Rollercoaster
4th October 2004, 03:44
Converting .avi -> KSVCD, using DIKO.
THEORY
DIKO (DivX in KSVCD/KDVD out) is a one click DivX/XVid to KDVD/KSVCD conversion tool. It works with many other softwares to achieve the best quality and efficiency possible in this conversion.
You'll soon discover many things you can do with DIKO. The important thing now is understand how it all works!
In DIKO, the process of 'transforming' any given movie always go through a series of stages, which are the following:
STAGE 1 - Calculating audio and video sizes
STAGE 2 - Splitting audio from video
STAGE 3 - Processing subtitles (if chosen)
STAGE 4 - Converting the video
STAGE 5 - Converting the audio
STAGE 6 - Multiplexing audio + video
STAGE 7 - Authoring and creating the .bin / .cue files
_______________________________________
STAGE 1 - Calculating audio and video sizes
The process of 'transforming' the video (which in the future i shall call converting) will lead to a series of changes from the original file(s). This will mean that the size of the final file will change accordingly. Generally, the more the space, the more the quality, even though quality is pretty much dependable on many other factors such as resolution, bitrate, amongst others, which i shall explain later
So, it's obvious that, as you might be thinking (or not), the problem with the size of the converted movie will be if it's too big to fit on a cd.
Calculating the maximum size that each of the two components of the movie (audio+video) should have according if one has chosen 1 or 2 cd's, is what DIKO does at this stage. If all goes well, you'll have either 1 or 2 movie files (.mpg) which will fit respectively 1 or 2 cd's, without any waste of space.
STAGE 2 - Splitting audio from video
This stage is among the most important of all: splitting the audio from the video. These two components of every .avi movie have got different caracteristics among them. That means that they will have to be converted (or encoded) seperately.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/02.jpg
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/03.jpg
Roughly enough, it's this that DIKO does at this stage. Through the .avi file, DIKO can manage to separate the audio, which will have the extension of .mp2 , as well as the video, which will be .mpv.
STAGE 3 - Processing subtitles (if chosen)
You may, if you want to (and probably if you're neither english nor american :P), choose to incorporate subtitles to your movies
Subtitles come in many sorts of way. They generally consist of a text file, containing every speech of the movie, and the differences between each type of subs will lay on how those speeches are handled. Eg, Subrip subs show the 'timing' of each speech that will appear on screen, while Vobsub subs show at which 'frame' they appear.
(NOTE: A 'frame' is the most infimous part of any movie. It's like a photograph at any precise moment. Each movie is composed of millions of frames, as you may imagine)
Among many types of subtitles, these are the most common:
- Subrip (extension: .srt)
- Vobsub (extension: .sub)
This is just an extra knowledge. You don't have to know this to incorporate subtitles in your movies with DIKO. Nevertheless, you have to be aware that DIKO only works with .srt subs, but you can use any type, as long as you convert it first to Subrip subtitles (.srt.
STAGE 4 - Converting the video
This will be the longest stage, due to the complexity and size of the component in question. On a Pentium IV 2.6Ghz, 512MB RAMit takes +/- 3h converting a movie.
As you might have noticed on an image from the 2nd STAGE, the video in DIKO is converted using FreeEnc, which is intelligently among the programs within the installation package of DIKO .
At the end of this STAGE, DIKO will have created a .mpv file (as i said earlier), corresponding to the video component already encoded.
STAGE 5 - Converting the audio
The audio conversion is handled by a program called BeSweet. You have little to worry about this STAGE, because it's all pretty much automatic.
At the end of this STAGE, DIKO will have created an .mp2 (as i also said earlier), corresponding to the audio component already encoded
STAGE 6 - Multiplexing audio + video
Now that we've got both components encoded, we'll have to multiplex them into the final file.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/04.jpg
.
.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/05.jpg
So, joining the audio (.mp2) with the video - (.mpv) , will originate the movie - (.mpg).
It is relevant to mention at this point that sometimes DIKO fails to execute this stage perfectly, especially if you've selected the 'Header trick' option (which we'll understand further on), resulting in a size-deficient .mpg
In spite of this, because every other STAGE was completed successfully, you'll be able to recover the progress. Check here on how to do so:
TUTORIAL: What to do when DIKO creates a small .mpg file? (http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14247)
STAGE 7 - Authoring and creating the .bin / .cue files
This stage will be for authoring (if you were doing a KDVD) and creating the .bin / .cue files
And what's that about .bin and .cue files?
.bin and .cue files are cd image files. They are like a 'compilation' of every file that any given cd should have, and so they are ready to be copied.
What's really great about this is that DIKO creates (or should create) these two files, so that it's easier for you to burn them to a CD.
_________________________________
Should every stage have been successfully accomplished , you'll have in the end your cd image file in your 'working folder'
But this is just the theory, and you'll have a lot to do to have your own movie in your DVD player, so let's get to it!
PRACTICE
Now that you've been introduced to working with DIKO, you'll now learn how to work with it. As i said before, i'll (at least try to) explain every detail and every aspect of DIKO according to AVI -> KSVCD conversions.
Yet, this does not mean that DIKO is confined to this type of conversion. You'll find that DIKO also creates KDVD, and so on...
Before we begin, it will be wise to check any compatibility between VCD's and your DVD player, to ensure it is really capable of reading what you'll be creating.
Just follow these links:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers or http://www.vetorial.net/~bj/ksvcd/tabela.html
Anyway, the best thing for you to do is to test your DVD player yourself. I'll explain how to do so later.
NOTA: Even though you'll be creating an SVCD, as long as your player supports VCD movies, you're OK. There's an option in DIKO, the 'Header Trick' option, that allows you to make the player believe you are giving him a VCD, instead of an (K)SVCD
1º STEP
Download DIKO at:
http://www.i-svcd.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/vmesquita/DIKOSetup.exe <- BETA 2
http://www.jltoca.uaivip.com.br/files/DIKOSetup076B3-Upgrade.exe <- BETA 3
You'll have to download BETAS 2 and 3,install primeiro o BETA 2 first and then BETA 3, because the last is a patch .
You may want to regularly check this site:
http://www.jltoca.uaivip.com.br/en/download.htm
..for the most recent version of DIKO.
Even though DIKO carries almost every program needed to convert movies, you'll have to install yourself CODEC's (enCOde -> DECode). These little 'programs' allow DIKO to convert movies and are indispensable.
The most frequent CODEC's on the market are DiVX and XVid. This last also comes with DIKO, so you'll probably don't have to worry much about them. I would advise you though to install the most recent DiVX codec, which you may download (current version: 5.2.1.) at:
http://www.divx.com/divx/download/
Again, check regularly on the main site, http://www.divx.com, for the most recent CODEC.
Later in the tutorial, i'll talk about some other programs which you'll have to install, but i'll mention them as we go.
2º STEP
Now that you've downloaded DIKO, open it:
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO.jpg
3º STEP
At the moment, you'r on the main window of DIKO. Let's now configure DIKO in the best way possible so that you'll be able to create the best KSVCD's.
1 - Start by pressing 'Configuration'.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO1.jpg
2 - You'll see several tabs, if you notice:
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO2.jpg
We'll go through each one, paying atention to what should be changed or not.
4º STEP
You'll be on the 'Path' tab. Here, we'll just have to define the folder where DIKO will process the movie, meaning, where it will create the files ('Working Folder'):
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO3.jpg
Sugestion: Either change the working folder to one that is easily access or create a 'shortcut', for eg, on the desktop, to easen the access to it. To create a shortcut, you'll have to...............hmm...i assume you know how to create a shorcut :P
NOTE: The 'Working folder' shall never be 'read-only' or else DIKO will not be able to convert.
THEORY
DIKO (DivX in KSVCD/KDVD out) is a one click DivX/XVid to KDVD/KSVCD conversion tool. It works with many other softwares to achieve the best quality and efficiency possible in this conversion.
You'll soon discover many things you can do with DIKO. The important thing now is understand how it all works!
In DIKO, the process of 'transforming' any given movie always go through a series of stages, which are the following:
STAGE 1 - Calculating audio and video sizes
STAGE 2 - Splitting audio from video
STAGE 3 - Processing subtitles (if chosen)
STAGE 4 - Converting the video
STAGE 5 - Converting the audio
STAGE 6 - Multiplexing audio + video
STAGE 7 - Authoring and creating the .bin / .cue files
_______________________________________
STAGE 1 - Calculating audio and video sizes
The process of 'transforming' the video (which in the future i shall call converting) will lead to a series of changes from the original file(s). This will mean that the size of the final file will change accordingly. Generally, the more the space, the more the quality, even though quality is pretty much dependable on many other factors such as resolution, bitrate, amongst others, which i shall explain later
So, it's obvious that, as you might be thinking (or not), the problem with the size of the converted movie will be if it's too big to fit on a cd.
Calculating the maximum size that each of the two components of the movie (audio+video) should have according if one has chosen 1 or 2 cd's, is what DIKO does at this stage. If all goes well, you'll have either 1 or 2 movie files (.mpg) which will fit respectively 1 or 2 cd's, without any waste of space.
STAGE 2 - Splitting audio from video
This stage is among the most important of all: splitting the audio from the video. These two components of every .avi movie have got different caracteristics among them. That means that they will have to be converted (or encoded) seperately.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/02.jpg
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/03.jpg
Roughly enough, it's this that DIKO does at this stage. Through the .avi file, DIKO can manage to separate the audio, which will have the extension of .mp2 , as well as the video, which will be .mpv.
STAGE 3 - Processing subtitles (if chosen)
You may, if you want to (and probably if you're neither english nor american :P), choose to incorporate subtitles to your movies
Subtitles come in many sorts of way. They generally consist of a text file, containing every speech of the movie, and the differences between each type of subs will lay on how those speeches are handled. Eg, Subrip subs show the 'timing' of each speech that will appear on screen, while Vobsub subs show at which 'frame' they appear.
(NOTE: A 'frame' is the most infimous part of any movie. It's like a photograph at any precise moment. Each movie is composed of millions of frames, as you may imagine)
Among many types of subtitles, these are the most common:
- Subrip (extension: .srt)
- Vobsub (extension: .sub)
This is just an extra knowledge. You don't have to know this to incorporate subtitles in your movies with DIKO. Nevertheless, you have to be aware that DIKO only works with .srt subs, but you can use any type, as long as you convert it first to Subrip subtitles (.srt.
STAGE 4 - Converting the video
This will be the longest stage, due to the complexity and size of the component in question. On a Pentium IV 2.6Ghz, 512MB RAMit takes +/- 3h converting a movie.
As you might have noticed on an image from the 2nd STAGE, the video in DIKO is converted using FreeEnc, which is intelligently among the programs within the installation package of DIKO .
At the end of this STAGE, DIKO will have created a .mpv file (as i said earlier), corresponding to the video component already encoded.
STAGE 5 - Converting the audio
The audio conversion is handled by a program called BeSweet. You have little to worry about this STAGE, because it's all pretty much automatic.
At the end of this STAGE, DIKO will have created an .mp2 (as i also said earlier), corresponding to the audio component already encoded
STAGE 6 - Multiplexing audio + video
Now that we've got both components encoded, we'll have to multiplex them into the final file.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/04.jpg
.
.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/05.jpg
So, joining the audio (.mp2) with the video - (.mpv) , will originate the movie - (.mpg).
It is relevant to mention at this point that sometimes DIKO fails to execute this stage perfectly, especially if you've selected the 'Header trick' option (which we'll understand further on), resulting in a size-deficient .mpg
In spite of this, because every other STAGE was completed successfully, you'll be able to recover the progress. Check here on how to do so:
TUTORIAL: What to do when DIKO creates a small .mpg file? (http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14247)
STAGE 7 - Authoring and creating the .bin / .cue files
This stage will be for authoring (if you were doing a KDVD) and creating the .bin / .cue files
And what's that about .bin and .cue files?
.bin and .cue files are cd image files. They are like a 'compilation' of every file that any given cd should have, and so they are ready to be copied.
What's really great about this is that DIKO creates (or should create) these two files, so that it's easier for you to burn them to a CD.
_________________________________
Should every stage have been successfully accomplished , you'll have in the end your cd image file in your 'working folder'
But this is just the theory, and you'll have a lot to do to have your own movie in your DVD player, so let's get to it!
PRACTICE
Now that you've been introduced to working with DIKO, you'll now learn how to work with it. As i said before, i'll (at least try to) explain every detail and every aspect of DIKO according to AVI -> KSVCD conversions.
Yet, this does not mean that DIKO is confined to this type of conversion. You'll find that DIKO also creates KDVD, and so on...
Before we begin, it will be wise to check any compatibility between VCD's and your DVD player, to ensure it is really capable of reading what you'll be creating.
Just follow these links:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers or http://www.vetorial.net/~bj/ksvcd/tabela.html
Anyway, the best thing for you to do is to test your DVD player yourself. I'll explain how to do so later.
NOTA: Even though you'll be creating an SVCD, as long as your player supports VCD movies, you're OK. There's an option in DIKO, the 'Header Trick' option, that allows you to make the player believe you are giving him a VCD, instead of an (K)SVCD
1º STEP
Download DIKO at:
http://www.i-svcd.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/vmesquita/DIKOSetup.exe <- BETA 2
http://www.jltoca.uaivip.com.br/files/DIKOSetup076B3-Upgrade.exe <- BETA 3
You'll have to download BETAS 2 and 3,install primeiro o BETA 2 first and then BETA 3, because the last is a patch .
You may want to regularly check this site:
http://www.jltoca.uaivip.com.br/en/download.htm
..for the most recent version of DIKO.
Even though DIKO carries almost every program needed to convert movies, you'll have to install yourself CODEC's (enCOde -> DECode). These little 'programs' allow DIKO to convert movies and are indispensable.
The most frequent CODEC's on the market are DiVX and XVid. This last also comes with DIKO, so you'll probably don't have to worry much about them. I would advise you though to install the most recent DiVX codec, which you may download (current version: 5.2.1.) at:
http://www.divx.com/divx/download/
Again, check regularly on the main site, http://www.divx.com, for the most recent CODEC.
Later in the tutorial, i'll talk about some other programs which you'll have to install, but i'll mention them as we go.
2º STEP
Now that you've downloaded DIKO, open it:
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO.jpg
3º STEP
At the moment, you'r on the main window of DIKO. Let's now configure DIKO in the best way possible so that you'll be able to create the best KSVCD's.
1 - Start by pressing 'Configuration'.
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO1.jpg
2 - You'll see several tabs, if you notice:
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO2.jpg
We'll go through each one, paying atention to what should be changed or not.
4º STEP
You'll be on the 'Path' tab. Here, we'll just have to define the folder where DIKO will process the movie, meaning, where it will create the files ('Working Folder'):
http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0236877601/DIKO3.jpg
Sugestion: Either change the working folder to one that is easily access or create a 'shortcut', for eg, on the desktop, to easen the access to it. To create a shortcut, you'll have to...............hmm...i assume you know how to create a shorcut :P
NOTE: The 'Working folder' shall never be 'read-only' or else DIKO will not be able to convert.