new look for DVD2SVCD?

[poopity poop]

Have you considered changing the way DVD2SVCD looks to more like a flow chart like I have on my site.. like DVD2AVI leads to avisynth which leads to etc etc etc, this might be easier to understand for people who don't know what the individual programs do.. or even that DVD2SVCD uses individual programs..

[UltimateDBZ]

It's very unlikely that something like this would be done, at least not in the near future. Such would require an entire interface re-write, and a tons of added/modified code. I for one wouldn't want to do such a thing, and DVD2SVCD is already busy enough as it is... A tabbed interface seems very logical to me anyway. If somebody doesn't have enough time to look through each tab and see the options they have, then I doubt they have time to be using the program at all ;)

[dvd2svcd]

UDBZ: Agree.

Poop: Sorry, wont happen. Functionality first and foremost. Your idea is good, but should have been implemented from the start.

[waldok]

I personally find the current interface pretty complete and straightforward. No need to change anything as far as I'm concerned (plus you can save and reload different sets of settings, which makes it a breeze to use).

Waldok

[poopity poop]

As an "advanced" encoder(I consider myself anyway), I really appreciate DVD2SVCD.
I would just like to take the time and thank you all for this program. Up until like a week ago I was doing all of this by hand. I was using all the programs individually, because I DETEST all-in-one programs. But this really does have all the options I use(except a few minor ones -- like I add borders to my SVCD's because of the TV overscan, but gotten around easily by editing the avs before encoding....). I didn't really understand what DVD2SVCD was until I really looked at it and said... HEY this uses EVERY SINGLE program I use.. but it will do it all for me.. what a time saver. I don't know how people can use it unless they've used all the individual programs and know what the options do...but I don't really care about them..because I do :).

Thanks guys.

I do have a few suggestions...just some things that I do differently that you may want to consider adding..not sure if it would be worth your time, but in no particular order--

1. Adding some sort of crop options
2. Adding pixels to the sides to accoutn for the TV overscan.
I like to do this so I can get more of the original picture on the TV. Here are the commands I use. Now I edit the script before encoding using DVD2SVCD of course:
4:3 AR
simpleresize(448,464)
addborders(16,8,16,8)

16:9
simpleresize(464,348)
addborders(8,66,8,66)

1.85:1
simpleresize(464,332)
addborders(8,74,8,74)

2.35:1
simpleresize(464,264)
addborders(8,108,8,108)

These just add a bunch of black(while maintaining a proper aspect ratio mind you) so more of the picture gets shown on TVs

3. Somehow make it so you can encode anime. Splitting the avs's up to seperate avs's for each episode then each of them using the trim command. The easiest way to automate this I think would be to make a FULL .wav file then use the audiodub and trim command...then extract the .wav from each .avs(thereby spliting up the .wav file into each episode, then encode form there something like this:
---------------------------
video=mpeg2source("g:\anime\someanime.d2v")
audio=wavsource("g:\anime\full_soundtrack_of_anime.wav")
audiodub(video,audio)
# of course your decomb command in here, using mode=2, for anime :)
trim(0,33509)
-------------------
then a seperate avs with a trim command of like trim(33510,70934).
a different avs for each episode, then you can extract the .wav from the .avs spliting it up. I do this with virtualdub.
The only problem is that you will need input from the user as to WHERE to split up the episodees..where they start and end, that's the only problem. I don't know if that would be worth the time.. but I just outlined how I "automated" my own anime encoding process in hopes to give you guys some ideas.

4. Use virtualdub filters in the scripts.
I do this alot especially with anime loading the vdub_filters.avs then using(what I consider) the most simple anime noise reducting set:

ConvertToRGB()
VD_2DCleaneroptk7(4,2,2)
VD_WarpSharp(10)
ConvertToYUY2()

You could implement this as some options as to what virtualdub filters you want to add..maybe even open up their dialog boxes so people could set them up.

5. Also...for using decomb as your iVTC, of course everyone should..but I also use area based deinterlacer DIRECTLY after it(even before the resize) to clean up the mouths... it works REALLY well to clean it up, at a reduction in speed of course:

telecide()
decimate(cycle=5, mode=2)

ConvertToRGB()
VD_AreaBasedDeinterlace(false, "blend", 27, 25, false, 0)
ConvertToYUY2()

simpleresize(480x480)

Prolly not worth it.. but for HQ freaks...cleaning up those frames is worth the speed loss, of course I have dual 1900's..so I really could care less about speed.. but whatever.

6. Add a batch conversion option. Right now I have 3 movies on my hard drive I'm using DVD2SVCD(instead of my own step by step methods) to convert them. With dual processors I can run two at a time and still get CCE speeds of about 1.4 each which is pretty good, but I'd rather do them one at a time one after each other tottally automated.

-----------------------------------------
I hope you guys read this and perhaps think abotu some of the things I've said.. from one encoder to the next just charing his methods in hopes that it can help you guys out...and whoever else reads this

[dvd2svcd]

All your wishes is granted in the new version. Except item 6, which is already made for you, you just have to use dvd2svcd's internal ripping and use the "Rip Only" option, when you've ripped the dvd's you want you can runt the .bat file found in the same folder as dvd2svcd.exe

(BTW, if you by guys mean developers it is just guy since there is only one developer ;))

[poopity poop]

Wow, very cool, very cool indeed.

I thought I was going to get ripped on slightly...I know how many people like to take other people's methods and pick at them.

Have you already added these options? OR are you going to ad them for the next version?

Well I'd love to help if I knew anything about writing code

Have you thought about making more help bubbles? I can write up a million for you if that would make it easier for you. I could write up a help bubble for every option there. I know every program inside and out, if you want me to

[dvd2svcd]

They have already been made in the not yet released version. Take a look here:

http://212.88.77.140/Readme.txt

[kydongau]

Originally posted by UltimateDBZ
It's very unlikely that something like this would be done, at least not in the near future. Such would require an entire interface re-write, and a tons of added/modified code. I for one wouldn't want to do such a thing, and DVD2SVCD is already busy enough as it is... A tabbed interface seems very logical to me anyway. If somebody doesn't have enough time to look through each tab and see the options they have, then I doubt they have time to be using the program at all ;)

Is it possible to have an interface that creates the default ini file, then just load it in dvd2svcd.

The interface would hide all advance items, accept for these items together:
1. Load CD, or avi files
2. Audio settings
3. Bit rate settings
4. Destination dir.
5. subtitle

This is what I do 95% of the time, the rest of the settings I have already set them up the way I wanted and hardly change them at all. This idea just pops up, I dont know if we can set everything up via the ini file this way.

Cheers.

[poopity poop]

speaking of audio... isn't the defualt audio bitrate like 128? Isn't that a little low? I always set mine to 192..160 MAYBE if I'm running dual audio and I need to conserve some room.

[Mac Sidewinder]

Poopity Poop must have been reading dvd2svcd's mind. Sounds like the new version contains some great upgrades.

I think the default audio bitrate is 192 but I could be wrong.

Mac

[dvd2svcd]

128 is the default. Always been. I know it's low, but I didn't know better when I made dvd2svcd originally.

[UltimateDBZ]

Originally posted by kydongau


Is it possible to have an interface that creates the default ini file, then just load it in dvd2svcd.

The interface would hide all advance items, accept for these items together:
1. Load CD, or avi files
2. Audio settings
3. Bit rate settings
4. Destination dir.
5. subtitle

This is what I do 95% of the time, the rest of the settings I have already set them up the way I wanted and hardly change them at all. This idea just pops up, I dont know if we can set everything up via the ini file this way.

Cheers. Despite how you go about it, I don't think you realize how much (re)coding would be required in order to do a complete interface makeover. I've been programming since I was in 2nd grade, and made some huge applications. Let me tell you from experience, deciding to redo an interface is the exact polar opposite of 'fun' ;)

[dvd2svcd]

Originally posted by UltimateDBZ
I've been programming since I was in 2nd grade

Damn..... I didn't start programming before 9th grade (but in my defense that was back in 1984, omg, that's 18 years ago :( am I an old fart or what) :D

[kydongau]

Originally posted by UltimateDBZ
Despite how you go about it, I don't think you realize how much (re)coding would be required in order to do a complete interface makeover. I've been programming since I was in 2nd grade, and made some huge applications. Let me tell you from experience, deciding to redo an interface is the exact polar opposite of 'fun' ;)

I dont mean redo the dvd2svcd interface, what I said if the ini files is all dvd2svcd looks at maybe I can come up with one myself to modify the ini files then kick in dvd2svcd, then load cd then go ;)

[UltimateDBZ]

I see your theory, and it is logical, but not really in the long run. Most wouldn't like the idea of yet another application in the DVD2SVCD package, and this new program would need to be constantly updated as the actual D2S application is updated, creating twice as much work each time a change to the ini file-writing routines is made. It just seems like a big waste of time, to be blunt :D

[poopity poop]

You still haven't answered my question from before:

Are you considering making bubbles...Tmpeg has some nice explainatory bubbles, and so does besweet(although not as helpful always). I would happy to write up a bunch of bubles for you if you want to add them. I know every program inside and out

[kydongau]

Originally posted by UltimateDBZ
I see your theory, and it is logical, but not really in the long run. Most wouldn't like the idea of yet another application in the DVD2SVCD package, and this new program would need to be constantly updated as the actual D2S application is updated, creating twice as much work each time a change to the ini file-writing routines is made. It just seems like a big waste of time, to be blunt :D

I agree with you partly, it all depends on what you use (hint: perl) to write the front end and how flexible it is to make changes. If it is possible, maybe the author can confirm it, I dont think it would take me more than a couple of hours to come up with one very simple.

[kydongau]

Originally posted by UltimateDBZ
I see your theory, and it is logical, but not really in the long run. Most wouldn't like the idea of yet another application in the DVD2SVCD package, and this new program would need to be constantly updated as the actual D2S application is updated, creating twice as much work each time a change to the ini file-writing routines is made. It just seems like a big waste of time, to be blunt :D

I put a bit more thought on this, the way it can be achieved with minimum changes to dvd2svcd is to add those options to the conversion tab. dvd2svcd starts up with conversion tab, load cd, change the bit rate, audio rate, subs if desired, then bang, all within the conversion tab, with a simplify look, for example only allow to select different bit rates for audio only, 128, 160, 190. Any other changes can be made within its own tabs as normal. The author is adding more options to tabs every new releases anyway, I can not see this is any more challenging.

This comments are directly to those who think it can not be achieved because of the amount of effort required. Let face it, software evolved overtime, no one can have it right the first time. It's the will of changing and how you go about doing it in a smart way. The author is doing a great job to add functionalities, fixing bugs etc, to me this serves only the advance and current users not the new novice users.

I believe the more user friendly the software the bigger user base, hence more rewards ;)

Only positive/constructive comments here.

Cheers

[dvd2svcd]

Guys, I know you intentions is all the best, but, major gui enhancements/changes is not high up on my priority list. Maybe someday, when I feel that I have sqauted the bugs and just can't think of new stuff to add to the program.