How to convert TV Series DVD episodes to DivX/XviD with ease using freeware

manono · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2003

There could be several reasons that's happening, Ghost_rider. To help diagnose the problem, can you post the log from one of those undersized encodes?

Ghost_rider · Member Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Location: United Kingdom

Here's a log from a recent convertion

Thanks for the quick response

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[04/02/2008 10:57:45] AutoGK 2.47b
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] OS: WinXP (5.1.2600).2
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Job started.
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Input file: C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\VTS_02_0.IFO
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Output file: C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\Episode 2.avi
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Output codec: XviD
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Audio 1: English AC3 6ch
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Subtitles: none
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Format: AVI
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Target size: 349Mb
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Custom resolution settings: fixed width of 640 pixels
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Audio 1 settings: Original
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Standalone support enabled: ESS
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Started encoding.
[04/02/2008 10:57:45] Demuxing and indexing.
[04/02/2008 10:59:02] Processing file: ..\VTS_02_PGC_01_1.VOB
[04/02/2008 10:59:03] Source resolution: 720x576
[04/02/2008 10:59:03] Found PAL source.
[04/02/2008 10:59:03] Source aspect ratio: 16:9
[04/02/2008 10:59:03] Color correction enabled.
[04/02/2008 10:59:03] Analyzing source.
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Source has percentage of interlacing in motion areas: 0.00
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Source is considered to be progressive.
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Output will contain 57974 frames
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Audio1 size: 111,286,272 bytes (106.13 Mb)
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Overhead: 688,384 bytes (0.66 Mb)
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Video size: 253,978,368 bytes (242.21 Mb)
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Running compressibility test.
[04/02/2008 11:00:25] Writing the following script to C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\agk_tmp\Episode 2_comptest.avs
===========================================================
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\DGMPGDec\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\autocrop.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\ColorMatrix.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\RemoveGrainSSE3.dll")

movie = mpeg2source("C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\agk_tmp\Episode 2.d2v")
cropclip = autocrop(movie,mode=0,wmultof=4,hmultof=4,samples=10,aspect=0,threshold=34,samplestartframe=0,leftadd=0,rightadd=0,topadd=0,bottomadd=0)
fixed_aspect = 1.42222222222222
c_width = width(cropclip)
c_height = round(height(cropclip) / fixed_aspect)
input_par = float(c_width)/float(c_height)
input_par = (input_par > 1.4) || (input_par < 1.25) ? input_par : (4.0/3.0)
out_width = 640
out_height = round(float(out_width) / input_par)
hmod = out_height - (floor(out_height / 16 ) * 16)
out_height = (hmod > 4) ? (out_height + (16 - hmod)) : (out_height - hmod)
new_aspect = (float(out_width) / float(out_height)) / fixed_aspect
autocrop(movie,mode=0,wmultof=4,hmultof=4,samples=10,aspect=new_aspect,threshold=34,samplestartframe=0,leftadd=0,rightadd=0,topadd=0,bottomadd=0)
LanczosResize(out_width,out_height)
RemoveGrain(mode=2)
ColorMatrix("Rec.709->Rec.601",opt=0,hints=false,threads=0)
SelectRangeEvery(300,15)
===========================================================
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Duration was: 1 minute, 56 seconds
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Speed was: 24.93 fps.
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Compressibility percentage is: 35.81
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Using softer resizer.
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Chosen resolution is: 640x368 ( AR: 1.74 )
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Predicted comptest value is: 37.82%
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Running first pass.
[04/02/2008 11:02:22] Writing the following script to C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\agk_tmp\Episode 2_movie.avs
===========================================================
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\DGMPGDec\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\autocrop.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\ColorMatrix.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\AutoGK\filters\RemoveGrainSSE3.dll")

movie = mpeg2source("C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Films\Lost\S1\2\agk_tmp\Episode 2.d2v")
cropclip = autocrop(movie,mode=0,wmultof=4,hmultof=4,samples=10,aspect=0,threshold=34,samplestartframe=0,leftadd=0,rightadd=0,topadd=0,bottomadd=0)
fixed_aspect = 1.42222222222222
c_width = width(cropclip)
c_height = round(height(cropclip) / fixed_aspect)
input_par = float(c_width)/float(c_height)
input_par = (input_par > 1.4) || (input_par < 1.25) ? input_par : (4.0/3.0)
out_width = 640
out_height = round(float(out_width) / input_par)
hmod = out_height - (floor(out_height / 16 ) * 16)
out_height = (hmod > 4) ? (out_height + (16 - hmod)) : (out_height - hmod)
new_aspect = (float(out_width) / float(out_height)) / fixed_aspect
autocrop(movie,mode=0,wmultof=4,hmultof=4,samples=10,aspect=new_aspect,threshold=34,samplestartframe=0,leftadd=0,rightadd=0,topadd=0,bottomadd=0)
BicubicResize(out_width,out_height,0,0.5)
RemoveGrain(mode=2)
ColorMatrix("Rec.709->Rec.601",opt=0,hints=false,threads=0)
===========================================================
[04/02/2008 11:27:40] Duration was: 25 minutes 17 seconds
[04/02/2008 11:27:40] Speed was: 38.19 fps.
[04/02/2008 11:27:40] Expected quality of first pass size: 34.43%
[04/02/2008 11:27:40] Running second pass.
[04/02/2008 12:01:29] Duration was: 33 minutes 49 seconds
[04/02/2008 12:01:29] Speed was: 28.57 fps.
[04/02/2008 12:01:29] Job finished. Total time: 1 hour, 3 minutes 43 seconds

manono · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2003

OK, thanks. That rules out a couple of possibilities. The problem may be the version of XviD included with version 2.47 and you should probably upgrade to 2.48. Have you installed any newer version of XviD without first completely uninstalling any older versions of XviD? The reason I ask is that can be a cause for not getting the size you want as well. My suggestion is to go through Add/Remove Programs to uninstall XviD followed by the installation of version 2.48 which uses a different XviD build:

http://www.autogk.me.uk/index.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=4

Also, your log shows you setting a fixed width of 640 and getting a lousy compression test result. Lost is hard to compress. I might suggest letting AutoGK choose the width, choosing a smaller width yourself, choosing a larger final size, using lower quality audio (MP3 instead of the original AC3) to free up more space for the video, or some combination of the above. And since you're getting sizes much smaller then requested, those episodes probably don't look very good.

Ghost_rider · Member Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Location: United Kingdom

Cheers manono,

I'll do what you suggest and let you know how I get on....

Ghost_rider · Member Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Location: United Kingdom

Updating Auto GK and Xvid seems to have worked. I'm now getting a more consistant file size of around 357MB. Thanks again for the advice...

manono · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2003

Good, I'm glad to have been able to help.

By the way, if you're asking for 349 MB as in the log you provided and you're getting 357 MB, then that's still not close enough. But I'll take a wild guess and say you're really getting 357,xxx KB, which is 349 MB and right on the money.

denverd · Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Location: United States

I've tried this guide on two different computers, and although I end up with the .IFO and .VOB files in the correct folders, none of the vobs have any audio. Of course I can't even begin autoGK...since the vobs have no audio...any clues as to the settings that could be wrong, or something obvious I'm missing. When I open the VOB in any software (NeroShowtime, VLC...) they inform me there is no AUDIO present in the file.

manono · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2003

Hi-

If all you did to get the DVD onto the hard drive was to use DVD Decrypter or somesuch, without purposely removing the audio, then you can bet there's audio in there. Open a VOB in GSpot to confirm (or disprove) the presence of audio. If you can't figure it out, post a screen pic from GSpot here.

If there really is no audio, then decrypt using DVDDecrypter without going into Stream Processing.

The solution to your problem could be as simple as installing the AC3Filter.

darkuni · Member Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: United States

I've got a question.

I've been basically doing the equivalent of this guide for awhile, but I'm not getting the results I've seen others get when creating Xvids.

Basically, I have a LOT of TV DVDs I want to compress. "The Scene" DVD rips clock in at:

175MB (for~ 21:30 shows)
350MB (for~ 42.30 shows)

I'm currently ripping my THAT 70'S SHOW DVDs, and no matter how hard I try, I cannot get a 175MB encode from ANY episode - and I've played around with the settings.

I know the goal of this guide is to go "free", but I'm not above paying for software if I can achieve the above numbers with the same quality "the scene" is doing.

Any thoughts or assistance would be GREAT!

manono · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2003

Hi-

hartjo1 · Member Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Location: United States

Thanks for the guide. It's been very useful. I'm curious as to why you've pegged the width at 640. What if the original width is greater than 640 lines? Wouldn't it be better to use Auto Width? Thanks for the help!

hartjo1 · Member Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Location: United States

OK, bigger problem. When I run DVD Decrypt foe the first time, it works great. When I go to run it again, I get the following:

I 18:34:13 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started!
I 18:34:13 Microsoft Windows Code Name "Longhorn" Home Edition (6.0, Build 6000)
I 18:34:13 Initialising SPTI...
I 18:34:13 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
E 18:34:13 CreateFile Failed! - Device: '\\.\Cdrom0'
E 18:34:13 Reason: Access is denied.
E 18:34:13 CreateFile Failed! - Device: '\\.\Cdrom1'
E 18:34:13 Reason: Access is denied.
E 18:34:13 You need Administrative privileges to use SPTI.
W 18:34:13 No devices detected!

If I reboot, no joy. If I uninstall and reinstall DVD Decrypter it works just fine. Until I shut it down again and try to restart DVD Decrypter. Then I get the above error log again. Uninstall, reinstall, it works. Rinse and repeat. I did a good deal of research and the common answer seems to be "make sure you have admin rights." I do.

Unfortunately DVD Decrypter is no longer developed as far as I can tell. Their site and forums appear to be offline.

If there's no good fix for this, is there an alternate software that you would recommend for ripping? I use AnyDVD but don't really have the same level of control that I seem to have with DVD Decrypter. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheekie_Moonkie · Cheeky Monkey Joined: 25 Dec 2002 Location: United Kingdom

hartjo1 · Member Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Location: United States

Thanks, CM. I disabled user access control in Vista and it seems to have solved the problem. Though it was not prompting UAC when attempting to run, I gather that the program was not "authorized" to be using the DVD drive. When I would do a fresh install, it would prompt UAC. That's why it worked only on the first new install. After that it seems that it needed UAC to allow access but was not prompting. Who could have foreseen the brilliance that I Vista? Anyway, it works now, so thanks for a great guide!

otherbyrd · Member Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Location: Australia

I just have to say thank you Cheekie_Moonkie, it worked more or less perfectly.

The reason I wanted to do this is because the only DVD player in my room is my Xbox360 and on occasion I've borrowed DVDs off friends before (Mostly TV shows) and they wouldn't play because said friend had ordered them off Amazon or somewhere else so they were a different region.

Aside from DVD Decrypter not working (Well, I set it all up but the start ripping button was greyed out) so I used SmartRipper (Worked perfectly), not really being able to decide on a size (I settled on 290MB, the episodes are roughly 24mins) and having to figure out what chapters were what episode (31 chapters and it ended up being 6 per episode and 31 being some warnings/credits), it was fine. Also, I just tested the first one I ripped/converted and it looks absolutely fine on my 360.

Stupid region codes.

I'm on Vista too and I used DVD Region+CSS Free as well. It took about 40 minutes for the first episode which isn't too bad, I guess, I imagined it being a little faster for some reason (I have a decent computer). Now I need to figure out automating it (With the batch files provided) and it'll be incredibly easy (Add in streaming to my 360 and it's a good set up

).

Gillies · Member Joined: 05 Feb 2002 Location: Sydney

CM
thanks for the awesome guide.
Only thing required now is a way to automate autogk so you dont have to do all the clicks to add jobs to the queue.

Cheekie_Moonkie · Cheeky Monkey Joined: 25 Dec 2002 Location: United Kingdom