trouble using ffmpegX 0.0.9

[Babak]

hi,

I am using ffmpegX (0.0.9) not that long; but I just converted some DVDs to DivX (mpeg4). Last time I tried to convert a DVD ( = a folder on my HD with all those needed VOB-files), I got a problem: ffmpegX can not read any video files from this folder!! why ? it functions when I just take the vob-files one by one, but it is not possible to read the whole film. do anybody ever had the same problem/experience ? I am very thankful for any help!

greetings,
Babak

[Case]

• Using a VIDEO_TS folder as input, you should select a mencoder or mpeg2enc preset (just like the error message says when you try to use a ffmpeg preset).
• If you rip as single VOB file, or concatenate the various VOBs to one, then you may use that as input for any preset.

[MTP]

• Using a VIDEO_TS folder as input, you should select a mencoder or mpeg2enc preset (just like the error message says when you try to use a ffmpeg preset).
• If you rip as single VOB file, or concatenate the various VOBs to one, then you may use that as input for any preset.

Can you expand on this?
I thought mencoder and mpeg2enc where require binary installs to make ffmpeg even work.
So I am not sure I understand you saying mencoder or mpeg2enc must be selected?
Where is this done?

I read the How To for encode a movie to H.263 PSP for MAc OS X and it makes no mention of anything other than to drag the folder containing the video_ts folder into the ffmpeg window.

Should you drag the entire folder that contains the video tx folder or just the video ts folder?

I was able to convert an already encoded mp4 file, but I want to try and encode right from the video ts file to reduce the double encoding.

[Case]

Can you expand on this?
I thought mencoder and mpeg2enc where require binary installs to make ffmpeg even work.
So I am not sure I understand you saying mencoder or mpeg2enc must be selected?
Where is this done?

In the default window (the Summary tab) is a Target format section on the right. In the To: field is a little triangle, which is really a drop-down menu for several presets. Some of those presets have either ffmpeg or mencoder or mpeg2enc in their name. This signifies the encoding engine. The ffmpeg engine does not support the input of a VIDEO_TS folder, and neither do the presets which use the ffmpeg engine.
Some presets do not show the engine in the preset name (e.g. DV). In those cases look at the Target format Video field; that field lists the encoding engine first (e.g. ffmpeg dvvideo).

I read the How To for encode a movie to H.263 PSP for MAc OS X and it makes no mention of anything other than to drag the folder containing the video_ts folder into the ffmpeg window.

There is a PSP XviD preset and a PSP H.264 preset, but no PSP H.263 option. The How To webpages (1,2) do not mention the input of a VIDEO_TS folder. It does mention "movie file", including VOB. See my 2nd point in the previous post.

Should you drag the entire folder that contains the video tx folder or just the video ts folder?

Neither for PSP, because that's not supported for now (until the nice folks at ffmpeg implement that). But for other conversions that do support it, you should select the VIDEO_TS folder, not its parent folder.

I was able to convert an already encoded mp4 file, but I want to try and encode right from the video ts file to reduce the double encoding.

See my 2nd point in the previous post. Create a single large VOB file from a DVD title, for use as input.

[MTP]

Yeah, that was my error, I meant H.264 PSP.

When you say create a single VOB, how is that done?
I thought each chapter was its own vob file.
So if I rip a dvd using MTR, that creates lots of vob files.

I have ripped and burned to dvd before, it seems this extra encoding for my new psp is what is killing me.

OK, so FF will not convert from a video ts file but only vob and other already encoded forms.

So what in you opionon is the best (quality and ease) to rip a dvd to psp format?

I have Handbrake, Instant Handbrake, FFMpegx, Mac the Ripper, and Toast. Plus I use iPSP for some file transferring to my PSP.

I just downloaded Visual Hub and it seems to work OK, although the test only lets you do 2 minutes of video.

Thanks for the help, I saw you responded to my question in another thread. I'll stick to this one to keep for jumping back and forth wih the same topics.

[Case]

When you say create a single VOB, how is that done?
I thought each chapter was its own vob file.
So if I rip a dvd using MTR, that creates lots of vob files.

In a VIDEO_TS folder, each 'title' is marked in the name of the file: VTS_xx_y.ext, where xx is the title and y the file-part number. E.g. you may join VTS_01_1.VOB, VTS_01_2.VOB, VTS_01_3.VOB and VTS_01_4.VOB to a single VOB file with a tool like D-Vision (the tools window). Skip VTS_01_0.VOB, as the _0 file is a menu or some other non-movie file.

But you don't have to, because MTR can create a single output file while ripping. In MTR 2.6.6, switch from 'Disc' to 'Mode', select 'Title Only Extraction'. In MTR 3.0r13, switch from 'Disc' to 'Mode', select 'Title - Chapter Extraction'.