Alternative methods for preview option?

[Skunk]

I recently donated to jdobbs to get myself a copy of DVD-RB Pro and boy do I love it. The only problem I have (as it seems many others running XP have) is that the segment previewer wont work for me.
I have been reading and reading and it seems I cant get Rockas' matrix editor to work either. Since this is the feature I most wanted when I decided to donate and get the pro version I am left quite frustrated. I can open the .avs files in the 'working folder' with WMP and check them out, but how can I know what is what compared to the display in DVD-RB?
I guess the point of this thread is to start an open discussion for anyone who is as lost as I am with this problem, and from what I see there are more than a few. So if anyone has any ideas post them. Lets help eachother out.

[archaeo]

yeah, I have a similar thread http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=97624 and thought I'd combine mine here. I'm trying a couple of things but not having success. Something in the system folder or the registry is missing or incorrectly set it appears.

edit: running W2K OS

[Skunk]

Well perhaps its not OS specific. Any input is welcome, but from now on it would be preffered if any posters tell what OS they are currently running and any succeses they have had.

EDIT - I am not getting the error you are getting (as mentioned in the thread linked above) but also any links would be encouraged from anyone having similar problems. :)

[Rockas]

I cant get Rockas' matrix editor to work either
Why? Do you get any errors messages? If yes... what do they say?

[Rockas]

By the way.... (this is a long shot in the dark, but...) what antivirus are you guys using?

[Zyphon]

What I sometimes do is use the AviSynth MonitorFiler from >here< (http://members.aon.at/johann.langhofer/avsmon.htm). Download it and extract the .dll to your AviSynth Plugins folder.

Now in DVD-RB goto Options>AVS Options>Advanced (Experts) Options>Filter Editor.

Now add these lines:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\avsmon25a.dll")
MonitorFilter()

Obviously replace the C:\ to where ever your OS partition is installed.

This will work with every encoder that DVD-RB uses. (I don't know about rejig though as this is a transcoder).

I use this sometimes to check the progress of CCE while backup up DVD's.

It is a really neat plugin. :)

[AxelF]

By the way.... (this is a long shot in the dark, but...) what antivirus are you guys using?

Well I can't get Segment Viewer to work either (as I stated in that other segment viewer thread also). I have Win2K SP4 and Norton Antivirus 2004 Pro.

Edit: Typos

[archaeo]

Yes, jdobbs has stated that he is looking at the issue in this thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=92439&page=4)

[Skunk]

@ Rockas. I am getting an error that says :

"Run-time error '339': Component 'comdlg32.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid"

Not sure what that means, or even if I had that file where to put it. I am using version 0.2.0.5 of your matrix editor if that helps. I couldnt find the answer in the main thread, located here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=97114) , but for any other users having problems with the matrix editor it may help.

As for AV software, I have ruled that out as an option by disabling everything related to my anti-virus and it had no effect.

[Rockas]

"Run-time error '339': Component 'comdlg32.ocx'
You have that file on the Rebuilder's folder just make a copy of that file into the Windows\System32 folder and it will work.... I hope :D

[archaeo]

Well, I got mine to work, and it works well now. Solution was provided by Wilbert, who suggested I download huffyuv and install. I did and it worked like a charm :) . This may be particular to my problem only, though. Good luck.

[Skunk]

I have a comdlg32.dll in my windows\system32 folder, but no comdlg32.ocx. Is there somewhere I can download a copy of comdlg32.ocx so I can add it to my windows\system32 folder?

EDIT - Congrats Archeao. Good to hear that you finally got your segment viewer working. I may try that solution even though I am not getting that error. I am grasping at strwas here :(

[Rockas]

I have a comdlg32.dll in my windows\system32 folder, but no comdlg32.ocx. Is there somewhere I can download a copy of comdlg32.ocx so I can add it to my windows\system32 folder?

EDIT - Congrats Archeao. Good to hear that you finally got your segment viewer working. I may try that solution even though I am not getting that error. I am grasping at strwas here :(
You have it under Rebuilder's Installation folder.

[feedback]

@Skunk
Google it if you can't find it.
It is for ActiveX Control @ 137Kb.
It should be setting right next to the comdlg32.dll you indicated you have.

Regards,:)

[Skunk]

OK. I didnt have that file anywhere on my computer, but I was able to find it, along with instructions on how to install it on google. My matrix editor is now working. One small step in what is sure to be a long battle.

[Skunk]

One more thing that may or may not make a difference. I usually use ProCoder with DVD-RB. What encoders have other people that get this problem been using? Maybe it makes a difference. Once my current project completes I will try running a new one with a different encoder.

[Rockas]

Oh!... ProCoder doesn't support Custom Matrices :(
I will enable it on RME but just for tests with filters... if you use ProCoder, now you won't be able to open the "Preview/Test" Dialog :(

[Skunk]

Bummer. I have been interested in CCE but I dont know where I can buy a copy. I don't want a demo version but I hear a copy of the software can run in the thousands??

EDIT - :confused: :thanks: :confused:

[feedback]

Try the freeware HC encoder included with DVD-RB Pro. it gives very good results it just takes longer to encode. If time is not an issue it will serve you well.
There are quite a number of people here who use HC_15. It works with the Rockas Rebuilder Matrix Editor.

Regards,:)

[Skunk]

The time is not a problem. Its taking an average of 6 hours every time to do a comlete disk now with ProCoder. I really like the results I get, even when watching on larger TVs but I will have to see what HC is all about. I cant wait to see what thie matrix editor can do. I am a perfectionist and this sounds like a very helpful tool.

[borgraf]

I have been interested in CCE but I dont know where I can buy a copy. I don't want a demo version but I hear a copy of the software can run in the thousands??I'm personally a big fan of ProCoder and use it on a large percentage of my projects. So IMO don't expect anything revolutionary when you try other encoders, even with matrices and other tweaks :) You can buy CCE Basic for $58 (http://www.visiblelight.com/mall/productview.aspx?cat=201&pid=7). It's limited to 2 passes (but that's really all you need). But the free HC encoder that feedback mentions is so good now it's pretty much on par with CCE, judging from the posts around this forum.

[feedback]

HC is an exceptional encoder. Many report it to be as good (some even say better at low bitrates) as CCE. It is slower, though.
__________________
I would never belong to a group that would accept someone like me as a member. [Groucho Marx]


So, as jdobbs indicated, it is top of the line and Free.

Regards,:)

P.S. I got the quote from a very recent thread here in the Rebuilder forum.
For those inquiring minds.

[steptoe]

You can buy CCE Basic for $58 from here :

http://www.visiblelight.com/mall/productview.aspx?pid=7

The main difference between CCE Basic and CCE SP is that the basic version only allows a maximum of 2 passes, which in the vast majority of cases should be enough

I use 2 pass, and have no problems with blocking or fuzziness due to the compression that I have seen when using DVD Shrink, DVD2One or SlySoft CloneDVD

[TuRiSOft]

What I sometimes do is use the AviSynth MonitorFiler from >here< (http://members.aon.at/johann.langhofer/avsmon.htm). Download it and extract the .dll to your AviSynth Plugins folder.

Now in DVD-RB goto Options>AVS Options>Advanced (Experts) Options>Filter Editor.

Now add these lines:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\avsmon25a.dll")
MonitorFilter()

Obviously replace the C:\ to where ever your OS partition is installed.

This will work with every encoder that DVD-RB uses. (I don't know about rejig though as this is a transcoder).

I use this sometimes to check the progress of CCE while backup up DVD's.

It is a really neat plugin. :)

Yes this is a great idea! I didn't know about this filter and today I tried ! Great results , but it freezes CCE after VAF pass ! Any1 experiencing this ?
Do you know how can I solve ?
Is there a way to make the preview windows to show automatically and -eventually- to automatically go to half size ?

[Rockas]

Well... I did test ProCoder some time ago... believe me... HC time of encode is only an isse for those who uses CCE in 2/3 passes :)
I don't think that HC is slower than ProCoder... I'm not sure... as I said... I just made a few tests... and the quality?... I don't think you'll notice any difference, but it's just me talking :D

[Skunk]

Through all the wandering this thread has done I have learned something (alot actually). Back to the original topic though, I have not gotten a definitive answer. I have come to the conclusion that it is a problem with my system in some way. I am going to try a fresh install of windows tommorow morning.

I am crossing my fingers and praying, but god or bad I will post back the results :)

[TuRiSOft]

Through all the wandering this thread has done I have learned something (alot actually). Back to the original topic though, I have not gotten a definitive answer. I have come to the conclusion that it is a problem with my system in some way. I am going to try a fresh install of windows tommorow morning.

I am crossing my fingers and praying, but god or bad I will post back the results :)

Try a registry cleaner like RegVac first ! It solved many problems for me !!!

[Skunk]

Well. After a complete reformat of all drives and a fresh install of windows XP I am still having the same problem. This cant possibly be a problem with my system (at least not as far as I can see). I pray this bug is fixed because this is the only option in pro that I really cared about when I decided to donate. :(

[Skunk]

Jdobbs, can you offer me some help? I know you have your plate full with various, more prominent issues but since i can preview the .M2V files in WMP can you explain to me how I can correlate the proper .M2V to the sements I want to blank? I'm able to chance the setting but unable to see the previews. Until I can get this option working I am willing to do it manualy but I am the first to admit I am sort of noobish at this sort of thing.

[Rockas]

You can use Rebuilder's Matrix Editor as a workaround... at least until the problem is found.

edit: type

[Zyphon]

Yes this is a great idea! I didn't know about this filter and today I tried ! Great results , but it freezes CCE after VAF pass ! Any1 experiencing this ?
Do you know how can I solve ?
Is there a way to make the preview windows to show automatically and -eventually- to automatically go to half size ?

Thanks.

Vmesquita incorporated this filter into DIKO so that you could see how your encodes were going so that gave me the idea to use it on DVD-RB to see how my encoding was coming along so I could monitor them.

There has been some issues with this filter freezing CCE. Vmesquita added a AddAudio() to the end of this script to avoid the hang.

However this fix had the reverse effect on my systems and make CCE hang for me so I had to remove this line and then it worked.

I think if you add the AddAudio() line to the: AVS Options>Advanced (Expert) Options>Filter Editor then add that line to the bottom DVD-RB should add this to the last line of the script (If memory serves).

To check this I would use RB-Opt after the Prepare phase and see if the AddAudio() line is at the bottom. If not RB-Opt can add that line to the bottom.

See if this works, it may work on your system.

Let me know if this solution helps.

[Zyphon]

@TuRiSOft

I forgot to add you need to make an avsi file with the addaudio fuction in it.

Here is the code:

function AddAudio(clip v1) {
v2 = Blankclip()
v1 = AudioDub(v1,v2)
return v1
}


Save it as addaudio.avsi and put it in your AviSynth Plugins folder.

Then add this to your script:

Import("C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\addaudio.avsi")

It should work hopefully

Sorry for the OT folks.

[Rockas]

@Skunk
Have you tested the last release of RME? I've enabled ProCoder mode... give it a try... it's not a solution but a workaround that may help you.

[Skunk]

Sweet. Glad to hear U added Procoder compatibility Rockas. I will have to check it out. I been real busy with work (60-70 hrs. per week) but will post back when I see how it works. :)

[Skunk]

Well congrats Rockas, the matrix editor works great. In the mean time I have still been having some problems with blanking segments. I decided to buy DVDRemake pro and it is a damn fine program. I now use it to blank all my unwanted segments and remove audio and subtitles.
I highly reccomend it to anyone who is willing to cough up the cash. No offense to Jdobbs but Remake works so much better in this respect. Many DVDs that have been remade can be burned with no compression at all, but there is still no replacement for DVD-RB for re-encoding the video to fit on a DVD5.

[jdobbs]

No offense taken. They are two different programs for two different purposes. I have a copy of DVDReMake that I use too! I just used it yesterday to join to Twilight Zone DVDs together. I then ran the result through DVD Rebuilder -- and it looks great.

[Zyphon]

No offense taken. They are two different programs for two different purposes. I have a copy of DVDReMake that I use too! I just used it yesterday to join to Twilight Zone DVDs together. I then ran the result through DVD Rebuilder -- and it looks great.

What a blooming good idea, I was thinking of buying DVD ReMake Pro from what I have heard about it and what it can do, I think it is worth the money.

Doing what you said merge two DVD's then using DVD-RB to process them sounds like a great idea. :)

[jdobbs]

Just make sure they aren't too big -- there's a limit to how much you can fit on a DVD-5. The Twilight Zone series I have only has three episodes per series -- what a waste of space!