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

[LoLo]

Hi zimzam,

It sounds like you've been busy testing the limits.

You can create custom splash screens with an unmodified version of VNConvert as well.

Just dump a small (min 4 seconds) AVI file into a directory as BMPs using VirtualDub. Then edit the BMP files to create your own images (It's kind of like creating a cartoon or something. Your correct any audio track will work as long as it is 8bit, mono, 44khz and long enough to match the number of BMP files. If you run out of audio during the conversion you will get an error. If you have too much audio that's ok. So better to be to much.

It is probably easier to find a short clip you like and use that as the splash screen.

I'm getting ready to release two more programs.

Another version of VNConvert but this time it will create chapters like a DVD. The other program I'm working on will take a VideoThen WAV file and slice it up into chapters, it creates the padded file, and generates a CUE sheet.

Then all you have to do is burn the disc with Nero or CDRWIN using the CUE file.

The first track is a blank file so if you want to overwrite it with your own splash screen you can. If you don't it still boots fine with the blank file.

LoLo

[peehs]

So I have been watching from the sidelines for quite a while. It is good to know that I am not the only one to have the reaction when my daughter got her video now. (You know, what do you mean I can't create my own discs?!?).

Anyway, I started playing with discs when this forum first started posting. I have actually not ended up with any coasters! I do have on disc that is not bootable and another disc that only has one track and therefore I cannot use the stop function. The rest of the discs that I have burned are working pretty good right now. My daughter was really impressed when she saw a picture of her and her kitty as the opening splash screen.

I have not been able to look at this forum for a while (I am trying to write a mp3 program in C++ and I suck at it...) but am interested to start trying the new methods. It is funny to realize that I came about this close to super gluing her door opening button so I could insert the non bootable cd's. Ah, the good old days... five weeks ago!!!

Anyway, I just thought I would write and say thanks for all of the work that you guys have been putting into this. I am not the best programmer but am pretty good with .avi's. If anyone needs help with what I have gotten thus far, let me know.

BTW Would you guys be interested in starting some VN file sharing? I think I have a good spot to host it...

-c

[Tazmania8332]

Hi. I really need help.

I've been burning perfect VNCD's until i uploaded my WMP to WMP version 9. Now it wont let me burn the VN movies to a disc so i can recopy it with CloneCD.

So as u probably guessed... i have been using the original way of making a VNCD.i dont wanna change since i got so use to this method.

so are there any other programs for burning these specially made WAV files?

(I've already tried Realone, Nero, and Burnatonce, and CDRwin. None of them work. So any onther suggestions?)

[LoLo]

To all,

VN Movie Maker is out in Beta.

I sent the ZIP file to MasterSmurfie for upload to his site.

It will take any file created by either VideoThen or VNConvert and slice it into small segments (chapters). It creates the CUE sheet and padded file as well. The first track is a blank file that can be replaced with your own custom splash screen if you want. If you choose to leave the blank file as the first track, the VideoNow will boot with the second track and the Forward button is fully enabled.

I spent a fair amount of time on the instructions and included images with the DOCs to make it easier.

PM me if you want an advanced copy.

LoLo

MasterSmurfies web page:

http://www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie/

[mastersmurfie]

All...been out for a few days...

www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie/ now updated with:

VNRip--rip the files from your original VNCD discs and;

VideoNow MovieMaker-will take any file created by either VideoThen or VNConvert and slice it into small segments (chapters). It creates the CUE sheet and padded file as well. The first track is a blank file that can be replaced with your own custom splash screen if you want. If you choose to leave the blank file as the first track, the VideoNow will boot with the second track and the Forward button is fully enabled (from LoLo's post before).

Thanks LoLo!!

OK...now a new (kind of) question for you all...

Has anyone tried (or can it be done) to just rip the AUDIO from an original VNCDisc? I have tried to make a unique "first run" logo, using my own pics, and the VideoNow logo, but I can't get the audio to do what I want it to...(when I open the original VideoNow wav that I ripped from the disc, it sounds all "choppy" and "distorted". So...I want just the SOUND from the logo...Any suggestions?

Thanks!

mastersmurfie

[LoLo]

Hi MasterSmurfie,

VNRip will do it...

It will convert the Video into BMP files and the Audio into an Audio.Wav file.

You may have to use VirtualDub or Cool Edit to play the audio because it is a fairly uncommon audio standard (8bit, mono, 44khz).

To put it back together you will need to use VNConvert. But if you do that you have a problem because your burner won't Overburn.

You could use VNConvert to make the bin file from your audio track and custom BMP files. Then copy a WAV header from an original VNCD and past it onto your newley created VNCD.

Now your VNCD WAV file can be recorded using your own recording method.

Let me know if you want detailed instructions on this.

LoLo

[mastersmurfie]

Hi MasterSmurfie,

VNRip will do it...

It will convert the Video into BMP files and the Audio into an Audio.Wav file.

You may have to use VirtualDub or Cool Edit to play the audio because it is a fairly uncommon audio standard (8bit, mono, 44khz).

To put it back together you will need to use VNConvert. But if you do that you have a problem because your burner won't Overburn.

You could use VNConvert to make the bin file from your audio track and custom BMP files. Then copy a WAV header from an original VNCD and past it onto your newley created VNCD.

Now your VNCD WAV file can be recorded using your own recording method.

Let me know if you want detailed instructions on this.

LoLo

Thanks LoLo...I will try now...I have a program that will convert a bunch of pic and a wav file to an avi...I wanna try it, and see how it goes.

[mastersmurfie]

ok...maybe I need the detailed instructions...

I have the cd in my drive, but VNRip won't find any files on it...??

[LoLo]

Ok,

First you need to rip a track using CDRWIN (Your drive will work for this):

1. Put the VideoNow disc in your drive.

2. Start CDRWIN and click on the third upper ICON (Extract Disc/Tracks/Sectors)

3. Click on the Select Tracks option.

4. In the Tracks Selection window you will see the tracks listed as RED dots. Click on the RED dot that is the track you want.

5. Now press Start. You will see the track being ripped followed by a message saying "Operation Complete" or something like that.

6. Now exit CDRWIN and start VNRip.

7. Type in the file name that you just ripped from the VNCD.

8. Use the 'Check Alingment' option to perfectly center the video in the VNRip window.

9. After you have the video cetered perfectly press Rip VNCD

10. The RIP process will begin and after it is complete you will see a dirictory with all the BMP files in it and one file named Audio.wav (this is the audio file you were looking for).

Good luck with that!

I just EMailed you the updated VNConvert file which has the ability to create chapters. Also, it includes a complete walkthrough of the conversion process all the way through the burn.

It has a lot of pictures.

LoLo

[LoLo]

Another download page for VideoNow Converters and tools:

http://www.geocities.com/l_oban/

LoLo

[Principal Skinner]

I've been lurking since around Christmas, following the thread and just wanted to thank LoLo and Mastersmurfie for the great apps they've created. I wish I had the necessary skills to help.
I can suggest that if anyone wants to share their completed VN files they should try the Bittorrent client. Probably the fastest way to share them.
This is the Bittorrent client I would suggest to use for it's ease of use, and it's ability to create BT links.

http://azureus.sourceforge.net/index.php

Again thanks, and keep up the good work for the rest of us "incapables".

[mastersmurfie]

LoLo...your apps just don't like my computer...

tried what you said above with CDRWIN and get nothing...it says this:



Then...after a few minutes:

can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? I'm tempted to get my old CD/RW back (loaned it to a friend) and see if that works over the weekend...

[mastersmurfie]

well phooey...the pics don't seem to work...anyways...the first one says "Analyzing Dics Layout...Please wait"

the second one says: "Error: Unable to analyze disc layout Unable to locate end of AUDIO track"

[LoLo]

Hi MasterSmurfie,

Just to set the record straight, CDRWIN isn't my APP, it is written by Golden Hawk Technology. I only wish I had written that one. I'd be a rich man by now.

Anyway, it sounds like your trying to rip a VNCD track from a disc you created with VideoThen. The step-by-step instructions I provided earlier will RIP a track from an original VideoNow disc. I have no idea if it is able to rip a track from a disc mastered by the VideoThen encoder. I know it will NOT rip a disc mastered using the overburn process, because the overburn process screws up the fillheader information on the disc. This is a good thing when your trying to fool the VideoNow player. The VideoNow doesn't care about the fileheader but your DVD burner does. Now if the process you use to master a VideoThen VNCD screws up the fileheader information, the disc will likely be unreadable (or unrippable) as well.

It's time you call in your loan from your friend and bring your burner home... It's got work to do...!

LoLo

[Tazmania8332]

how can i get CDRWIN without having to pay all that money for it.

it appears to be the only program i can use to burn VNCD movies to a disc before i copy them with CloneCd.

[LoLo]

Hi Tazmania8332,

You can download the free version of CDRWIN at:

http://www.goldenhawk.com/download.htm

It works fine but is limited to x1 speed. It takes a bit longer than the full version but works perfectly. Also, at speed x1 there is little chance of recording errors.

Also, you do not have to wast a disc when you record a VNCD. You should try the BINARY mode. It's much easier, everything is calculated for you and it only uses one disc.

You can still use VideoThen to make your VNCD files.

After you create the VNCD file with VideoThen, you use VN Movie Maker to convert the file into chapters that can be recorded with CDRWIN.

The process is fairly simple and VN Movie Maker comes with a step-by-step walkthrough.

You can download a copy of VN Movie Maker at www.geocities.com/l_oban

Good luck!

LoLo

[mojoe1959]

Thanks little better.. Not as it renders I get error EOF.. and Stops.

mojoe1959...I too sometimes get that error...mine seem to happen (most of the time) only when I try to "cut" my original video file into pieces with the videonow template already loaded into VirtualDub. A few times, I have gotten that error almost at the end of the videothen conversion-and the resulting wav works just fine...

what's your original source?

My source is cable pumped into my PC,and I record the cartoons my girls like to my hard drive. I just got my New PC. HP Media Center. I'll try it on that PC. Thank for your help...

[mastersmurfie]

Hi MasterSmurfie,

Just to set the record straight, CDRWIN isn't my APP, it is written by Golden Hawk Technology. I only wish I had written that one. I'd be a rich man by now.

Anyway, it sounds like your trying to rip a VNCD track from a disc you created with VideoThen. The step-by-step instructions I provided earlier will RIP a track from an original VideoNow disc. I have no idea if it is able to rip a track from a disc mastered by the VideoThen encoder. I know it will NOT rip a disc mastered using the overburn process, because the overburn process screws up the fillheader information on the disc. This is a good thing when your trying to fool the VideoNow player. The VideoNow doesn't care about the fileheader but your DVD burner does. Now if the process you use to master a VideoThen VNCD screws up the fileheader information, the disc will likely be unreadable (or unrippable) as well.

It's time you call in your loan from your friend and bring your burner home... It's got work to do...!

LoLo

LoLo...you're right...I was taking "my" VNCD files to be "original" files...Thanks!! I'll try again with an "original" VNCD that I will "borrow" from my daughter...


anyways...an updated version of www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie is ready...with an updated conversion of ccd file conversion and burning guide...

[loveofpm]

hey folks,
starting a channel in irc.dejatoons.net called #videonow designed for sharing of classic toons and shows already formatted in videonow and clonecd...

[LoLo]

Cool,

I'll give it a try!

LoLo

[bsteph2069]

I occasionally give some results I've had.

I've gotten good results twice out of a repition of two by simply overburning the cd. I don't make cue files or use CDClone ect.

I make my WAV files using VideoDub, and Video then like everyone else BUT when I am ready I simpley burn the tracks to a mini cd , using NERO as a audio CD. I use the first track from the original video then disk. And pad the rest of the disk with whatever would drive the time of the resulting audio cd over 30 min.

It works fine.

Bsteph

[Principal Skinner]

Ok, this is weird.

I've done everything according to the letter of the videothen.doc

My avi to be converted was 145 megs. I load the videothen.bat and the java gui appears. I tell it to load the avi, save as whatever.wav and ask it to render.
And I end up with 10kb wav a 22kb audio.dat and a 0 kb video.dat file. Rendering time....somwhere in the millionths of a second.

I used the preset vcf and I checked the file to be rendered first with BS player and it is indeed a copy of the original in 80X80 BW.
SO now I'm wondering why this isn't working.

Anyone else run into this, or am I missing something.

Thnx.

[bsteph2069]

Hey,
I've got all kinds of questions. 1. Did you change the file to 80X80 and mono first using video dub or whatever? Was it 145 meg AVI after conversion to 80 x 80 or before. When you open the resulting wav file does the audio sound correct. ( Granted the video is horrible and the audio has excess noises but you should be able to hear your audio beneath the noises. ) Are you sure you selected the correct file to convert using video then? Are you sure you opened the correct wav file?

Maybe you entire file was not converted?

I've had a that a couple of time but these are usually joined files.


Bsteph

[mastersmurfie]

Ok, this is weird.

I've done everything according to the letter of the videothen.doc

My avi to be converted was 145 megs. I load the videothen.bat and the java gui appears. I tell it to load the avi, save as whatever.wav and ask it to render.
And I end up with 10kb wav a 22kb audio.dat and a 0 kb video.dat file. Rendering time....somwhere in the millionths of a second.

I used the preset vcf and I checked the file to be rendered first with BS player and it is indeed a copy of the original in 80X80 BW.
SO now I'm wondering why this isn't working.

Anyone else run into this, or am I missing something.

Thnx.

Principal Skinner...Which version of VirtualDub are you using? Seems like some versions work better than others, and in my experience, this seems to be what causes VideoThen to produce those results. I have used VirtualDub 1.5.3 with VideoThen and have 100% success (barring when I screwed something up when I edited my ccd files before burning) There's a link to some different versions of VirtualDub at www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie under the "DVD to VideoNow" page. If this is not the case, I don't know what to suggest. Keep us posted.

mastersmurfie

[tomoki]

VideoThen only works properly with VirtualDub 1.5.3 to 1.5.7 Newer version has the AVI data swapped and older version doesn't have convert framerate option

[Principal Skinner]

Thanks all for the quick replies.

I'm using VirtualDub 1.5.10...Maybe that's where my problem is. I have an old ver 1.2 build 8892 I tried and it didn't work either.


To specifically answer bsteph2069, the 145 meg 80X80 BW file was created after using VirtualDub with the included presets in the vcf file.

I'll try finding and using the 1.5.3 ver and see what happens then post the results as an edit.

Thanks again. Very much appreciated.

Paul (Principal) Skinner

*Edit

It's about 10 minutes later, and yes. That was exactly the prolbem. Videothen will not work with ver 1.5.10. I pulled down 1.5.3 and rendered without a problem.

Thanks again. Sorry I didn't read the posts more carefully.

P Skinner.

[Principal Skinner]

bsteph2069, you're system of overburn with Nero works 100%...

I just made my first disc using VirtualDub 1.5.3, then overburned it with Nero. Padded the disc out to 30:35 (2 files plus the logo) and it worked perfect.

Quick question. How come the wav files, if produced are only 80 megs or so, but when put onto a mini cdr literally double in size. I can only manage to put on two 80 meg files and Nero states I have 300 megs to burn. Strange..



If anyone wants the torrent of these files please let me know, and I'll arrange something.

Later,

Skinner

[bsteph2069]

Quick question. How come the wav files, if produced are only 80 megs or so, but when put onto a mini cdr literally double in size. I can only manage to put on two 80 meg files and Nero states I have 300 megs to burn. Strange..

You know I've seen the same thing. I think sonone found the solution around the 4th or 5th page but I could be wrong. I DO know this has been seen before.

In fact I have the same problem too. BUT i've noticed that if I copy the files from the NERO burned CD the files suddenly are smaller!!! ( Roughly 1/2 of the original size ) So if you have a RW drive one thing you could do is burn the disk onto a RW then copy the files off then re burn then onto another final disk. I've burned BOTH the 1/2 sized videos and the original videos onto a mini CD and I couldn't tell the difference. Except that one is smaller. The amount of time for the wav is supposed to be the same and I simply thought I was missing something.



Bsteph
[/i]

[mastersmurfie]

I have the exact same problem with Nero..."doubling" of the size of the files. And bsteph2069 is correct. If you burn to a regular CDRW first, then "rip" the files and burn again to a mini cdr, seems to work ok. I finally gave up on Nero, and use the burnatonce with cloneCD method. If you're interested, there is a guide at www.geocities.com/mastersmurfie under the DVD to VideoNow section (many thanks to transient for the guide). Right now, it's a DOC file, but I'm trying to get an html copy posted as time permits.

mastersmurfie

[Principal Skinner]

Yay...

Managed to get 4, 80 meg episodes on 1 mini CDRW, using Nero, one pad file and no editing or messing around with a CCD files.

Works for me.

Thanks for the ideas.

P Skinner.