Relearning the game (backups) [Archive]

rabidjade

10th June 2007, 10:11

About two years ago I backed up all my DVD's into 700mb sections on my largest hard drive at the time. The hard drive finally fried and I want to start doing backups again on its replacement. Back when I last did backups I used DVD decrypter and AutoGK. What are the popular methods now and also what is a recommended size to backup with? 700mb was for space back then but I can go bigger now. I tried looking for a recent "starter guide" but couldn't find one, maybe because I'm tired.

sujit

10th June 2007, 15:10

Use RipIt4me to rip the DVD to the HDD. Open DGIndex, select those movie files (vob files). Save it. It will create a d2v file and also seperate the ac3 file for you. Use MeGUI to create a avs file (Tools --> Avisynth Script creator). Load the avs in the MeGUI and choose the approriate options(codec, profile etc).
700 MB is too less. 1400 MB would be better.

FishTank

10th June 2007, 16:16

or do it like you used to but instead of 700mb, go for 75% quality.
after all if you keep them on a hdd, you dont really care how big
the files are. so harder to compress files get bigger then others.

rabidjade

10th June 2007, 18:35

Does AutoGK still work? I noticed they haven't updated the software in two years. I prefer to stay with it since I was pretty used to it back in the day. I take it RipIt4me is a replacement for DVDDecrypter?

foxyshadis

10th June 2007, 19:55

Do you have enough space to wherer you can rip everything without recompression at all? That'd be much faster and probably higher quality than anything else, but might not be feasible.

Newer AGK can use x264 now, for much improved quality, but some software like MeGUI does an even better job and offers more customizability while still handling most of the process. It can be somewhat slower, however, and it's almost always slower than xvid.

RipIt4Me actually includes DVDDecryptor, it simply has some additional modes to defeat copy protection that has come out since.

rabidjade

10th June 2007, 20:27

Ripti4me looks like it's not even updated or supported anymore. Before the reply I already installed "DVDFab HD Decrypter" and tried it with a DVD. I want to rip them to 1400mb, probably divx or xvid depending what the recommended style is now days.

Awatef

11th June 2007, 00:31

If you're going for 1400MB, you can use your old method, no need to go the x264 route, which is long and rarely "profitable" at such sizes.
I have a slight preference for XviD over DivX, because I don't wanna download a 20MB pack everytime there is an update :D
The latest doom9 comparison also stated that XviD is slightly better than DivX (and also slightly faster)

FishTank

11th June 2007, 00:42

RipIt4me got shut down, but at this time it still rips all dvds out there.
from what you are saying id get AGK 2.40 stable and do what you
know already. 2cd xvid rips are great imho. i use agk myself and
love it :)

rabidjade

12th June 2007, 08:13

I'm using DVDFab HD to rip the DVD's to my computer and AutoGK 2.40 to convert them. One probably I am finding is the volume is low on the finished XviD movies. I searched and can't find anything on the issue. The sound is still synched and clear but I have to turn my volume up about 4/5 of the way to hear it at a comfortable level.

Awatef

12th June 2007, 10:03

That is most probably due to the nature of AC3 streams.
I don't know much about AutoGK, but make sure you turn on DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) -normal should do- and enable normalization.

If you're keeping the original AC3 track, tweak your directshow filter settings.

rabidjade

12th June 2007, 19:07

I don't see any of those options in AGK.

rabidjade

13th June 2007, 08:06

Anyone have ideas? How can I check to make it sure I'm not doing something wrong in DVDFab HD or AutoGK?

mr soft

13th June 2007, 10:51

HI, if I´m reading correctly , you are keeping the AC· stream
If so click start , programs , AC3· filter , config and jack those volume levels up . Also check your master volume on your sound card, or on board sound.
Good luck and mind your ears.

rabidjade

13th June 2007, 19:46

I don't have a "AC3-Filter" program installed and I don't see any options in AutoGK to configure it.

mr soft

13th June 2007, 19:54

All tools on the download section.

http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Filters/ac3filter_1_11.exe

rabidjade

13th June 2007, 20:20

Got it, will try making a xvid later.

manono

14th June 2007, 13:40

rabidjade

16th June 2007, 06:38

When using AutoGK. If you have several AC3 options to use, which is the best one. I.E. Auto Stream 0 AC3, Auto Stream 1 AC3, ect. What do the different ones mean as far as audio?

manono

16th June 2007, 14:55

You use the one that fits your needs. About the only rule is that if you're converting to MP3, and if there are both DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 tracks in the language you want, the DD 2.0 is usually the better from which to convert.

To find out what they are, read the Stream Info text file that DVD Decrypter provides, or play the DVD.

rabidjade

16th June 2007, 18:18

DVDFab HD didn't leave any log files. I'll play with the files a bit and see what happens. I remember when AutoGK would tell you what each stream was.

I figured it out, dumb mistake.

rabidjade

19th June 2007, 07:48

Is AC3 low audio a normal issue when converting DVD's to xvids?

manono

19th June 2007, 10:32

If you didn't have it installed, and the audio in your XviDs is AC3, then it's nothing to do with AutoGK. Install the AC3Filter and go into the Configure to jack up the volume. I just use the "Loud" preset, although you can play with the sliders if you want.
That's my earlier post on the same subject. Didn't you understand it (and mr soft's answer to the same question)? Unless the AC3 has been reencoded (it hasn't), it's the exact same AC3. Adjust the volume in the AC3Filter Config.

rabidjade

19th June 2007, 19:02

That's my earlier post on the same subject. Didn't you understand it (and mr soft's answer to the same question)? Unless the AC3 has been reencoded (it hasn't), it's the exact same AC3. Adjust the volume in the AC3Filter Config.

I should have been more clear. I was tired when I posted that message. I know the AC3 stream is normally low and you install the little ac3filter program to jack up the AC3 volume. My question was supposed to be, is this the proper/normal way to do it or is there another prefered method to backing up DVD's to your computer. Most of my backups up to now have been 2GB rips with AC3 audio.

I'll refrain from posting right before I goto bed next time, lol.

FishTank

19th June 2007, 20:47

well i for one dont.
i use 128kbps cbr mp3 as thats enough for me.
then again, i only do 700mb rips, so i cant use to
much space for audio.
i dont have a HDTV nor a dolby digital amp, just dolby surround.

Boulder

20th June 2007, 07:31

rabidjade

20th June 2007, 07:43

I'll ask it this way, If you are doing 2GB DVD rips like I am, would you use AC3 or mp3? I've already ripped and coverted 10 DVD's with the AC3 6ch. I plan on playing these on my laptop, desktop (both 2.1) and maybe my simple standard 20" TV.

Boulder

20th June 2007, 07:52

I would definitely use the original AC3 track.

rabidjade

20th June 2007, 08:00

Sounds good. I was hoping I didn't waste this time converting these movies with AC3.

FishTank

20th June 2007, 23:43

@boulder..
agreed, but i've had sync problems with vbr in the past and never
to this day with cbr. that and my hearing isnt the best anyway :D

@rabidjade.. for 2cd rips, id use the original ac3 aswell :)