Simplified ffmpegX versions?

[Dunnyman]

I've been monitoring this board for awhile, and I think I've spotted a major flaw in ffmpegX, it's trying to do TOO MANY things!!! Major, you've created an app that does a LOT of things very well, some halfway decent, and a few not at all well. The concept of a "super" app that does everything from encoding video to walking my dog is nice, but sort of unrealistic don't you think? I get VERY confused with the many options to choose, and would love to see eaither a greatly simplified app, or several complex apps that just do one thing.
For example, I'm trying to convert several MPEG1 files for DVD's that I'm building in Sizzle, I've gotten three of the six done, but the others all fail for various reasons, I've demuxed them, but have NO idea what to do to them to make them good for DVD authoring at this point. I try to convert the audio to DVD standard, and get an avi file? MY guess is the complicated commands are messing me up, if there was an ffmpegX audio only program, it'd be smoother to use, less choices, etc, and a lot more perffect results. Same for video, DVD authroing, etc.
How about:
ffmpegX for VCD/SVCD only,
ffmpegX audio only
ffmpegX video only
ffmpegX DVD converting,
then instead of people paying 15 dollars for ONE app that doesn't always work right, they'd buy the three they really need or even more!
Either that, or SOMEONE PLEASE POST A GUIDE to converting MPEG1 and MPEG2 files for later processing in Sizzle!!!! and please write it for the NON-technical types, video is very confusing!!!

[major]

The first goal of the project was to avoid using 20 different tools, though ffmpegX is only at version 0.0.9a and there is still lot to do, including simplifying it. Also, I'm working at some new guides right now.

[sdm]

I like having all the tools in ONE program. Yes it takes a bit of trial and error to get everything right - but its worth it just because it IS all in one program.
I say thanks to Major.

[deadsierra]

I think the real problem with the difficulty of ffmpegX is the subject matter. Working with video formats, containers, and codecs are not intuitive or easy. There are some areas of ffmpegX that I really don't like, but I'm not complaining.

[Dunnyman]

Hey, it IS a great app, but unless a person is EXTREMELY proficient in bitrates, aspect ratios, etc, they're going to have some trouble getting the results they want. The manual misses a few things, and unless you have lots of knowledge, you can't get the full use of the program. If I have an MP2 file that's at 44000, but needs to be at 48000 for a DVD, HOW does one do it? Using the best info I can find, I get an avi file? There's got to be a correct way of getting what I need, but at this point, I just don't know enough about the terminology to use ffmpegX to get it, and THAT'S where I get frustrated! Major, it's a great job so far, but as a longtime Mac user, I look for my tools to be so simple a novice video guy like me can use 'em!

[major]

I agree that the program must become simpler to use, and I will also write guides for each process.

[Dunnyman]

Okay, guides will be much appreciated!!! But please tell me:
If I've got MPEG1's, and I'm trying to convert them to MPEG2, in a demuxed state so I can use them in Sizzle, what settings should I use to get a good pair of files?
I don't need a VIDEO_TS folder, nor a muxed MPEG file, just a clean m2v, and an mp2 file...
The new version of Sizzle supposedly can handle anything, but if I use demuxed MPEG2 files, it works perfectly for me...

[major]

1. Drop the mpeg-1 file onto application icon
2. Select DVD preset
3. Enable "Decode with mplayer" in the Options tab
4. Make sure that "Keep elementary streams" is enabled in the Tools tab
5. Hit encode

You will obtain the .mpv, .mpa (which you can rename .m2v, .mp2) elementary streams and the muxed .mpg file, as well as a DVD folder ready for burning.

[Dunnyman]

Aha! The "decode with mplayer" option was the missing bit of it!!!!!!
Thanks!!! Now it's working much better!!!!!