Encoding and Transcoding, Pinnacle InstantCopy and Tmpgenc.

[tommyoz]

I just decided to build a newer machine up to a 2.5Ghz. I use to work off a Pentium III 800Mhz system. Man what a difference, Pinnacle InstantCopy use to take 4 to 4 1/2 hours of transcoding and now takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours with a Pentium 4 2.5Ghz.

Tmpgenc use to take 8 to 10 hours of encoding a CBR DVD and now takes 2 to 3 hours on a Pentium 4 2.5Ghz. I may start encoding VBR DVD's.

I just thought i would share this with anyone who keeps double guessing all the software out there. Consider upgrading your machine first.

[jtoolman2000]

I run DVDxCopy in 2.4 P4 and I usually can completely transcode a 2 hour movie to a DVD 5 file size in about 30 mins at the most. If no compression is needed like for a 90min or so movie, then it rips directly to the HD in about 15-18 Min. I then burn the resulting files to DVD using Nero / with the DVD recorder chosen as default and DVD movie option. That will take me about 55 min to burn and close out the disk. I have not used Pinnacle IC yet although I do have it. I understant that you need to first rip the DVD with a 3rd party ripper such as Smart Ripper or other. I've been using both DVDx COPY and DVD Shrink with pretty excellent results as far as quality of video and audio. Of course I do not have the luxury of a 52" HD TV setup so any differences in quality are undetectable on my lowly Panasonic 27" stereo TV.

I have been having a very good time indeed messing around with all of these progs and they all have their place.

I have done a quite bit of work with Tmpgenc and VirtualDub and DVDx in my DIVX days ( still have about 200 Movies on DIVX CDs ). After using these other DVD copying programs, I can't really bother with DIVx anymore for obvious reasons!

Take care you all

[tommyoz]

I do have DVDXCopy and have tried it. I can't seem to help it but i really wanted to back up the entire DVD9 disc (extras and all) on one disc. Hence the reason for IC7 and the longer transcoding time. I understand now that DVDXcopy does allow that but why change. If it ain't broke why fix it. I have also tried DVD2One, DVDShrink and DVDLab but for me they just haven't compared to IC7 as far as quality. Now i feel like i'm getting both quality and speed with my upgrade.

I don't mind the 3rd party software. I'd rather have 4 different softwares specializing in 1 of the steps than an all in one. You get more control over each step.

I also have hundreds of DIVX movies waiting to be encoded but now instaed of having one movie a night, i can have at least 3 movies encoding overnight thanks to my P4 2.5GHz Machine.