BD-Rebuilder, Feature Requests

[jdobbs]

Do you mean QUICK_CRF? That worked last time I tried it but --preset ultrafast takes away a lot of the advantages of CRF especially when aiming for BD5/9. I'd be content with CRF using the same x264 settings from the quality settings option. Maybe better would be a separate good/better/high/highest quality setting for CRF.

Thanks for looking at the resizing, I'd really make use of resizing the extras to 720/480, most don't have the definition you'd except from HD, to make for a higher quality movie.If you use the One-Pass CRF it does use the settings of the Quality selections.

The problem is that if I use the same settings for QUICK_CRF, it suddenly isn't "QUICK" anymore. What do you lose in ultrafast that is directly related to CRF?

[setarip_old]

@jdobbs

Is there a specific reason that you've not implemented "drag & drop" of the source folder and the work folder?

[turbojet]

If you use the One-Pass CRF it does use the settings of the Quality selections.

But I mean extras at CRF which gains me 1000-2000 kbps for the main movie usually using CRF 24 for the extras.

The problem is that if I use the same settings for QUICK_CRF, it suddenly isn't "QUICK" anymore. What do you lose in ultrafast that is directly related to CRF?

Better quality and lower file size. I don't mind the speed drop as it would still save a lot of time over 2 pass and it saves a nice amount of bitrate for the movie and I know what kind of quality it's going to be. 2 pass extras sometimes creates a saturated video stream to me (CRF <20) and occasionally results in some pretty bad looking video (CRF >28) because of how it's distributing the bitrate between the m2ts's. CRF solves this issue.

Another thing I thought of is extending the auto-resizing option with a suggestion for resize and file output size. For example:
- Set DVD5 output, no resize
- Encode all extras at CRF
- Sample ~3% of the movie at 1080p with CRF, compare to available bitrate, if it's below continue with the encode
- If CRF bitrate is above do CRF sample at 720p, if below pop up a box stating 'After analysis suggest to resize to 720p (default) or encode at 1080p'
- If CRF bitrate of 720p DVD5 is above, calculate bitrate for 1080p DVD9, sample and if below suggest between '1080p DVD9 (default), 720p DVD5, 1080p DVD5'
- If CRF bitrate of 1080p DVD9 is above, sample at 720p DVD9, if below suggest '720p DVD9 (default), 1080p DVD9, 720p DVD5, 1080p DVD9'
- if CRF bitrate of 720p DVD9 is above, suggest using 1080p BD25

Enabled by 2 options, auto resize and auto file output. Also have an option to decide which sets the default without user interaction. ini setting of AUTO_CRF or something with default at 26.

It would make the decision a lot easier and better for both novice and experienced users when aiming for DVD5/9.

[Sharc]

In my experience higher resolutions tolerate higher CRF values for same visual quality regarding encoding artefacts. How to account for this with auto-resize?

[turbojet]

True, what do you think of 720p CRF + 2 = 1080p CRF?
eg: 720p CRF 24 = 1080p CRF 26

Instead of crf samples a much better decision might be made from the rate factor of a full first pass. But that might have some disadvantages when resizing for second pass with the I/P/B changing. I've used 1080p stats files for 720p and vice versa a few times and it's always been within 10 kbps of the target bitrate with nothing noticeably wrong with the video. But maybe there's something technically bad by doing it.

Maybe the popups to resize are a bit much, and when auto resize and/or auto filesize is enabled it decides by itself but never exceeds DVD9 output.

[Sharc]

Well, personally I like to keep control over the resizing, rather than leaving it to some automatism. But that's just my opinion.
I would however be positive about the possibility to select the resizing for Extras and Feature independently (similar to DVD-RB).

[jdobbs]

Well, personally I like to keep control over the resizing, rather than leaving it to some automatism. But that's just my opinion.
I would however be positive about the possibility to select the resizing for Extras and Feature independently (similar to DVD-RB). That'll happen, but its probably quite a way down the road.

I added a new hidden option for the next version:

QUICK_USE_QUALITY=1

This will use the selected quality option for quick encodes, but the only speed advantage you'll see is the elimination of the a pass (assuming two-pass mode). If you are using "One-Pass CRF" mode, the only advantage you'd see is elimination of the prediction passes.

Also, just a reminder to anyone reading this:

QUICK_CRF=n

will set the quality level of QUICK encodes to the CRF value you set in "n". So between the two you should have complete control over the quality of the "Quick Extras".

[Capsbackup]

IMHO, I am all for "tweaking", but I have found the default settings are hard to improve upon. I have to say I like the method of rate control of DVD-RB, simple slider/percentage style.
I understand the need/desire to satisfy the "technically advanced tweakers" out there, :p , but I like the simple approach as well. Hidden settings may work just fine for some, but I think the majority of users will benefit much more from simpler gui adjustments.:)

[Sharc]

I added a new hidden option for the next version:

QUICK_USE_QUALITY=1

This will use the selected quality option for quick encodes, but the only speed advantage you'll see is the elimination of the a pass (assuming two-pass mode).
Nice option, thanks. The speed advantage will still be there in particular for larger Extras.
If you are using "One-Pass CRF" mode, the only advantage you'd see is elimination of the prediction passes.
Not sure if I understand 'elimination' correctly.. Don't we need a CRF prediction pass always for 'One Pass (CRF) encoding' and '"Quicker" encode for Extras' -- even for the Extras? Or are the Extras encoded at a fix (default) CRF?

Added:
I guess I found the answer: For 'One Pass encoding' AND 'Quicker Encode for Extras', the Extras are encoded at a fix CRF depending on Target Size or on the QUICK_CRF=n setting in the config file.

[jdobbs]

Exactly. In QUICK encoding a fixed CRF is used, and the output size of the non-extras are adjusted appropriately (larger or smaller -- normally larger, but it's up-in-the-air when you select something with QUICK_CRF) depending upon how much space is actually used by the combination of all the QUICK encodes.

[chudm]

would it be too much, if we have an option, to add an extra sub or audio? i had my cars bluray and dvd, but the bluray doesnt have the spanish audio :(, and wanted to add the audio from the dvd to the bluray, cause my little sisters doesnt understand english so much....

btw jdobbs how could this be done without bd rebuilder? with tsmuxer, but what about chapters and all that, do i lose it? thx!

[turbojet]

How about a Pause/Resume function?

2 command line programs that can bring this functionality are process (http://www.beyondlogic.org/solutions/processutil/processutil.htm) and PsSuspend (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897540.aspx)

[deank]

Thanks, turbojet, for the hint! This 'process' cli is quite nice and I added it to multiAVCHD.

[Groucho2004]

How about a Pause/Resume function?

2 command line programs that can bring this functionality are process (http://www.beyondlogic.org/solutions/processutil/processutil.htm) and PsSuspend (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897540.aspx)

Oh dear. That's like using an axe to trim your fingernails.

[setarip_old]

@jdobbs

If the "Process" function is added, you may have many users getting "notifications" from McAfee (and possibly other antivirus programs) that it may be viral. This presently happens (for this exact reason) when one installs "AVCHDCoder" that uses the "Process" function to allow pausing...

[turbojet]

Thanks, turbojet, for the hint! This 'process' cli is quite nice and I added it to multiAVCHD.

Your welcome :)

@jdobbs

If the "Process" function is added, you may have many users getting "notifications" from McAfee (and possibly other antivirus programs) that it may be viral. This presently happens (for this exact reason) when one installs "AVCHDCoder" that uses the "Process" function to allow pausing...

I see what you mean, according to virustotal 5 other av's don't like process.exe either (http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/5aaf73ef89f0efab963abb170bc9b7cd7d4d5bd7a691cd83137b4cc39cd120de-1255618451)

PsSuspend comes out clean (http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/e47fade3db7bd4b30e8e7f7372694d2f3764d56d069e2a65e9e4f147396f26ca-1255595931)

Depending on which language it's written in there might be a pause/resume function built in. I see c/c++ has a few days of doing this.

[Sharc]

What about a Hidden Option for merging all segments of a segmented movie into one big .m2ts for 'Movie only' before encoding?
This would encode the movie with one and the same CRF in 1-pass crf mode, for example. Presently every segment is individually predicted and gets its own final CRF, which I would assume has no real quality benfit but takes more time and is probably more risky for meeting the target size. Am I wrong here?

[jdobbs]

How about a Pause/Resume function?

2 command line programs that can bring this functionality are process (http://www.beyondlogic.org/solutions/processutil/processutil.htm) and PsSuspend (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897540.aspx) I see what you mean, according to virustotal 5 other av's don't like process.exe either (http://www.virustotal.com/analisis/5aaf73ef89f0efab963abb170bc9b7cd7d4d5bd7a691cd83137b4cc39cd120de-1255618451)It's pretty easy to do it yourself anyway... you don't really need an external program. The only thing you have to worrry about most of the time is a commercial program -- because pausing it makes your program look like a debugger -- and that kicks off alarms in most of the protection schemes.

[Sharc]

What about a Hidden Option for merging all segments of a segmented movie into one big .m2ts for 'Movie only' before encoding?
This would encode the movie with one and the same CRF in 1-pass crf mode, for example. Presently every segment is individually predicted and gets its own final CRF, which I would assume has no real quality benfit but takes more time and is probably more risky for meeting the target size. Am I wrong?
@jdobbs
I encoded a title with more than 30 segments in 1-pass crf movie only mode. Every segment was individually crf-predicted, and the crf swing between segments was significant, ranging from 14.75 to 23.28.
Wouldn't the video quality be more consistent if one would merge the segments before encoding an encode the entire video with the same crf?
Any thoughts?

[setarip_old]

@Sharc

To determine if your suggestion is viable, you can easily experiment on your own:

1) Use "MakeMKV" (presently freeware - NO other software required for ripping) to rip a BluRay disc. "MakeMKV" will AUTOMATICALLY generate a single .MKV file of the movie only (as well as separate, individual .MKVs of other material on the original BluRay disc)

2) Load the "movie-only" .MKV into "tsMuxeR" and save as "BluRay"

3) Load the created BluRay "package" into BD-RB, select "movie-only" and proceed as usual - and see if the results support your speculation

[Sharc]

@Sharc

To determine if your suggestion is viable, you can easily experiment on your own:

1) Use "MakeMKV" (presently freeware - NO other software required for ripping) to rip a BluRay disc. "MakeMKV" will AUTOMATICALLY generate a single .MKV file of the movie only (as well as separate, individual .MKVs of other material on the original BluRay disc)

2) Load the "movie-only" .MKV into "tsMuxeR" and save as "BluRay"

3) Load the created BluRay "package" into BD-RB, select "movie-only" and proceed as usual - and see if the results support your speculation
I already did similar by merging the files with Clown_BD.
Result is that the target file size using 1-pass with predicted single crf=18.09 is better met (95%@crf=18.09) compared to the segmented standard approach (88%@crf=14.75 ....23.82). Visual quality is fine for both cases -- I didn't make a detailed analysis though.
While my suggestion seems to be viable and advantageous for movie-only encodes it may not be doable for a full backup when some segments are common for the theatre and for the extended version, and some segments are different. Means the original segmentation must be preserved in such case.

[jdobbs]

@jdobbs
I encoded a title with more than 30 segments in 1-pass crf movie only mode. Every segment was individually crf-predicted, and the crf swing between segments was significant, ranging from 14.75 to 23.28.
Wouldn't the video quality be more consistent if one would merge the segments before encoding an encode the entire video with the same crf?
Any thoughts? If they were all encoded together you'd probably also see similar swings. The reduction is consistent between the segments (in size), so the qp swings accordingly. It's probably more a function of the complexity of each segment.

[Sharc]

If they were all encoded together you'd probably also see similar swings. The reduction is consistent between the segments (in size), so the qp swings accordingly. It's probably more a function of the complexity of each segment.
Just guessing: Could it be that the studios allocate 'unusual' high bitrates to low complexity (dark, flat, fading) scenes in order to minimize banding or similar? These segments would then result in 'unusual' low crf values for re-encoding, compared to 'normal' scenes.

[colinhunt]

I've got a question which could be seen as a feature request as well.

I did a Full backup last night of Office Space (region A) and while the process went though fine, I noticed there are numerous occasions where video displays massive quantities of block noise not found in the original. My plan is to re-encode the video stream with MeGUI, then replace the .mkv file in BD-RB's WORKFILES directory and have BD-RB rebuild the whole thing.

But how do I tell BD-RB to skip all the previous phases and go directly to Rebuilding phase, using the files in WORKFILES?

As a feature request: a separate "Rebuild from Workfiles" selection in one of the menus would be cool.

[Capsbackup]

But how do I tell BD-RB to skip all the previous phases and go directly to Rebuilding phase, using the files in WORKFILES?


Just replace the file you want in the Workfile folder with your new creation, rename it to match the one you remove. If you need it to be .264 or .mkv, reencode with that setting in MEGUI, either RAWAVC or .MKV.
Just make sure you don't delete the Workfile folder after rebuild, and if your not satisfied with BD-RB's backup, try the above suggestion. :)

[colinhunt]

Just replace the file you want in the Workfile folder with your new creation, rename it to match the one you remove. If you need it to be .264 or .mkv, reencode with that setting in MEGUI, either RAWAVC or .MKV.
Yeah, that's what I was doing, but my question was how to force BD-RB do only the rebuild phase? Will BD-RB notice automatically that the workfiles still exist and skips all the demuxing & encoding phases?

[setarip_old]

@colinhunt

Hi!

Click on the following link:

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1329393&postcount=240

[Capsbackup]

Yeah, that's what I was doing, but my question was how to force BD-RB do only the rebuild phase? Will BD-RB notice automatically that the workfiles still exist and skips all the demuxing & encoding phases?

Yes, if BD-RB has finished reencoding all files, it will not reencode them again. This is why it would benefit you to not select Delete Workfile Folder after rebuild. You would first need to complete a successful project, letting it rebuild and checking the results. Then, if you are not satisfied, you can rename and replace a file and do another rebuild.
Note, your initial settings can NOT change. So make sure you select/deselect all appropriate audio and subs that you had for your first initial backup. If you get the message The Folder is not empty, delete all files?, you did not set it up properly.

[jdobbs]

I've got a question which could be seen as a feature request as well.

I did a Full backup last night of Office Space (region A) and while the process went though fine, I noticed there are numerous occasions where video displays massive quantities of block noise not found in the original. My plan is to re-encode the video stream with MeGUI, then replace the .mkv file in BD-RB's WORKFILES directory and have BD-RB rebuild the whole thing.

But how do I tell BD-RB to skip all the previous phases and go directly to Rebuilding phase, using the files in WORKFILES?

As a feature request: a separate "Rebuild from Workfiles" selection in one of the menus would be cool.You can do that, but wouldn't it just make more sense to use a better encoding quality choice in the first place?

[jdobbs]

Ok... I need someone to tell me what the issue is with Windows 7... so I forked out the $109 and upgraded my PC so I could make sure it works correctly.

The problem is -- it works perfectly with Windows 7 out-of-the-box (Home Premium). I did an upgrade, ran it, and it worked perfectly. I then checked and set VC-1 to "disabled" --- voila, it still worked perfectly.

To those who have been asking "When will you make changes to make it work by default with Windows 7?" I have to answer "What gives, bubba?"

By the way... this O/S looks and acts pretty much exactly like Vista. It's only my first day, but this certainly seems to be much ado over nothing.

[Capsbackup]

Did you do an Upgrade over Vista or a reformat and clean install?
I'm holding off for a awhile myself. :confused: :p

[jdobbs]

Did you do an Upgrade over Vista or a reformat and clean install?
I'm holding off for a awhile myself. :confused: :pI upgraded over Vista.

[writersblock29]

@Jdobbs

Microsoft might have changed something between the betas most people have been using and the release candidates. I noticed a different system of mine had no trouble running BD Rebuilder when I installed the RC and allowed it to run all its updates. I'll admit I didn't try BDRB before running the updates, so it could even be something in an update. The initial betas were a no-go without those registry tweaks.

(Gotta love beta software, eh? :p)

Still waiting for my copy of Win7 to arrive (I purchased it during the pre-order deal a few months back). Man, I'm sick of Windows XP X64 on my main system!

[colinhunt]

You can do that, but wouldn't it just make more sense to use a better encoding quality choice in the first place?
I used the "Highest (Very Slow)" setting for the job with BD-25 as target size. Encoding took 9 hours on a 3.8GHz Core i7.

Want to hear the funny part? While my encoding PC was doing the second encode with MeGUI, I ran BD-RB on another PC and made another full backup of the same disc, this time using the "High-Speed Option (BD-25)". The process took less than an hour and the output looks excellent. This was the first time I tried the High-Speed Option and I have to say I'm pretty darn impressed!

[colinhunt]

Yes, if BD-RB has finished reencoding all files, it will not reencode them again. This is why it would benefit you to not select Delete Workfile Folder after rebuild.
Yup, I was kinda hoping this was the case, which is why I didn't let BD-RB delete workfiles.

Note, your initial settings can NOT change. So make sure you select/deselect all appropriate audio and subs that you had for your first initial backup. If you get the message The Folder is not empty, delete all files?, you did not set it up properly.
Good to know, thanks!

Click on the following link:
http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1329393&postcount=240
Thank you!

[DVD Maniac]

@jdobbs

Just stumbled onto something in latest version, right clicking a Title row prior to processing in Full Backup mode now gives various sub options to view, blank, keep the title etc. However the view feature does not appear to work yet and the other options are greyed out. Does this indicate we are close to having a title blanking feature? I only ask as I have just started to look at TV series based projects where I do now want to keep the menu but ditch all the other rubbish - Movie Only is obviously no use in this case (unless I run a movie only backup for each episdoe but then I loose the menu of course)

[jdobbs]

@jdobbs

Just stumbled onto something in latest version, right clicking a Title row prior to processing in Full Backup mode now gives various sub options to view, blank, keep the title etc. However the view feature does not appear to work yet and the other options are greyed out. Does this indicate we are close to having a title blanking feature? I only ask as I have just started to look at TV series based projects where I do now want to keep the menu but ditch all the other rubbish - Movie Only is obviously no use in this case (unless I run a movie only backup for each episdoe but then I loose the menu of course)Hmmm... the popup menu should have been disabled, I must have enabled it without paying attention. But, yes, I plan to implement those -- just not yet. I'm not sure about timing.

[vamsiklak]

I wonder if the BD-RB has movie splits into the way we want
like ..I want to split in half if the movie is 40gb
I want to use two bd-r 25
and i want to spillt in half if the movie is less than 15gb
please help..?

[DVD Maniac]

Hmmm... the popup menu should have been disabled, I must have enabled it without paying attention. But, yes, I plan to implement those -- just not yet. I'm not sure about timing.

OK Thanks. What will it take to get this moved up the build queue!:):)

[Wolfe999]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I was lost among so many entries.

Is there a way to make that BD-Rebuilder respects (don't touch or upscale) the original sound that may come in mono or just stereo?

Thank you :)

[jdobbs]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered, but I was lost among so many entries.

Is there a way to make that BD-Rebuilder respects (don't touch or upscale) the original sound that may come in mono or just stereo?

Thank you :)If you say "Do not reencode AC3" and "Do not convert DTS" in the SETUP dialog, the original audio is used -- regardless of how many channels it holds. The exception would be LPCM.

[Wolfe999]

@jdobbs Thanx for your answer.

But, and it was my mistake, I didn't specify that I meant DVD-9 or 5 conversions, and movie-only. The options you mention are reserved to blu-ray. If I'm not mistaken, whenever you do a DVD-9 or 5 conversion, it converts the audio to ac3 5.1 448 or 640. I want to know what I have to do to make the program keep the original audio in the DVD's conversion.

Thanx again :)

[Reabar]

Hello everyone.. this is my first participation in this site :eek:

I'm an excessive Blu-Ray user, and I would like to get back to the subject here : Feature Requests

such great software we have here gentlemen :thanks:

I only have a suggestion for a simple and much needed feature :

Setting menu > Setup > Video Encoding Options > Resize Extras 1080p to 720p

as you know, not all extras are worth keeping, and 720p is enough for them, and some times 480p is more than enough.

I added an image of what it might look like, and it looks useful to me :helpful:

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1016/setuprv.jpg


we could also use variable audio quality levels like : 192 - 256 - 640

I hope it doesn't take much work to add such features, it will make may life so much easer.

[jdobbs]

@jdobbs Thanx for your answer.

But, and it was my mistake, I didn't specify that I meant DVD-9 or 5 conversions, and movie-only. The options you mention are reserved to blu-ray. If I'm not mistaken, whenever you do a DVD-9 or 5 conversion, it converts the audio to ac3 5.1 448 or 640. I want to know what I have to do to make the program keep the original audio in the DVD's conversion.

Thanx again :)No they're not... they are meant for ALL encodes. Only the "Keep HD Audio" fits that scenario. If you select those options, the non-HD core of the AC3 or DTS is kept and it is not reencoded.

If you want to keep the HD audio for DVD-5/9, you're pretty much out-of-luck. The audio of a single 5.1 channel stream alone can fill most of a DVD-5. You really need BD-25 to keep HD audio.

[Wolfe999]

@jdobbs Thanx for the clarification :)

No, I just want to keep the original sound in those cases that it's mono or just stereo, and for the rest of the DVD's conversions, I'm just happy with the ac3 5.1 sound :-D

[jdobbs]

@jdobbs Thanx for the clarification :)

No, I just want to keep the original sound in those cases that it's mono or just stereo, and for the rest of the DVD's conversions, I'm just happy with the ac3 5.1 sound :-D BTW, if you decided to reencode a mono channel it will be reencoded as mono AC3 at 112Kbs, stereo would be reencoded in AC3 at 224Kbs.

[Sharc]

I run into a significant oversize (+15%) with a 1-pass crf encode trying out the latest x264 with weightp=2.
Is there an easy way to use the oversized file as 1st pass for a subsequent 2nd pass to get the size right? If so, could this be included as a feature in BD-RB?

Added:
It seems already to be on the agenda here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1332892#post1332892)

[Data24]

hi jdobbs. first of all, great work. a very easy to use app to backup blurays.
but i miss an expert mode so that i can
- set/override the REDUCTION for each file/stream
- set/override the destination format for each audio stream
also it would be nice, if the main window would be resizeable. sometimes there are many streams to display.
thxs a lot and greetings from germany

[piston_broke]

Hi
First just want to say thanks for a very easy to use bit of software for people like me who don't understand all this x264 encoding thingy!
There are a couple of audio features i would like to see though.I don't know if it even possible,but can you convert LPCM and other audio streams to DTS.Very often this would mean no re-encoding of the video to fit on a BD 25 disc,which would be great!
Also a lot of movies from other sources have DTS 1536kbps (which i think is overkil for a BD5) so it would be great if this could be reduced to 768kbps so as to leave more room for the video.So an option to convert DTS 1536 to DTS 768 would be nice.If this feature cannot be incorporated i wonder if anyone can point me to some software which directly acceps .dts files to down convert.I think eac3to is supposed to but i can never get it to work properly.
One final request: TS Muxer can accept a movie with non standard resolution('cropped') and still make a bluray structure out of it,which is recognised by BD rebuilder.Is it possible to add an uncrop feature to make the movie compliant.I know of uncropMKV but i think it says on it's thread that re-encoding isn't as good as other software.Hence, it would be nice to encorporate that feature
in this software to make an all round package.Thanks for listening guys.

[lithiumus]

The issue with DTS is that there is no free DTS encoder... so instead, maybe this could be considered...

Since Surcode is the most reasonable and easy to interface DTS encoder, have BD Rebuilder have the option to call out to Surcode to downconvert to DTS if it's installed. In addition, allow the more advanced user who is willing and able to re-encode the audio for HD audio to DTS, etc to "swap" in a custom audio stream. Of course this would only work if the stream is NOT seamless branching...

But let us know if a simple call out to Surcode similar to how eac3to does it to encode DTS makes sense or maybe just a simple call out to eac3to to do it with the caveat that the user must have eac3to installed and Surcode installed and working properly...