Is there a place to the Big3 method?

[MedicineMan]

I don't want to start a war, or to flame anyone (or get flamed). I just want to hear your opinion on DVDRebuilder. It started a lot of interest in DVD backuping, and some of the best threads (professional ones, with facts and not opinions) have started since it appeared.

And yes, I don't have any facts. I'm a nOOb in video, that trys to understand (sometimes without much success) what you are saying. And being a nOOb, now I would like to have some opinions. Mainly to the following question. Do you think DVDRebuilder he's going to be the "answer to all our prayers"?

I've been reading this Forum for almost 2 years, and since I started making DVDs I've been following the Big3 method closely.

As I want to backup my DVDs, I want to do it with the most quality I can get. And for that I don't know of any other way better than using CCE.

So, I've been using either DVD2DVD-R or the Big3 method.

And have met quite a number of problems with the Big3 method, some of which aren't yet solved by anyone I know (even the programmers of that programs). Yes, the method works, but depends on a closely workout of numerous programs (not to mention some very expensive ones). And, not being a programmer nor a video expert, it seems to me that the final result we get is not that different from the one from DVDRebuilder (or is it the same?).

So, as lot of others, I've been trying DVDRebuilder with lots of interest. With not very sucess until now, but that must be because my test DVD is a particulary dificult one (a music DVD with large LPCM tracks, multi-angles and the sort).

But it seems that DVDRebuilder is going to be (and very soon) a superb method of backing-up my DVDs (at least until i can get double-layer disks and recorders). And a post by BBWoof (programmer of DoCCE4U) only makes me think more this way.

I would like to have your opinion on what you think will be the future of DVDRebuilder, and if the final result we get from it is similar (or equal) to what we get from the Big3. What are the main differences? Why should we choose one method or the other? Remember that quality, not time of encoding, is the main purpose here.

As to the future of DVDRebuilder, don't answer me the obvious question, that only jdobbs knows what he is going to keep doing. Afterall, he is being very responsive to our opinions, and has a genuine interest (at least I think so) of making this the "perfect" DVD backup method. With all the help and interest from you all "beta-testers" he is going to have a very good (the best?) DVD backup method.


So, for all us nOObs out-there, please tell us your "opinions". And if you have facts to help us choose, please tell then also.



Sincerely


MM

[Joergen]

Not going into too much detail, but I'd say unless you can train a monkey to do the Big3 method and reauthor your disc from scratch the way you want, nothing comes close to DVD-RB in ease of use ;)

And theorizing about the quality of the compression. I cant see anything "hurting" the DVD-RB method aside from having a menu and some extras "robbing" some extra bitrate but that is the point of dvd-rb.. full or partial backup.

Put a price tag on your personal time and dvd-rb is a god-send.

[quantum]

I'm sure jdobbs is raising quite a few eyebrows as he diligently builds his already impressive work of art. I was skeptical at first that he would be able to tackle some of the issues that plague anyone travelling down the CCE path. Namely the telecide, interlace, and tff/bff issues. But he crushed these problems into submission and continues to fix everything that crops up.

I no longer have any doubts he'll be able to do whatever he wants with his program since I think he's already accomplished the hardest parts. Now it's just a matter of time as we wait for the master to chisel out the remaining parts of his sculpture.

The things I see left to be done:
- multi angle
- button over video
- user adjustable bitrate for extras
- closed captions

It's a fun time to be able to see the progress of this program. I enjoy checking in each day, or even several times a day, to see what's been fixed, or what's been added.

I won't comment on how I see DVD-RB comparing to other tools. But I will say I think DVD-RB has a bright future and I look forward to watching it unfold.

[DDogg]

I'll venture a few opinions, but clearly in an IMHO vein.

AFAIK, the core process of dvd-rb is unique because it functions at a sector level and mimes the original structure. I.E, hybrid source emerges from the process as hybrid product. Can even the most skilled of our group do that with other methods? Dunno for sure. Its something for you to ask.

There are still a few large holes, one of which jdobbs has mentioned was of high personal priority - multi-angle. Also, smart bitrate allocation is needed so that trailers and extras will not get as much BR as the main movie. I'm pretty sure from what jdobbs has said, and hinted at, that both will be taken care of in time, and perhaps sooner than later.

IMO, when multi-angle and smart bitrate allocation are completed, I'm reasonably sure the product of dvd-rb will be competitive with the high level manual methods, but a 1-click solution has a complete different audience, so I'm not sure that is as important as some might believe.

One thing for sure, the casual user that needs a full backup is a about a million miles from where he was a month ago. Given another month or two..., well it may be one of the killer apps of the last few years in our community.

oops, quantum beat me to it :)

[influenza]

Well (even ;))as a convinced/experienced big3 user I must say that this looks really promising indeed. But it's all a matter of personal preference don't you think?

I think ddog is quite right when he says: but a 1-click solution has a complete different audience, so I'm not sure that is as important as some might believe. . I like to be able to be in control of the whole process and right now that's not possible with dvd-rb. Thinking about things as bitrate distribution for extras, menu reencoding etc.

Everyone should use the method he wants and I think a lot of one click people will be quite happy with it. But then on the other hand I think there's also a large majority of 'one-clickers' who think that speed is more important than anything (and thus use dvdshrink and alike).

[Doom9]

my 2 cents: right now only the big3 method (currently with some tinkering, hopefully soon without) allows you to reconstruct the most complex titles (that is bound to change). It is also a very good way to learn how complex DVDs are created (have a look at the generated Scenarist scripts). Imho, it cannot hurt to know how this works, but it is not a necessity. Currently, the big3 method also gives you a lot more control over the output (that also is bound to change). So, right now, the big3 method is more powerful.

But both methods have their use, and it's always nice to have a choice, is it not?

[nwg]

I could never get into the big 3 method. So, I stuck with DVD0DVD-R which I really like as it is so so simple. DVD-RB is the next step from it. It is even easier to use and has menus/extras as well.

I recently did a 8 episode (4 hours) TV series with DVD-RB in Half D1 using CCE mode. I did the same with Shrink and it looked heavily compressed. I created the uncompressed DVD with TMPGEnc DVD Author and got DVD-RB to work on that.

The only other software that got me this exited was Shrink when it first came out.

DVD-RB is perfect for people like me.