RealAnime 4 - General Questions and Troubleshooting Thread

[Sirber]

Name: RealAnime 4
Version: 4.2.0
Purpose: Batch Anime Re-encoding, not DVD ripping.
Language: English
Programmed in: Delphi 7 VCL
License: OpenSource, licensed under GNU GPL

http://www.detritus.qc.ca/images/donate.png (https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=sirber@detritus.qc.ca&no_shipping=1&item_name=RealAnime)

Features:
* Video: x264, XviD, RV10
* Audio: AAC PS/HE/LC, MP3, Vorbis
* Input: AVI, D2V, OGM, MKV, MP4, WAV, AAC, AC3, MP3, MPEG, AVS
* Output: MKV, MP4, RMVB
* Profiles: Normal (PC), iPod, Pocket PC, PSP

Minimum system requirements:
* Windows 2000/XP
* FFDshow, AVISynth 2.5+, Helix YUV Codecs
* Pentium 3 or higher CPU (P4 recommended for Extreme Quality)
* 256MB of RAM
... or else you will cry in a dark corner for few days.

Installation:
1) Download and Install!
2) Run!
3) Drag files in! :D

Playback:
1) You need the latest ffdshow (min. 2005-10-25)
2) You need to set "ffdshow audio" to decode AAC using "libfaad2".

Download:
Detritus Software (http://www.detritus.qc.ca)

Comments are welcome! :D

[vidhead]

why the high minimum hardware requirements? amd64? 512MB RAM?

mp4 output?

is there a preview?

if not, how about allowing tests encodes where user to specify time-span, eg 3 min from a user specified frame number? (intention is to allow quick testing of different settings where user sees as "poor" encodes. instead of using dgindex to chop various d2vs, or use avs scripts which is rather time consuming)

allow loading of avs from other sources, eg agk, gk, manual scripts, would be nice?

[Marsu42]

"RealAnime requires a Pentium 4 or eqivalent" ??? Ugh, so much for beta testing with my Athlon XP :-( ... and like vidhead before me, I am wondering why each of the tools used runs just fine with my current setup by itsself but the combination should not?

Apart from that, it would be nice to be able customize the installation and point to already installed (and probably newer) versions of avisynth, besweet and mkvmerge like it is possible in GK.

... and using the Winamp AAC encoder w/ PS like in BeLight would be nice, too, but you probably already thought of that yourself.

[Kurtnoise]

Remove BeLight from your tool please...

[Sirber]

why the high minimum hardware requirements? amd64? 512MB RAM?On my 3000+ RealAnime LE goes at a very high speed of 8FPS. On a 1800+, it would encode at ~3 FPS. Time to upgrade :)
mp4 output?This is my first working build. MP4 will come later.
is there a preview?

if not, how about allowing tests encodes where user to specify time-span, eg 3 min from a user specified frame number? (intention is to allow quick testing of different settings where user sees as "poor" encodes. instead of using dgindex to chop various d2vs, or use avs scripts which is rather time consuming) No. But it could be added very easily.
allow loading of avs from other sources, eg agk, gk, manual scripts, would be nice?Can't do with track management (same with RealAnime 3.x). What you can do is to paste your manual AVS in the filtering tab. RealAnime do the AVISource (etc) and loadplugins.
Apart from that, it would be nice to be able customize the installation and point to already installed (and probably newer) versions of avisynth, besweet and mkvmerge like it is possible in GK.All included stuff (ffdshow, avisynth, helix codecs) will use the folders where it was installed before, or the default, automaticly. For x264, BeSweet and MKVToolNix, they are hard bundeled and using the latest release at release time.
... and using the Winamp AAC encoder w/ PS like in BeLight would be nice, too, but you probably already thought of that yourself.I thought about it, but it seemed pointless to me. IIRC, Nero do the same things as Winamp.

[Sirber]

Remove BeLight from your tool please...Why? It's GPL and free to use / distribute. Also, it's only used in the Tools tab, in case the user have a specific audio to encode.

[Inventive Software]

Dumb question: Why 2000/XP only? I run 98SE, and the majority of tools and apps coming out require XP. Unfortunately, I don't have the cash or the time to use, let alone play with XP.

Agreed about Ahead AAC. People like it more because it's easier to work with and it comes with a recognised product that has many options. Although the new Winamp AAC encoder has HE, the previous one was limited to LC.

[Sirber]

I don't check the OS, so you can try it on 98SE. But, I'm affraid, if you run 98SE you might not have the HW requirements to run LE. 98 is kinda old and devs can't afford to support their soft on all platforms.

Like, if you report a bug what is 98 specific, how can I debug it when I'm on XP? :(

[edit]

Just read your computer specs. You should forget about x264... unless you want to spend weeks on 1 single encode :(
Also, RealAnime LE will tell you you need a P4 and at least 512MB of RAM.

Even RealAnime 3.2 might not let you run it...

[Inventive Software]

Point taken. I'll try it, and see what happens. The worst is that I have to restore my partition! :D

[Sirber]

You might be decieved... since RealAnime will not let you encode... :(

[Kurtnoise]

Why?
It's not because it's under GPL that you can do everything you want IMO. :sly: I consider it's the least you could do : to ask before to developper the permission to include the tool in your GUI. Did you ask something to DPSGuru concerning BeSweet ? Did you read its disclaimer ?

And now the *big* question : why do you include some GUIs whereas your tool is already a Graphical User Interface ?

[Sirber]

It's not because it's under GPL that you can do everything you want IMO. :sly: I consider it's the least you could do : to ask before to developper the permission to include the tool in your GUI.License-wise I'm legal, but that's not the question.

Did you ask something to DPSGuru concerning BeSweet ? Did you read its disclaimer ?I tryed to contact him but his PM is full and he doesn't have an email address. IIRC I also posted here to ask but I didn't get an answer.

And now the *big* question : why do you include some GUIs whereas your tool is already a Graphical User Interface ?They are external tools not used directly by RealAnime.

Now my big question, may I please use your BeSweet GUI in my software as an external tool?

[Eretria-chan]

All these tools included in your software makes it so bloatly HUGE. You should provide additional downloads for tools. Many people who download stuff here already have many of those tools, don't you think? If so, then why re-download them again? It makes the file size so huge!

Another thing that would be very nice is zones. They can be incredibly useful for encoding. Or, if I just could get my hands on what settings realanime uses... in the vfw... I don't use CLI. I would also like to use the WinAmp encoder since it is BETTER than nero and can go lower without much quality loss. I went down to the very bottom, 16, without any audiable quality loss to my ears.

Will RealAnime not run on an AMD XP 2800+? I've done many encoding on my computer before, regardless of speed or not, but I don't want to throw it away just because I cannot use a program.

Please concider these points.

[nm]

It's not because it's under GPL that you can do everything you want IMO.
There is indeed a problem with bundling GPL software into RealAnime LE, which is closed source. I suggest Sirber to read the license and the FAQ (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html) through, especially the part about "Combining work with code released under the GPL".

If RealAnime LE was released under the GPL, there would probably be no license problems. Is there a reason why it is not? If you don't want to put the source code on your web page, GPL also allows you to keep it to yourself and only send it to people who request it. Of course, if you also use software licensed under other terms than GPL, you must verify that all the licenses are compatible and that you follow their restrictions. Otherwise you need to contact all the developers of the modules you use, and ask their permissions.

Also note that if you follow all the licenses properly, in case of open source licenses there is usually no need to contact the authors or ask permissions. License is an agreement between the developer and various users of the software, and for example GPL does not require the authors of modified works to contact the authors of the original work, although it is still a nice thing to do.

[Sirber]

Can I have a GPL-covered program and an unrelated non-free program on the same computer?
Yes. The "mere aggregation" clause in the GPL makes this permission explicit, but that only reinforces what we believe would be true anyway.I bundle the binary of BeLight, which wasn't modified. Also, RealAnime does not use it, it just start it if the user click on it. It's like you clicking on a file through Explorer, and explorer doesn't need to be GPL.

LE version is closed source coz I want it closed, nothing more.

[nm]

I bundle the binary of BeLight, which wasn't modified. Also, RealAnime does not use it, it just start it if the user click on it. It's like you clicking on a file through Explorer, and explorer doesn't need to be GPL.

Well, I wasn't actually referring to BeLight, but to all the programs and libraries that you are using. Personally, I think you are walking on the edge here. Your bundled software package forms a system, where the user interface depends on various modules to work properly. See for example: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLInProprietarySystem
To make things a bit more clear, consider a case where you would sell your software without mentioning the bundled "external" modules that are being used. Do you think this would be right? GPL does not make a difference between that situation and what is now the case with RealAnime LE; both can be interpreted to be against the license.

Even if your view on the situation was correct, authors of the various software packages might not think the same way. As we have already seen to happen here.

[Sirber]

ok then, I will GPL it then. So much fuzz over nothing :devil:

[nm]

So much fuzz over nothing :devil:
Indeed. Sorry for being such a nuisance, but being the free software fanatic I am, I just couldn't help myself :)

[Sirber]

It not because it's closed source that it's not a free software ;)

Also, LE sources is based on RealAnime 3.2, which is open source :p

[nm]

I meant free software as in http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-sw.html ;)

[stephanV]

Actually I don't think Sirber is violating the GPL here, at least he doesn't need to. He only has to make clear that the GPL-ed software he bundles with his non-GPL software still falls under the GPL and not under his own license.

(relevant passage from the FAQ):
However, in many cases you can distribute the GPL-covered software alongside your proprietary system. To do this validly, you must make sure that the free and non-free programs communicate at arms length, that they are not combined in a way that would make them effectively a single program.

The GPL does not require to inform the authors of the code about the redistribution of it, anyone is free to redistribute the binaries and code as long as he follows the GPL. Neither can the original author forbid redistribution of his code as long as the GPL is followed.

I don't see how the situation here is any different from say, AutoGK.

[Sirber]

Then I will add GPL in my installer and my "own license". Thanks stephanV!

[IgorC]

Sirber How about to change RealAnime to x264Anime or AVCAnime ;)
It will be more clear for people who wants to use x264 (or something neutral - nor Real neither x264 ). But it's only what I think. Indeed it's your project.

[Sirber]

Since 2.0, RealAnime is more than Real, with VFW codecs and with 3.x, x264 CLI. RealAnime name is kinda well known also...

Maybe:
* RealAnime X
* xAnime

I should start a poll...

[Kurtnoise]

Now my big question, may I please use your BeSweet GUI in my software as an external tool?
Sure you can... :p but for what for ?


They are external tools not used directly by RealAnime.
It's really funny...:D :D :D :D :D :D btw, I totally agree with Eretria-chan concerning the huge package. That's why I ask this. And I never said you broken the license also. But whatever now...good luck for the future RealAnime dev.

A good advice for you: use matroska.dll to parse mkv. You can have much more infos than MediaInfo with this library. :)

[Sirber]

Sure you can... :p but for what for ?As a complementary tool :) LE doesn't do vorbis or mp3, so if sometime you want to compress a DVD, you can use RealAnime LE for the video, then use BeLight for the audio, then you use Matroska GUI to merge all back.
It's really funny...:D :D :D :D :D :D btw, I totally agree with Eretria-chan concerning the huge package. That's why I ask this. And I never said you broken the license also. But whatever now...good luck for the future RealAnime dev. I did a mega package so the noob user doesn't have to get it all. This version is more limited than it's big brother (Look in Video tab, just "Quality").
A good advice for you: use matroska.dll to parse mkv. You can have much more infos than MediaInfo with this library. :)
I will ahve a look at it, thanks! :D

[Sirber]

Found bugs:

x264: avis [error]: unsupported input format (YUY2)
LE: fail if audio is not MP3 (need to add PCM at least)

[DeathTheSheep]

Hm... for some odd reason it ain't workin' on my computer (xp,512ram, celeronD 3ghz, nero6.6, etc). It still says:
http://www.thefilehut.com/userfiles/xsquaredx/error.PNG

[Sirber]

Yeah, I decreased the specs to P3 and 256MB RAM, also new build (not released yet) will get the files it needs from nero automaticly.

I'm also looking for a new name:
RealAnime X
xAnime
ZeX

they are all great :(

[DeathTheSheep]

How about Ralé?! Real Anime Light Edition -> Ralé...

Darn that's a nifty name. Can't beat it!

[Sirber]

The problem someone posted before was the "Real" in it. LE has nothing to do with Real anymore.

[Anacondo]

How about AnimeX?

[ggab]

nice release! :)

LE is for Lite Edition, no?


PS: I would also like to use the WinAmp's encoder in RA LE (via dimzon's framework + CLI & besweet) since it is "better" than nero (6.x) and can go lower without much quality loss. In special, i am very happy with 24kbps + PS (great quality).

bye, regards GABriel

[Sirber]

Yeah, LE is for Light Edition.

About winamp, I'll give it a try.

[Eretria-chan]

How about zones? Aby possibiity of zone usage? It would really helpful, at least for low bit-rate encodes.
I have no idea what settings RealAnime uses x264.

[Sirber]

I could add zones... but that's "advanced" while LE is for noobs.
Maybe this will be in the XML only (manual settings).

About the settings, you can have a look here:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=100600

[Eretria-chan]

But it is such a great application. Why not add an advanced mode? VirtualDub can't handle the audio compression with HE-AAC while realanime can. That's why I like your software =) I'd very much appreciate zones, but the decision is yours...
I'll look at the settings! Thanks!

Even though the new version is for n00bs, it's still RealAnime and to what I understand, you will not add anything else to your old RealAnime 3.x app, so that leaves me with the LE version...

[Sirber]

Except for the HE-AAC codec, you can do pretty much the same with 3.0 and LE. LE is just more cool, more small and more user friendly, but more cool :D.

I'll check if there is a simple way to add them (for the user), if not, then it will be in the XML.

[DeathTheSheep]

Can't forget the coolness factor! And yes, it has tons of stuff virtualdub doesn't (except for capturing, you can use any AVISynth filter you want). I second the opinion that you should use the Winamp AAC--its better than Nero's current implementation by like 5 times (check out the dbPowerAmp thread).

Keep the development going: this is a useful, user-friendly app which will actually get some "n00bs" (the AutoGKers of the world) into more versitile compression stuff.

Kudos

[Eretria-chan]

And a last thing to note is the requirements: not everyone has nero, not to say not a valid nero installation. And not everyone has a pentium 4 (or amd 64) w/ 512 mb of memory. I think you should put them as RECOMMENDED. The app will still run on lower specs, but perhaps not as well.
And if you don't have nero, then well, you can't do HE-AAC, simply put.

Except for the HE-AAC codec, you can do pretty much the same with 3.0 and LE. LE is just more cool, more small and more user friendly, but more cool .

I'll check if there is a simple way to add them (for the user), if not, then it will be in the XML.
Yes, but RealAnime doesn't have zones ;) And no new features will come. Therefore LE will be the best!

[Sirber]

For Alpla 2 I will require a P3 or higher, and at least 256MB of RAM. Alpha 2 will require Winamp 5 instead of Nero :D

I can't bundle HE-AAC codecs for legal reasons. I don't want Ahead or AOL to sue me :)

[Eretria-chan]

No, but you can prompt the users who don't have it that it is required to perform HE-AAC audio compression. I don't have winamp installed, I merely have the compression codec. I think that's a better idea, although I do suppose many have winamp installed.
But that codec only comes with pro version (not free), I think?

[Sirber]

I don't know. I currently popup the user if I cannot find the Nero codecs. LE only does HE-AAC, so if no codec, no encoding. I can't add vorbis coz I can't put it in MP4 (standart).

[ggab]

Eretria-chan, he-aac (+PS) encoding is free in Winamp 5.1 :) (the only limitation is ripping from cd-audio at 8x speed maximum, but with transcoding, no problems at all!)


Realanime rocks! ;)

[Eretria-chan]

Ehhh, no matter. I have that anyway (without any paymeny thank you very much). If these (especially zones and winamp aac) are added, I look very much forward to your next release :D

I almost forgot. About the filesize problem, if you could make a installer that detcts what components you have and downloads what you need, it should be fine and small. Though it might be a little hazard to write, I'm sure there are source code for such an app out there somewhere.

[Sirber]

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=720802#post720802

Zones should be added, but not in the GUI. Maybe they will be an external file managed by a "tool" in the tools tab.

[Sirber]

PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Error: Berkeley DB error while opening environment for filesystem /var/svn/detritus/db:
Error: DB_RUNRECOVERY: Fatal error, run database recovery
Error: bdb: PANIC: fatal region error detected; run recovery

[Doom9]

guys, looking at sirber's program description, this is an anime re-encoding tool. So features like zones are a bit out of scope and better suited for a DVD re-encoding tool like MeGUI: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=96032 (which incidentally has that particular feature, as well as your choice of container output)

And as far as the AAC encoder goes.. I have yet to see the numbers that make sense for a movie backup scenario.. say Nero 5.1 HE AAC in Quality mode at 192 - 224 kbit/s versus Winamp CBR (there's no ABR/VBR/quality mode). Decidedly unfair because Nero can do CBR, but the only comparison that makes any sense (you don't stick to CBR if you have something better). I'm in the same shoes here (MeGUI) as Sirber and I suppose he'd need just the same justification as I do to support other AAC encoders.

[Sirber]

Zones can be usefull in anime, if you want to compress more the intro and credits to make very low bitrate encodes.

About AAC, I use CBR to get "constant filesize", that's all.

About DVD, LE is not for DVD encoding, it could work, but it's not the best tool for that matter.

[DeathTheSheep]

Yes. My thoughts exactly.

Zones: They can be useful for the intro/extro (especially at low BR where you need to sqeeze in more quality for the main parts)

AAC: CBR should definately be used to obtain constant filesize.
you don't stick to CBR if you have something better
True, but I've yet to see (or, more accurately, "hear" :D) any AAC-HE audio codec that is better than CT's in CBR mode, even when compared to Nero's ABR or VBR at similar bitrates. So, as for rational explanation of using CT's encoder--the quality is far superior to Nero's current implementation even when comparing a CBR setting against Nero's VBR. I believe I saw a few threads about this on hydrogenaudio.

Good luck with the program! ;)
Unless, of course, you are re-encoding an anime DVD rip ;-)