DVDx 2.4 is out!

[Jim@labDV.com]

The DVDx project was sleeping for 2 years while DVDx was still very popular. I've taken over the project admin and compilation stuff while Starbuck started new coding.

This new version has cleaned CVS repository so one can get the sources and compile without problem. The new compilation platform is Visual C++ 6.0 Pro with Service Pack 5,
Visual C++ Processor Pack 5, DirectX SDK February 2006, VC Toolkit 2003,
Intel C++ 9.0.28 (required for debug with DirectX 9) with latest optimizations, so DVDx 2.4 is faster: VCD +12%, SVCD +5%, DivX +5% with SSE3 processor.

Now you can encode a SVCD in real time (25FPS) with DVDx 2.4 running on a Pentium 4D 830 (Dual Core 3GHz) and encode a DivX at 75FPS. So you can encode a 1h30 movie in 30 minutes, including the DeCSS process, which makes DVDx likely the fastest DVD ripping solution ever!

Release notes:

GUI:
- Changed File menu and added ? (help) menu in respect with usual Windows GUI
standards and to add support and web site links
- Added Guide, FAQ and Support Forum in help menu
- Added "Check new version" in help menu
- Use ASPI is now disabled by default
- Changed display of disabled items in menu bar (nicer in default skin)
- Fix hard coded "Skin &themes" menu item, now set to current language menu item
- Enable contextual help on F1 key for Input and Output Settings, for Custom
Splitting (chapters) and in main window to open the Guide

Language files:
- Renamed two language files to lang_danish and lang_polski
- Added some (english) items in all languages to be translated now or later

CVS:
- Removed/Re-Added RES files with proper binary type to fix icons/bitmaps
corrupted in Source-Forge CVS repository
- Corrected all CRLF issues in text files

Code:
- Corrected some bad afx_msg declarations (LRESULT instead of wrong 'void')
which were reported by new VC8 compiler (return 0 for LRESULT as usual)
- Added mpeg_encode.h as include for other VC projects in the VC worksapce
to handle errors (errors.h) and for P4.h, malloc_16.h, Memory.h, resource.h
- Changed some loop index variable declarations to fix variable scope errors
reported by new VC8 compiler in some "for ()" statements
- Added pragmas to disable some warnings in new VC8 compiler
- Changed syntax sqrt(2) to sqrt(2.0) to force float casting in overloaded
functions required by VC8 compiler
- Changed coder info (jlp_38@yahoo.com) into contact info (jim@labdv.com)

Installer:
- Added new Inno ISS script to create an installer for "no upgrade" versions
which are installed in their own folder (to run several versions for benchmaking)
however the separate versions share the same DVDx registry key to store settings
(now requiring to activate Inno ISS scripting)

Compilation:
- Update compilation platform to VC Toolkit 2003 and DX9
- New reference compilation platform is Visual C++ 6.0 Pro with Service Pack 5,
Visual C++ Processor Pack 5, DirectX SDK February 2006, VC Toolkit 2003,
Intel C++ 9.0.28 (required for debug with DirectX 9)
- Change compiler options (Win32 Release) to optimize for maximum speed

You can download it from http://www.labdv.com/dvdx/download.php

Enjoy and send me or post your feedback,
Jim

[lantern]

Unfortunately, it appears that you are required to be a "VIP Member" to download the new version.

"Download service is restricted to VIP user.

To download a file, you must be registered as a VIP."

Unfortunately, it appears to cost either $33/year or $15/3 months to become a VIP Member.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

so much for it being a "free" program....

[waheed]

If membership was a one off fee, I may have considered it. But in this case, its not worth it.

Its not technically freeware as you are paying for it through VIP membership.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

I cant believe we have to pay for it now

[dtuck]

nothing to exciting any way.. on the divx part it says 75 fps.. I get that any way uing virtual dub (free btw) 8)

[Xylob the Destroyer]

2.3 (linked on the vh tools page) is still free!
I'd never heard of this proggy before, but after reading the comments about it, I figure I'll give it a try.

[D.A.R.J.R.]

2.3 (linked on the vh tools page) is still free!
I'd never heard of this proggy before, but after reading the comments about it, I figure I'll give it a try.

Its a pretty good program once you get used too it.

Its just that its always been freeware and now its hosted on a site that makes you pay to get access to it.

Will there be a free mirror anywhere?

[Jim@labDV.com]

Sources for 2.4 are already available in CVS server (and easy to compile now) and was available before installer was uploaded at labDV. I'm really strict at respecting the GPL.

DVDx is free, and installer will be uploaded at SourceForge this weekend. Just that Starbuck is new to SF projects so he's got to learn how to release files. I guess it'll be available by tomorrow.

To answer about speed with VirtualDub and DivX, you got 75FPS from an AVI file or a VOB already decrypted, while DVDx at 72FPS read from DVD drive and decrypt CSS and Macrovision. So DVDx takes 32 minutes while VirtualDub+DVDDecrupter take 1 hour!!!

And DVDx makes nice SVCD at real-time (25FPS)!

So what alternative can do better?

About VIP Pass, I never thought about an Unlimited Pass, why not? May I have got some feedabck about it, what about $83 (=69€) for unlimited Pass? Or maybe $15 for 3 months (to taste) and then $69 for unlimited?

BTW, DVDx is downloaded more than 1,000 times daily from SF, so is 10% was helping with a Pass, I could get more help and time for DVDx .Net and Windows Vista migration. And 20 bucks could be an unlimited Pass (which gives also access to guides and 200 useful and mostly free DV software).

I think it's very OK to get freeware because a lot of software are disappointing after you bought it... But when you're using weekly a freeware, considering a donation or any contribution sounds clever and encouraging for all projects and new initiatives off the world. I think that there are less and less freeware initiatives since a couple of years, because freeware coders don't get enough support and consideration.

Jim

[Jim@labDV.com]

BTW, for new users, a quick guide in latest newsletter:
http://www.labdv.com/newsletter/letter-200603-en.html#Toc2

Jim

[Jim@labDV.com]

Starbuck did it!

All DVDx 2.4 files have been released at SourceForge:
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=72208&package_id=71998&release_id=404768

A new package is now available as DVDx_2_4_setup_noup.zip , it's a "no upgrade" installer, which installs DVDx 2.4 in a \\Program Files\DVDx 2.4 directory and creates DVDx 2.4 shortcuts so your previous DVDx installation isn't altered and you can compare performance as well as check behavior on errors.

Enjoy, and please support us becoming a labDV VIP member!