Subtitles and bitrates

[kfk]

I use xvid for encoding movies for playback through a wireless media hub (Philips Streamium SL400i). It works OK as long as the bitrate in < 1000 (meaning that it plays without stutter). It is however difficult to hit that bitrate everytime (I am using ESS) when it's not an option like size and quality. In this case I'm more interested in the final bitrate than the final size. AutoGK doesn't (yet?) have this feature. Do I have to use GK, or is there another (easy) way the do this?

Several times the subtitles don't get burned in the movie. I've tried the advanced settings (burn subtitles correctly, autocrop) but it doesn't help. If I play the ripped VOB's (DVD shrink) in media player there's no problem. I've searched the forum, but didn't find the grail so far. Ideas?

Sincerely
Kasper

[laserfan]

I think len0x is freezing development for now, so wouldn't expect any new features. Fairuse Wizard allows you to set bitrate; you might try it and the full version is only $10 thru the 29th I think.

My standalone is not a Philips, but a ShowCenter, and after 100+ conversions I've settled on ~1100Mbps (and MTK/Sigma profile) which is roughly 10Mb per minute as a size starting point.

Another thing I found w/my SC is that it does NOT like VBR audio; it seems to add to the complexity of decoding the file just enough to cause stuttering. If you are not retaining original AC3 audio, then try forcing the audio track to CBR MP3 (I use 128).

[len0x]

Audio suggestion is a good one. Also average bitrate means nothing for two pass encoding as you can't limit maximum bitrate manually but only via profiles. DXN HT has something like 4000 if I'm not mistaken.

[CWR03]

It shouldn't be difficult to figure out a bitrate based on the length of the video. As laserfan stated, 1100 mb/s is about 10 mb per minute, so you could multiply 9 by file length in minutes, let's say a typical 2-hour movie: 9 x 120 = 1,080 MB. You can then encode based on that projected file size.

[kfk]

Thank you for the feedback. I'm going to start testing right away.
Still interested in tips regarding the subtitles issue. Why are they shown in media player (VOB) but not in the converted xvid?

[CWR03]

I think it's a limitation of the .avi container. I'm unfamiliar with AutoGK, but I am unable to hard-encode subs using Gordian Knot - the button is greyed out with .avi selected.

[zacoz]

Still interested in tips regarding the subtitles issue. Why are they shown in media player (VOB) but not in the converted xvid?Uncertain whether this is what you are experiencing kfk, but I have found that if a VOB has multiple PGC's then AGK will only encode the subs for the first PGC. For the second and subsequent PGC's the subtitle isn't encoded. I've mainly experienced this with certain of my TV series discs.

In these cases, I've been extracting the subs using Vobsub first, then when setting up encoding with AGK I press Ctrl-F8 and select the .idx file created by Vobsub.

[kfk]

Thank you for your reply ZacOz. But I don't know what a PGC is. When I rip my DVDs I only rip one subtitle track.

[jggimi]

....I don't know what a PGC is....See http://www.doom9.org/dvd-structure.htm for assistance.

[zacoz]

@kfk

If you are dealing with multiple PGC's, then when you select the source *.IFO file, AGK should prompt you to select the PGC from a drop down list. I gather therefore you aren't dealing with this. PgcEdit lets you open a DVD and see the PGC layout with each VTS (link is in my sig).

Anyway, is the one subtitle you are ripping the very first one? I'm thinking that if it's not, then AGK may be trying to get the subtitle from the first sub slot whereas it's actually stored in another sub slot (apologies for not using correct technical terms here).

To test this, try ripping a problem disc again with all the subtitles ripped and see if you can then pick up the sub you want. You can use preview in AGK, rather than having to fully process to know if it will work. The subs take up very little space and don't add significantly to the ripping time, so you may as well rip all of them anyway.

[kfk]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the ideas.
I only rip the main movie (PCG), one audio track and one subtitle track (not the first one). Hence I only get those options or "none" in AGK. As I said before it shows the subtitles when I play the VOB in WMP, but not in the converted Xvid. I don't have a problem-DVD right now, but as soon as I get one I will try ripping all the subs as suggested. Will return with the test results...

[zacoz]

I don't have a problem-DVD right now, but as soon as I get one I will try ripping all the subs as suggested. @kfk: I may have mis-interpreted your post (and apologise if so), however if not, I point you towards the Forum Rules (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm) - specifically rule 6. This is normally applied based on copyright laws applicable across the majority of juristictions, rather than those of the minority which are significantly less restrictive.

[jggimi]

For clarity, our definition of Fair Use does not include backing up rental DVDs. For more info on our policy, please see the Piracy and Copyright section of www.doom9.org/disclaimer.htm.

Thanks!

[kfk]

I am well aware of that, and I certainly do not endorse illegal copying. When I buy a movie I make a backup in the Xvid format so I can stream it to my tv via my standalone/media hub. But since I've had a major problem with subtitles with some movies, I've sold them again after watching the original dvd once (with subtitles). No subtitles, no backup. Just wanted to clarify things, sorry if I wasn't more specific earlier.

[jggimi]

I see it as effectively the same as a rental -- when you sold your discs, you sold the rights to home viewing. Retaining a backup is retaining content to which you no longer hold the rights.

Closed, per rule 6. If you have further concerns or wish further clarification, please PM me.

[jggimi]

Kfk PM'ed me, and clarified. If kfk has a problem with backups, he sells the DVD. Backups in his collection are of content for which kfk still owns the manufactured discs.

Thread reopened.

[kfk]

Thank you jggimi, glad we sorted it out.
I am very happy for the answers from you guys. My problems are now solved.

Regarding bitrates: As laserfan and CWR03 suggested, the answer is to multiply (8-)9 by file length in minutes which gives a bitrate that the standalone can play without stuttering.

Regarding subtitles: zacoz pointed me towards the right direction. If the subtitle track you want is eg the 4th in the row, you have to rip tracks 1 through 4 with your VOBs. Otherwise AGK "gets lost" or can't seem to find the track when you pick it. If you (for testing purposes) rip 1,2 and 4, and the 4th is what you want, it won't work. 1st and 2nd will, but not the 4th because AGK gets confused if the 3rd is not there.

Again :thanks: for an excellent forum. Case solved and closed.