StaxRip x86 (development for x86 has been stopped)

[ricardo.santos]

How about if you're encoding a foreign film and the spoken language is something other than English (assuming you only speak English) and the subs are in English. Also, if you're making an AVI and not a DIVX container you'd have to keep AVI and subtitle together (most likely). Most of the time when I encode using subtitles I always burn them in, because I'm using them for films in which I would always have them on anyway.


Lets see: you want to see your native language subtitle on your foreingn spoken movie? i encounter this problem "all the time" and going by"the optional subtitle " way works for me.

example: i bought "taxi 3" a French movie.

French language
portuguese subtitles

i converte the movie to avi(divx)
ripped the dvd subs with subrip and saved them as srt
used Divxmux to creat a xsub from the srt sub and muxed it to the avi file

Final result: A divx file with a portuguese selectable subtitle that works perfectly on any divx player,

lets say my french uncle comes and visites me, he can switch the subs off on the divx player(hardware) and watch the divx file without the portuguese subs

Doesnt StaxRip do this in "1 step"?

Burnedin/hardcoded?! No more

[chipzoller]

Let's be clear about one important processing aspect of subtitles:

What I'm suggesting is a demux of the subtitles (whatever predominant stream it may be) in bitmap form (i.e. VobSub format). To convert the subs into text requires user intervention, something that is probably not feasible in this situation.

For instance, you could have (and select) an option to demux and add subtitles by the stream that identifies itself as 'English' (if it works that way; most commercial DVDs do) to any video project that you wish. If you wanted to take control of it yourself and demux and OCR them into text, that's fine, but probably too complex for this type of integration (SubRip is good, but not ready for this type of autopilot control seeing as how the technology of character recognition isn't perfect).

Really the only time I create a video with subtitles is when I would always watch it with the subtitles. For instance, I own a DVD called "Habana Blues" produced in Spain. The spoken language is Spanish, and seeing as how my Spanish is not quite fluent (enough), I would encode the movie using English subs and would select to burn them in. If ever I watch the movie, I'm obviously going to want the subtitles on. The same would probably hold true for anime videos or name your own equivalent.

[stax76]

0.9.1.6 (2005-12-21)



new: Null Encoder to remux a already encoded project.
new: Auto Compressibility Check option.
new: Auto Mode: Normally StaxRip performs various tasks directly after a source file is opened like demuxing, auto crop, auto resize etc. In Auto Mode all this tasks are performed when the encoding is started (either manually or by the joblist).
new: Profiles can be edited from within the profiles dialog, even encoder and AviSynth profiles!
change: Simplified AviSynth menu.



I hope using profiles is now easier, changing this required a lot code to change so I hope no bugs slipped through.

[chipzoller]

Yes! Using iprofiles is much easier now! Nice work, I'm going to try an encode out tonight.
One thing...is it possible to display the total encode time? I looked for an option but didn't see it...I may be missing something.

thanks for your hard work. I can definately see this program coming out on top of most others out there.

[stax76]

One thing...is it possible to display the total encode time? I looked for an option but didn't see it...I may be missing something.

Only the display of the encoder e.g. VirtualDubMod displays it.

[Chris Benoit]

Can this programm be used to encode compatible for psp mp4 avcs?

[Doom9]

Can this programm be used to encode compatible for psp mp4 avcs?What is an avc? ;) You mean a PSP compatible MP4 file using the AVC codec..
Just as MeGUI you can use this software, and there are the same limitations (you still need to use the atomchanger after encoding).

[Chris Benoit]

Of course that's what i meant! :)

So is there any psp profile available for this program.It seems nice,but i'm having some difficulties using it.

How can i add the avs lines on the filters section?And what features shall i avoid to make a compatible mp4 for psp?

[stax76]

So is there any psp profile available for this program


I'm sorry no but you might create one yourself, x264 work is stopped until there is more feedback!

It seems nice,but i'm having some difficulties using it.

I try to make it as easy as possible so maybe you can tell me what is difficult, maybe I find a way to make it easier.

How can i add the avs lines on the filters section?

What exactly do you want to achieve and ain't this documented?

[ricardo.santos]

I try to make it as easy as possible so maybe you can tell me what is difficult, maybe I find a way to make it easier.

i have a question on the following screenshot, why are there up and down buttons? to select a codec to use isnt it enough to select it and press load?

thanks

[Chris Benoit]

I try to make it as easy as possible so maybe you can tell me what is difficult, maybe I find a way to make it easier.

The audio profile you select must be the profile for the source or output audio?Cause i want ofcource lc-aac for psp,i've selected lc-aac i open an avi select settings and next,and then it says The audio profile you selected doesn't match the source file.

What exactly do you want to achieve and ain't this documented?

I'm confused as for the input of the values in the scripts.So it has crop,resize,etc.How can i select the number i want to be in the parenthesis?I've made a category named framerate,added script with Name ChangeFPS and script ChangeFPS() but now i want to register the value for the specified filter,that would be 29.97.

[stax76]

i have a question on the following screenshot, why are there up and down buttons? to select a codec to use isnt it enough to select it and press load?

Just in case somebody want's a special order, I'm not sure yet if it's a important feature. :p

The audio profile you select must be the profile for the source or output audio?Cause i want ofcource lc-aac for psp,i've selected lc-aac i open an avi select settings and next,and then it says The audio profile you selected doesn't match the source file.

I guess those warnings could be clearer, what's your source, what's the audio profile and what's the muxer? All this must obviously be compatible.

I'm confused as for the input of the values in the scripts.So it has crop,resize,etc.How can i select the number i want to be in the parenthesis?

You don't have to change this by hand, do you understand what a macro is, most serious applications work with macros, it's a fundamental concept important to understand if you want to do anything advanced with StaxRip.


I've made a category named framerate,added script with Name ChangeFPS and script ChangeFPS() but now i want to register the value for the specified filter,that would be 29.97.


Sounds like you want to create a filter profile. Did you try to follow the walkthrough in the help?

[ricardo.santos]

i have a question on the following screenshot, why are there up and down buttons? to select a codec to use isnt it enough to select it and press load?

In my opinion wouldnt it be simpler to have a drop down menu displaying the codecs and upon clicking on it it would load it and close the codec selection menu, same thing with the muxer menu

just my opinion

[stax76]

In my opinion wouldnt it be simpler to have a drop down menu displaying the codecs and upon clicking on it it would load it and close the codec selection menu, same thing with the muxer menu

Loading would be quite a bit easier yes.

[ricardo.santos]

One questuion Stax:

an important feature in STaxRip is the ability to have xsubs but ive encoded 3 dvds so far and havent been able to get multiple xsubs. Staxrip produces the DMF fikle but without xsubs

iveselected divx codec, mux with divxmux and the vobsub plugin

[Chris Benoit]

You don't have to change this by hand, do you understand what a macro is, most serious applications work with macros, it's a fundamental concept important to understand if you want to do anything advanced with StaxRip.

I've only heard of macro,i haven't actually worked with it.

Sounds like you want to create a filter profile. Did you try to follow the walkthrough in the help?

No i haven't yet...

Your program looks prommising!I'm very busy at the moment taking care of some things before i head out for Christmas,but i will certainly look more into your programm when i find some time!

[stax76]

an important feature in STaxRip is the ability to have xsubs but ive encoded 3 dvds so far and havent been able to get multiple xsubs. Staxrip produces the DMF fikle but without xsubs

You have to load the DivX muxer and open the config dialog of the DivX muxer. In the config dialog you have to open a IDX file. The IDX file can be created with VSRip. Once the IDX file is loaded you can select which languages to mux.

I've only heard of macro,i haven't actually worked with it.

It's really simple, maybe you know environment variables in windows, that's pretty much the same. In StaxRip macros are used everywhere, without macros you can forget about most of the profile features and most of the flexibility and you are forced into a linear way of doing things like in GordianKnot.

[ricardo.santos]

You have to load the DivX muxer and open the config dialog of the DivX muxer. In the config dialog you have to open a IDX file. The IDX file can be created with VSRip. Once the IDX file is loaded you can select which languages to mux.

GOT IT!

will have a go at it tomorrow

thanks

[Chris Benoit]

It's really simple, maybe you know environment variables in windows, that's pretty much the same. In StaxRip macros are used everywhere, without macros you can forget about most of the profile features and most of the flexibility and you are forced into a linear way of doing things like in GordianKnot.

Where can i find some documentetation for it?

[stax76]

Where can i find some documentetation for it?

I describe it in the docs as followed:

Macros are placeholders used in command lines, scripts and other customizable settings. Before e.g. a command line is executed macros in the command line get replaced with real values.

If you for instance look at a audio profile it looks as followed:

"%application:BeSweet%" -core( -input "%input%" -output "%output%" ) -azid( -c normal -L -3db ) -ota( -hybridgain ) -lame( -p --alt-preset cbr 160 )

So before StaxRip executes this command line it will replace %application:BeSweet% with the actual path of BeSweet that you have selected in the External Application dialog. %input% will get replaced with the audio source file selected in the main dialog.

[mod]

@Stax: I've been able to solve the bitrate control problem on 2 pass XviD encoding. I saw that the problem wasn't only with your software, so I made a deep manual registry cleaning and now it works fine with latest Celtic Druid build, ty for the nice tool :)

PS: I've noted that Aspect 2.1.0 and StaxRip sometimes give different AR %errors with the same resolution settings..

[stax76]

@Stax: I've been able to solve the bitrate control problem on 2 pass XviD encoding. I saw that the problem wasn't only with your software, so I made a deep manual registry cleaning and now it works fine with latest Celtic Druid build, ty for the nice tool

When ever you install another XviD or DivX build StaxRip will notice it and reset the StaxRip encoder profile as well as the XviD or DivX registry key. Hard to tell what happened but it's OK when it works now.


I've noted that Aspect 2.1.0 and StaxRip sometimes give different AR %errors with the same resolution settings..


You can load your source in GK and compare the values, it should be equal unless there is a bug somewhere.

[mod]

I will :)

[ricardo.santos]

Hi everyone!

Finally i managed to get xsubs with StaxRip.

on my first tests to produce xsubs i was encoding 10m vob clips "cut" with dvdshrink from my dvds, it seem VSrip doesnt extract the idxfiles properly when opening these clips done by dvdshrink.

once i copied a full lenght dvd and extracted the full stream with Vsrip i got the xsubs muxed in the final DMF file.

just wish this process could be done without the user action(extracting), vsrip would extract all sub streams automatically and present the user with a selection of subs to be muxed.

Great job Stax on what is shaping up as a really good program!!

[stax76]

on my first tests to produce xsubs i was encoding 10m vob clips "cut" with dvdshrink from my dvds, it seem VSrip doesnt extract the idxfiles properly when opening these clips done by dvdshrink.


Maybe you didn't use the proper PGC number which VSRip requires. In VSRip you can select the PGC number in the left column. Hint: DVD Decrypter has a option to write the PGC number to the file name.


just wish this process could be done without the user action(extracting), vsrip would extract all sub streams automatically and present the user with a selection of subs to be muxed.


Yes, there is room for more automation and streamlining.

Great job Stax on what is shaping up as a really good program!!

Thanks, I'm glad it works now for you!

[ricardo.santos]

Hi
i was trying to convert a small clip using x264. Everything goes fine. VLC plays the MP4 file fine but i cant hear the audio track.

i opened the audio AAc file StaxRip produced with VLC and it played it.

any suggestions? im using latest VLC version

[JoeBG]

Hi
i was trying to convert a small clip using x264. Everything goes fine. VLC plays the MP4 file fine but i cant hear the audio track.

i opened the audio AAc file StaxRip produced with VLC and it played it.

any suggestions? im using latest VLC version

Can you select the audio Track in VLC?

[ricardo.santos]

nero showtime plays the file fine, VLC doesnt

[stax76]

0.9.1.7 (2005-12-25)



change: streamlined profile and quality mode features.
new: Easy way to add forced subtitles.



It looks like there will be a focus shift for the StaxRip development. I've learned from this and other boards that novice users have lot's of problems figuring out how to use StaxRip while there is little feedback from expert users. In DVX I've always tried to reach novice and expert users alike but with little success. I don't want to do the same mistake for StaxRip and rather focus on trying to make things a lot more easier. This means there won't be time left for many advanced features. I hardly have time to support all 100 x264 options just like I hardly have time to support all options of the two upcoming XviD cli encoders. Not being a expert with all this codecs is another problem. Maybe I could move all this stuff into a library and try to find people working with me on it, for instance if somebody works on a similar application and want to use this dialogs as well he could work with me on such a library. If this won't happen I'll only be able to support maybe 10 options for each encoder.

[Franky]

It seems StaxRip won't work on 64bit Windows XP, since it seems to think that AviSynth won't work when residing in c:\windows\syswow64 instead of c:\windows\system32.

[stax76]

Does anybody know what's the deal with syswow64, I'm using this code to determine the sys dir:


Environment.SystemDirectory

[Aladdin]

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing the lack of feedback means that people have very little trouble with using your app. I've started to use it instead of MeGUI for converting .avi to a format the iPod likes. Both apps work quite similarly, but I like the greater flexibility StaxRip offers. The iPod is extremely picky with encoder settings and your app allows a completely custom command line. The greater flexibility does make it a bit more difficult to figure out how it works, but only a bit.

I have only two small problems. I store a default target resolution and bitrate in the default project, but every time I open a new file these values are changed. There seems to be some logic behind it, but I'm not sure what that logic is. It's easy enough to reset the values to how I want them, but it is an extra step away from just "open file and press 'next' to encode" after having setup all the profiles.

Another problems doesn't seem to come from your app, but from avi2wav. It doesn't extract the VBR mp3 tracks from the avi files I have been transcoding. Extracting with virtualdub before opening the file in staxrip does make staxrip autoselect the mp3 file, but it would be nice to have it working without the extra step of virtualdub.

Apart from that, thank you for a very nice app :)

[Franky]

I'm guessing the problem is that when Environment.SystemDirectory is called, it returns system32, since that is the correct system folder for 64-bit apps, and since StaxRip is using .NET 2, it in effect is a 64-bit app.

[stax76]

I've started to use it instead of MeGUI for converting .avi to a format the iPod likes. Both apps work quite similarly, but I like the greater flexibility StaxRip offers. The iPod is extremely picky with encoder settings and your app allows a completely custom command line. The greater flexibility does make it a bit more difficult to figure out how it works, but only a bit.


Good to hear the CLI stuff works since I don't use it.


I have only two small problems. I store a default target resolution and bitrate in the default project, but every time I open a new file these values are changed. There seems to be some logic behind it, but I'm not sure what that logic is. It's easy enough to reset the values to how I want them, but it is an extra step away from just "open file and press 'next' to encode" after having setup all the profiles.


Target resolution get adjusted when you use the option Auto Resize (Options/Automation) which is default (dunno what is more popular), I have it enabled.

Bitrate depend on the target lenght and size so the reason why it changes is the target length changes, the size stays. This might be a limitation, if you like we can examine it further, normally people aim for a file size while other (e.g. me) use quality mode (fixed quant), doesn't the iPod fit in traditional encoding methods?

Another problems doesn't seem to come from your app, but from avi2wav. It doesn't extract the VBR mp3 tracks from the avi files I have been transcoding. Extracting with virtualdub before opening the file in staxrip does make staxrip autoselect the mp3 file, but it would be nice to have it working without the extra step of virtualdub.

It does extract the MP3 but as pseudo wav file, what is needed here is a cli demuxer and a command line to make it work, maybe somebody has a idea. Maybe even VirtualDub can be used as VD's CLI can pass args into scripts, maybe somebody can post a example.

I'm much interseted in sample clips other than PAL DVD/DVB btw. so if anybody has something that is not handled well please send it. I plan a auto deinterlace feature and could use some samples for that as well.

http://www.yousendit.com/

I'm guessing the problem is that when Environment.SystemDirectory is called, it returns system32, since that is the correct system folder for 64-bit apps, and since StaxRip is using .NET 2, it in effect is a 64-bit app.

Do all the applications you want to control with StaxRip work if you use them manually?

[ricardo.santos]

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing the lack of feedback means that people have very little trouble with using your app.

i agree, up tiil now i only had diffculty in creating DMF with xsubs and how to change audio bitrate(commandline)

On my first attempts with x264 i couldnt figure it out how to do it with MEGUI and with StaxRip it worked the first time(even i was surprised with it) every function was where it was supposed to be.

i think the lack of feedback means that users arent having problems with it!

In my opinion the new Encoder and Muxer selection menu are just right

Good Job Stax

[Franky]

Do all the applications you want to control with StaxRip work if you use them manually?

Yes, they all work absolutely no problem, since they are 32-bit and look in syswow64 for the dlls. I guess there should be some way to check both dirs for the dlls?

[TEB]

Well this is my first venture into stax-encodings.. and i couldnt get my little HD-Mpeg2-ts --> HD.x264 project to work.. it ends at :

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at StaxRip.MP4BoxMuxer.Mux()
at StaxRip.MainForm.Encode()
at StaxRip.MainForm.bSkip_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)


(it does all the ts demuxing and audio transcoding, and when its supposed to start encoding with x264 it blinks and goes back to the gui and says an error)

any idea?

And another thing: How does one really set a new target directory for the encodes, demuxing and so on? I click on the target directory option but i just get the current one up and i cannot select anything..

[Aladdin]

Target resolution get adjusted when you use the option Auto Resize (Options/Automation) which is default (dunno what is more popular), I have it enabled.

Ah, sorry, I was still using version 0.9.1.6 where the option to disable auto resize wasn't there yet. With it disabled it works nicely for me.

Bitrate depend on the target lenght and size so the reason why it changes is the target length changes, the size stays.

Seems logical. I don't much care about the final size (within limits), but the reason I use bitrate instead of fixed quant is that the iPod has a hardware limited bitrate. I guess this is too much of a special case to implement a workflow for it. I'm not really bothered by the way it works now.

It does extract the MP3 but as pseudo wav file

I know that is what it is supposed to do, but it didn't for the files I was transcoding. It does indeed for other files that I tried. The only difference between the files is that one contained a VBR mp3 track (didn't work) and the other a CBR mp3 track (no problems there). I can't share the files, but if further examination is needed, just ask.

[stax76]

@TEB

I would need a bug report generated from StaxRip to find out why the x264 encoding failed. Didn't StaxRip offer to generate a bug report after the crash?

@Franky

I'll upload a hotfix later today.

@Aladdin

I'll look for a additional avi demuxer. Your source is a AVI file containing MP3 VBR and DivX/XviD?

[Aladdin]

@TEB
I'll look for a additional avi demuxer. Your source is a AVI file containing MP3 VBR and DivX/XviD?

Yep, that's right (XviD). I've looked for another CLI avi demuxer myself, but haven't found one that works under windows. I've also looked into VirtualDub, but it doesn't seem it's possible to add the 'Save WAV' option to a job list. So I don't think it is possible to use a script in VD from the command line. But I could be wrong, since I have no experience with VD scripting.

[TEB]

stax, email sent.

[stax76]

The scripting doc contains something which could be the thing we need:


void SaveWAV(string filename); (VirtualDub 1.4d or later)

Runs the processing engine to produce an output file in WAV format.


I can give it a try but since when supports VD MP3 VBR?

stax, email sent.

Thanks, I hope being able to code a little bit today, quite a bit posting (pm/mail/other boards...) going on today.

[chipzoller]

Stax, new build looks good. Although I do agree with you that the interface is a bit complicated for newbies. Just depends on to what group you're gearing this app.

[Aladdin]

The scripting doc contains something which could be the thing we need:
Looks like it indeed.
I can give it a try but since when supports VD MP3 VBR?
It doesn't. But just for demuxing no processing is done on the streams. For me, VD hasn't failed yet using this function. On the other hand, it might be quite a bit of overkill to use VD solely for demuxing an avi. But for now I can't think of an alternative.

[ricardo.santos]

I can give it a try but since when supports VD MP3 VBR?


It doesn't.

i found this, dont know if it will help, just remembered about it.

VirtualDub with MP3 VBR support (http://www.videohelp.com/download/vdub_mp3_freeze.zip)

[stax76]

@TEB

You've selected Pass 3 in All Pass mode and this changed all passes to use pass 3. I've should disabled this option in All Pass mode.

[TEB]

Hi. Im exatcly sure what u mean, i just turned on 3 passes to get the maximum quality :)

[fogbav]

Excelent app ! Great ... exactly what a TS (DVB) to Format XXX needs ...8)

Thank you 4 this great app !

-EDIT- found the command line syntax for encoding ac3-> HE-AAC 5.1

(-core( -input "%input%" -output "%output%" ) -azid( -c normal -L -3db ) -ota( -hybridgain ) -bsn( -6chnew -vbr_normal )

tnx

Is there a chance to do Cutting in Project X (GUI ?) as first step and then do the complete encoding process ? DVB Streams are not exactly recorded so i have to cut off leading commercials etc ...

Would be a nice feature .... 8)

[stax76]

Is there a chance to do Cutting in Project X (GUI ?) as first step and then do the complete encoding process ? DVB Streams are not exactly recorded so i have to cut off leading commercials etc ...


I don't think it's possible, you can of yourse use ProjectX by hand and then open the demuxed files.

[fogbav]

Jup ... ok ... seems logical ...8)

First Rips are running ... perfect ... thank you very much again for this "heavy duty" App !
Go and sell it to Ahead so they know how "recode" can look like when its nearly perfect ..8)