dule cpu encoding

[doesitmatter]

hi all :
I have two pc's one p4 2.53 and one p4 1.6 they are netwerked threw a router here's the question is it posible to utilize both cpu's to enocode using DVD2SVCD and CCE 2.50? oh ya the O/S is win2k pro

[UltimateDBZ]

This is a basic topic, and therefore belongs in the Basic forum.

To answer your question, no. Just because you have 2 computers networked means nothing. It would be impossible to make use of processors connected over a measly 10/100mbit connection. The latency would be so high that encoding would be far slower than using only 1 processor. It isn't possible, though, so there's no reason to fret over the effects it would have if it were possible.

[markrb]

Plus there have been major issues reported after copying VOB files across a network. Definately not recomended.

And no there is absolutely no way.

Mark

[Phatty2x4]

Not to throw too much of the "it is possible" monkey wrench into the mix....

If you move from a user level and think on a larger scale - let's use the phrase ENTERPRISE (ooooo I love big corporate buzz words!!!) - this could be done.

Oracle allows you to split instances of a running job amongst different oracle servers. MySQL and Microsoft SQL can also do this. Matter of fact look at all the free CPU cycle programs out there that do shared computing - that is a huge example of same process on multiple machines. All of these machine are connected via 10/100 or dialup.

This is also the basic premise behind active/active clustering - i.e. do one job but split the work load among multiple machines.

For the encoding you would need to have some type of client on each node that was able keep some progress of what was going on - the best concept for the encoding would be to take a chunk and load into memory and let the specialized client keep track of what has been encoded and what is remaining. Reassembling all the encoded parts would also be driven by the special client. To not worry about potential lag from the network connections – something to the effect of a CRC check could be incorporated to ensure no data loss pre and post encoding. Just for simple sake – this does not to be expanded upon – I’m just attempting to throw out a possible track of thought.

.... When it comes down to it - this sounds like an idea worth trying, but as our friend Lothar of the Hill People says - "That's a good idea, but it's a new idea. So therefore we fear it and naturally we must reject it!". I don't believe that this is a question of possibility - it could be done with the right talent. Actually this comes down to a question of practicality.

Would it be worth the time to create a shared encoding program that is able to run on multiple machines such that the encoding process is distributed amongst the processing aggregate of the clients?

Oh well – Napster was just a dream at one time and look how that changed everything.

P.S. This would also be based upon dvd2svcd deciding to sit down and completely rewrite his most excellent program and get CCE to work in a clustered environment - wow as if he didn't already have enough to worry about!!!

[markrb]

Forgot a few caveats in there too though.

The supported programs would have to be re-written as well since most do not support multiple CPU. As great as DVD2SVCD is, it works with other programs that are not controled or written by DVD2SVCD.

Plus copying VOB data over a network has proven to cause serious issues. Somehow when the stream is rewritten somethings are chnaged somehow. Some unscientific tests were done here and showed this to be true. They still we able to be encoded, but filesize and other things were unpredictable.

I should have said it could be done, but not as written now or probably ever will be.
Man next time I say I am male will I have to say something like. Well I am male now, but before I was created I wasn't really any sex and after I die will I still be? I dunno?

There are no absolutes in life, but we make due.

Mark

[UltimateDBZ]

A DVD conversion just isn't something that could be done with a distributed computing type method. If the task were to be split up over several computers, the only way use could be made of them would be if they were connected over a 10gb/s fibre connection, and even then I really doubt it would do much good. Not to mention that neither DVD2SVCD nor any of the programs it uses support anything of the sort.

*sigh*

It's just not possible :( But believe me, I wish it was as much as the next guy ;)