DVDFab or AnyDVDHD?

[Carpo]

I know both have their strengths and weaknesses, but which do you use and why?

Trying to streamline the PC down and am trying to get rid of duplicate programs, why have both installed if one will do it all :)

At the moment i cant decide which to remove, so throwing it out to a vote :p

[mike20021969]

You answered your own question: both have their strengths and weaknessesTrying to streamline the PC down...why have both installed if one will do it all :)
They hardly take up any space. Less than 60MB for both programs on my computer.

[Carpo]

You answered your own question.

They hardly take up any space. Less than 60MB for both programs on my computer.

I have a small drive, seeing as its a HTPC machine mainly so i dont need a large HDD.

[setarip_old]

@Carpo

Hi!

Considering the purchase prices of each of the two (higher than the prices of some 1 terabyte hard drives) and how little space they occupy, I'd retain both...

[Kerry56]

I have both, though my copy of DVDFab is the free one offered by GiveAwayoftheDay earlier this year. I find Fab to be clunky in its interface, and am not too fond of it. I use AnyDVD HD and a lot of free programs, depending on whether I'm working with Blu ray or dvds. So my solution doesn't save space at all. On modern 1 or 2 tb drives which have become common and cheap, the space taken by the programs is insignificant.

[Carpo]

@Carpo

Hi!

Considering the purchase prices of each of the two (higher than the prices of some 1 terabyte hard drives) and how little space they occupy, I'd retain both...

I have both, though my copy of DVDFab is the free one offered by GiveAwayoftheDay earlier this year. I find Fab to be clunky in its interface, and am not too fond of it. I use AnyDVD HD and a lot of free programs, depending on whether I'm working with Blu ray or dvds. So my solution doesn't save space at all. On modern 1 or 2 tb drives which have become common and cheap, the space taken by the programs is insignificant.

Looking at replacing a few drives but money is bit tight at the moment, rent and food etc is more important than HDD's ;)

Do you mean you do blurays with anydvd and dvd's with dvdfab kerry?

[Kerry56]

I normally use AnyDVD HD for everything. Combined with DVDRebuilder Pro, DVDShrink (very rarely used for compression) and BD Rebuilder.

I've tried DVDFab, especially when I was moving my dvd collection to hard drives for my HTPC, but got annoyed with it more often than not. I keep DVDFab as an emergency backup in case I ever run into something my normal tools can't handle. So, until the free offer came along, I just used the free section within DVDFab called DVDFab HD Decrypter.

The free offer for DVDFab only had the dvd section, not the blu ray compression section, as far as I am aware.

[Carpo]

Yes i use dvdfab mainly for episode discs

[Ghitulescu]

Both programs will occupy insignificant MBs in comparison to ripped DVDs/BDs.

[Inspector.Gadget]

Slysoft is a lot less sketchy than DVDFab's developers, who have ripped off code from ffmpeg (see ffmpeg/libav hall of shame). Also, I would count "available free on Giveawayoftheday" as a strike against DVDFab because much of what comes out of GOTD is either rip-off software trading on the name of established software (e.g., "Gold Wave Audio Editor" trying to pass itself off as Goldwave) or loaded with spyware.

[dfraga]

I know both have their strengths and weaknesses, but which do you use and why?

Trying to streamline the PC down and am trying to get rid of duplicate programs, why have both installed if one will do it all :)

At the moment i cant decide which to remove, so throwing it out to a vote :p

AnyDVD HD is way better than DVDFab in decrypting discs. The development is way faster and the support is amazing!

But DVDFab have more features... but if you don't need these features, go with AnyDVD HD.

[Chetwood]

Contrary to AnyDVD DVDfab's ripping feature stays free for good and thats all I need. Also I have yet to see a DVD/BD it could not handle.

[derbeDeus]

I know both have their strengths and weaknesses, but which do you use and why?

I think it's Dvdfab Passkey that you should compare AnydvdHD to. Dvdfab has a lot more features than just decrypting discs, so it wouldn't be fare.

[Carpo]

I think it's Dvdfab Passkey that you should compare AnydvdHD to. Dvdfab has a lot more features than just decrypting discs, so it wouldn't be fare.

But if your using the freeware part of it all you can use is the HD Decrypting part, rest are trial

[djmasturbeat]

I used to pay for DVDFab, but it improperly decrypted many of my DVDs and HDDVDs (this was 4.x, 5.x builds, i had it thru start of 6.x but HDDVD wasn't supported anymore), and had many issues all around. AnyDVDHD never has had any issue decrypting any DVD, HDDVD or BluRay I have thrown at it. So glad i switched to them, much better deal, imo. Once it is decrypted I just use a bunch of free tools to do the other stuff I need to extract streams, re-link OP/ED of episodic discs, split DVD9 -> 2xDVD5, etc. I rarely re-encode anything, but there are good free tools for both MPEG2 and HD streams and i can even use DVD or BD RB free editions until i can afford to donate for the Pro of the DVDRB (hopefully soon :) )

anyhow, i switched from paying subscription to DVDFab to AnyDVD a couple of years ago, and couldn't be happier (well, I would be happier if it weren't just a subscription :P but a lifetime update software). And there is also the issues with the Fantago sketchy stealing code from ffmpeg and likely even slysoft, among others :/

I have lapsed in subscription at times when they ran out and money was tight, so had to try to use the DVDFab HD Decrypter for things that DVD Decrypter doesn't handle, but again i have had issues with DVDFab not properly decrypting stuff either (green screens and mosaics, choppy audio, etc), so if i have the cash, prefer a solution that always works over a free solution that borks some things, and i want one that still works with hddvd. for me that solution is anydvd.

[kurkosdr]

DVD Fab, because it doesn't literaly occupies zero resources when not in use (Any DVD instead sits on the tray). Plus, the HD decypter version is free!

[mike20021969]

And there is also the issues with the Fantago sketchy stealing code from ffmpeg and likely even slysoft, among others :/


Does he have a response regarding DVDFab's appearance on FFmpeg's Hall Of Shame?

http://www.ffmpeg.org/shame.html

[fengtao]

FFmpeg is great and many big projects in the AV field include it; i.e. they all
acknowledge in this way the importance of FFmpeg and the achievement that its
development represents.

There have been some issues with licensing in the past, which we have tried to
sort out directly with FFmpeg without success. But I think that this will make
all clear about our intentions: DVDFab opensource page (www.dvdfab.com/opensource.htm).

Nevertheless, FFmpeg is included in DVDFab just for completeness. Nowadays,
DVDFab has better ways to transcode. Hardware accelerations like CUDA, AMD
APP(formerly ATI Stream), Intel Quick Sync and DXVA for HD and SD codecs (H264,
VC1, MPEG2) are 100% DVDFab production. Lighting Recoding (our transcoding
software acceleration), MVC (3D) decoder and 2D to 3D converter are all pure
DVDFab Research and Development, done here, in China. Same for our Cinavia
solution, unique so far and only a first step. Our main focus is to bring new
and exciting features to our customers and we are proud that we were able to set
and keep such a pace.

From the product point of view, we also have a driver-based product, DVDFab
Passkey (www.dvdfab.com/passkey-for-blu-ray.htm), which does not include any FFmpeg code and surpasses our competitor in
speed, memory footprint, and, on top of "classic" features, it has unique
features such as AES hardware-accelerated decryption and Blu-ray Player region
code changer. And we still make a free version of it available to all, along
with our free DVDFab Virtual Drive. We have a staff of over 50 now and I would
not hire and pay them just to steal code that we think is not as good as that
which we develop ourselves.

[7ekno]

Nowadays,
DVDFab has better ways to transcode. Hardware accelerations like CUDA, AMD
APP(formerly ATI Stream), Intel Quick Sync and DXVA for HD and SD codecs (H264,
VC1, MPEG2) are 100% DVDFab production.

That's all well and good, but H.264 quality from these just plain stink when compared to x264 ...

Any chance of negotiating a deal with x264 so that there is a "quality" option for H.264 (and a "speed" option for the hardware encoders)?!?

IMHO, that would drastically improve the offerings!

7ek

[kurkosdr]

they all acknowledge in this way the importance of FFmpeg and the achievement that its development represents.
The GPL license doesn't ask for any acknowledgments. The GPL license demands that anyone who uses GPL-copyrighted source code, to release the derivative product as GPL too. GPL source code is copyrighted source code, it's neither "public domain" source code, nor "permisssive"/"free for all" source code (like BSD licensed source code).

In plain english: Violating the above licensing requirement of the GPL is the same as including a pirated copy of PowerDVD in your DVD Fab tools. What you are doing is illegal and if you weren't based in this hive of copyright lawlessness known as the Popular Republic of China, you would have being sued for good.

There have been some issues with licensing in the past, which we have tried to sort out directly with FFmpeg without success.
There are issues because you blatantly infringed on GPL's copyright, despite the obvious copyright warnings that exist in the source code files. It's your fault. Stop trying to blame this on ffmpeg, because it makes you appear more slime-y than you already are. FFmpeg has no reason to settle for anything less than what the GPL license demands.

In plain english: Imagine if i made copies of the Avatar Blurary disc and started selling said copies for 3$ on the street, and then blamed the studio who filmed Avatar for not reaching a "licensing agreement" with me. That would be slime-y behavior. Same is what you guys at fengtao doing with the ffmpeg code.

I 'll say this one last time: Infringement of GPL's licensing requirements = Copyright infrigment.

But I think that this will make
all clear about our intentions: DVDFab opensource page (www.dvdfab.com/opensource.htm).
I propose changing the above "opensource page" into something like "we took your GPL source code and made millions from it, and didn't contribute anything back. But you can't get us because we operate in the Popular Republic of China. OMG we are such a bunch of thieves!"

Nevertheless, FFmpeg is included in DVDFab just for completeness. Nowadays,
DVDFab has better ways to transcode. Hardware accelerations like CUDA, AMD
APP(formerly ATI Stream), Intel Quick Sync and DXVA for HD and SD codecs (H264,
VC1, MPEG2) are 100% DVDFab production.
Blah blah blah, more lame excuses. It doesn't matter for what reason you put GPL code in your proprietary tools, or if there is fengtao-developed code that does something similar (but not the same). You are still a bunch of thieves. Anyway, remove the GPL code if you don't need it anymore!! If you still need said GPL code "for completeness" but don't release the derivative product under GPL, you are a bunch of thieves.

---
Sure, I use DVD Fab myself, because I want to "clean" my DVDs from copy protections like Arcoss that make some of my DVD players freeze, but I am not going to pretend that what fengtao does with the ffmpeg code is OK. It's not!

[fengtao]

Hi kurkosdr,

Based on your post, I think we must assume that you were somehow personally wronged by
China or someone here and if so, I am sorry.

It's clear that you didn't do much research before posting. I would also ask a moderator to
change all of your references marked "in plain english" to "in my opinion" to help readers
distinguish the two.

I think you misunderstand the GPL and LGPL license. We're not using GPL software; we're
using (only) LGPL part of ffmpeg. That's why ffmpeg is built as a separate dll and source is
provided for it, including our modifications. We are not trying to put any blame on FFmpeg,
just saying that we tried to sort it out in the past without success. The story of that was just
too long to include it in a short post here. The fact is that we are making a renewed effort to
comply. How about Roxio Creator 2011, which is using ffmpeg. They distribute a zip of ffmpeg
in VideoCore folder. What do you think of that (note: they're Americans)?

Nevertheless, FFmpeg is included in DVDFab just for completeness. Nowadays,
DVDFab has better ways to transcode. Hardware accelerations like CUDA, AMD
APP(formerly ATI Stream), Intel Quick Sync and DXVA for HD and SD codecs (H264,
VC1, MPEG2) are 100% DVDFab production.

If the facts I have posted about this issue are just "lame excuses" for you, it seems that you'll
simply ignore and discard anything that does not fit with the warped (and perhaps bigoted?)
picture you have about the New China and Chinese people.

I hope I will get some responses from others with perhaps more perspective than yours.

[setarip_old]

Post #16 by "kurkosdr": DVD Fab, because it doesn't literaly occupies zero resources when not in use (Any DVD instead sits on the tray). Plus, the HD decypter version is free!

Part of post #20 by "kurkosdr": Sure, I use DVD Fab myself, because I want to "clean" my DVDs from copy protections like Arcoss that make some of my DVD players freeze, but I am not going to pretend that what fengtao does with the ffmpeg code is OK. It's not!

As an impartial observer of this thread, I'd suggest that these statements fall into the category of, "Do as I say, not as I do"...

[Vurbal]

Hi kurkosdr,

Based on your post, I think we must assume that you were somehow personally wronged by
China or someone here and if so, I am sorry.

If the facts I have posted about this issue are just "lame excuses" for you, it seems that you'll
simply ignore and discard anything that does not fit with the warped (and perhaps bigoted?)
picture you have about the New China and Chinese people.
That was uncalled for. Implying you can't be sued for copyright infringement because you're in China is nothing more than a factual claim. Suggesting otherwise just makes it look like you're either looking for an excuse to claim bigotry or trying to change the subject. Despite the tone of kurkosdr's post, which admittedly was pretty ironic considering he apparently doesn't hold himself to the same standard, the tone of your response does you no favors. I would hope someone posting as an official company representative would be more professional than that.

[kurkosdr]

It's clear that you didn't do much research before posting. I would also ask a moderator to
change all of your references marked "in plain english" to "in my opinion" to help readers
distinguish the two.

I think you misunderstand the GPL and LGPL license. We're not using GPL software; we're
using (only) LGPL part of ffmpeg.
First of all, I acknowledge my mistake for claiming you are violating GPL code. On a second look, you are actually violating LGPL code (= the LGPL parts of ffmpeg). However, violations of the LGPL license are still theft. Bummer.

That's why ffmpeg is built as a separate dll and source is
provided for it, including our modifications. We are not trying to put any blame on FFmpeg,
just saying that we tried to sort it out in the past without success. The story of that was just
too long to include it in a short post here. The fact is that we are making a renewed effort to
comply.
So, if you are doing everything correct and according to the LGPL license, why are you in ffmpeg's hall of shame (http://web.archive.org/web/20100622191216/http://ffmpeg.org/shame.html)? (cached page, the original is temporarily down).

Here (https://roundup.libav.org/issue382) is a short list of your violations. Hmm... claiming ownership for the whole "software" (paragraph 2), even the parts of the "software" that are actually ownership of the ffmpeg project and not owned by you, prohibiting reverse engineering (paragraph 4), plus the usual stuff of not providing licensing information and link to source, these sound like LGPL violations to me.

How about Roxio Creator 2011, which is using ffmpeg. They distribute a zip of ffmpeg
in VideoCore folder. What do you think of that (note: they're Americans)?
They are not in ffmpeg's hall of shame list, which means they are using LGPL they way it was meant to be used. Unlike what DVD fab does.

The most annoying part of the story is that, despite DVD Fab being in ffmpeg's hall of shame for years, and having an issue tracker entry, you guys still want to pretend that you are doing everything according to the LGPL license and that everything is fine.

And since you obviously won't change your ways, how about at least making a donation or contribution to ffmpeg, so that you won't be 100% thieves?

[derbeDeus]

So basically you're back to square 1, mike20021969's post, "why are you in the Hall of shame list?". The link you provided is from 2008, maybe they need to do a re-evaluation.

And btw: it's People's Republic of China. It's common western ignorance about other parts of the world. What would everyone think about someone that says that USA stands for Unique States of America?

[fengtao]

If the facts I have posted about this issue are just "lame excuses" for you, it seems that you'll
simply ignore and discard anything that does not fit with the warped (and perhaps bigoted?)
picture you have about the New China and Chinese people.
That was uncalled for.
The guy carried out a clear attack against us. It was not clear for me if he was wronged by DVDFab specificaly or generally, by Chinese people.
It was quite shoking how a simple enumeration of features of the product, which was meant to give the correct dimension to the problem, was considered "lame excuses".

Implying you can't be sued for copyright infringement because you're in China is nothing more than a factual claim. Suggesting otherwise just makes it look like you're either looking for an excuse to claim bigotry or trying to change the subject.
So what do you suggest? Should I move to another country so there are better chances, in your view, to be suable? I don't hide in some islands, I develop the code in mainland China, Beijing, which is my home. As far as I'm concerned, that's not a fact, but a political stereotype and I think it would be reasonable that you would not claim it to be more than your oppinion.

First of all, I acknowledge my mistake for claiming you are violating GPL code.
Do you acknowledge your mistake or apologise for it?

On a second look, you are actually violating LGPL code (= the LGPL parts of ffmpeg).
Is this a claim based on your research?

So, if you are doing everything correct and according to the LGPL license, why are you in ffmpeg's hall of shame (http://web.archive.org/web/20100622191216/http://ffmpeg.org/shame.html)?
This question have been asked before and I tried to answer, but you were too busy to call us thieves (in regards to GPL), without knowing what you're talking about.

Here (https://roundup.libav.org/issue382) is a short list of your violations. Hmm... claiming ownership for the whole "software" (paragraph 2), even the parts of the "software" that are actually ownership of the ffmpeg project and not owned by you, prohibiting reverse engineering (paragraph 4), plus the usual stuff of not providing licensing information and link to source, these sound like LGPL violations to me.
We do provide source code (http://www.DVDFab.com/opensource.htm) on our site, same place where you get DVDFab in the first place. DVDFab products pages that use FFmpeg point to the opensource (http://www.DVDFab.com/opensource.htm) page. No doubts there.

How about Roxio Creator 2011, which is using ffmpeg. They distribute a zip of ffmpeg
in VideoCore folder. What do you think of that (note: they're Americans)?
They are not in ffmpeg's hall of shame list, which means they are using LGPL they way it was meant to be used. Unlike what DVD fab does.
That's out of the (GPL) context now. Do you know if they use GPL or LGPL? I did't say they should be in that list. But I'm saying that we should not be anymore.

The most annoying part of the story is that, despite DVD Fab being in ffmpeg's hall of shame for years, and having an issue tracker entry, you guys still want to pretend that you are doing everything according to the LGPL license and that everything is fine.

And since you obviously won't change your ways,
How would you know that? We actually did something about.

how about at least making a donation or contribution to ffmpeg
This is not how it works: the contributions that one can make to open source projects is to contribute with code. We already published our changes within the ffmpeg package, thing that will remain a habit. Money and amount could be considered (by someone that does not like us, do you know such a person?) a bribe to get us out of their list. When we will be out of the list, a donation would be possible.

[Wilbert]

It's clear that you didn't do much research before posting. I would also ask a moderator to
change all of your references marked "in plain english" to "in my opinion" to help readers
distinguish the two.

I think you misunderstand the GPL and LGPL license. We're not using GPL software; we're
using (only) LGPL part of ffmpeg.
First of all, I acknowledge my mistake for claiming you are violating GPL code. On a second look, you are actually violating LGPL code (= the LGPL parts of ffmpeg). However, violations of the LGPL license are still theft. Bummer.

That's why ffmpeg is built as a separate dll and source is
provided for it, including our modifications. We are not trying to put any blame on FFmpeg,
just saying that we tried to sort it out in the past without success. The story of that was just
too long to include it in a short post here. The fact is that we are making a renewed effort to
comply.
So, if you are doing everything correct and according to the LGPL license, why are you in ffmpeg's hall of shame (http://web.archive.org/web/20100622191216/http://ffmpeg.org/shame.html)? (cached page, the original is temporarily down).

It looks to me that they have addressed the major license issues (by making the modifications available under the same license and giving acknowledgements of libavcodec/ffmpeg). I suggest that you refrain yourself from making these wild accutations that you made in this thread without doing proper research.

If there are still license issues i would like to see a complete revaluation of them since the list of 2008 is apparently outdated.

[Carpo]

How have the last few posts been relevant to the thread? Seems to me they have taken it well off topic

[mike20021969]

Interesting development...

DVDFab 8.1.0.2 Qt Beta (June 30, 2011)

New: Added “Credits" to thank for open source libraries like FFmpeg and Qt.
New: Updated license to reflect the open source usage.
New: Included the LGPL license file.
New: Added workaround for a crash problem on Windows XP SP3, which is caused by the outdated graphics card driver.
New: Added multiple audio selection support for all MKV audiocopy profiles.
New: Some minor changes and improvements.
Fix: Intel Quick Sync encoded MP4 file cannot be played in iTunes and iPod/iPhone/iPad.

[mrr19121970]

AFAIK AnyDVD is the only software currently that can handle the new BD-J protection from Sony DADC Austria AG. This is currently found on Source Code (US version) and was 1st tried out on House On Haunted Hill (German version), Eclipse (Italian version), Sammy (Italian version) and The Kings Speech (Italian version).

[fengtao]

House On Haunted Hill (German version), Eclipse (Italian version), Sammy (Italian version) and The Kings Speech (Italian version) were supported when they were out.

"Source Code" Blu-ray disc will be out at 7/26 in US officially, and Passkey will be updated at the same day to support the new Java-based protection on it, plus several new features :)

[fengtao]

AFAIK AnyDVD is the only software currently that can handle the new BD-J protection from Sony DADC Austria AG. This is currently found on Source Code (US version) ...

We got "Source Code" Blu-ray disc (US), and Passkey v8030 (out at June 8) already supports it.

[setarip_old]

@fengtao

Hi! We got "Source Code" Blu-ray disc (US), and Passkey v8030 (out at June 8) already supports it.That's wonderful news, but it brings rise to a question (applicable to both Passkey and AnyDVDHD):

"Source Code" must be (mildly) compressed, in order to fit on a single layer BD-R. Has anyone confirmed that after such compression of either the Passkey backup copy or the AnyDVDHD version, by any or all of the usual programs, that the resultant FULL DISC single layer BD-R plays properly, from start to finish, with a runtime of 1:33:12 and no duplicate/triplicate brief bathroom scenes, as well as no "dead in the water" message inviting the user to go to the studio's website?


(BTW - It appears that a proper movie-only version can be readily created by using either "00743.MPLS" or "00876.MPLS")

[fengtao]

Hi setarip_old,

The "Source Code" Blu-ray disc is slightly bigger than BD25 (26.9GB).

For the "Full Disc" backup created by DVDFab, it can be played without problem. For "Main Movie" you need know the correct playlist (743 or 876) for now.

Best Regards,
Fengtao

[setarip_old]

@fengtao

I am aware of both points you've made here regarding overall size and the two correct .MPLS choices for "movie-only" (I independently determined the two .MPLS files by good old visual analysis of ALL .MPLS files - and posted the same at the MakeMKV Forum several days ago - and here, yesterday.)

However, my question to you, which I don't believe your post answers, was: Has anyone confirmed that after such compression of either the Passkey backup copy or the AnyDVDHD version, by any or all of the usual programs, that the resultant FULL DISC single layer BD-R plays properly, from start to finish, with a runtime of 1:33:12 and no duplicate/triplicate brief bathroom scenes, as well as no "dead in the water" message inviting the user to go to the studio's website?

Please advise.

[fengtao]

Please note: Passkey or AnyDVD don't do compression, they just decrypt or do simple copy.

For "Full Disc" backup of DVDFab, it's a compression of m2ts files, we don't touch the bd-j commands, so the playback is completely as original.

[setarip_old]

@fengtao Please note: Passkey or AnyDVD don't do compression, they just decrypt or do simple copy.I am well aware of that. Sorry if my previous posts were unclear to you.

My question was: Has anyone confirmed that after such compression of either the Passkey backup copy or the AnyDVDHD version, by any or all of the usual programs, that the resultant FULL DISC single layer BD-R plays properly, from start to finish...

By "compression...by the any of the usual programs", I was referring to the likes of BD-Rebuilder, DVDFab, etc.

[mrr19121970]

By "compression...by the any of the usual programs", I was referring to the likes of BD-Rebuilder, DVDFab, etc. [/Color]

I have sucessfully made a BD-R 25gb with Clown_BD BD Copier (tick use tsMuxeR).

[setarip_old]

@mrr19121970

Thank you for confirming ;>}