AVStoDVD Support Thread

[dragongodz]

It is a DGZ's decision in order to speed up QuEnc multithread development without modifing the GUI

yes the idea was so people could try and test the threaded change with existing programs easily.

do not blame me

of course.
however maybe a little more information that that change was part of the QuEnc alpha may have saved any confusion and encouraged people to try it. :)

[MrC]

however maybe a little more information that that change was part of the QuEnc alpha may have saved any confusion and encouraged people to try it. :)

DGZ, you are clearly right. :)

You know, when I have a new release ready to be uploaded, I do never spend enough time in writing documentation and changes log...

;)

Bye

[MrC]

A beta release of AVStoDVD 2.0.0 is available to download (http://avstodvd.googlepages.com/home) and test (...only for the brave ;) )

Change log (quite long):

- GUI redesigned
- Added possibility to add more titles to one DVD
- Added log activity window in main form
- Mouse right-click menus enabled in main form
- Added a new more configurable 'Title Edit' form
- New and configurable Video Encoding Profiles setup (see Help for more details)
- Added CQ prediction calculation and 1-pass VBR encoding with HCenc
- Added support to SubRip (srt) text-based subtitles (using "SubtitleCreator", included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added possibility to hard-encode subtitles (using "VobSub" AviSynth plugin (VSFilter.dll), included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added 'AudioAmplify' shortcut in 'AviSynth Script Edit' window (now in 'Title Edit' form)
- Added split between 'temporary process' and 'AVStoDVD working' files classification
- Added check on m2v output filesize. If bigger than target, added a transcoding step using ReJig
- Added audio AC3 fixing step when AC3 track is demuxed from the original input file (using "AC3Fix", included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added prompt to save project when exiting from AVStoDVD
- Added possibility to make PayPal donations
- AVStoDVD settings are now stored in the Windows Registry (removed AVStoDVD.ini configuration file)
- MediaInfo updated to 0.7.6.2
- ImgBurn updated to 2.4.0.0

As usual, comments and suggestions are welcome.

:)

Bye

[rendez2k]

Thanks Mr C - will be testing when I get home!

Does "Added possibility to add more titles to one DVD" mean that menus have now been added?

[MrC]

Thanks Mr C - will be testing when I get home!

Does "Added possibility to add more titles to one DVD" mean that menus have now been added?

Unfortunately not. It simply means that more than one title can be authored on a dvd.

:)

Bye

[MysticE]

- AVStoDVD settings are now stored in the Windows Registry (removed AVStoDVD.ini configuration file)
Why? Do folks really need more hooks in their systems?

[MrC]

@MsticE

Because registry is simpler to manage that ini files :)
Most popular and well known sw (MPC, QuEnc, AviSynth, ImgBurn, etc.) use this method.

It is only one registry key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AVStoDVD) and it will be possibile to remove it using the uninstall procedure that will come with installer package.

:)

Bye

[MrC]

New build (with installer and sorce code) loaded on SourceForge (https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=197340&package_id=269494&release_id=591671)

:)

Bye

[wg]

Hi MrC,
Using the Noinstall version of your new beta I have converted 2 separate project, Xvid files with srt subs, both encoded using Hcenc 2 pass vbr, both seem fine. What's happened to the jobs list for batch encoding?, I hope you have not permanently removed this feature, as I think the ability to do batch encodes really made AVStoDVD stand out from many others.

Cheers!

[MrC]

Hi MrC,
Using the Noinstall version of your new beta I have converted 2 separate project, Xvid files with srt subs, both encoded using Hcenc 2 pass vbr, both seem fine. What's happened to the jobs list for batch encoding?, I hope you have not permanently removed this feature, as I think the ability to do batch encodes really made AVStoDVD stand out from many others.

Cheers!

Since 2.0.0 beta it is possible to load more than one input file and then select output type (separate streams, one dvd structure, one iso, one burned dvd). I have thought batch encoding would be redundant.

The only output setup not covered now is batch encoding of multiple dvd structures (or iso). Is that setup what you mean?

Let me know and we will manage it somehow.

:)

Bye

[wg]

The only output setup not covered now is batch encoding of multiple dvd structures (or iso). Is that set-up what you mean?

Let me know and we will manage it somehow.
Bye
__________________
MrC

That's exactly the set-up I mean, the ability to batch-encode separate dvd structures, i.e. one full movie per disc, exactly as you could do with version 1.2.3 using the jobs list. The beauty of this is you can set it to create multiple discs overnight & the next day they are ready to be burned to disc, classic batch encoding.

Cheers!

[Adub]

Just so you know, ImgBurn is on 2.4.1.0.

[MrC]

That's exactly the set-up I mean, the ability to batch-encode separate dvd structures, i.e. one full movie per disc, exactly as you could do with version 1.2.3 using the jobs list. The beauty of this is you can set it to create multiple discs overnight & the next day they are ready to be burned to disc, classic batch encoding.
Cheers!

Ok, got it. You do have a really big big hard drive!!! ;)

What about an option button to toggle on if you want to create multiple DVD structures?

:)

Bye

[MrC]

Just so you know, ImgBurn is on 2.4.1.0.

Thanks, I will update it

:)

Bye

[wg]

What about an option button to toggle on if you want to create multiple DVD structures?

Sounds good to me, also the option to turn off pc after 'all' jobs completed(There is a bug in 1.2.3 that if you have say 2 jobs in the queue & have turn off pc selected it will do this after the 1st job & won't even start the 2nd job).

Thanks in advance.

[MrC]

A new beta build of AVStoDVD 2.0.0 is available to download (http://avstodvd.googlepages.com/home) and test.

Change log:

- GUI improved
- ImgBurn updated to 2.4.1.0
- Added built-in Preview form (no more external preview player)
- Added customizable skins

As usual, comments and suggestions are welcome.

@wg
JobList batch encoding is coming back...


:)

Bye

[MrC]

AVStoDVD Skins available to download (https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=197340&package_id=272668) on SourceForge:

Right now, only one skin added... Any contributions are welcomed!

;)

Bye

[wg]

@wg
JobList batch encoding is coming back...

Cheers!

[MrC]

A new beta build of AVStoDVD 2.0.0 is available to download (http://avstodvd.googlepages.com/home) and test.

Change log:

- Some bugs fixed
- MediaInfo updated to 0.7.6.3
- Batch encoding (Jobs list) has come back

As usual, comments and suggestions are welcome.

:)

Bye

[wg]

Thanks for the update & the return of batch encoding, will try out soon.

Cheers!

[locotus]

Just for reporting my beta test:

I just finished my first try to make a single DVD with 3 movies.
Sorry to tell but the final size was way to large the DVD chosen.
For a 4.7 DVD the final resulting size was 6.8GB.

Think about not deleting the m2v and its audio, so user could choose to author manually if as in this case the final output is to big.

Thanks anyway.

[MrC]

Some questions, locotus

1. 3 movies are usually too much for a dvd. AVStoDVD should have informed you about it by turning red the dvd size bar. Doesn't it?
2. If you do not want to delete temporary process files (m2v, ac3, etc.), click "Settings"/"Misc" and uncheck "Delete temporary process files". Did you do that?
3. Could you post here the log file created by AVStoDVD, which contains a lot of details about your encoding?
4 Are you the dark side of Captain Picard? :)

Btw, I will add a check to authored filesizes before burning them to dvd.

;)

Bye

[locotus]

Some answers, MrC

1.-I usually get quite good quality in old B&W movies, based mostly on runnig time. This 3 movies were more or less
90 minutes each.
Indeed the program advised me that it will use 4800MB,
but finaly ended in 6.8GB. So I cancelled the job before finishing
the iso file.

2.-I did not make any change in the settings, now I will do it and let you know what happens.

3.-Sorry I deleted the file, and

4.-As Picard I prefer to be the "bald" side.

Thanks for you kindness.

[MrC]

2.-I did not make any change in the settings, now I will do it and let you know what happens.


Let's waiting for the results and for the next log file.

:)

Bye

[wg]

Have done several encodes with the latest beta & all have went perfectly. Also did a batch encode of 2 separate dvd structures, 1 full movie on each, & AVStoDVD turned the pc off after 'both' jobs had completed, brilliant! the bug is no more. Also nice to be able to use srt subs. Thanks again MrC

Cheers!

[MrC]

Thanks for the feedback, wg.

Within few days, I will release 2.0.0 "final" version.

:)

Bye

[rendez2k]

Thanks for the feedback, wg.

Within few days, I will release 2.0.0 "final" version.

:)

Bye

Great news! Whats next on the road map after 2.0? Menu support would be a great addition as some of the known favourites such as FAVC appear to have very few (if any) updates these days.

[MrC]

Great news! Whats next on the road map after 2.0? Menu support would be a great addition as some of the known favourites such as FAVC appear to have very few (if any) updates these days.

Well, let's hope not to have too many bugs to fix along with the "Final" distribution, because menu support is surely on my ToDo toplist this summer. Btw, some deepening about my menu structure knowledge is necessary...

;)

Bye

[Sir Didymus]

Hi MrC!

When I added the menu support in BatchMux (it is the authoring engine you are using to drive MuxMan in your application, right ?), I spent some care - and some time - in order to implement this feature in a way making possible a "simple" integration into applications like your jewel, AVStoDVD...

So I would like to support the kind request from rendez2k...

However, I agree with you on the fact that the mastering of some fundamental elements on the DVD menus is necessary in order to use properly this feature of BatchMux (but nothing too complicated, I can ensure you)...

In the present time I am quite busy with my job, but this summer (hopefully) I would be glad to offer some hints and technical contributions, if you think it can be useful...

Maybe in Italian, in the doom9.it forum, if you like... or via PM...

:)

Cheers,
SD

[MrC]

In the present time I am quite busy with my job, but this summer (hopefully) I would be glad to offer some hints and technical contributions, if you think it can be useful...

Hi Sir Didymus!

Thanks a lot for your offer! I am sure your contributions will be very very useful. It will be my must to contact you as soon as I will have some stuff to review or some question to ask.

Let's stay tuned

Ciao

;)

MrC

[MrC]

AVStoDVD 2.0.0 Final is available to download (http://avstodvd.googlepages.com/home)

Change log (quite long, includes changes from release 1.2.3, most of them have been included in 2.0.0 betas):

- GUI redesigned
- Added possibility to add more titles to one DVD
- Added log activity window in main form
- Mouse right-click menus enabled in main form
- Added built-in Preview window (uses DirectShow ActiveMovie library quartz.dll)
- Added customizable skins
- Added a new more configurable 'Title Edit' form
- Added configurable Video Encoding Profiles setup (see Help for more details)
- Added CQ prediction calculation and 1-pass VBR encoding with HCenc
- Added support to SubRip (srt) text-based subtitles (using "SubtitleCreator", included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added possibility to hard-encode subtitles (using "VobSub" AviSynth plugin (VSFilter.dll), included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added 'AudioAmplify' shortcut in 'AviSynth Script Edit' window (now in 'Title Edit' form)
- Added split between 'temporary process' and 'AVStoDVD working' files classification
- Added check on m2v output filesize. If bigger than target, added a transcoding step using ReJig
- Added audio AC3 fixing step when AC3 track is demuxed from the original input file (using "AC3Fix", included in AVStoDVD installer package)
- Added prompt to save project when exiting from AVStoDVD
- Added possibility to make PayPal donations
- Improved AVStoDVD project log file
- Revised bitrate calculation routine and DVD-5/DVD-9 default sizes
- AVStoDVD settings are now stored in the Windows Registry (removed AVStoDVD.ini configuration file)
- HCenc updated to 0.23
- MediaInfo updated to 0.7.6.4
- ImgBurn updated to 2.4.1.0

As usual, comments and suggestions are welcome.

:)

Bye

[wg]

Thanks for the new version, I haven't converted any projects yet but I've noticed on the jobs list gui the remove symbol is used to move the job up, & vice versa this could be confusing for new users. Not a complaint, just an observation. I realise with all the work involved compiling a new version small issues are easily missed. Hope this helps.

Cheers!

[Rogi]

First, thank you for new version.:)

I've noticed on the jobs list gui the remove symbol is used to move the job up, & vice versa this could be confusing for new users.

I've also spotted that.

[MrC]

@wg & Rogi

thanks for "skin" bug report :)
If you want to do some manual patching, you can go into "\AVStoDVD\Skins\Default" folder and rename these files:

A2D_16_13_JobsList_Move.ico -> A2D_16_14_JobsList_Move.ico
A2D_16_14_JobsList_Del.ico -> A2D_16_13_JobsList_Del.ico

you can even modify/replace the icons, if you will.

Please, let me know if everything else is ok when you will go thru a full project.

;)

Bye

[wg]

@wg & Rogi

thanks for "skin" bug report :)
If you want to do some manual patching, you can go into "\AVStoDVD\Skins\Default" folder and rename these files:

A2D_16_13_JobsList_Move.ico -> A2D_16_14_JobsList_Move.ico
A2D_16_14_JobsList_Del.ico -> A2D_16_13_JobsList_Del.ico

you can even modify/replace the icons, if you will.

Please, let me know if everything else is ok when you will go thru a full project.

;)

Bye

Now correct, will do a project soon & report back.

Cheers!

[RNiK]

- MediaInfo updated to 0.7.6.4
UH?? :confused:

MediaInfo has been updated to 0.7.7.0 on May 16th.

ATTENTION: with MediaInfo 0.7.7.0 some fields have changed, look at Changes.txt for more info.

[MrC]

UH?? :confused:

MediaInfo has been updated to 0.7.7.0 on May 16th.

ATTENTION: with MediaInfo 0.7.7.0 some fields have changed, look at Changes.txt for more info.

Thanks for the warning, RNiK. I was aware of that, but I could not include 0.7.7.0 because AVStoDVD 2.0.0 was pretty ready and I did not want to throw in a new MediaInfo release without testing it.

Btw AVStoDVD 2.0.1 will include surely MediaInfo 0.7.7.0.

;)

Bye

[wg]

I have done 3 encodes with the latest version & all went perfectly. Very impressed with HCenc OPV, used it for the first time(I usually use HCenc 2 pass VBR). Thanks again MrC.

Cheers!

[ChickenMan]

I just did 4 encodes with latest version also with HCEnc OPV, size set to 1110 and elementary streams only. First M2V came out 1050kb (correct :) ) , next 873kb, next 922kb, next 860kb. I then did 3 more (size set to 1480), first M2V was 1430kb (correct :) ), next 1440kb (too large and re-jig kicked in and then crashed with a BSOD in my Vista w/SP1), last one after a PC re-start came out 923kb ( thats 35% to small). I re-encoded the last avi using DVD2SVCD with CCE & D2SRoba and it came out at 1360kb, only 5% to small.

[tacman1123]

I already have AviSynth installed, so I chose "no" when prompted to (re-)install it. Now it's coming up with an error message saying that it's not found.

I looked for an .ini file to set the path manually to my location, but don't see one. How can I use my currently-installed Avisynth?

I don't want to install another instance of AviSynth, because I have lots of things in my plug-in directory that I need, and I don't want to duplicate them, or to have to explicitly call the plugin.

Thanks! This looks much, much, much easier than going through all the steps at http://xvid.ru/docs/rip/dvd/avsynen.htm (which by itself is a great way to learn about all the steps involved, but at this point I'm much happier with a "Press a Button" solution).

Tac

[wg]

I already have AviSynth installed, so I chose "no" when prompted to (re-)install it. Now it's coming up with an error message saying that it's not found.

I looked for an .ini file to set the path manually to my location, but don't see one. How can I use my currently-installed Avisynth?

I don't want to install another instance of AviSynth, because I have lots of things in my plug-in directory that I need, and I don't want to duplicate them, or to have to explicitly call the plugin.

Thanks! This looks much, much, much easier than going through all the steps at http://xvid.ru/docs/rip/dvd/avsynen.htm (which by itself is a great way to learn about all the steps involved, but at this point I'm much happier with a "Press a Button" solution).

Tac

Use the NoInstall version, create a folder unzip to the folder & run it from there. Create a desktop icon for ease of launching, works perfectly. Good luck.

[tacman1123]

I uninstalled the original, said "Yes" to removing the registry options, downloaded the .7z no_install version, put that in a directory, ran avsToDvd from the new directory, and am still getting the same error. Avisynth is installed, .avs files open fine in WMP, avsp works fine, so I'm sure it's something relatively simple. Any suggestions on what to do next?

Thx,

Tac

[wg]

I uninstalled the original, said "Yes" to removing the registry options, downloaded the .7z no_install version, put that in a directory, ran avsToDvd from the new directory, and am still getting the same error. Avisynth is installed, .avs files open fine in WMP, avsp works fine, so I'm sure it's something relatively simple. Any suggestions on what to do next?

Thx,

Tac

I have AviSynth 2.5.7 installed & everything works fine, possibly try a re-install or if you are using a different version try 2.5.7. You also say you have 'lots of things in my plug-in directory that I need' possible conflict? Hope it works out.

[tacman1123]

The error message is that it's not seeing AviSynth (Not installed), I don't really have anything odd in my plugins directory, but I also don't want to maintain parallel copies of it. How does the program check for AviSynth? Is there a way I can give it the path?

[MrC]

The error message is that it's not seeing AviSynth (Not installed), I don't really have anything odd in my plugins directory, but I also don't want to maintain parallel copies of it. How does the program check for AviSynth? Is there a way I can give it the path?

AVStoDVD checks the following win registry key presence:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AviSynth

If AviSynth is correctly installed, that key is present and contains the local path to AviSynth folder.

Do you want to solve that issue definitively? Re-install AviSynth.

Do you want to keep everything untouched and do not be annoyed by AVStoDVD error message at startup? Go to 'Settings'/'Misc' and toggle on 'No splash screen at startup'. During Splash Screen displaying, AVStoDVD performs a complete check on required software. No splash screen, no software check, no error messages. :)

Now the question is: if AVStoDVD does not find AviSynth, BUT you assure that AviSynth works, then AVStoDVD should work as well. Correct?

:)

Bye

[MrC]

I just did 4 encodes with latest version also with HCEnc OPV, size set to 1110 and elementary streams only. First M2V came out 1050kb (correct :) ) , next 873kb, next 922kb, next 860kb. I then did 3 more (size set to 1480), first M2V was 1430kb (correct :) ), next 1440kb (too large and re-jig kicked in and then crashed with a BSOD in my Vista w/SP1), last one after a PC re-start came out 923kb ( thats 35% to small). I re-encoded the last avi using DVD2SVCD with CCE & D2SRoba and it came out at 1360kb, only 5% to small.

Thanks for OPV encoding reports!

I know that AVStoDVD's CQ prediction routine is far to be optimized (like D2SRoba) and can be improved. Any help in that direction (reports like yours, theory, code development, etc.) is welcome.

Now the routine is taking 5% of the total clip (10 parts equi-spaced all along the clip) and find out (max 5 trials) the CQ factor to match the desired filesize (5% of total DVD size).

That routine is quite good when clip has not many motion changes. If many, you must be lucky that the "5% trial clip" is good to describe the whole clip. If not, over/down sizing occurs.

Basically that routine is similar to Amnon82's GetCQ (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=103137), with some optimizations.

More worries from ReJig's crash... I have tested it on Vista standard and never had BSOD...

Let me know if you have suggestions about OPV or do more encoding.

;)

Bye

[tacman1123]

I checked the registry, and indeed everything is correct for that key (Default) and pluginsdir2_5.

When I double-click on an AVS file, or load it in WMP or other tools, it works the video renders normally. When I try to load an avs file in AVStoDVD, it gives the error message that it's an unsupported filetype ("File format not recognized.")

FWIW, my Avisynth is installed at c:\avisynth, your program was unzipped to c:\avisynth\avstodvd, and I have other tools in that directory as well (e.g. AvsP, vdubmod), so all my Avisynth-related tools are in one directory. (I HATE putting things in Program Files, I do too much stuff on the command line to constantly be dealing with quotes to handle the blank space.)

My plugins directory contains things like SubtitleEx and some custom functions (in an avsi file), but I'm sure the program isn't getting that far.

So that's the reason I don't want to re-install AviSynth, since other tools are installed there.

[MrC]

When I double-click on an AVS file, or load it in WMP or other tools, it works the video renders normally. When I try to load an avs file in AVStoDVD, it gives the error message that it's an unsupported filetype ("File format not recognized.")

As a matter of fact, you can't load avs files into AVStoDVD. You can load a "standard" clip (avi, mpg, mkv, etc.) and AVStoDVD will generate a AVS script for you. You can edit the script by clicking on 'Edit Title'/'AviSynth'

:)

Bye

[ChickenMan]

Thanks for OPV encoding reports!
...
Let me know if you have suggestions about OPV or do more encoding.
My only suggestion would be to contact Tylo and have a chat about D2SRoBa, I'm sure he will only be to glab to help you out.

One suggestion though, you use Re-jig to downsize an encode, thats great. But if it to small (occasionally happens with D2SRoBa also), then D2SRoBa initiates a VBR pass using the vaf file generated in the opv pass (using cce as the encoder, not sure if there is a HCEnc equivalent).

One problem I didnt mention in my above post, the first 4 avi's I encoded, I loadeded them into TMPGEnc DVD Author to edit out some footage and to add a simple menu. First 3 loaded in fine, TDA refused to load in the 4th giving no clue as to the problem. The next 3 I did, all 3 refused to load into TDA. All were encoded with identical settings, all default except max bitrate set to 8000 and min bitrate to 2500 (lowest I could go :( ), and DVD size varied from first 4 avis and last 3 of course. All my mpeg-2 "fixing" programs (Re-stream, mpeg-vcr & DVDLab Pro tools) could not "fix" the mpv streams to load into TDA. I ended up having to use DVD2SVCD (has real problems under Vista) to re-encode them so they would load into TDA. I think its time to upgrade to XP :D

[tacman1123]

Hmm, no wonder I'm confused. I thought AvsToDVD was a program that allowed me to turn my avs scripts into a DVD -- that's not what it does? I use Adobe's Media Encoder to convert avs scripts to Flash, but now need to convert avs scripts, as chapters to a DVD. Any suggestions on where to go?

As I mentioned before, http://xvid.ru/docs/rip/dvd/avsynen.htm spells out all the steps, but was hoping for a simpler, integrated solution.

Thx,

Tac