GSpot (media file reader) beta releases - Feedback Discussion

[SeeMoreDigital]

Some of you may have already noticed that SteveG (aka stegre, on this forum) has been very busy re-designing his excellent GSpot media file reader.

The latest beta v2.52 b01 (Build 040915 Dated 15 Sep 04) is available from his web site here (http://gspot.headbands.com/gspot252dl.html).

If you haven't been keeping an eye on GSpot, I think you will be impressed with the changes Steve has made, such as a complete redesign of the GUI (plus numerous function changes and innovations): -

http://gspot.headbands.com/v2.52.png

If you have any comments, suggestions or bug reports, please discuss them in this thread....


Cheers

[Wilbert]

Great! Thanks stegre :)

[stegre]

Thanks, guys :) --- I'll be checking back here occasionally for bugs/comments/suggestions.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi stegre,

I've found an bug. I ran an few 3ivx encodes into v2.52 b01 of GSpot and the B-VOP icon keeps lighting up... Which is odd because you can't encode B-VOP with the current build of 3ivx!

http://img86.exs.cx/img86/7122/SMD_3ivx_error.gif

I also tested the encode using Sigma's AVIcheck which reported, no B-VOP.


Cheers

[stegre]

not only that, some XvID files aren't recognized as MPEG4 altogether - something got screwed up in the MPEG4 parsing. I'm looking at it now. Thanks.

[stegre]

The new 040915 build, now posted, should fix it.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi stegre,

When are you going to add a link to your web site in your profile? :D

Thanks for the new build,

EDIT: I've just noticed. On your web site, you've dated the new build as being: 15 Aug 2004 - Shouldn't it be 15 Sep 2004?


Cheers

[yaz]

040915 does not report any xvid specific options (qpel/gmc/bvop). for some streams it does not even show mpg4. all worked well in b2 (040828).
the bests
y
[EDIT] oops, sorry ... it was 040912 ... bout to check 040915 ... sorry again

[SeeMoreDigital]

I noticed yesterday that v2.52 B01 has still got a slight B-VOP reading bug.

I fed the new "SharkTale" high-def DivX encode into GSpot and B-VOP was reported. However, all the other HD encodes on DivX's site are reported correctly.

I compared GSpot against AVIcheck: -

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/876/SMD_GSpot_v252B01_B-VOP_Test.gif

http://img7.exs.cx/img7/4121/SMD_AVIcheck_v40617200_B-VOP_Test.gif

This is a bit weird... yes... maybe it's a pixel size/colour space problem.


Cheers

[stegre]

Well, I say AviCheck is wrong.

Anyone got another way to check?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Yes, I suppose it could be!

I'll ask the DivX guys if there SharkTale clip contains B-VOP and report back


Cheers stegre

[yaz]

i've checked 040915 & worked fine. all options reported well. but ... it seems as if i had to wait a while before the 1st file check. if i load a stream right after gspot flips on, no option's shown. loading once again make everything ok.
iirc, 2.21 showd as the codecs and filters were loading & it took a time. but in 2.5x there's no such indication. is there such kinda initiation here as well ?

another thing i can't understand. if i load avi's with video only the metadata (say, xvid xxxxyy) is shown 2 or 3 times. is it ok, or should i know what this multiplication means ? (i use the latest 1.1 cvs built binary)

@SMD
how do u make that pretty screenshots ? i got some further (small) problems being easier to show than describe.

the bests
y

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by yaz
SMD
how do u make that pretty screenshots ? i got some further (small) problems being easier to show than describe. I use an application called HyperSnap.

I first bought it quite a few years ago but never used it. But now I find it invaluable, as it can create pixel for pixel captures and convert between formats very well!

I even used it to create an XviD GUI proposal!

You know, I would not mind learning how to make GUI's. I can't believe how quickly stegre is able to move things about in his GUI's.


Cheers

[SeeMoreDigital]

Thank goodness for that!

GSpot's B-VOP detection is more accurate than Sigma's AVIcheck :D

As prompted by another forum member, I used both VirtualDub and MPEG4 Modifier as a cross check.

**** Great... AVIcheck is now finally consigned to the recycle bin ****

Another thought! How about incuding "packed bit-stream" detection?

Is there no end?


Cheers

[stegre]

Actually, "packed bitstream" detection is already there :cool:

I added it a version or two ago. If you take a look at your screenshot for SharkTale, above, the first line in the "container" section reads: "DivX style packed bitstream AVI". In fact, the detection is actually in there in two ways (and this will explain why that phrase above is located in the "container" section, not the "video" one.)

1) The more specific indicator is when you see the inclusion of the phrase "DivX style packed bitstream", as above. If GSpot sees short AVI interleave "chunks" which contain video, it checks further to see if the chunk consists solely of a so-called N-VOP. If that is the case, it activates the message.

2) Furthermore, unrelated to the AVI container, the "N-VOP" indicator in the video section, also visible on your screenshot, will indicate the existence of these constructs in when found in an MPEG file in any context (e.g. raw elementary MPEG video, or whatever).

N-VOP is actually a "slang" term for a "not-coded P-VOP". "not coded" is an official MPEG bit, though; it essentially means "ignore this VOP". As far as I know you're not likely to run into these N-VOPS except when the MPEG is packed into an AVI in this so called "packed bitstream" format. But I made the indicator independent nonetheless.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Doh!

Thanks for explaining this... I feel very thick now!

A classic case of the more you look, the less you see!

EDIT: Okay how about this one!

Is it possible to detect whether or not an video stream has been generated with say, 1pass CBR, 1pass VBR, 2pass CBR bitrate, 2pass VBR or any other variant?

It's useful seeing those little CBR and VBR ident boxes light up with audio streams :)


Cheers Steve

[theReal]

First of all thanks for the newest GSpot, it's a very very useful program!
SecondI use an application called HyperSnap.
You can also just use the "print" key and a good picture viewer like XNView (freeware) to make pretty good screenshots. If you want to scribble on the screenshots you'll need something like Photoshop of course. Get XNView anyways, it's at least as great as GSpot :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi stegre,

After talking with the guys at DivX, over in this thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82798), we now have a list of all their builds "userdata" and version numbers.

Is there any way the userdata numbers can be linked/tied to the version numbers?

Also, is it possible to add detection of Mpeg4 interlaced encodes?


Cheers

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi stegre

Following on from various other threads regarding this subject, posted on the forum, I have some NeroDigital UserData /Release version numbers for you!


UserData No | Release Version No | Release Date
em4v 4.1.4.9 | NVE 2.1.0.03/Recode2 2.0.0.07 | 11 Dec 2003

em4v 4.1.6.2 | NVE 2.1.2.12/Recode2 2.0.0.18 | 02 Jun 2004

em4v 4.1.6.5 | NVE 2.1.2.18/Recode2 2.1.1.18 | 11 Aug 2004

em4v 4.1.6.5 | NVE 2.1.2.21/Recode2 2.1.1.20 | 24 Sep 2004

Cheers

[SeeMoreDigital]

... And here's a link to the current list of XviD UserData/Release version numbers (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=551184#post551184).


Cheers

[bond]

cool stuff smd :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by bond
cool stuff smd :) Thanks mate :)

Shame there's no detailed "userdata" information for 3ivx...

[bond]

yep, but i think it should be also possible to find out the divx5 version with this method

[stegre]

Check this out

BITSTREAM Version Numbers (versions)
===========================================
XviD0001 1.17.2.3 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0002 1.17.2.4 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0003 1.17.2.5 --> 1.17.2.20 (16)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0004 None (0)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0005 1.17.2.21 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0006 1.17.2.22 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0007 1.17.2.23 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0008 1.17.2.24 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0009 1.17.2.25 --> 1.17.2.30 (6)
1.25 --> 1.27 (3)
1.27.2 (1)
1.27.2.3 --> 1.27.2.22 (20)
1.28 (1)
1.28.2 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0010 1.29 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0011 1.27.2.23 --> 1.27.2.24 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0012 1.30 --> 1.31 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0013 1.27.2.25 --> 1.27.2.26 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0014 1.27.2.27 --> 1.27.2.28 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0015 1.32 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0016 1.27.2.29 --> 1.27.2.30 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0017 1.27.2.31 --> 1.27.2.32 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0018 1.27.2.33 --> 1.27.2.35 (3)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0019 1.27.2.36 --> 1.27.2.38 (3)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0020 1.27.2.39 --> 1.27.2.43 (5)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0021 1.27.2.44 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0022 1.27.2.45 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0023 1.27.2.46 --> 1.27.2.51 (6)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0024 1.27.2.52 --> 1.27.2.60 (9)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0025 1.27.2.61 --> 1.27.2.62 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0026 1.27.2.63 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0027 1.27.2.64 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0028 1.27.2.65 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0029 1.27.2.66 (1)
1.33 --> 1.34 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0030 1.27.2.67 (1)
1.33.2 (1)
1.35 --> 1.36 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0031 1.33.2.2 (1)
1.37 --> 1.38 (2)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0032 1.33.2.3 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0033 1.33.2.4 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0034 1.33.2.5 (1)
1.39 (1)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0035 1.33.2.6 --> 1.33.2.7 (2)
1.40 --> 1.44 (5)
-------------------------------------------
XviD0036 1.33.2.8 (1)
1.45 --> 1.46 (2)
-------------------------------------------

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by bond
yep, but i think it should be also possible to find out the divx5 version with this method I already managed to do DivX 5. And here it is: -
UserData No | Release Version No | Release Date
DivX503b1338 = Divx5.2.1 | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1328 = Divx5.2.1 Codec | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1307 = Divx5.2.1 DrDivX1.0.6 | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1272 = DivX5.2.0 DrDivX1.0.5 |
DivX503b1263 = DivX5.2.0 Codec | 15 Jul 2004
DivX503b1031 = DivX5.1.1 | 19 Nov 2003
DivX503b1009 = DivX5.1.1 beta1 |
DivX503b959 = DivX5.1.0 | 02 Sep 2003
DivX503b936 = DivXKaukura |
DivX503b922 = DivXManihi |
DivX503b894 = DivXKauehi |
DivX503b830 = DivX5.0.5 | 24 Apr 2003
DivX503b822 = DivX5.0.4 | 17 Apr 2003
DivX503b740 = DivX5.0.3 | 24 Jan 2002
DivX501b487 = DivX5.0.2 | 16 May 2002
DivX501b484 = DivX5.0.2 | 16 May 2002
DivX501b450 = DivX5.0.1 | 09 Apr 2002
DivX501b413 = DivX5.0.0 | 04 Mar 2002


Hey stegre, that XviD list is way cool... What else can we do?


Cheers

[stegre]

Oh, wait, that was dumb - my table isn't useful yet; it cross refs the bitstream number to the source code version of the XviD header file containing it. I now have to extract the actual XviD version from each header file and put that in the list instead. Oh, well, it's half done, anyway.

Back to the subject, though: I'll definitely be putting the support for using this type of info in the next GSpot beta, and I'm not going to "hardcode" it either; it'll read the cross reference tables from text file gspot.dat or equivalent. That way it'll be easy to update, and people who are so inclined can even update their own copies if they want.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Well your XviD list certainly looks like it'll be able to offer a much higher level of detail, than the information I collated, based solely on Koepi's builds: -


UserData No | Release Version No | Release Date
XviD0036 = XviD1.0.2 | 29 Aug 2004
XviD0035 = XviD1.0.1 | 05 Jun 2004
XviD0034 = XviD1.0.0 | 16 May 2004
XviD0030 = XviDRC4 (Hola) | 05 Apr 2004
XviD0029 = XviDRC3 (Ni hao) | 29 Feb 2004
XviD0028 = XviDRC2 (Jambo) | 07 Feb 2004
XviD0026 = XviDRC1 (Niltze) | 25 Jan 2004
XviD0025 = XviDBeta3 | 26 Dec 2003
XviD0023 = XviDBeta2 | 05 Dec 2003
XviD0021 = XviDBeta1 | 03 Nov 2003
I was looking at Moitah's newest version of "MPEG4 Modifier" earlier today. As you can see it's now able to provide a great deal of information regarding VOP's. Could such a function be added to GSpot?

http://img75.exs.cx/img75/5011/SMD_VOP_panela.gif

Just a thought!


Cheers

[bond]

great stuff :)

[stegre]

SMD, that's exactly what I've been working on. I hadn't seen MPEG-4 modifier, either - my changes are an offshoot of a significant change I'm working on wherein GSpot will finish scanning the entire MPEG file using a hi-speed/low-priority background thread. Currently it reads the beginning and then uses "tricks" like extrapolation and skipping to the end of the file to read timecodes there, but this has not been able to provide particularly accurate information; indeed at times it proves to be rather poor. The update should take care of that.

But back to the subject, here's a screenshot of a portion of the current development version with new info about VOP related stuff, all displayed in a new "graphical" format I'm also working on.

http://gspot.headbands.com/images/ipb.png

[SeeMoreDigital]

Excellent news. Nice one...

You couldn't add aspect ratio detection of anamorphic Mpeg4 streams while you're at it too, could you :D

I'm staggered how people like your good self are able to implement all these implementations!


Thanks

[techz]

I love the GSPOT app, its wonderful, small question, how about getting it to work with mpg files too?

[stegre]

The newer beta versions (2.5x) have it; v2.21 doesn't.

[Nic]

(Completely OT:
Just thought i'd let you know stegre, that I was in meeting with a pretty large news company (they're global) and we we're discussing MPEGs (sorry this is vague, can't get into specifics...)

Anyway, long story short, G-Spot came up as the software they use to give files a quick check (check AR, resolution, etc) when customers enquire on the MPEGs they sell...

Just thought i'd let you know, :)

Take Care,
-Nic

[SeeMoreDigital]

Nice one Nic

sterge, how about moving GSpot out of the beta stage and letting it take over from v2.21?


Cheers

[bond]

what about full .mp4 support in gspot? :)

there are opensource gpl .mp4 libraries available from gpac and mpeg4ip

[trodas]

Whoooa, this new GSpot seems to can change the aspect ratios, but lack a guide how to do it :(

...i have some movies, avi ones, where I need this so badly... (changing the aspect ration each time is awfull...)

Anyone have the nerves to tell me that obvious thing - how? Just change in the header, no compression, please.
The buttons seems inactive... :rolleyes:

[SeeMoreDigital]

If you want to change the AR of an Mpeg4 .avi you could give MPEG4 Modifier a try.

However, you will need to install Microsoft.net


Cheers

[yaz]

@stegre
i'm sorry to say that gspot2.5x still keeps cheating. i'm just testing the new xvid binary & i found
- if no B-VOP is set, gspot reports packed bitstream with dropped frames (N-VOP) while i haven't set none of them. when B-VOP is set, everythings reported well.
- the AR of the video stream is reported wrong. amof, i can't say what's reported because the value(s) i see was never set anywhere during the encoding. when i set AR (par or sar) it's reported quite occasionally. i'm sure the value is there as mpc & mplayer accepts that.

y

[stegre]

The current version assumes PAR = 1:1 for any AVI; I'll have it extract AR info from MPEG-4 in AVI on the next version - thanks for mentioning it.

As far as the other stuff, though, I just did several quick test encodes (Koepi XviD 1.1.-127) with various combinations of BVOP, packed bitstream, GMC & QPEL, and they all reported correctly on my tests. Any chance you could make a short sample available that would let me reproduce the failure? Thx...

[trodas]

SeeMoreDigital - I give the latest version of the mpeg4 edit (1.20) a try (even with installing of the damn MS Net Framework 1.1 crap) and my report is unsucesfull :rolleyes:

stegre - is there any way, how one can edit the aspect rations using GSpot, or the buttong sre grayed out forever? :(
Or I just missed something? :o

[stegre]

no, GSpot doesn't get involved in any modifications to the media file - information only.

[yaz]

Originally posted by stegre
As far as the other stuff, though, I just did several quick test encodes (Koepi XviD 1.1.-127) with various combinations of BVOP, packed bitstream, GMC & QPEL, and they all reported correctly on my tests. Any chance you could make a short sample available that would let me reproduce the failure? Thx... sorry, but not. no uploading is allowed for me :-( but ...
the settings giving me fakes in gspot were
1) b-vop(off), packed bitstream(off), closedGOV(on)
2) b-vop(=0), packed bitstream(off), closedGOV(on)
i tried with avi1.0 and avi2.0

i hope it helps
thx
y

[yaz]

Originally posted by trodas
SeeMoreDigital - I give the latest version of the mpeg4 edit (1.20) a try (even with installing of the damn MS Net Framework 1.1 crap) and my report is unsucesfull mpeg4 modifier will do that if your stream is mpeg4 compliant (xvid, divx, ...) and(!) is wrapped into avi1.0. afaik, it does not support opendml. if your file is avi2.0 u should rewrap 1st.
anyway, if u want only to watch the movie, use bsplayer. it has hotkeys for switching AR. the quickest way of changing AR of a stream :-)
the bests
y

[akupenguin]

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
Is it possible to detect whether or not an video stream has been generated with say, 1pass CBR, 1pass VBR, 2pass CBR bitrate, 2pass VBR or any other variant?
It's easy to recognize constant quantizer.
There's no way to tell whether it used 1pass vs 2pass, other than maybe a careful examination of the ratecontrol algorithms of specific encoders.
Any distinction between CBR and VBR would have to be a heuristic, but it should be possible. One could look at the minimum required vbuffer given then nominal or average bitrate, and get a pretty good idea of whether it was intended to be CBR.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Personally speaking, if it could be implemented I think it would be a very worthy addition...

...that said, it sounds like it would be asking too much of SteveG :(


Cheers

[thop]

Would it be possible to add sth. like an indicator that indicated if the file is likely to play flawless on standalones? I know that QPEL and GMC will likely mean that it won't but there are probably other things. However different chipsets play different files so you'd pretty much have to include all (few) available ones. If not in the main window maybe it could be included in a plugin.

Anyway just an idea to help me (and the other) not so knowledgable (about divx/xvid encoding settings) guys out there :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by thop
Would it be possible to add sth. like an indicator that indicated if the file is likely to play flawless on standalones? To add what? I don't understand....


Cheers

[thop]

Nevermind i figure out it's easy to figure out yourself :) I'm just gonna wait for the new version that shows the # of BVOPs.

[trodas]

stegre - okay, thanks for clearing this one out ;)
I just downloaded a version of the movie, that has got the right aspect ration "by default", however... Maybe you should consider as improvent ability to modify the file informations...? :confused: ;)

I suggesting this in the middle-long developing time, just because it's obvious that you understand a lot about the file structure and headers and therefore it looks like GSpot is the best candidate for trouble-free in place editing of the headers of troubled movies :o ;)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Just to let you know....

DivX have launched a new beta codec called "Plasma". So their UserData/Release Version number list is now as follows: -


UserData No | Release Version No | Release Date
DivX503b1394 = DivxPlasma Build1394 | 10 Nov 2004
DivX503b1338 = Divx5.2.1 | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1328 = Divx5.2.1 Codec | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1307 = Divx5.2.1 DrDivX1.0.6 | 08 Sep 2004
DivX503b1272 = DivX5.2.0 DrDivX1.0.5 | 17 Jul 2004
DivX503b1263 = DivX5.2.0 Codec | 15 Jul 2004
DivX503b1031 = DivX5.1.1 | 19 Nov 2003
DivX503b1009 = DivX5.1.1 beta1 | 21 Oct 2003
DivX503b959 = DivX5.1.0 | 02 Sep 2003
DivX503b936 = DivXKaukura | 08 Aug 2003
DivX503b922 = DivXManihi | 26 Jul 2003
DivX503b894 = DivXKauehi | 02 Jul 2003
DivX503b830 = DivX5.0.5 | 24 Apr 2003
DivX503b822 = DivX5.0.4 | 17 Apr 2003
DivX503b740 = DivX5.0.3 | 24 Jan 2002
DivX501b487 = DivX5.0.2 | 16 May 2002
DivX501b484 = DivX5.0.2 | 16 May 2002
DivX501b450 = DivX5.0.1 | 09 Apr 2002
DivX501b413 = DivX5.0.0 | 04 Mar 2002


Cheers