EclPRO v0.52 - ProCoder support in DVD-RB (now v1.10)

[robot1]

EclPro v1.01

Sorry for my english... it's not my mother language.

Here is the last release.
EclPRO v1.01 (http://forum.doom9.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7318&d=1181681563)

Older versions:
EclPRO v0.52 Beta (http://forum.doom9.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4809)
EclPRO v0.42 BETA (http://dvd-rb.dvd2go.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=24)
EclPRO v0.27 BETA (http://forum.doom9.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=630661)
EclPRO v0.08 BETA (http://www.freewebs.com/robot1/EclPROv0.08.zip) (right click -> save target as)


Please, consider it's in beta stage, so it could have bugs.
Report any bugs in this thread, and don't blame DVD-RB!
Before sending a bug report in general DVD-RB threads, be sure the bug is present also using another encoder (CCE).

WARNING:
EclPro uses keyinputs to send command to ProCoder1.5 and ProCoder Express. CURSOR keys, HOME, END, DEL, SPACE are used.
Be sure you don't have any programs in background checking for these keys (ex. Winamp or Quintessential Player) when running EclPro.
Input is locked for about 10 seconds every time an encode starts, when launching ProCoder :(
It's the only way I've found to deal with older versions of ProCoder.

Since EclPRO v0.20, ProCoder2.0 is now well supported, and keyinputs are not needed.



Here is an extract from the readme file.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Windows XP/2k/NT sp6


SUPPORTED ENCODERS (tested, could work with other versions)
ProCoder 2.0
ProCoder 1.5
ProCoder Express 1.12


BACKGROUND
Canopus ProCoder (in various versions) is one of the best encoders available in the market. One major drawback is the proprietary format of the file used to save the projects, which makes difficult (or impossible) to integrate it with other tools. On the other side, CCE with .ecl (a plain text) is widely used from all the DVD encoding tools.


OVERVIEW
EclPro allows to use ProCoder in DVD-RB: just select its path in "Path to EclPRO (ProCoder)" in the setup dialog, and select "ProCoder (EclPRO)" in the "Mode" menu.
When DVD-RB runs EclPro, it loads the .ecl project, feeding it in ProCoder: interaction is simulated using keystrokes, so while EclPro sets the encoding parameters in ProCoder, any user input is locked. This is the only way to deal with ProCoder, so, if you don't like this, you can't use ProCoder.

Since EclPRO v0.20 ProCoder 2.0 is fully supported without input locking.



USAGE
Before using EclPRO, be sure Procoder is installed and working, (it's better to have a test encode). When the encoder is set up correctly, launch EclPro.

The first time it will ask the path of ProCoder, and save this setting in the EclPro.ini file. If you want to change it, simply delete the line in the .ini file (or delete the whole file), and run EclPro again. You can also set quality preferences, or leave the default ones.
Usually, when launched without parameters, EclPro asks for a .ecl to load, then open ProCoder setting the job parameters, but the main usage is in batch mode, when it tries to emulate CCE behaviour.

See readme.txt for additional info and issues.


EDIT
Changelog for 1.00RC1
Support for dual encoder processes
fixed "settings of this preset are invalid" for filenames with "&" char.
fixed a bug with dots (".") in the filename.
preview always starts disabled while encoding for ProCoder2



Changelog for 0.52
Fixed support for 704x480 and 704x576 - valid DVD resolutions - in ProCoder2.
Changed licence type to LGPL

Changelog for 0.50
Rewritten (again) routines to support various ProCoder Express versions.
Removed ProCoder 2.0 legacy mode (it's not needed, as the original mode works fine)

Changelog for 0.42
Fixed a bug with national characters (èéò...)
AlwaysGOP15 now overrides Autoparameters

Changelog for 0.40
Changed temp file name, to solve problems with NuMenu and short cells to encode. Thanks to D3s7 for testing.
Rewritten code for ProCoder Express to support v1.12.

Changelog for 0.27
Changed behaviour for files with no frames to encode, to reflect CCE's one.

Changelog for 0.26
Fixed tff/bff behaviour
Improved seq_endcode=0 handling.

Changelog for 0.25a
Some parameters were not correctly set from the setup.
Fixed a bug in seq_encode=0 handling.
Could solve stuttering and Error 5 situations in DVD-RB
(Thanks again to borgraf for testing and reporting)
Added support for SVCD resolutions in non-legacy mode.

Changelog for 0.24:
- fixed a bug in legacy mode (Procoder wasn't shut down after encoding)
- Added support for seq_endcode=0 (Should solve most stuttering problems reported at chapter breaks)
- Added a new entry in the .ini files: AutoParameters

If enabled AutoParameters, ECLPro changes these parameters, according to bitrate used:
- bitrate < 1800: DC Precision 8 - GopLength 15
- 1800 < bitrate < 2500: DC Precision 9 - GopLength 15
- 2500 < bitrate < 3500: DC Precision 10 - GopLength 15
- bitrate > 3500: DC Precision 10 - GopLength 12
For interlaced sources, bitrate limits are raised.
To enable, insert the line AutoParameters=1 under [Quality] section in ECLPro.ini.
Default is off.

If you want the maximum control of the encoding, use
Alwaysgop15=0
and
AutoParameters=0

[hobyho]

Thanx for a great tool robot1, testing it atm on a dvd (Van Helsing R4).

One suggestion I would like to make, so far from using it, is can you disable preview? As I would think that will slow it down a bit when encoding.

Update: After disabling 'Preview' once during the first encode it does not occur, or reactivate, again.

[DMagic1]

I just tried it and Procoder 2 was just sitting there asking me to push the convert button.

[hobyho]

Its working fine for me.

Though it made it crash and said that 2 instances were running when it was trying to do the 2nd segment. Might be because I was using the computer at the time.

Any way of fixing this robot1?

Update: Retried the segment that failed, and it seems to process fine again, though Procoder seems to crash after encoding each segment. I'm using 2.0 btw.

[DMagic1]

Yet another problem. My output in RB was E:\New Folder.
RB is putting the files in the right place but Procoder is putting the encoded files in the root of E:\.
On the next segment to encode it did the same thing that I said earlier. Procoder wait for me to push convert.

[wmansir]

Just wanted to bump this and encourage people to try it out. I've done 3 or 4 encodes without any major issues. Those with interlaced material should be especially happy with ProCoder's output. It's also very good with low bitrate, and even medium bitrate stuff. Though it does have a slight loss of detail, which prefectionists might want to keep an eye on.

FYI, ProCoder is much (2 or 3x) slower than DVD-RB, but it only does 2 passes. Also, unlike CCE, ProCoder's 'Realtime' speed is based on the TOTAL time it takes to encode the segment, not just that perticular pass. So for a normal 2 pass encode, ProCoder's realtime speed X 2 = equivilant CCE's realtime speed.

It's rate control is slightly different from CCE. It really doesn't matter who's is right, but you should be aware that EclPro may give you a slightly larger output with DVD-RB. It's not enough to cause a problem at DVD-RB's default settings, but if you have DVD-RB setup to come within 5-15MB of a full DVD-R with CCE you might get an oversized image with EclPro.

[robot1]

Originally posted by DMagic1
Yet another problem. My output in RB was E:\New Folder.
RB is putting the files in the right place but Procoder is putting the encoded files in the root of E:\.
On the next segment to encode it did the same thing that I said earlier. Procoder wait for me to push convert.
The output is always temporanely placed in the root folder, then moved to the right one at the end of the encoding process.
The problem is that automation doesn't work (you said ProCoder doesn't start encoding). I'm sending you a PM.

[robot1]

Originally posted by hobyho
Update: Retried the segment that failed, and it seems to process fine again, though Procoder seems to crash after encoding each segment. I'm using 2.0 btw. What is the output folder full path?
I'll send you a modified version to check if we can solve.

[hobyho]

Originally posted by robot1
What is the output folder full path?
I'll send you a modified version to check if we can solve.

Well I let it run, and when the segment is nearly finished I just stopped all my computer activity and minimised all my windows and it seemed to not crash.

My output full path is: "D:\DVDs\D2VAVS"

[robot1]

Here is the fix for the hobyho problem:

EclPRO v0.08 BETA (http://www.freewebs.com/robot1/EclPROv0.08.zip) (as always, right click-> save target as in explorer)

[Pabloz]

nice, next dvd i will use it with eclpro and procoder :)

[Sir Didymus]

BIG COMPLIMENTS ROBOT1!!!

I only did a single reencode using ECLPRO, with Procoder 2.0, and everything went out perfect to me...

Guaranteed I will use and test your excellent program more in the future and report to you my impressions (that are, for the moment, very, very positive...)...

All the best,
SD

[KiwiKid]

I'm curious about Procoder. How does it compare to CCE-quality,speed etc? When is it a better choice than CCE? I've read some people prefer v1.5 than v2.0 - any more opinions? Most of my backups are PAL if that makes a difference. I realise some of these questions have been touched upon in some of the posts above but I'm interested in some more feedback. Thanks:)

[Boulder]

ProCoder is considered better for interlaced material. The downside is that you can't use custom quantization matrices. I requested this from them and they agreed to add it to the wishlist for future versions so there's hope that it will be supported one day.

I also requested an improved CQ method, possibly including internal prediction, which also was added to the list:) The problem with ProCoder's CQ is that it's too rough, one notch can mean a huge change in the average bitrate which makes it useless at the moment. If that is corrected, it will make the encoder a very good choice since it would only take half the time of a 2-pass.

[robot1]

Originally posted by DMagic1
I just tried it and Procoder 2 was just sitting there asking me to push the convert button.
For these kind of error, open EclPRO.ini and look at the value
Pause=10
It's a timeout value, and should be set higher for slower computer.
Good values could be 20 or 30.
In next version I could change the default, if other users experience problems.

[DMagic1]

Originally posted by robot1
For these kind of error, open EclPRO.ini and look at the value
Pause=10
It's a timeout value, and should be set higher for slower computer.
Good values could be 20 or 30.
In next version I could change the default, if other users experience problems.

HEY!! :mad: ;)
My pc isn't slow. Its 2.8mhzP4 800fsb 512mbDDR400 SATA160g HD + some other junk inside.

[robot1]

It's definitively faster then mine ;)
Do you have a lot of task running, or hard disk very fragmented?

[DMagic1]

Not many task but the drive could probably use a defragment.

[survivant]

thank you... I ask so much for RB to be able to encode with ProCoder.

[Redbacks]

Thanks for the great little app robot1 to run with jdobbs magical piece of software. I ran Die another day through it yesterday using Procoder 2, and all went off without a hitch. Now all I have to do is view it and see how it turned out. Just flicking through it using Power DVD and all seems fine. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers...

[survivant]

RB don't supporte layer break ? I got an error message when I try to reencode Star Wars.

Can I keep the menu and all the extra using RB and ProCoder ?

[Boulder]

See the SW thread. SW contains multiple angles which is probably the reason why it doesn't work straight out of the box in your case.

[nwg]

I have just tried Procoder to do a successful NTSC to PAL conversion. I wonder if this would give DVD-RB the same capability in the future?

Im off to try procoder with DVD-RB now. This software just gets better and better.

[survivant]

cool... I love ProCoder for converting PAL -> NTSC

[jolopo]

I did Return of the king with canopus & dvdrb. I had done it before with cce and dvdrb. canopus is super slow,12 hours + to do it. Tha'ts the bad part. The good part is that the quality is completely awesome. The cce lovers might not like this,but canopus blew cce away,at least on this movie. The clarity and sharpness is just about the same as the original,without that added "noise" people see when using cce. Canopus rocks!!

[survivant]

thanks a good news. do you know what to do if the dvd is multiangle ?

[Boulder]

Use The Search!

You could either use DVD Decrypter or IfoEdit to remove the angles, I think the latter works better.

[ntr]

Would like to say , DVD Rebuilder with Canopus absolutely rocks , I have re encoded two movies reign of fire and dont laugh sound of music and I must say on these two movies the results are outstanding and in my opinion yes I would have to say better than some I have done with CCE. Its early days yet having only done the 2 , but I am well pleased.

Main reason of post was just to let you know no hiccups whatsover , I gonna do return of the jedit tonight which should be interesting as to the end result.

Thanks

[DMagic1]

Originally posted by nwg
I have just tried Procoder to do a successful NTSC to PAL conversion. I wonder if this would give DVD-RB the same capability in the future?

Im off to try procoder with DVD-RB now. This software just gets better and better.

This would be a great way to easily convert PAL to NTSC if it worked with RB.

[nwg]

I am encoding with procoder at the moment and so far it is working wonderfully with DVD-RB. I like to keep an eye on it using the preview.

I did two NTSC to PAL conversions and they both worked fine. I did Star Trek Nemesis and Matrix. I managed to keep the 5,1 sound, chapters but subtitles didn't work very well. I don't think I did too bad as it was my first attempt.

As it is just a selection screen to choose PAL or NTSC, could it be done using the similar key commands that are being used now with EclPRO?

[robot1]

There is no way to convert PAL-NTSC sources with DVD-RB.
You shouldn't simply convert video, but Audio, subtitles...
So, I don't think jdobbs will have this feature.

[nwg]

I suppose it could use external programs to convert audio etc, just like what it does with the encoders.

I used Besweet/AC3Machine and it worked really well.

[robot1]

Better support for ProCoder2.0
Now EclPRO converts .ecl file in ProCoder's .pcp file, so it doesn't use anymore keys to send commands.
Input isn't locked, and starting time is lower.
Every user of ProCoder2 with DVD-RB should upgrade to this version.
Download EclPRO v0.20 (http://www.freewebs.com/robot1/EclPROv0.20.zip) (right click -> save target as in Explorer, probably doesn't work with Mozilla).

ProCoder1.5 (and Express which is not recommended) is called with sendkeys as older version.

If you have problems with ProCoder2 in this version, you can switch back to the old method setting
legacy=1 in [Debug] section of EclPRO.ini

Please, report any problems in the forum.

[DMagic1]

Great update

[wmansir]

Very cool robot1! A quick test shows it working flawlessly.

I also tried EclPro with NuMenu, but unfortunatly I got a script import error with Scenarist. It was complaining that he AR of the imported .mpv files was wrong. I checked the original .mpv files, the re-encoded .mpv files, and the script and they all matched (4:3), so I'm at a bit of a loss as to why it's happening.

Also, I'm wondering how you convert Q values when using OPV. I haven't tried it yet with DVD-RB, but I used a low Q value with NuMenu (Q=30), but the output didn't look very good. I haven't had time to investigate it further, so I thought I would just ask you about it.

[robot1]

Originally posted by wmansir
Very cool robot1!

I also tried EclPro with NuMenu, but unfortunatly I got a script import error with Scenarist. It was complaining that he AR of the imported .mpv files was wrong. I checked the original .mpv files, the re-encoded .mpv files, and the script and they all matched (4:3), so I'm at a bit of a loss as to why it's happening.

Also, I'm wondering how you convert Q values when using OPV. I haven't tried it yet with DVD-RB, but I used a low Q value with NuMenu (Q=30), but the output didn't look very good. I haven't had time to investigate it further, so I thought I would just ask you about it. I've tried a couple of menus with NuMenu and RB-Opt, and I've had just a problem: ProCoder can't set I frames on chapter point, so I had to change a chapter point in Scenarist, else I had buttons not highlighted.
ProCoder uses a CQ parameter, varying from 0.00 to 1.00 (step 0.01).
I consider a CCE Q factor from 1 to 101 (over is pointless), and convert (CCE 1 -> ProCoder 1 ; CCE 101-> ProCoder 0).
Anyway ProCoder quality under 80 (CCE over 21) is unwatchable.
I've used NuMenu with a Q factor of 10, and the result was good (about 50% compression, good quality).
I want to check if it's possible to improve, but I think it's a ProCoder limit.

[Sir Didymus]

Originally posted by DMagic1
Great update

Agreed and quoted...

Excellent work Robot1!!!

[nwg]

I have done my first DVD with Procoder 2 and DVD-RB. It was with the previous eclPRO and it went smoothly.

The DVD was LOTR : ROTK and the quality was better than my CCE and DVD-RB version (4 passes). The picture looked horrible on a lot of scenes.

I managed to get a very decent copy of it using Shrink 3.2 and it's EAC settings. Shrink does an exceptional job with this DVD and I would say the procoder version is just as good.

[YaoMing11]

When Procoder pops up in DVD-RB to get ready and encode it brings small popup that says " C:\Files\DVD NOT FOUND " That is the path where my avs and ECL files are.

[YaoMing11]

Nevermind, I was typing the wrong path. My mistake.

How do we choose how many passes for procoder2 to use? Im going to test out Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone right now and will let you guys know how the quality comes out.

[hobyho]

Originally posted by YaoMing11
Nevermind, I was typing the wrong path. My mistake.

How do we choose how many passes for procoder2 to use? Im going to test out Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone right now and will let you guys know how the quality comes out.

You can't with Procoder it is only limited to 2 passes.

But don't let the number of passes available compared to CCE fool you into thinking this would produce a lesser quality than CCE, I'll say its on par if not better.

[YaoMing11]

Ok I just finished encoding my first movie with ProCoder2, I tried harry Potter and sorcers stone. It took right at 5 hours and the quality is really nice, but it is way undersized at 4.16gb. Is there a way to adjust this?

[robot1]

ProCoder always does 2 passes... and are enough.
If you need the best results, be sure to have
Quality=4
in EclPRO.ini.
It enables mastering quality.
If you need a faster encode, you can lower Quality.

[robot1]

Originally posted by YaoMing11
Ok I just finished encoding my first movie with ProCoder2, I tried harry Potter and sorcers stone. It took right at 5 hours and the quality is really nice, but it is way undersized at 4.16gb. Is there a way to adjust this? It's a strange result, because ProCoder usually has a size very close (and sometimes higher) than CCE one.
Could you try this title with another encoder?

[YaoMing11]

Sure I will try it tonight with DVD-RB and CCE 2.5 before I go to bed.

[nwg]

Procder is doing 2 passes autoamtically with DVD-RB. I don't think it can do anymore.

[nwg]

eclPro 0.20 isn't working for me. When encoding starts the procoder screen appears but, when before the preview screen comes up, I get a C:\DVD was not found.

The working path is c:\dvd test. Is it having problems finding the c:\dvd test\D2VAVS sub directory?

The previous version works fine (was that 0.0.8?).

[DMagic1]

Originally posted by robot1
It's a strange result, because ProCoder usually has a size very close (and sometimes higher) than CCE one.
Could you try this title with another encoder?

Actually my encode of LOTR Fellowship was a little small too. As I remember, it was ~4,618,000,000 bytes. I'm use to coming in at ~4,685,000,000 or closer with CCE.

Does RB have the targetsector thing for Procoder yet. I'm sure that would get me closer to a full disc.

[YaoMing11]

Originally posted by nwg
eclPro 0.20 isn't working for me. When encoding starts the procoder screen appears but, when before the preview screen comes up, I get a C:\DVD was not found.

The working path is c:\dvd test. Is it having problems finding the c:\dvd test\D2VAVS sub directory?

The previous version works fine (was that 0.0.8?).

Mine was C:\Files\Temp and I got the same error, but I changed my working dir to C:\Files\DVD and then it worked. Maybe try changing your working dir to C:\DVD.

[YaoMing11]

I also noticed on the Harry Potter movie I finished with ProCoder2, not only was it undersized at 4.16gb but the audio was badly out of sync on PowerDVD. Has anybody else had problems with audio being out of sync?