Just thanks! (Ice Age 1 CD rip)

[RB]

Hi,

I'm using DVD2SVCD for about two weeks now and I just wanted to say

Thank you!

to the author of DVD2SVCD and all the other people involved in support and development. It's simply the most easy to use and powerful tool for DVD archiving that I can imagine. Being a programmer myself, I can estimate the huge amount of work it was (and is!) to make all these individual tools work together nicely and wrap this into a fool proof GUI. Everything has been working flawlessly for me so far and with simply leaving almost everything at defaults I'm baffled by the results every time. Not to speak of the recent addition of "Use frame selection", just awesome. Congratulations!

For instance (and to get to the other part of the subject), I just ripped Ice Age to a single CD (800 MB media overburned to 900 MB though, plays back fine in my setup). I did not have high hopes because average bit rate was only around 1400, but since the movie is relatively short and should be well compressible because it's CGI, I thought what the heck, let's try it.

The result was simply amazing. Crisp, clear and sharp picture. I personally cannot tell the difference from the DVD when output to TV. Of course, there is a difference (like surfaces getting a little "grainy" when they move etc.), but I can really only notice that on a computer display.

BTW, this is only true for CCE 2.50. I also tried TMPGEnc but even when using it's CGI matrix, the result was _much_ worse than CCE's. So I should really also thank the people at Cinemacraft ;-)

So, may all the gods be smiling at you and thanks again!

[chainsaw135]

I know dvd2svcd likes to hear threads like this, as i feel sometimes people take for granted how easy we all have it. Back before dvd2svcd become an option for us to back up our dvd's we would have to do it all by hand learning all the tools and commands. I know some people still do movies by hand but for the majority of us we just dont have the time or even patients for such a task.


I wanna say i'm glad you find this software as exciting and good as i think alot of the loyal followers and myself do. oh and welcome to doom9:)

[UltimateDBZ]

Thanks for your comments :) We all appreciate them!

[ux-3]

I did not have high hopes because average bit rate was only around 1400, but since the movie is relatively short and should be well compressible because it's CGI, I thought what the heck, let's try it. The result was simply amazing. Crisp, clear and sharp picture.
Let me point out that Ice age is an absolute exception. Yes it compresses very well, and I can acknowledge the good results you report. If you take a look at the Vobs, you'll see that they only amount to less than 3 GB. Other movies use far more space to store the same playtime. You will find that storing these onto a single CD is a very compromising task, and that most frequently 2 CDs or a cdr 99 with 25% higher bitrate is the only acceptable choice.

[RB]

Originally posted by ux-3
Let me point out that Ice age is an absolute exception.

Yes, sure. Most of my encodes produce two or three disks of course. AFAIK there is also a fullscreen 4:3 version of this DVD, but anyway I got the 16:9 version so the black bars that are added also "save" bitrate :)

[druidmeister]

Please share the exact settings you used, especially on the audio and bitrate screens. I have been having problems since November 2002 to get DVD2SVCD to put one movie on one CDR. I either get 2 MPEGs or error messages. I reasearched the forum high and low and could not find solutions. When I opened a new thread I got newbie advice that did not address my direct question.
I did learn something in some comments here that perhaps explains why some movies of even length come out with less block artifacts in action scenes than others.
Can we use my example to walk through exact setting as well? This example is Big Trouble at just under 85 minutes.
I tried to fit one 85 minute movie on CDR so I used DVD2SVCD to encode the video but ran into an error.
Audio was set at 128 ... downsample tp 44.1 with joint stereo
Video bitrate screen was changed for 76 to 100 min to 1 CD at 800 MB which shows calculated/estimated as 1297-951
MAX kept at 1150
NO Min average
Max average set to 951
Also tried Bitrate max warning as checked or unchecked (on this last try).
I get an error message: EStringListError List index out of bounds (-1)

Am I doing something wrong? I have been battled this issue since November 2002.

dvd2svcd_log.txt shows:
WNASPI32.DLL 4.71.1.0
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 8:12:14 AM
- DVD to SVCD Conversion
- DVD2VCD ver. 1.1.0 build 1c
--------------------------------------------------------
Initializing
Initializing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 8:12:20 AM
- DVD2AVI
--------------------------------------------------------
Creating DVD2AVI INI file:
- C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.INI

Variable settings:
iDCT_Algorithm: 32-bit SSE MMX

Executing DVD2AVI.
Executing DVD2AVI. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.exe" -CS=2 -YR=1 -EXIT -OF=[D:\VCD\DVD2AVI_Project_file] -IF=[D:\SVCD\VTS_01_1.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_2.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_3.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_4.vob]
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film activated!
Framerate: 23976
DVD2AVI processing done.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 8:16:33 AM
- Free on drive D: 8387.57 mb
- AUDIO Extraction
--------------------------------------------------------
Found AC3 stream id: 0x80
Filename: D:\VCD\Extracted_audio_1.ac3
Audio1 delay: -34 ms
Audio extraction finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 8:21:08 AM
- Free on drive D: 8114.95 mb
- AUDIO conversion
--------------------------------------------------------

Encoding Audio. Filename: D:\VCD\Extracted_audio_1.ac3
Executing BeSweet. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe" -core( -input "D:\VCD\Extracted_audio_1.ac3" -output "D:\VCD\Encoded_audio_1.mp2" -logfile "D:\VCD\Encoded_audio_1.log" ) -azid( -L -3db -c normal -s surround -g max ) -ota( -d -34 ) -shibatch( --rate 44100 ) -2lame( -e -b 128 -m j )
Audio conversion of D:\VCD\Extracted_audio_1.ac3 finished.

Audio conversion finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 8:45:30 AM
- Free on drive D: 8037.05 mb
- Video Encoding using TMPGEnc
--------------------------------------------------------
- Encoding D:\VCD\AviSynth_Script_file.avs
StreamSectors: 833934864
AudioSectors: 82873840
VideoPAPO: 11634336
ScanOffsetBytes: 0
SeqAligningBytes: 0
DVDBytes: 0
VideoEndHeader: 4
SubtitleSectors: 0
EmptySectors: 238.00
PictureSectors: 1.00
PureMPEGStream: 739426684.00
Seconds: 5110.52
CalcMPEGStream: 739426684.00
Frames: 122410
CDSize: 800.00
Number of CDs: 1
Cut point 795.00
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\Pegasys Inc\TMPGEnc Plus 2.5\TMPGEnc.exe" "D:\VCD\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:28:58 AM
- Free on drive D: 7352.95 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:29:03 AM
- Free on drive D: 7352.95 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:29:08 AM
- Free on drive D: 7352.95 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:29:12 AM
- Free on drive D: 7352.95 mb
- Multiplexing and cutting
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
Offset in Seconds: 2
Executing bbMPEG.
Variable Settings:
Movie offset: 2 seconds
Cut point: 795 mb

Executing RunbbMPEG. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\RunbbMPEG.exe" "D:\VCD\bbMPEG_Muxed_File.mpg"
Multiplexing and cutting finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:35:14 AM
- Free on drive D: 6505.32 mb
- Creating CD-Images using VCDImager
--------------------------------------------------------
Executing VCDImager. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\VCDImager\VCDImager.exe" --type=vcd2 --cue-file="D:\VCD\CD_Image_File_CD1.cue" --bin-file="D:\VCD\CD_Image_File_CD1.bin" --iso-volume-label=VCD1 --progress --add-file="D:\VCD\SVCDInfo.txt",EXTRA/VCDINFO.TXT "D:\VCD\bbMPEG_Muxed_File00.mpg"
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:40:16 AM
- Free on drive D: 5698.62 mb
- Creating CD-Images using VCDImager
--------------------------------------------------------
Executing VCDImager. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\VCDImager\VCDImager.exe" --type=vcd2 --cue-file="D:\VCD\CD_Image_File_CD2.cue" --bin-file="D:\VCD\CD_Image_File_CD2.bin" --iso-volume-label=VCD2 --progress --add-file="D:\VCD\SVCDInfo.txt",EXTRA/VCDINFO.TXT "D:\VCD\bbMPEG_Muxed_File01.mpg"
CD-Image creation finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 10:40:30 AM
- Free on drive D: 5643.77 mb
- SVCD Creation finished!
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:04:49 AM
- DVD to SVCD Conversion
- DVD2VCD ver. 1.1.0 build 1c
--------------------------------------------------------
Initializing
Initializing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:04:54 AM
- DVD2AVI
--------------------------------------------------------
Creating DVD2AVI INI file:
- C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.INI

Variable settings:
iDCT_Algorithm: 32-bit SSE MMX

Executing DVD2AVI.
Executing DVD2AVI. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.exe" -CS=2 -YR=1 -EXIT -OF=[D:\VCD\DVD2AVI_Project_file] -IF=[D:\SVCD\VTS_01_1.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_2.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_3.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_4.vob]
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film activated!
Framerate: 23976
DVD2AVI processing done.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:08:58 AM
- Free on drive D: 9904.19 mb
- AUDIO Extraction
--------------------------------------------------------
EStringListError List index out of bounds (-1)
WNASPI32.DLL 4.71.1.0
--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:17:11 AM
- DVD to SVCD Conversion
- DVD2VCD ver. 1.1.0 build 1c
--------------------------------------------------------
Initializing
Initializing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:17:14 AM
- DVD2AVI
--------------------------------------------------------
Creating DVD2AVI INI file:
- C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.INI

Variable settings:
iDCT_Algorithm: 32-bit SSE MMX

Executing DVD2AVI.
Executing DVD2AVI. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.exe" -CS=2 -YR=1 -EXIT -OF=[D:\Movies Temporary Storage\DVD2AVI_Project_file] -IF=[D:\SVCD\VTS_01_1.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_2.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_3.vob,D:\SVCD\VTS_01_4.vob]
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film activated!
Framerate: 23976
DVD2AVI processing done.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 1/10/2003 11:21:20 AM
- Free on drive D: 10368.94 mb
- AUDIO Extraction
--------------------------------------------------------
EStringListError List index out of bounds (-1)
:scared:

[juange]

Please share the exact settings you used, especially on the audio and bitrate screens. I have been having problems since November 2002 to get DVD2SVCD to put one movie on one CDR. I either get 2 MPEGs or error messages. I reasearched the forum high and low and could not find solutions. When I opened a new thread I got newbie advice that did not address my direct question.

I encoded Ice Age like RB in one cd, great quality, but I cut the credits for save space.;)

[SiliconSoul]

MAX kept at 1150
NO Min average
Max average set to 951

if you are doing svcd and using CCE your problems is your min! it has to be higher than 300. i think it is in a faq but i could be wrong.
:-) but anyway try it with min 300. if it is at 300 then im not sure what your problem is.. that is strange.. should work fine!


an to the ORIGINAL TOPIC! YES DVD2SVCD IS THE BEST! HE HAS MADE A PROGRAM THAT IS SO GREAT AND EASY TO USE! I WISH I COULD DONATE TO HIM! but i have no job right now sorry! :-(

[druidmeister]

Hi ... thanks for the quick reply and infos.
I am doing an MPEG-1 (modified VCD - XVCD). Prior to your email I had tried the 300 min but my max (not max avg) was off (1251) ... had tried the max avg 951 ... will have to try these again with my next project. I am using TMPGENC thru DVD2SVCD.
So how does one calculate the values for one CDR for the Max avg? I am asumming that value is calculated automatically by DVD2SVCD in the bitrate screen in that I must now take the lower of the two readings in right hand column across from the movie length and enter this as the max avg? Your suggested value of 951 seems to confirm this.
It would be great in some next build of DVD2SVCD that one just enters the number of CDRs needed and hits "GO"! That would be real cool.
Thanks and Cheers!
:cool:

[RB]

Originally posted by druidmeister
I tried to fit one 85 minute movie on CDR so I used DVD2SVCD to encode the video but ran into an error.
Audio was set at 128 ... downsample tp 44.1 with joint stereo
Video bitrate screen was changed for 76 to 100 min to 1 CD at 800 MB which shows calculated/estimated as 1297-951
MAX kept at 1150
NO Min average
Max average set to 951


You apparently don't understand how the bitrate tab works. Read the Q&A sticky in this forum. You do not need to change the min/max/average bitrate on this tab. These are just lower/upper limits and DVD2SVCD will calculate the actual bitrate for you depending on the movie length. You only need to change the movie length/CD size settings.

Also, you are creating a VCD which I wouldn't recommend because of the bad quality. Ice Age simply compresses very well, just create an SVCD with the standard bitrates and make sure you have a time range on the bitrate tab where the movie length falls into set to use 1 CD.

In general, I fit 16:9 CGI/animated movies (I did for instance The Emperors New Groove, Spirit, Road to El Dorado, Ice Age) to one 900 MB SVCD with great results. I always use 192 kbit audio and usually cut off the credits with frame selection. But you'll have to use CCE for this, I tried this with TMPGEnc and the result was not acceptable (blocky, artifacts...). 4:3 anime/CGI movies like Monsters Inc. and Atlantis need two 800 MB CDs for good quality anyway.

You may also want to try the CVD format (352x576/480, set DVD2SVCD level to Advanced on the Misc. tab, choose to resize to CVD on the Frameserver tab) if your standalone supports it and you want to fit longer/4:3 movies onto one CD. It's less sharp than SVCD, but hardly noticable on the TV, IMHO.

I can't help with the error message you are getting, looks like a problem with your input files.