber for creating a great and simplified version.

Just one Suggestion, Keep Working on this project! :thanks:

I just can not believe how good the quality is when you compare it to the original file I am re-encoding. x264 is a great encoder and it shows a lot of good things to come. Now that I have found a great tool to compress my anime further and can start archiving them on dvd.

So far using the defaults and Insane!!! setting I am getting about 56fps using fast first pass and on 2nd and 3rd pass I get about 5.6fps. (amdx2 4200+)

Looks like that either you changed the insane setting from last alpha or the newer x264 bin is helping me squezze out a few more fps than before.

[Sirber]

@Kayser

At last! A working RealAnime! ;)

@EvilSin

Thanks! :D

[EvilSin]

I have encountered a sound problem.....

The sound for my encodes are all off.... I do not know by how much but there is definately a difference when you play the original and the final encoded version. I only noticed because some of the scenes where somone is getting hit and the sound effect is off. The original is dead on.

Using 32kbps Parametric Stereo Normalize

General
Complete name : C:\!Encoded\[Lunar] ****** - 01 [2101CD82].avi
File size : 175 MiB
Format : Audio Video Interleave
Overal BitRate : 1055 KBps
PlayTime : 23mn 14s

Video #0
Codec : XviD
Bit rate : 914 KBps
Width : 640
Height : 480
Aspect ratio : 4/3
Frame rate : 23.976
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.124

Audio #0
Codec : MPEG1/2 L3
Bit rate : 128 KBps
Channels : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz


and I have seen same problem on the next 5 episodes.

I am going to try a different series by a different group and see if same problem occurs.

Also Ill try them with different audio settings to see if that makes any difference.

[Kayser]

I have that same problem but with random episodes, no specific series...

[Sirber]

I only noticed because some of the scenes where somone is getting hit and the sound effect is off. The original is dead on.I don't understand :confused:

[edit]

Also, please don't post serie names since they may be licensed and it's against rule #6. Thanks.

[Kayser]

Sorry for breaking the rule, I didn't notice when I replied ^^;;... What he means, if it is the same problem as mine, is that the audio goes out of sync with the video in the encoded file while in the original one it's perfectly ok.

[Sirber]

ha! Maybe it's VBR mp3. I had that trouble with some series, but I cannot fix that automaticly. Best way is to remerge the output MKV with mkvmerge gui and add an audio delay.

[Sirber]

I'm making a bitrate calculator to bundle with RealAnime LE. It's in C# and will require .NET Framework 2.0. I plan to use C# in my next apps instead of delphi 7.

[edit]

If someone wants to test it...

[EvilSin]

Well i downloaded the mkvtoolnix package and fixed the audio delay with mkvmerge and now it plays well :devil: only took like 20 seconds for it to fix it.

Is the bitrate calc going to be intergrated? becuase if it was it would be cool to see what the file already loaded into RLE, kind of how you can get the media info throught the right click menu.

*Thought* I personally use files off a network drive. Now all the files I use have pretty long directory trees. I like to organize my collections. *To the Point* Can you make it so it only shows the file name and not the directory in the Input screen? or make it so we can turn it on or off for people who want it?

The main reason for me is because I have to scroll over to see what file it is on and since I use long directory trees it is still hard to see all the filenames in the one screen without scrolling over to see them.

[Eretria-chan]

As much as I hate to say it, I am no fan of C#. It's basically becoming another Visual Basic, but managed. I would still stay clear of it, since I've had nothing but troubles with it. I still recommend regular, NATIVE C++. Ah, but it's not my choice; it's yours, of course.

[bratao]

Sirber,
Maybe you can take a look in c++ with a Wxwidget libary..With your so beloved RAD, wx-devcpp
to me is the easyest and fastest language, and the best ide that i already seen.
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=95606
And its c++, you can compile anywere, to any S.O

[Sirber]

@EvilSin

I'll give it a try

@Eretria-chan

I'm currently looking for a new job and a lot of business ask for C# or .NET skills which I don't have. I already know well PHP (HTML, jscript, SQL), VB6 and Delphi 7 VCL, so it can only be good to learn something new.

@bratao

I thought about that, making a GUI cross platform, but I terribly lack time (and linux opengl support;)).

[Eretria-chan]

Then, if anything, use C++ .NET, because C# is becoming another visual basic, meaning a language with no power. Even pointers doesn't work in C# anymore!

[Sirber]

C# is a mix of C++, VB and .NET style ;)

You had pointers in VB6 before... why removing that?

[Eretria-chan]

I know what it is... I was charmed by it once, due to it being RAD (like VB) and yet had the power and syntax of c++. Ahhh, but that was my folly. Meh ;)
Anyway, the thing is that pointers do not work in C#. You can have references and stuff, but... heck, you lose all the power! All the functions in the .NET framework are pretty much high level. Plus, the .NET Framework makes using native code a pain in the ass (ahem, the framework can't convert a char* to a managed type... the other way around?).

[Sirber]

... char *? HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://alsaha.fares.net/Images0/Smily/cry.gif

So far so good. I don't even use pointers in delphi, I did not learn how to yet :). I only devellop GUIs anyway... :D

[Eretria-chan]

Ahhhh.... it sounds like you're pretty much stuck to RAD tools like VB to me. You haven't experienced the true power of a low level language like C++. Pointers are really handy.

[Sirber]

I did console C++ once at college like 5 years ago. Now my main force is Web programming and linux server management. A guy can't do everything :)

[Eretria-chan]

No, but one can choose C++ over delphi and C# :sly:
...But this is turning out to be a pointless discussion, huh? You choose what you think is best, as long as the result is all well.

[Sirber]

indeed. I wasn't going to reply coz it would have been more oil on the fire :)

I don't know which soft yet will be in C#. For sure LE stay in Delphi, PE too (Pocket Edition). Maybe RealAnime Player will be in C#.

[stax76]

Even pointers doesn't work in C# anymore!

Plus, the .NET Framework makes using native code a pain in the ass (ahem, the framework can't convert a char* to a managed type... the other way around?).

Please elaborate, do you really know what you are talking about or am I missing something?

[Eretria-chan]

Pointers do not work in C# (remember I'm talking about visual studio 2005 here). You CAN still use them, if you use unsafe code, but they are still restricted. Plus they never did work for me when I tried.

As for native code, you have to "marshall" it as microsoft calls it in order to use it. Again, I could never do this (I never knew how to do it, and well, since I didn't learn it...). But also, did you try to convert a regular C++ char* pointer to a string of managed type in any way? It fails miserably with an error from the compiler. A regular string, or non-pointer works just fine, but not using the pointer.

Also, .NET in general prevents you pretty much from manipulating the GUI from different threads that it was created on (to avoid it, you need to make sure the creating thread executes the call by using a delegate). I know this is concidered bad programming habit, but I tend to like it. Having it execute on the main thread defies the logic in it being multi-threaded. This is merely a warning, though; in release it goes away.

Oh and, last I tried all this stuff, was with beta 2 of visual studio 2005; I have not tried with the release version...

[Sirber]

Get the free express one :)

[Eretria-chan]

Ehhh, the express version does not contain MFC. MFC is critical to my programs since I always write native code (and pure win32 programming is a mess =/).
Plus, I'm still afraid of vs2005 since it was soo incredibly buggy :o

[stax76]

But also, did you try to convert a regular C++ char* pointer to a string of managed type in any way?

I've done many things in many languages, including a couple of managed languages, native C++ and C++/CLR in managed and mixed mode. With every post you introduce more misinformation, please stop it, thank you.

[EvilSin]

*** Please Remove Link to My Mirror ***

I looks like for some reason all the files i Have uploaded are no longer showing up. Seems like I am having some difficulties with the hosting. :(

Please remove the link, and I will find a better place to mirror your program that can be more reliable.

[ggab]

" I was charmed by it once, due to it being RAD (like VB) and yet had the power and syntax of c++."
" it sounds like you're pretty much stuck to RAD tools like VB to me."

what is RAD?

[Eretria-chan]

I've done many things in many languages, including a couple of managed languages, native C++ and C++/CLR in managed and mixed mode. With every post you introduce more misinformation, please stop it, thank you.
Well, speaking from my experience, that was what I could find. I am no fan on managed, so maybe you may speak more clearly on this point that I. Perhaps you could explain what I'm missing there, somewhere, sometime. I apologize if this "misinformation" offended you.

EvilSin: If you make such a video, I could mirror it, too. I suggest Siber could maybe put these links on the site to show the potential of RALE ^_^

ggab: RAD means "Rapid Application Development." Pretty much a working program in short time.

[stax76]

Well, speaking from my experience, that was what I could find. I am no fan on managed, so maybe you may speak more clearly on this point that I. Perhaps you could explain what I'm missing there, somewhere, sometime. I apologize if this "misinformation" offended you.

Fine, you should be able to learn about pointers in C# using the help, using c strings are documented very good as well. There are better explanations out there than I could give you since you did't ask something specific e.g. is this string part of a structure or a method signatur etc. If you have a specific problem I'm sure here are people having some experience trying to help you. I for instance have lot's of experience with interop.

On a specific topic:

For cross thread GUI calls there is a property in the control class that will prevent a exception get thrown, either set this property for each control or loop through all controls in the form constructor and set it for all. Note that this feature is new in .NET 2.0.

Sorry but only a bad programmer would do this, any language. Regarding delegates to do this right, C# 2.0 has new features to make this a breeze. First of all you do not any longer have to define a delegate, there is some VB AddressOf like shortcut now in C#, second there is anonymous methods now in C#.

Again, please either learn C# and .NET first or stop it writing about it. Just you didn't find out how something works in the five minutes you evaluated Visual Studio doesn't mean it cannot work. If you only want to criticize .NET at least do some research before and try to make some valid points.

[Eretria-chan]

Fine, you should be able to learn about pointers in C# using the help, using c strings are documented very good as well. There are better explanations out there than I could give you since you did't ask something specific e.g. is this string part of a structure or a method signatur etc. If you have a specific problem I'm sure here are people having some experience trying to help you. I for instance have lot's of experience with interop.
Concerning that, maybe I didn't dig enough, but it is of little consequence now.

On a specific topic:

For cross thread GUI calls there is a property in the control class that will prevent a exception get thrown, either set this property for each control or loop through all controls in the form constructor and set it for all. Note that this feature is new in .NET 2.0.
There was no mention of this in documentation other than using delegates. I was very frustrated with it and tried to finds lots of info. That was with beta 2, however.

Sorry but only a bad programmer would do this, any language. Regarding delegates to do this right, C# 2.0 has new features to make this a breeze. First of all you do not any longer have to define a delegate, there is some VB AddressOf like shortcut now in C#, second there is anonymous methods now in C#.
Ah, I know it's a bad thing to do, but I tend to like it.

Again, please either learn C# and .NET first or stop it writing about it. Just you didn't find out how something works in the five minutes you evaluated Visual Studio doesn't mean it cannot work. If you only want to criticize .NET at least do some research before and try to make some valid points.
Yes, yes, let's speak of this no more.

[Sirber]

@EvilSin

Many thanks! Page updated! :D

@C#

It's getting OT and have no link with LE. Thanks.

@all

Please update x264, now 10% faster*!

* The speed quoted may vary from one dealer to the other, location-wise. The speed quoted here are only indicative and are near to accurate and speed prevailing at the time of the actual encoder/gui/operating system will be applicable. The Standard equipments, Technical specifications and the Colours are as per the manufacturer's brouchers or sourced from the leading Codec Journals- Overdrive & Autocodec India. Indiacar does not hold any responsibilities for the accuracy of this information.

[LAIN]

Bug Report of RALE

* Problem to encode MP4 files with ASP video
* BeSweet error while encoding AAC 6ch (error have occured with MKV files)


I'm currently making some test with theses problems.

Lain

[Sirber]

So far, todo for Beta 1:

* Audio managment (input)
* Investigate besweet crash with 6 channels AAC
* Investigate x264 crash encoding from ASP in MP4 (via AVISynth).

Anything else?

[DryFire]

Would it be possible to incorporate a psp profile, that will basically make converting videos for use with the psp a one step process?

Basically it would take care of the video and audio encoding aswell as running the final .mp4 through atom changer.

[Sirber]

hum... mp4 output is not done yet. Also, I don`t have profiles for that kind of stuff.

[Sirber]

I will have to bundle mencoder too. BeSweet doesn't support AAC as input so I need to convert it first.

There is also a bug in MKV management (input). Track # for subtitle may be screwed.

[mankey]

First I have to say this is a really cool program :)

Now to my questions :D

I've been trying to convert Dattebayo Bleach 59 but everytime I try (with different Quality and sound settings) the progress seem to end right after finishing the first sound check (Maximum Gain and stuff). I think this also happend to the previous episode. No errors appear, or is there a log somewhere where I can check?

Second question is about the audio, I'm trying to get a little higher audio quality, which would you recommend? I have tried different ones with Besweet but I don't know which is the *best* but yet small in size. Something like 5 mb extra in audio size would be the limit for me. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance :) Keep up the good work!

[Sirber]

1) Try disabling normalization or convert to raw AVI (RGB, PCM) with virtualdub and retry. BeSweet is sometimes unstable.

2) Try 48kbps + PS :)

[mankey]

Didn't change anything with normalization Off, and I haven't tried converting to raw AVI before so I googled a bit and tried avi2vcd which seemed to create a 450 mb avi file from the original. But same problem with this file as the original. I also tried using Virtualdub, but I couldn't find any clear instructions so I just chose Save as AVI (with Compression set to default: Uncompressed RGB/YCbCr) which started making a new AVI with goal size of 30 gb :D I don't have that much space available so I canceled and tried another one but aborting at about 100mb just to try with RALE. And it seemed to work with my quick test I just made :)

So, did I do anything wrong or is the raw AVI (Which I think I made) supposed to be 30 gb for 24 mins? Seems a BIT to much! Or, what is the correct way to do it?

Regarding the audio: Do you know if HE-AAC with variable bitrate mode (streaming quality) would be much better quality than 48 kbps, or would it just be waste because of the original audio or something. It seemed to just increase the file size by 5 mb or so.

Thanks =)

[Sirber]

Do you get an error number or it gets back to "RealAnime LE - idle" like if nothing happened? If yes, I have a source doing that and drives me mad :devil:

VBR produce unpredictable filesize and that'S why it's not used in LE.

[mankey]

It gets back to "RealAnime LE - idle" like if nothing happened, no errors. :)

But concerning the raw AVI thing I tried to do in virtualdub, is is supposed to be that huge - 30 gb? Because it wouldn't be such a problem if I just had to first convert to raw AVI and the run it in RALE, but 30 gb is just way to much. Was my method wrong?

[Sirber]

I tryed (20GB) and did the same thing: "idle". I will run a debug session tonight. It's a LE bug (or besweet).

[mankey]

Okay. I have been googling a bit now about the Raw AVI and found some lossless codec called huffyv which seems to create the file at about 10 gb or little more. Hopefully it'll be of the same quality and work just as the "30gb file" did :)

Strange problem. Good luck in solving it!! :D

[Sirber]

huffyv is not raw (RGB, PCM), it's lossless, like PNG (vs JPEG). :)

[mankey]

So that won't really work? So the only way is to get the 30 (20?) GB file?

If so, then I hope you'll solve this in your debug session :D