DVD Santa Chapters *skip only* why can't I *scan*?

[drewson99]

When I make a DVD with DVD Santa from my divx avis, I get the automatic chapters every 3 minutes, and they work great to skip through, but when I hit the scan forward or back, it skips to the next (or previous) chapter instead of scanning forward or back.

Is there a way around this? Otherwise, I really love DVD Santa because the only other way I have found of getting such good audio sync with my divx-DVD conversions is to process to Uncomp RGB in VDub and then using TMPGEnc (Ugh)

-A

[drewson99]

Still seem to have no solution to this. Anyone?

[jimmalenko]

It's not just a matter of holding down the button on the remote for 2 seconds instead of instantaneously pressing it, is it ?

[minky69]

I have had the exact same problem with my standalone (Philips DVP720SA). I've tried holding the button for 2 secs, does nothing. The only thing I can do if fast forward past where I want to be then rewind. Pressing play whilst rewinding doesn't casue this problem for me. However every time I go from fast forward to play it skips to the next chapter, grrrrrr!!!!

I blame DVD Santa. This doesn’t happen on standard DVDs.

I’m gonna try a different encoder. I was looking at Nero Vision Express. Any other recommendations? I don’t want to use WinAvi as I’ve heard it can’t create files at PAL resolution.

[jimmalenko]

I blame DVD Santa. This doesn’t happen on standard DVDs.

I’m gonna try a different encoder. I was looking at Nero Vision Express. Any other recommendations? I don’t want to use WinAvi as I’ve heard it can’t create files at PAL resolution.

All 3 mentioned here are notorious for questionable results, and the reason is that they're all-in-one tools that struggle from time to time with less than perfect sources.

Do yourself a favour and check out TMPGEnc, Mainconcept, CCE ... basically any dedicated encoder. More often than not, they'll do a much better job than any all-in-one tool can do, and they're fully customisable for any situation. Try this guide to start with, or there are plenty more guides for other tools in the guides section.

[EvilWizardGlick]

I blame DVD Santa. This doesn’t happen on standard DVDs.

I’m gonna try a different encoder. I was looking at Nero Vision Express. Any other recommendations? I don’t want to use WinAvi as I’ve heard it can’t create files at PAL resolution.

All 3 mentioned here are notorious for questionable results, and the reason is that they're all-in-one tools that struggle from time to time with less than perfect sources.

Do yourself a favour and check out TMPGEnc, Mainconcept, CCE ... basically any dedicated encoder. More often than not, they'll do a much better job than any all-in-one tool can do, and they're fully customisable for any situation. Try this guide to start with, or there are plenty more guides for other tools in the guides section.

So to fix a minor problem one should start learning a new program, which is more complicated, from scratch?
If DVDSANTA works well except for the minor scan problem, which may be due to something other than the program, why change it?
If it ain't broken don't fix it.
I do see quite a bit of programic elitism and favoritism when it comes to encoding. I imagine it is because that is what someone learned on and is wont to give it up.
This post being a prime example.

[mats.hogberg]

I see a lot of persons, not willing to learn, wanting to be spoon fed, whining about why certain apps doesn't work for any source file they shove into it.
So, if you don't want the advice offered, I suggest you contact the support for DVD Santa (after all, it's a commercial product, and should come with some end user support?).
Or bite the bullet, learn this hobby, and let it dawn upon you, the complexity of video conversion, and why one application never will work for all situations.

/Mats

[jimmalenko]

So to fix a minor problem one should start learning a new program, which is more complicated, from scratch?
If DVDSANTA works well except for the minor scan problem, which may be due to something other than the program, why change it?
If it ain't broken don't fix it.
I do see quite a bit of programic elitism and favoritism when it comes to encoding. I imagine it is because that is what someone learned on and is wont to give it up.
This post being a prime example.

If you want the job done properly, you need to use the right tools. If you want the job done half-assed, keep using DVDSanta

I don't even need to provide screenshots to prove that DVDSanta, WinAVI and NVE do not hold a candle to any dedicated encoder/author combo. Take a look around the forums for the number of problems that these 3 apps in particular cause.

But hey, if you're happy with (IMO) crapware, by all means, don't let me stop you

... and what mats.hogberg said.

[tim6661234]

So to fix a minor problem one should start learning a new program, which is more complicated, from scratch?
If DVDSANTA works well except for the minor scan problem, which may be due to something other than the program, why change it?
If it ain't broken don't fix it.
I do see quite a bit of programic elitism and favoritism when it comes to encoding. I imagine it is because that is what someone learned on and is wont to give it up.
This post being a prime example.

Why the post if it isn't broken

[Scottie]

I'm glad I didn't ask the question.

[EvilWizardGlick]

So to fix a minor problem one should start learning a new program, which is more complicated, from scratch?
If DVDSANTA works well except for the minor scan problem, which may be due to something other than the program, why change it?
If it ain't broken don't fix it.
I do see quite a bit of programic elitism and favoritism when it comes to encoding. I imagine it is because that is what someone learned on and is wont to give it up.
This post being a prime example.

If you want the job done properly, you need to use the right tools. If you want the job done half-assed, keep using DVDSanta

I don't even need to provide screenshots to prove that DVDSanta, WinAVI and NVE do not hold a candle to any dedicated encoder/author combo. Take a look around the forums for the number of problems that these 3 apps in particular cause.

But hey, if you're happy with (IMO) crapware, by all means, don't let me stop you

... and what mats.hogberg said.

Feel free to offer some type of comparative evidence to support your claim.
And I don't mean twiddling and fiddling with your progam to make the outcome SEEM better.
I think a simple conversion comparison including time invested between both outcomes and a small couple meg video sample should do it.
Better yet, let the experts here devise a test. Something fair and third party, so no one can claim bias.
As long as the playing field is level.
Until there is evidence to support your claims it is nothing but OPINION, as is mine.
I'm no video expert but DVDSANTA works fine for me.
So, offer up some proof or quit blowing hot air?
Any of you wonder kids willing to devise an equal comparative fair test, feel as free to offer it as you do your commentary.
If you can compare and review video cards, recorders, burners, you should be able to compare and review software.
Until the results are posted for all to see, there is no need to respond.

[jimmalenko]

Until there is evidence to support your claims it is nothing but OPINION, as is mine.

... and on an internet forum, you expected ... what ? A white paper maybe ?

If you're happy with what you're getting, then fine, stick with it. If you are experiencing niggly issues (such as the many threads here clearly indicate), or you want to expand your horizons and knowledge-base a bit, try a few different methods/softwares. It's not gonna kill you

IMO a lot of all-in-one tools are "jack-of-all-trades, master of none" softwares. They cannot (and are certainly not designed to) handle all of the quirks that can be present in all different types of video. Until you've encountered all of these quirks, I could not possibly expect you to know about them.

[drewson99]

I have found DVDSanta to work very very well for Divx and Xvid files which I don't really want to do the "hard way"

To those who chewed myself and others out for using an All-In-One: I am not a newbie. I have been posting *advice* here since the domain was vcdhelp.com, so please don't crucify me for wanting to try a new piece of software. I remember when the first release of DVD2One came out and everyone's jaw dropped because we didn't have to putz around with TMPGEnc and DVD2AVI anymore for 6 hours at a time.

I like having time to watch my videos, not just sit at the PC all evening.

I like DVD Santa because it allows me to do this more often than not.

-A

[only_emo_kid]

i haven't had a problem, mine does it just fine.

[mats.hogberg]

found DVDSanta to work very very well for Divx and Xvid files

That is obviously not the case for eveyone, or this thread (and many other of the same vein) wouldn't be here...

/Mats

[drewson99]

Actually, I think you'd be hard pressed to find any video software that provides consistent results for "everyone" - user error, codec and hardware issues are too broad.

Therefore, when I refer to the quality of a package, I think common sense would dictate that I am not saying "everyone" has shared the same experience.

The only thing you may be able to go on are the user ratings in the tools section, and behold - DVDSanta has a rating 0.1 (on a 10.0 scale) higher than TMPGEnc. Not that they are to be compared, they are vastly different tools.

All I would like to draw your attention to is that for some reason there are "haters" here who just love to rip on all-in-one packages - even ones which seem to be well received.

[jimmalenko]

Who rates tools ? I don't

Go back two years, when DVD burners were $500 + and video was for the hobbyist, and not your average joe like it is today. I think you'd find that the swing towards one-click tools has come from newbies, not experienced elders

I do agree that there are no tools that will float everyone's boat - different people have different levels of interest in video, from those that will spend as long as it takes to get the damn thing perfect quality-wise, to those that want it done in 5 minutes with as few clicks as possible.

Again, stock-standard disclaimer - if you're happy with your results, good, that's all that matters

[drewson99]

Who rates tools ? I don't

You did tonight, according to the timestamp on the 3/10 score you just gave DVDSanta. And look! It brought the score down to just under TMPGEnc! Looks like I am vanquished. Sorry but you kinda walked into that one.

[jimmalenko]

Who rates tools ? I don't

You did tonight, according to the timestamp on the 3/10 score you just gave DVDSanta. And look! It brought the score down to just under TMPGEnc! Looks like I am vanquished. Sorry but you kinda walked into that one.

There's a first time for everything, and that's my first tool review

I thought that since I've given dvdsanta a hard time, that I should at least put my money where my mouth is and be constructive at the same time. Did you see the features that I pointed out that are lacking ?

[tmh]

The all-in-one haters just can't be listened to here. Yes, I do use many apps but also do some all-in-one conversions. The all-in-ones with a poor encoder will, of course, produce inferior quality. However, the ones that can use TMPG, Procoder, etc., can do a great job for straight-forward projects. Why wouldn't they?

Jim, to go and rate a product low just to "prove you were right" goes against the entire purpose of having a rating system. How does that help future viewers deside if they want to use that program. To post in the forum why DVDSanta is "lacking" is fine, but to corrupt it's rating score is LOOOOOOOOW. Pathetic.

As a regular here, I'd think you'd have a bit more respect for the hard work that goes into this excellent site.

[mats.hogberg]

Geeesh, Jim's entitled to write anything he likes here, until Baldrik or one of the mods takes him by the ear. So are you. All ratings are subjective. N00bs rate an application high on ease of use - ease of use means lack of features, that a more experienced person find limiting. So, he/she rates it lower than the n00b. From their own standpoint, both ratings are correct. The average rating is what the average user will agree on.
(And you'll never find me running an app with a purple UI! Jim, how could you?)

/Mats

[reboot]

According to the prominent school of thought here, so called "one click" solutions are frowned upon, and rightly so.
Quality output is generally one's desired outcome.
If you're satisfied with what you get out of ANY application, then that's the one for you.
Most of the opinions expressed in this thread, are valid, and come from experience.
You've been given your answer by mats, "So, if you don't want the advice offered, I suggest you contact the support for DVD Santa (after all, it's a commercial product, and should come with some end user support?)."
If you're willing to take some advice, there are numerous suggestions to attempt using other good software, that will outproduce DVDSanta in just about every way.
If you want to stick with one click solutions, try VSO Divx to DVD, D.I.K.O., TheFilmMachine, SVCD2DVD, or DVDHive. At least they're free, and will probably output a better quality product than DVDSanta.

[stillmars321]

Run the output files from DVD Santa through another authoring program such as TMPG DVD Author.

[RottenFoxBreath]

as far as one-clickers go,dvdsanta and vso divxtodvd are probably the best for quality outcome.and i have seen this bug,as the makers have stated it happens on some players.you should mail them and tell them about it,they got rid of the toshiba ones.

[jimmalenko]

Jim, to go and rate a product low just to "prove you were right" goes against the entire purpose of having a rating system. How does that help future viewers deside if they want to use that program. To post in the forum why DVDSanta is "lacking" is fine, but to corrupt it's rating score is LOOOOOOOOW. Pathetic.

As a regular here, I'd think you'd have a bit more respect for the hard work that goes into this excellent site.

...and I do. That's why I've identified 4 key points in both encoding and authoring where this program contains shortfalls. If anyone else needs the features I've listed, then they need to know that this program can't handle them, don't they ?

As I said earlier, the value (score) for ratings means sweet **** all to most. Can you honestly tell me that there's only 16 people using DVDsanta ? No, didn't think so. Also, if I were trying to manipulate the numbers, don't you think I would have given dvdsanta scores of 1 in every category, and you'd reckon if I was trying to corrupt the numbers I would have rated TMPGEnc with all 10's, wouldn't I ? I haven't done a rating on TMPGEnc (go check for yourself if you like), because as I said earlier, DVDsanta was the first one I'd ever rated.

And it's not about winning an argument at all, because in opinion there are no winners. I put my honest opinion there (as is my right), feel free to disagree (as is your right). I could have said "dvdsanta sux" with no method or reason as to how I formulated that belief, and if that were the case, then maybe some of the BS you're spinning and the reporting of my review might actually be considered seriously

[tmh]

hmmmmm.......Jim gave DVDSanta a 3 rating as a public service - MY BAD! Interesting that he didn't do this public service until someone mentioned how highly rated it was! Even more interesting - jim had just finished saying that he "doesn't do ratings". Very strange indeed....

btw, swearing may impress some pre-teens but I don't think it gets you much here.

As for the rating, just how many different movies did you process with Santa? How bad were your results? Specifically what didn't you like? No, I figure you never even downloaded it - just read a few lines about it somewhere. DVDSanta never claims to do any of the things you criticize it for not doing.

fwiw, I DID try DVDSanta previously and did not think the resulting video looked very good. So I'm not defending that specific app, just pointing out some hipocracy here.

I do believe that some here have convinced themselves (and each other) that encoding/authoring a video is rocket-science. When it is pointed out to them that it may not be, they recoil and strike. Somehow, if they ignore the fact that much of the manual work can be automated by a smart programmer they can continue to feel superior. Do you not realize that many all-in-ones use some of those precious "individual apps" of yours as one of their internal tools? They just automate the sequence of steps - something I'm sure you'd do if you knew how - but you don't so you blindly poke holes in their work.

Copying a movie is NOT rocket-science. Sorry to burst your overly inflated bubble.

PS. I DID report your review as insincere as I am sure anyone who reads this thred knows it was. oh....some may defend you and say it's your "honest opinion" but I know they know differently. I have used the reviews/ratings to choose which products to try from time to time as I expect others have. Whether the "brass" here think it's a problem when some don't rate fairly that's up to them.

[jimmalenko]

hmmmmm.......Jim gave DVDSanta a 3 rating as a public service - MY BAD! Interesting that he didn't do this public service until someone mentioned how highly rated it was! Even more interesting - jim had just finished saying that he "doesn't do ratings". Very strange indeed....

btw, swearing may impress some pre-teens but I don't think it gets you much here.

As for the rating, just how many different movies did you process with Santa? How bad were your results? Specifically what didn't you like? No, I figure you never even downloaded it - just read a few lines about it somewhere. DVDSanta never claims to do any of the things you criticize it for not doing.

fwiw, I DID try DVDSanta previously and did not think the resulting video looked very good. So I'm not defending that specific app, just pointing out some hipocracy here.

I do believe that some here have convinced themselves (and each other) that encoding/authoring a video is rocket-science. When it is pointed out to them that it may not be, they recoil and strike. Somehow, if they ignore the fact that much of the manual work can be automated by a smart programmer they can continue to feel superior. Do you not realize that many all-in-ones use some of those precious "individual apps" of yours as one of their internal tools? They just automate the sequence of steps - something I'm sure you'd do if you knew how - but you don't so you blindly poke holes in their work.

Copying a movie is NOT rocket-science. Sorry to burst your overly inflated bubble.

PS. I DID report your review as insincere as I am sure anyone who reads this thred knows it was. oh....some may defend you and say it's your "honest opinion" but I know they know differently. I have used the reviews/ratings to choose which products to try from time to time as I expect others have. Whether the "brass" here think it's a problem when some don't rate fairly that's up to them.

<No words required>



EDIT: 8888 - 4 butts !

[MackemX]

just a drive by reading and who gives a shit who rated which program what? The fact is some people like/dislike software will never go away and it's pointless getting uptight about it

@tmh, I don't hate DVDSanta but I do think it's poor in certain areas though I haven't rated it. I think I've rated only a few programs here such as the great Ifoedit. I wouldn't take other member's rating so personal though. Who cares WTF Jim voted as long as you like the program. At least he gave something for people to look at and maybe disagree with his views instead of just simply giving it low ratings.

soundforbjt (after jim), jh61408 also gave it an overall 3 and Bigborman even gave it a 2 so what's the difference about Jim's opinion?

why is it some people rate some movies a 10 when others rate it 1. Differences of opinion that's what 8)