HDTV processing with DVDRB

[quantum]

I've been playing with HDTV captures and getting them into a format that can be played on my DVD players. I can create a mpeg2 program or transport stream file and then feed that to CCE or Divx. These files are large in size and resolution (about 4 gigs per hour) so they must be shrunk.

However I've been reintroduced to the same old problem as I had in the old days of DVD backups: mixed telecide and interlaced video. DVDRB is the only tool I know (besides transcoders) that has mastered the dark secret of retaining the original mpeg2 structure exactly.

I'm wondering if JD would consider an option, or possibly making a side tool, to process non-dvd mpeg2 files in CCE using the dvdrb engine?

[o324712]

quantum,

I was just about to post a similar question concerning using DVD-RB with episodic HDTV XVID/DIVX avi's. I would put myself at a level between noob and amateur, however trying to sort out the various steps to do this can be quite overwhelming. If you or anyone else has/is pursuing this I would like to learn and help.

Thanks,
Rich

[jdobbs]

Originally posted by quantum
I've been playing with HDTV captures and getting them into a format that can be played on my DVD players. I can create a mpeg2 program or transport stream file and then feed that to CCE or Divx. These files are large in size and resolution (about 4 gigs per hour) so they must be shrunk.

However I've been reintroduced to the same old problem as I had in the old days of DVD backups: mixed telecide and interlaced video. DVDRB is the only tool I know (besides transcoders) that has mastered the dark secret of retaining the original mpeg2 structure exactly.

I'm wondering if JD would consider an option, or possibly making a side tool, to process non-dvd mpeg2 files in CCE using the dvdrb engine? How is the audio multiplexed -- anything special? Is the audio AC3? I assume what you'd want is something that takes the original and resizes it to 720 x 480/576?

[quantum]

It's AC3 audio. For some reason the captures have a huge border so cropping is necessary. Then it needs to be resized, with consideration given to the fields.

It would be a non-issue if everything was either all interlaced or all telecided, but with the documentaries I've captured, it switches back and forth.

So then we're stuck with the old problem of either IVTC down to 24fps and ruin the 30fps sections, or stay with 30fps and have problems with the telecide sections.

Ideally it should be reencoded and retain the exact original structure (fields and pulldown) of the original. To my knowledge, only dvdrb does this.

I'm cutting some samples and I'll send you a PM with a download link.

[blueboyec]

o324712 or anyone else,

Also trying to convert Xvid to DVD format. Has anyone have any success using RB to do this?

bbec

[Boulder]

Originally posted by quantum
It would be a non-issue if everything was either all interlaced or all telecided, but with the documentaries I've captured, it switches back and forth.

So then we're stuck with the old problem of either IVTC down to 24fps and ruin the 30fps sections, or stay with 30fps and have problems with the telecide sections.

Ideally it should be reencoded and retain the exact original structure (fields and pulldown) of the original. To my knowledge, only dvdrb does this.

Would it cause problems to encode as interlaced at 29.97fps? Creating a hybrid might be a b**ch to do, it would probably require a lot of manual processing. AFAIK encoding at 29.97fps is the only real solution.

[wmansir]

Originally posted by blueboyec
o324712 or anyone else,

Also trying to convert Xvid to DVD format. Has anyone have any success using RB to do this?

bbec

It's impossible with the current DVD-RB. DVD-RB requires DVD formated input, otherwise it would be called DVD Builder and not DVD Rebuilder.

Check out Doom9's Avi->DVD-R conversion guides (http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/conversionguides.htm). Those methods may be out dated though. I think there are several newer programs such as TmpegEnc's DVD authoring suite and even Nero Vision Express that can do it much easier.

In any case, once the video is in Xvid format it's too late to preserve any hybrid content, which is I believe is why quantum is interested in using DVD-RB's encoding engine on the raw feeds.

[jptheripper]

i wonder if you could author a non-compliant dvd with a hdtv stream, edit the ifos to your end (720x480 for example) format, then use rebuilder to build a compliant stream. Of course, you would have to edit the avs's to resize to compliant size.

[jdobbs]

I already have a complete set of authoring modules, so it's not out of the question that I could do it. My plan was use them to create an authoring package eventually that would take AVI, etc. and output to DVD format as one of my upcoming projects.

[Rockas]

I already have a complete set of authoring modules, so it's not out of the question that I could do it. My plan was use them to create an authoring package eventually that would take AVI, etc. and output to DVD format as one of my upcoming projects.
Is this some kind of a secret Revelation? :D

[blueboyec]

jdobbs,

I'll be one of the first to donate on this new project. I know it will be a great product based on your work on RB's.

Thanks for the great work!

bbec

[jdobbs]

Well, I gotta get v1.00 of RB out first...

[ChickenMan]

Originally posted by blueboyec
o324712 or anyone else,

Also trying to convert Xvid to DVD format. Has anyone have any success using RB to do this?

bbec
Until jdobbs comes out with his new program, I suggest the use of The FilmMachine. It uses CCE or HC as the encoder, converts audio to ac3 if its not already and handles subtitles. It also joins multiple avis together and encodes to one set of vob files. Authors the final files, ready to burn. Very simple yet very powerful, just like RB :)

[blueboyec]

ChickenMan,

Thanks for the info. About how long (on average) does it take to convert a 700MB 1hr show/movie using CCE with this program?
bbec

[ChickenMan]

Naturally it depends on how fast you PC is, but on my AMD 3200+ I do the average 90min movie Divx/Xvid in 2hrs, give or take 15 min. Thats with a 2 pass CCE ver 2.50. Its not the quickest but leaves all the other simple one-click wonders for dead when QUALITY is the prime objective.

Another alternative is good old DVD2SVCD. Once setup, its about 2-3 clicks to start encoding. The advantage here is you can use D2SRoBa pluggin to do a 1 pass OPV (guess where jdobbs got the idea from :D ) and typically does a 90min Xvid/Divx in 1hr to 1hr 15min. See the DVD2SVCD forum here at Doom9 for further info. Its still my preferred method of avi conversion as it is so versitile, quick & you can use CCE, TMPGenc, Procoder or QuEnc as the encoder.

[o324712]

I second blueboyec comments about jdobbs work.

I have used dvd2svcd. Waiting for an update of it to use HC and CCE 2.7.

Might give a go to Film Machine.

Thanks,
Rich