DGDecode and compatible filters?

[Tio]

I have been encoding HD content for a couple weeks now using DVD2AVI3T -> VFAPIreader -> AVISynth -> V'Dub* or CCE. Reading the AVISynth script has been no problem with that system. I've just discovered DGIndex/DGDecode and tried to put it to use. Unfortunately it seems using the DGDecode.dll script plugin in place of mpeg2dec3.dll causes a script fault with every other filter installed. Without any additional filters it works fine.

Is DGDecode compatible with all current AVISynth filters?

-TIO


P.S. - If you have any additional insight with HD encoding I have an additional query about cropping 4x3 TS material broadcast at 1080i/720p over at "HDTV / DVB / TiVo". If you would like to take a stab at that...here is the link. (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93537) Thanks!

[neuron2]

What do you mean by "causes a script fault"? Is there a specific error message? Also, please post a failing script.

Be aware that you will need to remake your projects when you upgrade to DGIndex/DGDecode.

[Tio]

Wow Donald, you are quick! Unfortunately you beat me to my edit.

Still not sure what the problem was but after downloading another DG package and installing all works correctly. While I have your attention I would like to extend a big THANK YOU for all the efforts you have put into facilitating video encoding.

My P.S. query above still stands if anyone would like to take a stab at that. ;-)


-Tio

[kassandro]

Originally posted by Tio
I have been encoding HD content for a couple weeks now using DVD2AVI3T -> VFAPIreader -> AVISynth -> V'Dub* or CCE. Reading the AVISynth script has been no problem with that system. I've just discovered DGIndex/DGDecode and tried to put it to use. Unfortunately it seems using the DGDecode.dll script plugin in place of mpeg2dec3.dll causes a script fault with every other filter installed. Without any additional filters it works fine.

Is DGDecode compatible with all current AVISynth filters?

-TIO


P.S. - If you have any additional insight with HD encoding I have an additional query about cropping 4x3 TS material broadcast at 1080i/720p over at "HDTV / DVB / TiVo". If you would like to take a stab at that...here is the link. (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93537) Thanks!
Firstly, you shouldn't use VFAPI. Secondly, the best way to handle transport streams is to demux them with ProjectX. After demuxing with ProjectX you end up with a standard mpeg2 video file and one or more mp2, ac3 audio files. If you enable it in the options, ProjectX will also creat a .d2v index file compatible with mpeg2dec3. You should not have both mpeg2dec3 and DGdecode in the plugin directory, because Donald Graft really created a mess: He created an index format with the same ending .d2v, which is completely incompatible with the classical DVD2AVI project files and also used the same name MPEG2Source for his AVS clip generator as mpeg2dec3. In this same way he prohibts you from using his package side by side with DVD2AVI/MPEG2DEC3. In other words, he tries to lock out the software, from which he derived his own software. It should be said that not only ProjectX, but also Mpeg2Schnitt, Cuttermaran can generate classical .d2v index files and that MPC can play classical .d2v index files, but not the index files from Donald Graft. If there would be peaceful coexistence between Donald Graft's package and the original DVD2AVI/MPEG2DEC3 it would be quite useful, but ProjectX can deal with many situations, where DGIndex simply fails.

[neuron2]

There are fixes and additional functionality in DGMPEGDec that are not possible to have while keeping the original D2V file format. If you don't like that, don't use it. Many do like it, and they do use it.

Your implication that I am intentionally trying to lock out software is insulting.

[Doom9]

because Donald Graft really created a mess: He created an index format with the same ending .d2v, which is completely incompatible with the classical DVD2AVI project files and also used the same name MPEG2Source for his AVS clip generator as mpeg2dec3. In this same way he prohibts you from using his package side by side with DVD2AVI/MPEG2DEC3. In other words, he tries to lock out the software, from which he derived his own software.
I have to stop you right there. Do you not recall the history of DVD2AVI? Jackei has changed the d2v format many times. And incompatible mpeg2dec*.dll files are nothing new either - there was a major upgrade of the mpeg2dec code when AviSynth started supporting YV12.

Your statement about prohibiting the use of DGIndex and DVD2AVI side by side is also incorrect. You can decide which mpeg2dec dll is to be imported in an AviSynth script. I've used this mechanism to use pre-2.5 and 2.5 AviSynth with the appropriate mpeg2dec side by side. You are in no way required to put dlls into the plugin folder of AviSynth.. that's exactly where the plugin importing mechanism comes into play. Gordian Knot even allowed people to specify which mpeg2dec to use when there were two major versions. And it has worked well for many users.

Why was the DVD2AVI project format updated? To accomodate additional features.. often at the request of users. It happened when Jackei was active, it has happened since, and it has happend just again (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92455). Jackei's latest version is just as incompatible with all the other applications you listed.

Smartripper writes .d2v files as well you know... at the time of the creation of that feature, another d2v format was used, so nowadays all the d2v files it writes are useless.

You cannot even blame Don for poor design.. and not foreseeing changes that might have to be made in the future.. he didn't design the indexing format after all. And it would be equally inappropriate to blame Jackei.. writing software myself I understand that at times you have to throw compatibility overboard in order to accomodate features. It has happened ever since computers were invented, and it'll keep happening.

[communist]

And how can you lock-out software if all the software is open-source (GPL-ed) and everyone is free to implement whatever d2v format he chooses?