Encoders

[Andrew C]

Hello
I have been using DVD Rebuilber with Cinema Craft Encoder Basic for a long time.
I just reformatted my pc and when reinstalling Rebuilder, i find i have lost my key/serial number for CCE Basic.

Dos anyone know if there is a way of finding out my details for CCE Basic ?
If this is not possible, is there another CCE that would work with Rebuilder that dosn't cost a fortune, CCE Basic was always recommonded because of the price.
If not, what is a good current enconder to use with Rebuilder ?
Also how would you install a different encoder with Rebuilder, Rebuilder usually just asks where CCE is on my PC when it's installing, and then gives you a list of the different CCEs to pick from, i haven't seen an option to choose a different encoder in the set up ?

[Andrew C]

After a bit of tinkering i realise this is not as complicated as it seems and i didn't even need to download Rejig or HC Encoder, it is included in the installer.

Using the full Rebuilder installer, and after pointing the CCE Encoder screen to any folder, and finishing Rebuilder set up.
You can pick your encoder from the list in Rebuilder program when you opern it up.
I have been used to setting everything up on the set up stage, never realise you could change encoders in the program itself, and they come pre installed.

[Andrew C]

With Cinema Craft Encoder Basic not made anymore, is there any other CCE that can be used with Rebuilder ?

[jeffshead]

I too need to know the answer. It's been years since I've used DVD-RB.

[Darksoul71]

I do not know if this helps but IMO any Cinemacraft product is obsolete in terms of Quality. When HCEnc is set to "best", it can easily compete with CCE and provides an equally sharp image. I do not know about speed differences though. It has been ages ago since I shrinked a DVD with DVB-RB.

HTH,
D$

[jeffshead]

Thanks Darksoul71.

I did a backups with DVD-Cloner 2013 and DVD-RB with CCE 2.7x and HC 0.26 Beta.

I will view the results and post my opinions on each.

[rjd0309]

At first, I used CCE Basic with DVD Rebuilder. But then I compared the encodes of both CCE Basic and the (included) HC encoder. HC encodes look cleaner, with less background noise.

[jeffshead]

I don't have time to analyze the encodes just yet but from what I remember, CCE encodes always had mosquito artifacts no matter what settings were used.

I used to do a lot of encoding but it's been years and I forgot most of what I learnt. I do remember doing a DVD Shrink transcode for most everything before performing the DVD-RB/CCE encode so I could compare the two. I swear the transcodes, many times, looked better than the CCE encodes! But of course it all relative and open to interpretation.

[Darksoul71]

DVDShrink is not comparable with DVD-RB / CCE or DVD-RB / HCEnc since it is a compressed domain transcoder. DVDShrink work(ed) nicely for me with compression levels up to 65-70% but below IMO it looks horrible even when you choose to smooth the video.

DVD-RB still offers the option to use AVISynth scripts to filter / enhance compressibility. QuEnc is also included but produces a softer, less sharp image compared to CCE / HCEnc. Also QuEnc (as most libav-based encoders) has the tendency to undersize.

Forum rules prohibit to mention what is best but for me HCEnc could always compete with CCE qualitywise while CCE was a faster.