VOB to WMV pixel issue

[vichonator]

I am using QuickMediaConverter to convert a DVD VOB file to wmv so I can watch it on my XBox360.

I have a couple of issues:

1. I am getting some video pixelation. I am using the following settings:
Video:
Codec: WMV2
Aspect: 16:9
BitRate: 4096
Frame: 29.97
2 Pass Encoding
Dim: 790x480

Audio:
Codec: vmav2
BitRate: 192k
Freq: 48000
Channel:2
Audio Sync on

The movie starts fine but then as it plays, action scenes show pixelation.

2. Is there any way to do 5 channel audio - I get an error when I try to switch it from 2 to 5.

3. When there are more than 1 VOB, then I get more than 1 wmv. Is there a way to combine VOBs?

4. Is there a better way to do this? I would think converting to MPEG and then to wmv would create too much loss.

Thanks in advance!
Michael

[poisondeathray]

I'm not familiar with quickmedia converter, but you can do 5-channel WMA with WME, wmvmuxer, or WMNicEnc (assuming your source as 5-channel audio)

You can either rip it as 1 big movie in the first place, or use something like VOBmerge to join them

Why don't you decrypt & rip to HD (anydvd or DVDfab HD Decrypter), then convert straight to WMV ?

You would get better results with WVC1 (VC-1) , not sure if xbox360 supports it. Otherwise, try using a higher bitrate

[Baldrick]

I would instead use encode360 or automkv and convert to wmv 3.

[vichonator]

I tried encode360 and it just hung ( same with Windows Encoder 9). I'm not sure why - read a lot about hangs with that product but no real remedy . ..I believe it was an installed codec issue?

I heard about Quick Media Converter from either a HOWTO or another forum post on this site.

In any case, no thoughts on the settings which could cause this or are you both suggesting this is app related?

[vichonator]

Poisondeathray - are you saying those programs will rip right to wmv? In one case, the DVD I'm using was backed up to my HD and I was trying to convert like that. It sounds like you are suggesting these apps rip and convert in one move.

[poisondeathray]

Nope, ripping/decrypting is 1 step, converting is another. The intermediate VOB=>MPEG2 step is unnecessary (unless you were actually referring to VOB=>WMV)

wmvmuxer is pretty easy to use. You might have to adjust some of the profiles (I don't think it comes with a whole selection), you can program them easily with windows media profile editor.

Another option is AutoMKV , I don't use it very much but some people say good things about it.

WMNicEnc only uses avisynth input; so if you're unfamiliar with avisynth, don't bother or you will need some time to learn.

[vichonator]

I will try the AutoMKV solution . .thanks to you both.

[Inspector.Gadget]

wmvmuxer is by far the best encoder frontend I've ever used, whether from Avisynth scripts or Directshow input. I found AutoMKV to be sort of a pain in the ass to work with and Encode360 threw all sorts of errors at me.