How does DVDShrink compare to DVDRebuilder?

[SEALs1230]

First off, I was just wondering how much compression with DVDShrink does it take before quality really starts to go. I just did Fight Club which ended up in about 63% compression. I heard that DVDRebuilder has much better quality than that off DVDShrink. I havent had a chance to test this out yet so I was just wondering what you guys thought from experience. I will test it out soon and get my own opinion as well, but for right now I would like to hear others if ya'll dont mind. Also, do I need to install CCE before using DVDRebuilder?

[Timoleon]

Both fantastic programs --- you can't go wrong with either one. They work in different ways; Rebuilder will give you a slightly better copy but takes longer to do.

You don't need CCE for Rebuilder. It can also work with QuEnc, Rejig, Canopus Procoder, and I believe the new hand-rolled HC as well.

Both DVDShrink and DVD Rebuilder are FREE --- you should enjoy both of them. I do!

[winifreid]

Since rebuilder can use several transcoder and encoders, it depends on which one you use. Some of the transcoders are free, but many will say the best quality comes with CCE (which cost about $50). The best thisng is to just try them. I suspect that you will see little difference at compressions less than 70%. On my 21 inch TV I can see no difference even at 60%. Better TVs probably will show some difference. But there is no question that Shrink is faster and easier and has more options than Rebuilder.

[SEALs1230]

You don't need CCE for Rebuilder. It can also work with QuEnc, Rejig, Canopus Procoder, and I believe the new hand-rolled HC as well.

Sorry..I think you misunderstood, what I mean is can I use the CCE portion of DVDRebuilder without actually buying CCE. Or any other of those programs for that matter. Like when I install DVDRebuilder, does it come with the other components. I know I wont have CCE to use seperately, but does DVDrebuilder come with the tools nessasary built in. Know what I mean?

[soundforbjt]

DVDRebuilder does not come with CCE included. To use CCE or ProCoder, you will have to purchase and install them.

[steve2713]

SEALs, before you quit on DVD Shrink, make sure you use Deep Analysis and AEC with movies requiring alot of shrinking. Below about 70-75%, use AEC setting of 'smooth' or 'max smooth' with heavily compressed video. It takes longer, but the results will be much better.

This is not to say that DVD-RB doesn't do a good job, it does.

[SEALs1230]

I wasnt really thinking about dropping DVDShrink just yet. I do run deep analysis and I'm pretty satisfied with the results. I just heard about DVDRebuilder and that the quality far exceeds DVDShrink. "Another free program with great quality." is what I hear. Therefore I figured it wouldnt hurt to get more info about it. I'll probably end up sticking with shrink b/c I dont wanna pay for any other program that I would need in order to run DVDRebuilder. It sounds to me like technically, its not completely free.

[SEALs1230]

For some reason, in DVDShrink, my help isnt working...can someone please explain the difference between Max Smoothness, smooth, sharp, and Max Sharpness? Whats better for what?...I know its probably a matter of opinion, but in general...

[steve2713]

Seals, here are some guidelines: NEVER use max sharp, NEVER. Use Sharp from 75-80% and up. Use smooth from about 65-75%. Use max smooth from about 65% and below. I RARELY ever use max smooth.

[winifreid]

I haven't really seen any comps, but I suspect that rebuilder is only better (if then) than shrink when you use CCE or Procoder which have to be purchased. And then only at high compression.

[Gurm]

Many people can see even 10% transcoding compression on busy movies. Almost all of us can see the result of 30% transcoding, nevermind that whopping 40% on Fight Club.

Of course, we can see re-encoding compression too. But it's often more tolerable than the macroblocking and suchnot that you get from transcoding.

[HatchetMan]

I see more "I thought the DVD Shrink version looked better" or "I see no difference" than "DVD-RB w/ CCE provides superior quality" - I do see those comments, just not as often. So, given that DVD-RB takes longer and CCE cost $$$, I'm not yet convinced.

[Gurm]

That's why you see those comments less often - because CCE costs money and Shrink is free.

Here's the issue - reencode and you can see that it's reencoded right away. Transcode at 10%? You might not see it on a normal sized TV.

Now on the other hand, re-encode to 50%, and transcode to 50% - the transcode WILL be unwatcheably bad.

[pongster]

I have used both shrink and rebuilder. When I use rebuilder, I use procoder 2 with it and the quality is fantastic. I have backed up all 3 of the extended versions of the LOR with rebuilder. Each dvd was done on a single disks and I can barely tell my backups from the original (51" Magnavox). Since rebuilder takes alot more time that my regular method of clonedvd and anydvd, I don't use rebuilder for every project. I only use it for the disks that are my favorites. I highly suggest you give a try. There is definitely a noticeable difference on longer movies. Anyone who tells you different hasn't done a comparison.

[SEALs1230]

I just tried DVDRebuilder and I kept getting an error. I beleive it was "couldnt open ecl file" Something like that. So it didnt work. I was trying the CCE trial version 2.66

[Abond]

Try Rebuilder with HC. I don't use rebuilder, but HC produces surprisingly good quality encode. BTW ecl is Encoder list file for CCE (it is text file with CCE settings for a separate project)

[winifreid]

Use the installer by rockas; it will put all the files in the right place. You will still need CCE.
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75452

[HatchetMan]

Use the installer by rockas; it will put all the files in the right place. You will still need CCE.
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=75452

Last night I purchased CCE basic, installed DVD-RB 0.79 freeware installer by rockas, then donated to jdobbs for 0.80 pro. I got 0.80 downloaded, but it doesn't configure a damn thing for you when clicking on the exe, so I just went a head and played around with 0.79 without even attempting 0.80. Is there a way to update 0.79 to 0.80 and keep the settings from installer intact? I would hope so, what about when 0.81 comes out, then what, reconfigure everything yet again?

[winifreid]

I am not sure about the pro version, but with the regular version you just copy the files in the zip to your DVD-rb folder and overwrite the files that are there. It will use the old ini file that tell it where everything is.

[BSR]

Your config file is never changed when you update DVD-RB, so your settings should all still be there after the update.

At least they are OK on mine.

I use DVDshrink most of the time, but if I have to compress more than 70%, I'll use rebuilder. Which is rare, because I usually just reauthor and get ride of menus and crap like that, especially those damn annoying lead in previews.

[ulapines]

Try to put rebuilder.exe in the folder where you installed Rebuilder.
I recall doing so myself, might work.

[HatchetMan]

I am not sure about the pro version, but with the regular version you just copy the files in the zip to your DVD-rb folder and overwrite the files that are there. It will use the old ini file that tell it where everything is.

sounds good, looks like I won't be using the pro version afterall

[HatchetMan]

Try to put rebuilder.exe in the folder where you installed Rebuilder.
I recall doing so myself, might work.

I'll try that when I get home from work tonight.

[popeye1497]

That's why you see those comments less often - because CCE costs money and Shrink is free.

Here's the issue - reencode and you can see that it's reencoded right away. Transcode at 10%? You might not see it on a normal sized TV.

Now on the other hand, re-encode to 50%, and transcode to 50% - the transcode WILL be unwatcheably bad.

I couldnt agree more. Free is free, everyone takes one, but start mentioning $56 for CCE basic and ppl start asking question "Is it worth it? What type of results am I gonna get? What does this one have that shrink doesnt? I think I'll try shrink first." I was addicted to shrink, untill i tried dvd-rebuilder on 58% shrink job. IMO, shrink is good, but DVD-RB takes first place when used for large DVD backup's.

[winifreid]

Hman, I suspect that the pro version is the same ( I am just not familiar with it). But any updates can just be copied over the last version (wherever it may be located). You might want to check out the rebuilder forum at doom9 since that is where the developer posts and they have a seperate forum for it.
http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=75