Plans to make rebuilder into convertor??

[Boulder]

I'd say jdobbs had better get used to weird problems if his AVI/WMV/MP4 conversion tool ever comes out :)

[jikchung]

I'd say jdobbs had better get used to weird problems if his AVI/WMV/MP4 conversion tool ever comes out :)

For sure. I get a lot of undersize results with CCE on these types of files.

[archaeo]

He seems to like those kind of challenges :devil:

[Boulder]

For sure. I get a lot of undersize results with CCE on these types of files.That can easily be fixed by using a matrix that is meant for high bitrate encodes or enabling adaptive quant matrices.

[wmansir]

Good luck, jdobbs. I think this will be quite a challenge. Going from standard DVD input (No preprocessing!) to the wild wild world of mpeg4 etc., will be interesting.

[laserfan]

I have a project started called DVD Prebuilder (DVD-PB) that will do just that. It creates a D2VAVS structure that inputs other audio/video files that will then go through the ENCODE and REBUILD phases of DVD Rebuilder -- resulting in a newly authored DVD.Guess I have to pinkle into the punch bowl here.

IMO the "magic" of DVD-RB Pro is in allowing users to easily re-make the DVDs they own, for some as backups (little kids maybe that trash the originals) but for others of us to improve the viewing experience by removing junk (warnings/trailers etc) so the DVD plays what-and-how WE want it to, not the marketers.

I'd rather see jdobbs focus on extending the QUALITY aspect of "re-building DVDs" by including some new automations for analysis and filtration. I've been interested for example in the "bitrate distribution" discussion--if DVD RB could automatically analyze a DVD and suggest filters for improving quality (bitrate, de-grain, sharpen, what-have-you) that would REALLY make it stand-out.

Making DVDs from (what, a gazillion different types of other containers that are out there) seems a distraction to me, and yes there are many other tools available...

[Boulder]

Unfortunately there is no way to automate the filter selection process.

[laserfan]

Unfortunately there is no way to automate the filter selection process.Sounds like fightin' words!!! :)

Seriously though, while I understand the need to visually assess a program's deficiencies and make judgements about what filters to use, it still seems to me that this hobby could use a program that makes it simpler to choose enhancements for their videos, and then perhaps even to easily share the enhancements that worked with others.

I keep thinking of the Photoshop-type model where one can select an effect and immediately see the impact (and then Undo and try something else if necessary).

In any case I realize I've taken this thread OT so I'll stop now! sorry... (slinks away).

[Boulder]

There is AvsP if you need a GUI for Avisynth's filters and functions, it's about the closest you can get. I agree that it would be nice to have a similar functionality in DVD-RB and DVD-PB.

[archaeo]

Sounds like fightin' words!!! :)

Seriously though, while I understand the need to visually assess a program's deficiencies and make judgements about what filters to use, it still seems to me that this hobby could use a program that makes it simpler to choose enhancements for their videos, and then perhaps even to easily share the enhancements that worked with others.

I keep thinking of the Photoshop-type model where one can select an effect and immediately see the impact (and then Undo and try something else if necessary).

In any case I realize I've taken this thread OT so I'll stop now! sorry... (slinks away).


Try VirtualDub - it allows a side by side comparison of selected filters, showing both before and after. I use it quite often, and it prevents me from having to go through an entire dvd or even a clip before I see what effects the filter has. It only outputs AVI, however jdobbs is considering adding the ability to input AVI to DVDRB. Until then, you can always do what I have done, that is to frameserve directly into CCE (if you are using that :))

[laserfan]

Try VirtualDub - it allows a side by side comparison ... I use it quite often...:slaps head: I have used VDub just a few times for this but forgot about it! :rolleyes:

I will also take a look at AvsP. Thanks guys...

[Boulder]

The problem with VDub is that it does an unnecessary conversion to RGB when you enable full processing. And the filters are definitely not as flexible as Avisynth is. Just take a look at Didée's SeeSaw script. Creating a VDub plugin out of that would be extremely hard;)

[lantern]

JDobbs, I would like to see DVD-PB! I think it would be a great addition to DVD-RB. I would be happy to donate again for that capability in DVD-RB. Thank you very much for all the hard work you do! I back up my originals to DVD-5 with DVD-RB and also to xvid for storage on my network. Let's me (or my family) watch my movies on any computer in the house. It would be much easier for me to just drop the avi file into DVD-PB and come back with a fresh DVD to play on a standalone. It saves the trouble of going back and re-ripping the original.

Thanks again!

[archaeo]

The problem with VDub is that it does an unnecessary conversion to RGB when you enable full processing. And the filters are definitely not as flexible as Avisynth is. Just take a look at Didée's SeeSaw script. Creating a VDub plugin out of that would be extremely hard;)


Hmmm I think the filters are just as versatile (or flexible) as anything I've seen in avisynth. And you can easily see your changes. It works well, period.

[DrinkLyeAndDie]

So, since there are already all these alternatives, would I just be wasting my time continuing? Seems so -- no sense reinventing the wheel...

I would have replied sooner but the way doom9 works with registration I couldn't.

Yes, there are other alternatives out there but I'd prefer to use something that you created. After using DVD Rebuilder Pro for some time now and seeing how well it works I'm more than happy. The ease of use is amazing.

I used to use VSO ConvertXtoDVD until I, sadly, became aware of the GPL violations in some of their software. Yeah, I know the quality wasn't great but it worked for DivX recorded TV episodes and allowed basic menu creation. Now I will no longer support, recommend nor use any VSO software programs.

Were you to create a program that could handle conversion to DVD format with basic menu options along with support for HC & CCE then it would be beautiful. NTSC to PAL or PAL to NTSC conversion would be nice but not completely necessary.

In short, I would be more than happy if you put your own stamp on a software program that did this because I think your program would be better than others out there.

[setarip_old]

@jdobbs

Hi!

I'd suggest that you check out some of the already existing programs, DVD Flick in particular (although it presently lacks menu creation capability), to help you determine if it's worth your time and effort to bring a similar program to the table...

[jolson]

So, since there are already all these alternatives, would I just be wasting my time continuing? Seems so -- no sense reinventing the wheel...
What is needed is a program with:

An easy-to-use mode, like ConvertXtoDVD (and DVD-RB one-click)
Possibilities for inputs like ConvertXtoDVD (mkv/h.264/avc, avi...)
Complete (like ConvertXtoDVD, with auto-menus...)
Flexibility for configuration like DVD2SVCD (at least)
Possibility to use good free and commercial encoders (like DVD2SVCD)
Great output result (like DVD2SVCD and many others, unlike ConvertXtoDVD)

ConvertXtoDVD sacrifies output quality for speed. The ease-of-use and completeness of the program doesn't in any way hinder quality, but the method for encoding while on-the-fly (if I've read correctly) going directly from a .mkv file to a VIDEO_TS with VOBs is optimized for speed and not quality.

DVD2SVCD feels a lot like DVD-RB. Easy to use, once setup, but also flexible and can also use HC/CCE. But DVD2SVCD hasn't had any development for a long time. For .mkv files, a VFAPI-frameserved "fake" AVI is needed (which can only handle VFW-compatible h.264 mkv files, not real h.264/AVC). Since FAVC now has started with mkv support, it may be interesting.

But there sure seems like a "market" for a DVD-PB! :)