Freeware development stopped?

[luphy]

Just curious if the development for the freeware version has been stopped. All the updates recently seem to be for the Pro version.

I see the last release was 0.93 freeware. I also see there have been changes to the freeware version for RC1 and RC3.

Have the changes made to the freeware version in RC1 and RC3 been incoporated restrospectively into the latest 0.93 download? If not, when will the freeware with those changes be released? (I noticed the info page said RC1 would be available in July sometime, and RC3 at end of August).

[ChickenMan]

Maybe its time to simply donate $10 (or more) to the author for all his hard work he's done :D If you use the program, then dont you feel its been worth $10 to you ?

[jdobbs]

I've just been concentrating on getting bug-free ILVU encoding working for the Professional Edition.

I will put out a v0.94 of the freeware version soon that will include the changes already done. But all the new features that have been added to the Professional Edition will never be added to the freeware. The freeware will be updated for bugfixes only.

[RaistlinMajere]

time to let the moths outta your wallet luphy lol just kidding

dvd-rb worth every single penny

[luphy]

Thanks jdobbs for the straighforward answer. As for the other answers, the presumptions and assumptions and innuendoes were not appreciated.

As such, if the freeware development were to stop (as it sounds like it except for any bug fixes), then what's this forums' policy on this subforum anyways?

Personally, with dual layer already here and HD discs coming very soon (with different copy protection, probably different authoring and encoding schemes maybe), I'm not optimistic about the lifespan of a lot of current software.

[rocko1911]

I agree with luphy. DVD-RB is intended as a freeware project. If there's an additional professional version, well, all right. No need to stop the freeware project.

Despite of DVD+R DL and so on, DVD-RB will be useful in the next 5 years (just my opinion).
So please keep up the good work, jdobbs!!

Rocko

[jdobbs]

I think the best market intel is predicting that the cost of dual-layer media (which has been out for quite a while now) is not going to drop substantially because the demand is so low and manufacturers are anticipating and preparing for the release of HD media. With the cost of DL at $6 a disc, the cost/benefit of backups is too low to make a case for the media. My guess is that single-layer is probably going to own the market for at least another 12-18 months.

That's a long time in the software world.

As for the freeware. As I said, I will keep it current in terms of bugfixes. But you make a lot of presumptions -- freeware developers have rent to pay just like everyone else and they depend upon donations. Are you willing to work for absolutely no compensation? If so -- I have a lawn that needs mowing.

Forum policy has nothing to do with whether something is freeware. Is RealVideo or CCE freeware?

It's one thing to download and use my software for free... that's why it's there -- but it's quite another to come online and start criticizing the fact that I'd like to get a small amount of return on investment for the over two thousand hours I've spent on it.

[rocko1911]

Well, just in case I've been misunderstood: I appreciate what jdobbs does. Really.

And as I've said several times, I think the pro version is a good idea. In my opinion it's sad that there's even a discussion about it. And I'm sure jdobbs does his bugfixes for the free version. So let's all be happy because of the free version and thank him for this gift (no, I do not work in a church). Those who need extra features have the possibility to get them by donation.

[dozkid]

Thanks jdobbs for such an execelent program. I think asking ten bucks for a donation is pretty cheap for all the work you'v put into it.

As far as the single layer media call me cheap but I expect to be using it for years to come. If the prices of single layer media follow cd-r's well be buying 50 pack spindles at Office Max for ten bucks with a ten dollar rebate when they have their sales. Thats just to cheap to pass by.

[Trahald]

Even when/if dvd9r is affordable, 2xdvd9 -> dvd9 is still a possibility.

as far as forum policy. as jdobbs stated, this forum being the in place for dvd backup has to support popular tools for backups which rb certainly is. freeware/donateware or retail. I admire jdobbs for all the work he has placed into the app and the progress of it. dvdrb free is a great backup program as is.

[jdobbs]

If DL DVD ever gets cheap I'm speculating/hoping the new HD players will accept HD-DVD formats on DL-DVD. I think the efficiency of AVC might give decent HD output with 8.5GB. That could save a lot of people money in backups also. A lot depends on what they do with protection schemes on the HD-DVDs.

[k2002rahmani]

I personally think its stupid to save $10 and miss out. I used the freeware version as a trial, but the reason I eventually got it is the recommendation of many on this forum. And, its just so cheap. Especially when you compare it to other backup programs that dont perform half as well.

[writersblock29]

My donation has paid for itself several times over, considering the destructive wrath of kids' fingers which had once before allowed Disney and Pixar to sell me DVDs for $60 apiece... once you factor in all the replacements I used to have to buy. And let's not forget "friends" who like to return movies in worse shape than they borrowed them!

Good Lord! Why couldn't DVD be self-contained, kind of like a minidisk?

...Oh, wait! That would mean movie studios would actually have to put money into materials -- and we'd ALL be paying $60 for Finding Nemo. Gotta keep those studio execs in their fancy cars and big-ass houses, after all.

Jdobbs wants a minimum of $10 for his time. Around $30 for the retail version (if you wait). I really don't see how this can't be looked at as a bargain either way. Especially if you consider the quality you get. Free (or paid-for) transcoders = obvious reduced quality on a full disk backup. DVDRebuilder (Free or Pro) = most copies you make can't be distinguished from the originals.

As far as formats go... DVD's going to hang around for awhile: Many people still have VHS or lazer disk collections that they won't part with. Until we see the face of the beast, we really can't say what HD will offer... how copyable it is... how easilly HD will transfer to DVD (or whether it'll be worth the time). The trouble with living in the future and being afraid to buy anything is A) No one can SEE the future, and B) Technology's always moving ahead. Look at the original Doom, and compare it to Doom 3. If you never invested in Doom -- waiting for graphics improvement or whatever -- why would you care in the first place? You'd have missed out.

Want a basic-functionality, easy-to-use, and free solution? Use the freeware. Want more tweaks, bells, and whistles? Go Pro. Jdobbs created both, and he (in my feeling) should be free to offer them as he sees fit.

[feedback]

Personally, with dual layer already here and HD discs coming very soon (with different copy protection, probably different authoring and encoding schemes maybe), I'm not optimistic about the lifespan of a lot of current software.
No matter what disks are coming out (HD etc.) many of them still have crap (mindless blather) that I don't want my kids to watch ie., product placement ads, coming attractions, extras etc. Indeed, you would be surprised at all the marketing that goes on in kids DVD's, which I always delete BTW (movie only).

I will, also, continue to use DVD Rebuilder Pro. for it's ability to use various types of Matrices for making a DVD look the
way I want it to look ( to jdobbs & Rockas thanks).
Being a DL disk has no bearing on the Matrix I want to employ to be able to clean up the seemingly mandatory grain effect of recent WWII movies for instance.
DVD-RB is a muti-faceted and versatile tool.

Concerning the freeware version, I was a DVD-RB free user for a while, till I couldn't stand not having all the available options on the Pro. version. I got a taste with DVD Rebuilder free and I wanted more in the Pro. version. It was money well invested IMHO.

Regards,:)

[Zyphon]

Concerning the freeware version, I was a DVD-RB free user for a while, till I couldn't stand not having all the available options on the Pro. version. I got a taste with DVD Rebuilder free and I wanted more in the Pro. version. It was money well invested IMHO.

Regards,:)
I quite agree with you there feedback and I feel the same way, I got a taster with the free version did some tests and thought wow this tool is awesome and upgraded to the Pro version and like you said it was money well invested DVD-RB Pro pays for itself.

I would like to thank Jerry for all the time and work he has put into making DVD-RB and deserves to get some payment by way of donations for this excellent tool which for me the best there is for backing up my DVD collection and the minimum of $10 is peanuts when you think of the sort of money you could pay for a commercial backup tool and most of the time you wont get near as good as quality as DVD-RB produces. :)

[brashquido]

As for the other answers, the presumptions and assumptions and innuendoes were not appreciated.

Neither is your presumptions and assumptions and innuendoes that Jdobbs is here to service your needs for free appreciated. Not saying you have to, or even should donate toward DVD-RB, but when you practically critisize Jdobbs for not spending his time on maintianing a freeware application in favour of one that actually helps (in a limited way I'd imagine) pay for his food and rent, then it reflects badly upon your character. And really, if $10 is too much for you to get what really is a very well rounded application, then how did you afford buy your DVD's or the equipment used to play them?


DVD-RB is one of only 2 software projects I have ever donated to multiple times, and I think once DVD-RB gets to a final release Jdobbs should cut of all support for the freeware version too. I'd imagine Jdobbs will have plenty on his plate with supporting, maintining and developing a pay for use version of DVD-RB, let alone doing the same for a freeware version that will be substaintially different and offers no returns for him.

[luphy]

When did I imply that jdobbs should service my needs? When did I say $10 was too much? I asked a simple question and he gave a straightforward answer. That's all I needed. I was not looking for all these opinions on the value of the program. The only thing I was hinting at in my original question was that the timeline for the freeware release had passed according to his release notes. Don't I have a right to ask what happened to the release schedule that he put out? If it's delayed, then it's delayed. If it's cancelled, then it's cancelled. No problems for me either way since I've only backed up one movie with DVD-RB that had such a high bitrate that DVDShrink would have worked just as well.

He can do whatever he wants with the program. Stop its development for all I care. All I needed was to know the status of the program - if you put a program out to the public, freeware or not, the users at least can ask about the status of the development can they not?

[jacota]

i agree with brashquido. this is jdobbs product and he can market it any way he wants. im just grateful that he has created such a high quality program. i dont know of any better software, and its certainly not shrink.

by coming to this forum all the time, ive seen the problems and frustrations that he has gone thru. so many problems. in fact, ive wondered about his determination to get dvd-rb pro to version 1.

[curious d]

Perhaps this thread should be closed. The question has been answered. Thanks to jdobbs for providing both versions.

[brashquido]

luphy, I was not objecting too your original question (it was quite legitimate), it is your reply that had an unwarranted air of expectation to it.

[Malphas]

I thought it was a fair question, I didn't think ChickenMan's response was really necessary but it's nothing to make a big deal over either. I don't think anyone was criticising jdobbs for wanting to make a return on DVD Rebuilder either.

[feedback]

All I needed was to know the status of the program - if you put a program out to the public, freeware or not, the users at least can ask about the status of the development can they not?
I wouldn't really consider you a user with your following quote.

No problems for me either way since I've only backed up one movie with DVD-RB that had such a high bitrate that DVDShrink would have worked just as well.
I really wonder why you even bothered to ask the question.

Regards,:)

[NightSta]

With the cost of DL at $6 a disc, the cost/benefit of backups is too low to make a case for the media.
Under the FWIW observation: Office Max(ipad) had "Memorex" (or as the Media ID actually indicated --- Ritek; I hate marketing ploys, and it just shows you that profit margins are good when you can sell your media for the purposes of rebranding and reselling) 3 pks of DL media last week for $9.99 after instant rebate. I went to Staples and they were $25; since their PM policy includes instant rebates, I got it for $8.50/3 pk (110% of the difference, the difference being $15)

Essentially I did this out of blind necessity. Monsters, Inc. (extras disc) wouldn't scale down to an acceptable bitrate, even by stripping all ILVU material and extra language segments.

[jdobbs]

There's always temporary exceptions -- but generally speaking they have been hovering at about $6 a disc for almost a year now. Even with your great deal and the rebate, though, it was ~$3 a disc. Compare that to 30 cents.

[NightSta]

There's always temporary exceptions -- but generally speaking they have been hovering at about $6 a disc for almost a year now. Even with your great deal and the rebate, though, it was ~$3 a disc. Compare that to 30 cents.
I agree, percentage-wise it's 10X (1000%) markup. With tax they were about $3 each on the nose, but at least it was an "instant rebate" (no stupid mail-in) and the disc image had been sitting on my 3 yr old's PC for months now. It had 93 VTS on it, whoah!

[jdobbs]

Essentially I did this out of blind necessity. Monsters, Inc. (extras disc) wouldn't scale down to an acceptable bitrate, even by stripping all ILVU material and extra language segments. Hmm... I did that one in my testing (it's ILVU). I'll check out the bitrate.