FAVC - v1.07 (Auto Menu Generation) (19/06/08)

[Mr_Odwin]

FAVC is a GUI that enables you to easily make DVDs from video files. It takes one, or more, video files and produces a dvd folder ready to be burned to a dvd disc that should play in any regular dvd player. FAVC uses several pieces of free software to accomplish its task.

Features:
Input video files and obtain a DVD folder ready to be burned to a DVD disc.
Automatic file recognition and analysis.
Automatically assigns correct bitrate based on disc size chosen.
Easy chapter creation.
AC3 Retention.
Uses Muxman (Via BatchMux) for DVD Authoring.
Automated Menu Generation for up to 8 Titles.

Requirements:
Must have Avisynth v2.56a or later installed. (http://downloads.sourceforge.net/avisynth2/Avisynth_257.exe?use_mirror=dfn)
Must have .NET framework Version 2 installed. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en)

Instructions:
Open FAVC. Choose your video files, configure the options and then click the generate button. Whilst processing, tasks will run on the task bar and can be watched. The main task is video encoding, which is done by QuEnc or HC. When everything is done you will have a dvd folder in the required directory.

Files:
http://download.videohelp.com/favc/FAVC_107.exe (32 bit) (self-extracting)
http://download.videohelp.com/favc/FAVC_107.zip (32 bit) (zip file)
http://download.videohelp.com/favc/FAVC_107_x64.exe (64 bit) (self-extracting)
http://download.videohelp.com/favc/FAVC_107_x64.zip (64 bit) (zip file)

Source:
http://download.videohelp.com/favc/FAVC_Source_107.zip Source Code (Really Messy!!!)

Homepage:
http://favcfavc.googlepages.com/home

Updates for v1.07:
Updated Aften, DGPulldown, HC, ImgBurn, MediaInfo, Mencoder, MKVToolnix, Muxman, twoLame and FFMpegSource
Improved HC Predictive Quantization Algorithm
Added support for mpg/vob files

Updates for v1.06:
Updated MediaInfo
Fixed HC speed button
Fixed plugin loading for FFmpegSource
Improved HC Predictive Quantization Algorithm

Updates for v1.05:
Updated HC, Wavi, MediaInfo
Improved HC Predictive Quantization Algorithm
A donate button (Christmas is coming and Mrs_Odwin wants lots of presents)
Incorporation of FFmpegSource

Updates for v1.04:
Vista Compatibility Fixed
Improved HC Predictive Quantization Algorithm
Minor GUI Fixes

Updates for v1.03:
New HC encoding mode - Quant Prediction by 2% samples

Updates for v1.02:
Updated twolame & Mediainfo
Small Code Clean
Added a shut down option
Replaced bepipe with wavi
Tweaked Audio handling

Updates for v1.01:
Simple menu preview
A fix for ac3 retention with mkv
A fix for chapter creation
Some slight (mostly not noticeable) menu improvements

Updates for v1.00:
Automated Menu Generation for up to 8 Titles

[DDogg]

Thanks for posting this work. It looks like a good concept for converting a batch of AVIs directly to a dvd image. I've only tried it once with 4 avis.

The result was a dvd image ready to burn except it only contained one of the avis. I have not spent enough time to know why the others were not included. When I get some time I will try to track the process and report back to you.

[Mr_Odwin]

Thanks for posting this work. It looks like a good concept for converting a batch of AVIs directly to a dvd image. I've only tried it once with 4 avis.

The result was a dvd image ready to burn except it only contained one of the avis. I have not spent enough time to know why the others were not included. When I get some time I will try to track the process and report back to you.

That would be a great help. :)
It's my first ever programming project so it's going to be a bit rough round the edges, but I'm using it myself so it meets my needs at least.
I recently updated it to include .vdr support so you can frameserve from vdub/vdubmod.

[DDogg]

Only had a few minutes to investigate, but it looks like there is a problem producing some of the mp2's - Some have 0 size- which cause mplex to fail - thus no MPGs are created.

"**ERROR: [???] Unable to read from C:\Documents and Settings\DDogg\Desktop\FAVC\Working Folder 0\Title2.mp2."

Will try to dig deeper soon.

DD

/ADD - Seems to be failing on those avis with AC3 sound. Imo, you have to support ac3 for this work to be useful to many folks. Hope you will consider it. Wouldn't it actually save you a step or 2 since you just need to demux it, fix it then remux to the mpg?

Several things come to mind:

1> Add a "Do not delete files" tickbox - People may wish to build there own dvd from the files generated using DVD lab, etc.
2> When AC3 is present, keep it and mux it tickbox
3> Perhaps a few additional QuEnc options available? HQ/trellis/2pass - If these options would offer a better quality encoding, and if they would not throw you off your calculated required bitrate.
4> INI file that remembers the ntsc preference

[Mr_Odwin]

Only had a few minutes to investigate, but it looks like there is a problem producing some of the mp2's - Some have 0 size- which cause mplex to fail - thus no MPGs are created.

"**ERROR: [???] Unable to read from C:\Documents and Settings\DDogg\Desktop\FAVC\Working Folder 0\Title2.mp2."

Will try to dig deeper soon.

DD

/ADD - Seems to be failing on those avis with AC3 sound. Imo, you have to support ac3 for this work to be useful to many folks. Hope you will consider it. Wouldn't it actually save you a step or 2 since you just need to demux it, fix it then remux to the mpg?

Several things come to mind:

1> Add a "Do not delete files" tickbox - People may wish to build there own dvd from the files generated using DVD lab, etc.
2> When AC3 is present, keep it and mux it tickbox
3> Perhaps a few additional QuEnc options available? HQ/trellis/2pass - If these options would offer a better quality encoding, and if they would not throw you off your calculated required bitrate.
4> INI file that remembers the ntsc preference


Files with ac3 work at my end. The app uses DirectShowSource to open the audio part of files. I chose that as AVISource was giving me problems with some avi files with vbr mp3. I'll certainly look into it more.
The other things you mention were kinda already in the back of my mind as things that would be an improvement.

:thanks:

[DDogg]

Files with ac3 work at my end. The app uses DirectShowSource to open the audio part of files. I chose that as AVISource was giving me problems with some avi files with vbr mp3. I'll certainly look into it more.
The other things you mention were kinda already in the back of my mind as things that would be an improvement.

:thanks: Thanks for getting back to me. You mentioned the ac3 works on your end ... two responses to that -

1> I'll need to arrange a method to get you a snip of the file/s that fail. Will contact you a download location via PM. Let me know if you are on dial-up.
2> I assume you mean "working on your end" as converting the ac3 to mp2. I was suggesting you detect the ac3, demux it, and directly remux it back to the pulldown mpv. I am thinking it is sort of a shame to lose the 5.1 soundtrack when it is available. I think there is another step in between, IIRC, to "fix" the ac3. I'm sure somebody here can provide that information. It has been a long while since I was on top of this stuff.

I think you may have a real winner here. Your program is so simple and functional that it is downright elegant. I really do hope you are open to continuing with it.

[ArchieX]

to "fix" the ac3. I'm sure somebody here can provide that information

Quick search on Google for AC3Fix.exe (13kb Command line) should help cure that part.

Archie

[Mr_Odwin]

Thanks for getting back to me. You mentioned the ac3 works on your end ... two responses to that -

1> I'll need to arrange a method to get you a snip of the file/s that fail. Will contact you a download location via PM. Let me know if you are on dial-up.
2> I assume you mean "working on your end" as converting the ac3 to mp2. I was suggesting you detect the ac3, demux it, and directly remux it back to the pulldown mpv. I am thinking it is sort of a shame to lose the 5.1 soundtrack when it is available. I think there is another step in between, IIRC, to "fix" the ac3. I'm sure somebody here can provide that information. It has been a long while since I was on top of this stuff.

I think you may have a real winner here. Your program is so simple and functional that it is downright elegant. I really do hope you are open to continuing with it.

I have a feeling that the problem is multi-channel audio rather than ac3 audio, and if so, I can work with that. A sample/snip of your failing vid would be great! I'm on broadband and can follow a link if you PM it, or you could send it to FAVCFAVC@googlemail.com

[DDogg]

Odd thing - before putting you through checking it out, I tried some tests on my other machines and had no problem on them. I uninstalled AC3filter on my machine and your program started working with no problem (other than no 5.1 audio in final output :) ). I suspect some type of conflict between other software allowing ac3 playback that is installed on my machine. Perhaps PowerDVD?

Speaking of PowerDVD, for some reason it chokes on your final output. I have to kill it with TM. Other DVD playback software has no problem. I verified this on several machines and suspect if will be like that for all using PowerDVD.

Any thoughts on keeping the AC3 sound? I notice you have studiously avoided comment so far :)

[Mr_Odwin]

Any thoughts on keeping the AC3 sound? I notice you have studiously avoided comment so far :)

I think it's a great idea and something that is on my list of things to implement. As far as I see it it would save time in the long run and obviously preserving the 5.1 element is desirable.
Everything you mentioned above has gone on my 'to do' list, just I appear to be really busy with real life at the moment. :(

The PowerDVD thing ... the dvdauthor xml file created uses jumppad and apparently some players have trouble with it, but none of mine do, and I currently don't have the dvdauthor skills to get around using it with a virtualmachine, or whatever it is.

[Matthew]

DDogg keeping AC3 involves a bit of grief unless one restricts PAL<->NTSC conversion options, especially with 23.976->25 fps. If one wants to be comprehensive about it then Soft Encode support is required.

Also, MuxMan 0.15 > DVDAuthor, although project file generation is more complex :)

[arthurfent2k]

Hm,nice work!

Would be great to be able to do a 352/576(480) DVD in order to store more :)

[Mr_Odwin]

Been a while as I've just submitted my thesis, my wife is having a baby soon (end of June), I just got a new job and we're moving to a new house because of the new job. Anyway ... v0.3.0.0 is out and I've tried to get a few things done.

Added:
i) Added config file to remember last used choices
ii) Additional QuEnc video encoding options made available
iii) Option of leaving temporary files undeleted

No ac3 retention yet as that's tricky, but I am getting closer.
Links of the first post have been updated.

[DDogg]

Thanks for this update. It makes the program much more flexible. As mentioned before, I hope you do continue the project when time allows. This is a good solution for many folks that don't want to be bothered with the details, and the resulting quality of the encoding is good.

The only major problem I have encountered is with the authoring. The resulting disks will literally not play on any of my HW players, nor my son-in-law's. As mentioned, they also crash PowerDVD on my system.

Have you taken a recent look at this problem?

[Fugdefino]

I've just tried converting a divx file. Six hours later and it's still stuck at "Analysing Video 0".

[Mr_Odwin]

That's strange as the analysing stage is just a quick pass over 250 frames (or less) using avisynth. It writes some results to a log file and then the encoding options are chosen based on that. Do you have avisynth installed and can it normally open the offending file?

[Fugdefino]

Yes, and I've tried several files now and same problem occurs with all of them.

[Mr_Odwin]

I've updated the links in the first post to to 0.4.0.0 and there should be some significant changes for the better (I hope). Amongst other things the muxing and authoring behaviour has been changed so it should be more compatible with dvd players. Guess it could throw up a load of different trouble though. :(
Still no ac3 retention, but it shouldn't throw a wobbly anymore when files with ac3 audio are the input.

[Mr_Odwin]

Updated links, Version 0.5.0.0 ahoy! AC3 retention is added, along with extra video resolutions.

[~bT~]

Ive just downloaded this, gonna give a try. Just wondering if it would be poss in future releases to add subtitle support pls? Thanx for the app.

[DDogg]

AC3 retention is added, along with extra video resolutions. Nice work as always, Mr_Odwin! I'm thinking FAVC may take the dual prize of being one of the best working solutions available as well as one of the most unappreciated (seemingly) application around :) You really have added some astounding functionality. I hope you continue this project.

[Holomatrix]

Seems like a handy little progy if I could get it to work :(

I get an error right off the bat;
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/5055/favchb8.jpg
Any idea as to what I'm doing wrong? Just testing a little AVI file to NTSC DVD conversion. Thanks
Config.ini;
D:\FAVC Output
0
4
1
4
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
0

[Mr_Odwin]

Seems like a handy little progy if I could get it to work :(

I get an error right off the bat;
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/5055/favchb8.jpg
Any idea as to what I'm doing wrong? Just testing a little AVI file to NTSC DVD conversion. Thanks
Config.ini;
D:\FAVC Output
0
4
1
4
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
0

Do you have avisynth v 2.56a or greater installed? It seems that the first file you are trying to convert isn't being read/opened correctly by avisynth. Does FAVC work correctly with any other avi files?

E.g. This file works perfectly on my computer using FAVC:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FVT1VQSV

[Holomatrix]

That was it. I was having an Avisynth issue. Thanks

[jethro]

Looks like a very nice program!


But:
Can somebody tell me why I get this error?

System.InvalidCastException: Conversion from string "29.969999" to type 'Double' is not valid. ---> System.FormatException: Input string was not in a correct format.

Using defaults. This crash happens with every AVI file.

[Mr_Odwin]

Every avi file? Even the one I posted above?
Any chance you could post a piece of a clip that fails?
http://www.megaupload.com/ is easy to use, and I can access it at work, unlike rapidshare.

[jethro]

The crash happens with every AVI file no matter what (codec framerate) it is.
After video analysis is fininshed there's message notifying about occurence of "unhandled exception" with options to continue or quit.
Depending on framerate of the file the "conversion from string <framerate>" part changes accordingly (i.e. "25.000000", 23.976025" etc).

I downloaded and installed latest NET framework 2.0 but it didn't help.

Is it just me or has somebody else got this error too?

[Mr_Odwin]

Jethro, can you try this build of the exe please? Just replace the existing exe in the FAVC folder. If this causes trouble for anyone else then just say. All seems to work fine at my end.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8FDQTH6H

[jethro]

Thanks for helping.

The exe showed the same error, unfortunately.

I managed to resolve the problem by changing windows regional settings to English (US). Strangely, it was enough. It shows no error now. I think the problem with conversion was due to different decimal separator.
Now I can try to play with the app :)

[Mr_Odwin]

Thanks for helping.

The exe showed the same error, unfortunately.

I managed to resolve the problem by changing windows regional settings to English (US). Strangely, it was enough. It shows no error now. I think the problem with conversion was due to different decimal separator.
Now I can try to play with the app :)

What were your regional settings previously? In your previous regional settings are decimals normally a comma instead of a period? Why did you go down this route? Any clues?

[jethro]

Yes, it was comma. Most of European countries (I' ve checked just now) use comma.
As I did some (very) basic programming a while ago (and still do from time to time) I think I remembered a similar problem I had with converting strings to numbers.
NET framework seems to be retrieving somehow the windows regional settings and I just had a bit of luck to try changing them.

[jethro]

Just wanted to say that the program is working great and I am amazed that it is so easy now to make DVDs out of AVIs with your tool. The whole process always seemed complicated and time consuming to me to really get down to it.
Now it is one-button-only operation! :thanks:

[Mr_Odwin]

Thanks for the kind words. I've been further tinkering and I think the exe at the link below may work for your previous regional settings. Care to try it out for me?

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CM1LKZRO

[jethro]

Your tinkering was succesful :).

BTW:Megaupload doesn't work here most of the day (It says: All download slots for your country are taken). I like rapidshare with rapget program as it doesn't require visiting pages I don't want to visit, no needless waiting, no typing hard-to-recognize letters (vide: rapidshare).

[Mr_Odwin]

Links in the first post have been updated to the newest version of FAVC - 0.51. Because of recent developments with ImgBurn it is now possible to burn a DVD without first creating an iso file, saving much time. Also, TV overscan may optionally be accounted for; 16 pixels around the edge of the video will not be used if this is the case. (Works perfectly for my TV. :p)

[DDogg]

Download links are presently dead. If somebody has .051 complete at hand, would appreciate an alternate DL, or an email to ddog1953 at yahoo Com

[Mr_Odwin]

An e-mail from my old ISP this morning:
Hi James,

after monitoring your bandwidth over the past few days, your site is continuing to attract over 500MB of data transfer per day. I'm sorry to have to tell you we will be unable to continue to host your website based on your account type and level of traffic. It would appear that the majority of traffic is for the FAVC files, sadly we cannot provide a mirror service for this download.

You can still FTP and transfer your site to your chosen destination.

Regards
Steve

:(
It should be a temporary thing until I can get some more space sorted out. In the mean time here's a temporary location for 0.60 which has provisional support for mov, asf, wmv and avs files.

http://rapidshare.de/files/30230321/FAVC.exe.html

[DDogg]

I think this is actually good news. It clearly shows people are using this excellent program and the low amount of post activity is simply because it works so darn well and is not causing the normal "Wah! it don't work right!" posts.

Great job.

Here is a thought I had today. Some of the folks have puttered around with splitting the avs and using multiple instances of QEnc to encode and then reassemble. Sounds like nearly more hassle that is is worth, BUT

In your case it may be an interesting area as you are prebatching multiple encodes with the bitrates already calculated and then running the encodes sequentially. I wonder if it would be simple to launch 2 at a time (if a checkmark requested it)? As a point of reference, my machine (Pentium 930 Dual running at 4.5 gHz) will run 2 instances of QEnc using trimmed AVS's, each around 55 fps.

I have not thought this out in any detail and bring it up simply as a conversation point.

[Mr_Odwin]

I think this is actually good news. It clearly shows people are using this excellent program and the low amount of post activity is simply because it works so darn well and is not causing the normal "Wah! it don't work right!" posts.

Great job.

Here is a thought I had today. Some of the folks have puttered around with splitting the avs and using multiple instances of QEnc to encode and then reassemble. Sounds like nearly more hassle that is is worth, BUT

In your case it may be an interesting area as you are prebatching multiple encodes with the bitrates already calculated and then running the encodes sequentially. I wonder if it would be simple to launch 2 at a time (if a checkmark requested it)? As a point of reference, my machine (Pentium 930 Dual running at 4.5 gHz) will run 2 instances of QEnc using trimmed AVS's, each around 55 fps.

I have not thought this out in any detail and bring it up simply as a conversation point.


*Adds to ever-growing to-do list*
Thanks for the good comments.

I've now got some working links for 0.60 up in the first post.

[DDogg]

Tinkering around a little -

> Selected 2 avi's and specified 1/2 D1
> Manually stopped the encode that was auto started with title.bat
> Split your title.bat into 3 batch files
> Ran movie1.bat and movie2.bat at the same time - both encoded simultaneously at 95 fps each
> Seems do-able and the mpgs were ok, but the non video encoding steps may need to remain sequential as there was heavy I/O thrashing even on my striped arrays

[~bT~]

Just a quick question.
Is there any way of making QEnc to use a custom matrice?

PS> Cant wait to check the next release. Some of the mentioned features sound good.

[Mr_Odwin]

Just a quick question.
Is there any way of making QEnc to use a custom matrice?


Not currently that I know of, aside from editing the Title.bat file manually. Either it's beyond the scope of the application, being quite complicated for the average user, or I may add it via a secret/hidden advanced options tab.

[DDogg]

Speaking of keeping it simple but allowing advanced users extra features, I noticed you are thinking about allowing filters - The way JDobbs inplemented filter support is smart by proving a type in window for user input that appends to the script. If somebody doesn't know how to type in Undot().Deen() (or whatever), I'm not so sure they should be using filters anyway. Certainly it is a way to keep constant new filter support requests from coming at you.

[smok3]

does this include menu autobuilding as well?

well, my 1st try went like this:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'D:\!tmp\FAVC\Working Folder 0\Title0Info.txt'.
File name: 'D:\!tmp\FAVC\Working Folder 0\Title0Info.txt'
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.FileStream.Init(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, Int32 rights, Boolean useRights, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES secAttrs, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy)
at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options)
at System.IO.StreamReader..ctor(String path, Encoding encoding, Boolean detectEncodingFromByteOrderMarks, Int32 bufferSize)
at System.IO.StreamReader..ctor(String path)
at FAVCForm1.Button1_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
FAVC
Assembly Version: 0.60.0.0
Win32 Version: 0.60
CodeBase: file:///D:/!tmp/FAVC/FAVC.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.42 (RTM.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[Mr_Odwin]

Can you open your file using avisynth & AVISource()? Do you have Avisynth v2.56a or greater?

[smok3]

hmm, i thought i have the latest avisynth, will try reinstall of latest 2.56.

so is your program building menu as well or no?

edit: ok, seems like it is working now, it was old avisynth i guess, tnx for your help.

[Mr_Odwin]

No. It merely creates a dvd with a separate titleset for each avi input.

[smok3]

any plans to add simple menu as well? like:

play1 _
play2
play3
playall

white/grey font on black background should be fine (or some sort of template system even better, for example it would be cool if someone could build a template using html and the software would render the menu out of it..., just dreaming ;))

[Mr_Odwin]

It's a thought in the back of my mind, but at the same time I don't want FAVC to get too bulky and start to do complicated things badly. Not ruling it out though.

[smok3]

i understand,

if you change your mind; dvdstyler is the thing to check i think (uses external cli apps to do its job as well...), i would provide some help in this area, but my dvd knowhow is not good enough to understand what styler really does in the background.

what method do you use to detect if the source is interlaced? (i think a better way to handle this is to encode interlaced as interlaced at the end btw.)