converting video formats (For Hasbro's VideoNow) I know the

[Guajiro]

I get the CloneCD error too. I just go with the default option which is to go with the TOC on the source.

As for the static problem, I get it occasionally. Haven't figured out what it is yet..My static happens way into the disc tho and its random. I'm suspecting that these lasers are REALLY sensitive of the media you put in them. My first sucessful burn was on a mini cdr I had lying around for a few years. When the CD spun, you could clearly see the foil was not perfectly centered on the disc. I reburned the CD on new TDKs and it worked fine. However, I've had this happen on the TDKs too. Those that had static seemed to have some deviation while spinning. Those that were almost perfectly centered, had no static. If you watch the CD spin during the static you can see that the static coincides with the deviation of the foil from the center. My guess is bad tracking..

..and yes you have to include all tracks you want on your CD in the TOC generator to get the correct TOC otherwise your track start points will be all wrong.

--Mike

[GregSmith]

Has anyone had problems with image tearing upon videoNow playback? I notice an increase in tearing during video active and dark scenes, also audibly noisy sections seems like it increases the tearing. What am I missing and in which programs settings need an adjustment? Also the ATI All in Wonder 9600, seems to record audio a little hot, is there a way to adjust it, I have already tried the windows control with no luck. The best burn I've had is a 5 second intro, with a 5 minute movie.
Guajiro, thanks for the ccd modifier program, good work. Is there anyway to download this program, for use on our system?

Yes, I have this problem too.

I posted this back in november, but i think the problem is related to how the video is created. in my case, i use my sony handicam to record a show from the cable. the handicam uses 25 frames per second.

then i transfer the handicam video to my pc using ULead or some similar tool. but the NTSC video is (around) 30 frames per second. I think the "interpolation" between 25 and 30 fps is what causes the tearing.

mustangfld: are you using some sort of transfer like this?

[prybar]

Thanks for the replies guys! I am including the first track in the track count, my guess is the media, because its self-modified, might be the problem, i'm gonna try a couple more tonite and see what happens. One other question I forgot last post was: Mastersmurfie - How did you get the track from the videonow promo disc for your lead in? My current track is just 5 seconds of random video ripped from an ep of SBSP, but i would like to make it look a little more "professional", then it's off to the races (i hope). My daughter has finally figured out why i keep borrowing her VideoNow, so i'm sure the requests are going to start very shortly.

Thanks again

pry

[Guajiro]

I ripped the first track off the sampler disk using a wav/mp3 ripper. I used my laptop since its easier to put the disc in the cd tray than on a desktop.

I've posted a link on the TOC Generator (to the right of the player's picture) for those who want to download the VideoNow clip in WAV format.

--Mike

[mastersmurfie]

guagiro...is there any way to d/l your ccd app as mustangfld asked???

GregSmith...I have always either used a divx rip of DVD or taken files recorded from ATI AIW....always at 29.97fps...and never had any problems with the playback on the VideoNow player...

[mustangfld]

Hello Greg
I'm using ATI recorder set at 128x96 at 29.97 fps, I listened to my copy and then to the demo disc, mine is noticeable louder , It seems like mine is almost a third louder. I took MasterSmurfie's suggestion and have since bought a external sound card (Chaintech's AV-710), but I haven't had a chance to do a copy yet. Thanks for the inputs. I'll post with results good or bad.
Mustangfld

[Guajiro]

guagiro...is there any way to d/l your ccd app as mustangfld asked???

Nope. Its a web app. Sorry.

[LoLo]

Hi this is the first time I've posted to this forum. I've been using a slower Converter than the VideoThen and a different recording process but I have been able to produce bootable mini-discs without the toothpick since I started. I've been recording the tracks in the BINARY mode without the WAV header using CDRWIN. Here is an example of the .cue sheet I use:

FILE "CD1.bin" BINARY
TRACK 01 AUDIO
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD2.bin" BINARY
TRACK 02 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD3.bin" BINARY
TRACK 03 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD4.bin" BINARY
TRACK 04 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD5.bin" BINARY
TRACK 05 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD6.bin" BINARY
TRACK 06 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00

Also, I add a file at the end to pad the disc so it looks like it is over 300mb. This fools the VideoNow player. The only drawback is that the discs are then unreadable on any other device.

If anyone is interested I have a ZIP file with detailed instructions. The ZIP file also includes the source code for a simple VisualBasic converter I've been using as well as a viewer. I'm going to try the VideoThen converter once I load the JVM.

Please send me a PM with your EMail and I'll shoot you a copy of the guide and program.

LoLo

[LoLo]

Also, has anyone located a source of supply for the 245mb minidiscs used in the VideoNow? I have found several in Germany but none in the US.

Also, I read further back in the forum that the large size discs could be cut down. How is this done? What type of tool is used? I'd like to try and cut my disc a 1/4" bigger than the VideoNow discs. It looks like you could squeeze it into the player if the plastic tags were sliced off.

Please advise.

Thanks!

LoLo

[mustangfld]

Hello LoLo
I sent my fabrication method and picture examples to you for making up to 87mm size discs. The 87mm are larger than the VideoNow discs, and about as big as the player will tolerate, due to the spindle position, a couple mm more maybe on a player by player basis. If there are any others interested in making their own discs send an E-mail to, mustangfld@centurytel.net the pictues are about 900KB in size.
Good luck!

Mustangfld

[LoLo]

Thanks mustangfld!

I got the files. I have some of the equipment but I'll have to fabric the rest. As soon as I have the time to put something together I'll let you know how much I can fit on your supersized minidisc.

LoLo

[prybar]

Hello all.

4 burns, still no go, but i think gaujiro was right, i noticed all 4 discs (being ones i made) spun slightly off centre. Have you tried any of your manufactured discs mustangfld? I'm gonna have to buy some 210mb ones and make sure its the discs, and not the player/human error.

thanks again

pry

[mustangfld]

Hello Prybar

I've been burning on both the 210 MB premade disc's as well as the cut down one's I make, same problem. The very bottom of the screen image is scrambled line (about 3 pixels high) with the bottom 3rd going out of sync every few seconds. I won't be able to burn a new image file till tommorrow, to verify whether the sound card was the problem.

Mustangfld

[LoLo]

Hi again,

Just finished my 3rd music video CD for my daughter and the Simpson's Crayon in the Nose cartoon for my son. Pefect copy no problems.

I'm fairly certain the method you guys are using to record the disc is the problem. If your using any type of audio recording software other than Exact Audio Copy (EAC) the software will make on the fly changes to the data. This is great for audio recordings but the VideoThen is an interlaced audio and video file.

The recording procedure I recommend is fairly simple, uses free recording software, and provides you the ability to control the cue points on the CD.

If you would like a copy of the recording guide please PM me.

Later.

LoLo

[LoLo]

Hi Everyone,

The instructions are part of a 28kb zip file that includes a converter and viewer along with complete source code for both. My converter is much slower than videothen but is able to produce reliable copies that boot without need of a toothpick. If you have VideoThen WAV files you could remove the WAV header and start from step (2). The instructions on how to remove the WAV header are included in the zip file. It's fairly easy. If you use my converter the WAV header is already removed. If this works consistently for everyone maybe Greg will modify VideoThen to output without the WAV header.

I'd like to post the zip file on the forum but I don't have access to web storage. If someone has access to web storage I'd like to email the file to them so they could post it.

Here is the basic instructions (The first few steps take Greg Smith's approach verbatum):

Step 1: Convert your video to a conforming VNConvert format:

Use VirtualDub (http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualdub/) to convert:

1. Start VirtualDub
2. File > Load processing settings > Locate VideoNow.vcf file and double click.
3. File > Open video file > Locate video file and select.
4. File > Save WAV > Locate \VNConvert\Files\ (directory) > (type in) Audio.WAV and press OK
5. File > Save image sequence > (Change to) BMP file format > (Change directory) to \VNConvert\Files Directory and press OK
6. Exit VirtualDub and Execute VNConvert.EXE
7. Keep converting video files until you have at least 210mb of converted video. I have yet to test the upper limit but I have recorded up to 247mb of video on a 210mb disc. I’m not sure how much higher you can go.
NOTE: The above instructions assume you created a directory named VNConvert and VNConvert.exe resides in that directory. Also you must create a sub directory named (Files). The (Files) directory will contain the .bmp files and the audio.wav file used to create the VNCD.BIN output file.

Step 2: Create padded file:

8. The VideoNow player expects to see a disc over 300mb. To fool the player your disc must appear to be at least this big. We are going to overburn the disc in the next step to make it appear to be over 300mb. You’ll need to pad the end of your video now disc with a large file that will make the total on the disc exceed 300mb. If the total does not exceed 300mb the disc will not boot unless you use the toothpick swap method.

9. Locate any file on your hard disc that when added to the files you have converted will equal over 300mb. I try to keep this total between 300-305mb to avoid any problems with the over burn process. You may want to fill the entire file with blanks hex ‘00’. This will help prevent garbage from appearing at the end of your video. I used http://www.hhdsoftware.com/Download/hexedfull.exe. I also use the Start up and End of disc files from an original VideoNow disc on all my burns to make it look professional.

Step 3: Edit VideoNow.cue file

10. Edit the VideoNow.Cue sheet to include the number of tracks on your disc. (Leave PREGAP off tracks that you want to seamlessly flow together such as a 30min show that has been converted into five 5min sections. The 2 second PREGAP is recommended between things such as Music Videos (it helps the VideoNow Next/Prev track buttons work properly.

11. Make sure you include the padded file you create in Step 5 as the last track on your VideoNow.cue sheet. If you use the VideoNow end of disc file make that file the second to last file.

Step 4: Burn VideoNow BIN files to mini-disc using CDRWIN:

12. Load CDRWIN (http://www.goldenhawk.com) and select the Record Disc option (far left icon). Make sure none of the recording options are checked. Click on Load Cuesheet and select your edited VideoNow.cue file. Now press Record Disc and wait.

When it says done stick the disc in your VideoNow player and enjoy!

Note: The disc will be unreadable on your computer because the overburn process screws up the fileheader. VideoNow could care less.

Here is an example of the cue sheet I use:

FILE "CD1.bin" BINARY
TRACK 01 AUDIO
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD2.bin" BINARY
TRACK 02 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00
FILE "CD3.bin" BINARY
TRACK 03 AUDIO
PREGAP 00:02:00
INDEX 01 00:00:00

This one has three tracks and uses a PREGAP between tracks. Notice I use the BINARY mode to prevent CDRWIN from making changes to the data during the burn process.

PM me with your email address if you want me to send you the zip file.

LoLo

[LoLo]

Sorry for posting so much but step (11) has a minor typeO

11. Make sure you include the padded file you create in Step 5

Should read

11. Make sure you include the padded file you create in Step 2

LoLo

[mastersmurfie]

All...here is the vidoenow converter from LoLo:

http://www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie

click the VideoNow.zip file to download (let me know if it doesn't work...)

I have not tested yet...just wanted to get exposure out there...will also be adding (with permission) any files, converters, etc that others want (as much as space will allow...)

PS...please don't criticize the site...it's very much still under consruction...

[LoLo]

Thanks much mastersmurfie!

The link works fine.

I downloaded your ccd2vncd.zip and will give it a try once I get the instructions.

Thanks.

LoLo

[mastersmurfie]

Hi Guys,

This is a short tutorial on how to use my util along with VideoThen to make bootable VNCD's on a standard 24minute 210MB Mini-CDR. I have make 10 of these which boot 100% of the time except for 1 and it boots corectly about 95% of the time.

I also have a small Logo.wav file that I created (10 Seconds) that I put as the first track of every disc. The reason I do this is once the 1st track is played the Stop, Fwd, and Rev buttons work correctly. If you'll notice on a VideoNow cd the keys do not work until the first track is finished.

1. Use VirtualDub and VideoThen to create your WAV files.
2. Use BurnAtOnce to burn your WAV files to a Mini-CD-RW
3. Use CloneCD to copy the VNCD you just burnt back to your computer.
4. You need to a associate ccd2vncd.exe with .ccd files. Download ccd2vncd.zip at the link below and unzip it to a folder of you liking. If you do not have a program associated with .ccd files go to step 4b. If you do have a program associated go to step 4a.
4a. You'll need to remove the association for this to work. Open the folder with a .ccd file and right click on the .ccd file. Select OPEN WITH - CHOOSE PROGRAM. Select OTHER from the Open With window and browse to the folder where you unzipped ccd2vncd and select ccd2vncd.exe. Make sure Always use this program to open these files is checked and select ok. Goto step 5
4b. Double click on the .ccd file and the Open With window will appear. Select OTHER from the Open With window and browse to the folder where you unzipped ccd2vncd and select ccd2vncd.exe. Make sure Always us this program to open these files is checked and select ok. Goto step 5
5. You will see a DOS box appear for a moment and then disappear. (It may stay open on some systems, if so you may close it). If you look in the directory with your .ccd file you will see a .bak file, this is a backup of your original .ccd file. The .ccd file in the directory is now the modified .ccd file.
6. Open Clonecd and tell it you want to burn a disc. Select the .ccd file that was just modifed and write it to a Mini-CDR as a audio disc.
7. Pop the disc in your VideoNow and enjoy.

Download here
http://64.225.80.230/ccd2vncd.zip

enjoy,

Albert

LoLo...and all...sorry...didn't think the ccd2vncd link worked correctly..it's not mine...it belongs to anoah

was posted on page 4 of this thread, and I was just using it as a test for upload...

anoah...SORRY!!! I'll remove if you want me to...

[LoLo]

I use the logo from the original VideoNow CD for my first track. I noticed that the Forward button was disabled on the first track as well. Also, there is a special code used in some of the tracks that halt the track until you press a button. This is used to create an index track for the VideoNow disc. It's usually the second track after the splash screen. You can put the code into any track where you want it to wait for the user to press the Forward or Back button.

I could put a checkbox on the VNConvert.exe program to add the code to any tracks you want the code inserted into. Normally the code is '00 00' and it is part of the BINARY file. I have not had a need for this until I started working on a picture disc converter for the VideoNow.

The way the picture disc works is you dump your family pictures into VirtualDub and output a bunch of 80X80 BMP files to a directory. A special version of VNConvert.exe batch processes the pictures and creates the .cue file. When it's done all you have to do is open the .cue file in CDRWIN and burn the disc. You use the Forward and Back buttons to view the pictures. As soon as I cleanup the code I'll submit it to the board.

Right now I'm fairly busy with work and all. I'll try to finish it this weekend if anyone is interested please let me know.

Also, the source code for VNConvert and VNViewer are available. I'd sure appreciate it if an Assembly Language programmer would port the code over to speed things up. I deliberately kept the code as simple as possible without bells and whistles so that it could be easily ported to an advanced language.

So if your out there please help.

Thanks.

LoLo

[mastersmurfie]

to all...

Updated version of LoLo's VideoNow convertor available at www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie (again...lemme know if the link to the zip file doesn't work-trying to remember HTML code and it's been a while since I did a web site... )

As time permits, will be adding a "DVD to VideoNow" guide type thingy as well...

To GregSmith, anoah, guijaro, mustangfld, transient...is it OK to for me to add your respective apps, links, and suggestions?

This topic is now number 14 in the most active on this forum, so somebody must want to know something about it... and we have been viewed over 11,000 times...I know that doesn't mean a whole lot...but what he heck...if all the "tools" are in one place, then why not???

Thoughts anyone?

mastersmurfie

[GregSmith]

mastersmurfie: permission granted

lolo: im interested in the VNConvert.exe you use. where did you get it? did you write it yourself?

[LoLo]

Hi Greg,

Yes I wrote the converter in Visual Basic 6.

For some reason I have not been able to get VideoThen going on my box and I'd appreciate some advice on that.

I believe I'm doing everything correctly but obviously I have something wrong. After I load the AVI file I press the Start Render button and it almost immediately says done. It creates an empty file. I’m the worst software user out there (even software I write). Mostly I’m impatient. Do I need to set an environment variable or something? I read something about that. I'm not familiar with JAVA so any help would be appreciated.

Also, I'd like to explain why I use the BINARY mode when I record. The reason for this is because when audio is recorded on just about any CD mastering software changes can and are made to the data. If the data is recorded in the BINARY mode an exact copy of the data is made.

Recording BINARY data with the CUE sheet allows an exact copy of the original data with CUE points that the VideoNow machine will read. I use the padded file on the end along with the overburn process so that the stock mini-discs will boot as if they were larger sized discs. The 245mb discs are sold in Germany under as BestMedia CD-R/ 245MB. 8 cm, Platinum CD-Rohlinge multispeed Hardbox.

http://www.billig-einkaufen-de.com/Elektronik/Hersteller/B/BestMedia/PIDNR636b5a616b59...-10-Stueck.php

I'd like to know more about the algorithm you use to produce the VideoNow data-stream. Would you be willing to send me a text version of your source code?

Are you encoding the sync data along with audio and video?
Just curious. I doubt the sync data is that important but I put it in my code.

Also, have you located the exact code for the second track on some discs. There is a code that will pause the VideoNow on the track and allow the user to view an index file. It's on the Spongebob CD my kid uses. I'm working on a VideoNow album maker. I'm pretty much finished with it but I'm having trouble locating the code within the second track of this file.

I have to take off in about an hour for a party but I'll be back later tonight to check the forum. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for any help getting the VideoThen going.

LoLo.

[mastersmurfie]

To all...

Semi-completed www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie

with a semi-completed DVD to VideoNow guide...

Please feel free to critique, critisize, and (can't think of anymore "cr" words... )

[LoLo]

To all,

Never mind about the stop code. After looking through 8mb of hex code I finally realized that there isn't a stop code. It's just the same image over and over. The image last about 10 seconds and then goes to the next track. I guess I was just too impatient to wait that long. You all probably think I’m an idiot and you may be right. I don’t think I am, but if I were I’d probably be unaware of it...

Anyway, I'll have to re-code what I've done on the Album maker to account for this.

When I'm finished you will be able to dump your family photos into the VideoNow as a slide show. You also will be able to provide your own audio file for each slide or go with silence as the default.

I should be able to finish this in about a week. I have three jobs and I code when I can.

Also, don’t expect a fancy interface. I’m a minimalist at heart. As always I'll provide the source code so that someone with greater patience and skill can improve things for all of us.

LoLo

[luther]

Hi Greg,


I believe I'm doing everything correctly but obviously I have something wrong. After I load the AVI file I press the Start Render button and it almost immediately says done. It creates an empty file. I’m the worst software user out there (even software I write). Mostly I’m impatient. Do I need to set an environment variable or something? I read something about that. I'm not familiar with JAVA so any help would be appreciated.

LoLo,

I had the same problem when I used VirtualDub 1.5.9 but when I use version 1.5.3 everything is fine.

I love CDRWin, but it does not support my Lite-On LDW 411s.

Luther

[LoLo]

Thanks Luther!

I'll give that a try when I get a chance.

Right now I gota mow the lawn. My wife is giving me the get off the computer and do something look. Man, what happen to my youth...

Later.

LoLo

[valzuniga]

I used lolo's method, the first track played flawlessly, but the second track had quite a significant lag in the video. Don't really know what went wrong.

[LoLo]

Hi valzuniga,

Sorry to hear you had problems. I'd like to try and figure out what happened with that. Couple questions:

How many tracks did you have on the discs?
How long were each of the tracks?
Did you use VNConvert.exe to convert the tracks?
If you used VNConvert.exe to convert the tracks did you use the same version?

(The first version that mastersmurfie -=Graciously=- posted had a minor flaw that could have produced the delay you mentioned. The latest version along with the other converters are available at www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie.)

Anyway, if you continue to have this problem I recommend using the VideoThen converter and the recording method listed in my guide to produce your video. If you use the VideoThen converter remember to remove the WAV header from the tracks before recording with the BINARY method.

Again, sorry you wasted a disc and I'd like to help prevent another so please provide some feedback.

Thanks much!

LoLo

[LoLo]

All,

mastersmurfies link isn't working in my post above. Here it is again:

www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie

Also, VNAlbum is finished but I need to write a guide for it:

It's a slideshow generator.

You can add your own WAV file to any slide or leave the default "silence".

It creates all the tracks and the CUE sheet.

LoLo