MTR 2.5 ......

[geezerbuttz]

right...

fixed subtitle ripping to remove extra byte stuffing in the streams...
added ability ro remove m2v in stream rip...

added mpa audio rip into demux framework ( will turn on later )

fixing up for pcm audio ( correct extraction ) no extra byte padding

geezerbuttz

[WiseWeasel]

If subtitles are .spc, I think you're right that they are completely useless. SPC streams seem to lack all timecode data, so no programs are able to use them (that I'm aware of). If it's possible to rip them the same way Subtractor (part of Sizzle 0.1) does (or some other usable format), maybe that could be useful, but simply demuxing them seems to be wasted effort for some reason. If there's no easy solution to this, it might be better to just forget subtitles in MTR for now, and have users use Subtractor themselves. Glad to hear about the various audio format support, as those can cause problems on the rare discs they're used on.

[geezerbuttz]

I spent all day yesterday reverse engineering the subtitle stream in a VOB , I guess you mean PTS data in the Control sequence....

After spending so long getting the stream to extract correctly , im not going to remove the code now . may be i can convert it to something more usefull.

Geezerbuttz

[emhag677]

Hi,
The new version of MTR looks and sounds great! Looking forward to it. I'm not to much into de/muxing streams and handling subtitles etc as some of the rest of you, but I have a question about how MRT will handle RCE. Previously I had to manually manage the removal of RCE protection. Will the new version remove RCE automatically? Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Emil

[WiseWeasel]

MTR 2.6 (and probably all future versions) will still work the same way regarding RCE removal. We can't detect the "correct" RCE region, so you will always have to just set RCE to the region in which the DVD was released when it is detected (regardless of what disc RPC says). When RCE is detected again in the future (after the first time you've had to set it), it will automatically set itself to the same region you last set it to, and remain off when RCE is clear. This might cause a little hassle if you often rip RCE-protected DVDs from different regions, but since that's pretty rare, it will be very easy for most people. If you're in N. America (or at least the DVDs you have are), for example, simply set RCE Region to "1" when RCE is detected. If you are in Europe, set it to "2", etc. There's a map here that shows you the proper region settings for the World. Simply set the RCE Region setting to whatever region the DVD was purchased from when RCE is detected, if you wish to disable it (which is always a good idea). This is pretty simple, and the setting will be remembered for your convenience for the next time MTR encounters a RCE-protected DVD.

[WiseWeasel]

Geezer: Just a small interface request; I'd switch the positions of the "D" selector for demuxing and the "Streams" button, since western syntax is left-to-right, it would make it more intuitive that "Streams" is tied to the "D" selector. I think it might confuse people that they can't click the "Streams" button unless "D" is selected, since the current arrangement doesn't imply as much of a relationship between the two as if they were switched.

Maybe for a future version, I would also change chapter selection from start and end pulldown selectors to a "Chapters" button opening a new drawer (vertically scrollable for extra-long chapter listings) with a list of chapters and checkboxes similar to the audio streams selection one. This way, users would check the boxes for the chapters they want. There would be a button on the bottom of that drawer that says "Select All", possibly then changing to "Deselect All" and back again with each successive click (otherwise, it could be a checkbox or button selector). There might also be a checkbox for 'Merge Selected' (or just 'Merge' if there isn't enough space), which if true would make a single output file for the selected chapters (maybe only possible if successive chapters are selected, with a warning dialog at the time the user tries to start the extraction if there are non-successive chapters selected), and if false would rip each chapter individually successively. If in the future you decide to add previewing capabilities, this way, the interface would be much more ammenable to adding a 'Play' icon button, either next to each chapter listing, or at the bottom of the drawer, which would preview the selected chapter in a new window (maybe for version 3.0 if we get to that). The drawer might open on the left side, so that both chapter selection and stream selection could be visible at the same time. Changing the chapter selectors from two popups to a single button would also allow you to change the "D" selector to a "Demux" botton or checkbox (preferably a checkbox, since button selectors aren't standard interface elements, especially for functions which aren't immediately noticeable) as well, which would make it more intuitive. It might also give you enough room to add a "Cells" button in the future should you decide to add that. The cells drawer could also open on the left side, since chapter and cell selection are mutually exclusive (you could make it so that selecting a cell would automatically deselect all chapters, and vice-versa).

[.rob]

Regarding subtitle rips; how about making them useful by converting them to STL format, which can be used in DVD Studio Pro.

STL can use bitmaps, so there wouldn't be a need for OCR to get the actual text etc.

A full description of the format can be found at https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=179429

This would be a killer feature. There's no other Mac app that can do this.


/Rob

[WiseWeasel]

The problem is getting the timecode data. SPC apparently doesn't contain it, and I'm not sure it could be readily obtained by the ripper's parsers.

[geezerbuttz]

right .. all audio demux methods now work ..

so the demuxer is tight.

m2v , mpa , spc , ac3 , pcm , dts....

all avail to who ever wants them..

added title times into the title popup , should stop the trouble of the app sometimes not getting the mainfeat right... also added aspect ratio for disks with 4:3 and 16:9 on them

the app is done.
( for this release )
geezerbuttz

[JoachimS]

Just wondering what the download link might be....

And the e-mail address for a PayPal Donation....

Cheers,

JoachimS

[geezerbuttz]

wise handles donations and release of this app.

At the moment his Mac is sick , so you will have to wait untill he is back online.

The release will occur when i have aquired the NEC Dual Layer drive i m after..

So far , thats a long way off............ I would not hold your breath....

Geezerbuttz

[WiseWeasel]

Geezer, did you look into those interface suggestions? The main one for this release is to switch the position of the "D" selector and the "Streams" button, so as to make their relationship more intuitive...

[geezerbuttz]

just because i dont mention it does not mean its not been done , when have i not fixed a ui issue that has been suggested?

The other interface suggestions are just to much work, for example, when i take the 2 months out to code all the changes required to do the custom listView with buttons , change the chapter extraction engine to be Non-linea , who , or what is going to be paying all my bills here?

I cant work on MTR and work or my other clients.....

you seem to forget that MTR is not self funding , and i rely on donations from kind users. No funding = no development.

I cant be expected to keep asking for donations from users for enhancements that they dont even want / or have not asked for.

this apps survival depends on what the users want , and if they are willing to fund the changes. Its written for them after all.



GB

[WiseWeasel]

Yeah, understood. That's why I suggested that for a possible future version, if you get to one. I didn't realize it would require the reworking of the chapter extraction engine, especially if you require successive chapters to be selected for 'Merge' mode; it would just require a queueing function for non-Merge mode, where the selected chapters would be ripped individually one after the other. It's just that since you figured out how to do that list view and drawer for the audio and sub streams, I thought you could apply that same technique to the chapter selection. Interface-wise, it would be a big improvement over the current chapter selection, if you ever feel like adding it, and it would also provide an interface for the previewing functionality you mentioned as a possibility for a future revision, since the current one would not work too well for that. It would also help free up a bit more space in the mode window, since it's getting a bit cramped in there, and you have to abbreviate Demux to 'D', which isn't too intuitive. Maybe all that can be for version 3.0, around the time 10.4 and Xcode 2.0 come out, but just switching the position of 'D' and 'Streams' is fine for the 2.6 release. All the necessary functionality is present, so I'm sure everyone will be happy.

On a side note, I got a call earlier from the Apple store, and troubleshooting is progressing on my G5. I hope to get it tomorrow or the next day unless they need to order some parts; though I probably just jinxed myself into having to wait another week... Thanks for all the hard work Geezer, and hopefully, we'll get a few donations going your way to help get you that dual-layered drive, as well as finally releasing 2.6 to the public.

[geezerbuttz]

been playing with ListViews and buttonCells..... getting it together for the chapter - celss thingy...


how the mac ?

geezerbuttzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

[WiseWeasel]

No word from the Apple store yet. Seems they had to order some parts, so it might be a few more days than expected. I'll let you know when I get it back, once I get done rejoicing for the return of my computer...

I'm glad to see you're considering that interface change for chapter selection; it's definitely the ideal way to present that interface.

[geezerbuttz]

ok here is a prototype of the chap window.... TableViews are an arse to work with . esp NSButtonCells,,,, took ages to work out the best way to get all the data for the buttons to record and store.... you can select a button OR a row to enable- disable a chapter ... DTOX only allows you to click the button - to restrictive for clumsy fingers...

The NSSlider is temp to enable data to be fed to the TableView... It will not be on the final..

[alkaline]

Would not be usefull to get "Titles" with "Chapters" ?

[geezerbuttz]

nope... you still select the title - chapter mode in MTR , this will update to reflect the current selected title...

Cells will work the same way

[WiseWeasel]

So does it automatically merge selected chapters (possibly only contiguous ones) like the current version does? Would it be possible to make merging optional, or would that be for a possible future version? Is it possible to make the chapter selection happen in a drawer instead of a window, so that it is non-modal, allowing the user to see the chapter drawer while also being able to see and manipulate the streams drawer and main window? If not, it's really not a problem, as they can select chapters in a modal fashion, and then return to the main interface for the rest. Since you made it so that selecting a row will select the chapter, is it possible to hold down the shift key and select the first and last chapters in a desired range, and have them all selected automatically, like other standard OSX list views?

Either way, this is a big improvement over the current interface for chapter selection. If you need to regain some room at the bottom of that window, you could always make the 'all/none' buttons a single button selector, that would highlight when you click it once to select all, and then dim when you click it again to select none (a button selector here would be fine, since its results are instantly visible)... Hopefully, this change also allows you to change the 'D' button selector in the mode window to a 'Demux' checkbox, just to avoid the extra support emails...

[geezerbuttz]

key word: PROTOTYPE.....

it will be in a draw ... this is just a test of the class that i have written to support all the data, its not even in MTR yet.

maybe i can make it to be non-continuous i will have to see.

you have no idea how much effort is required to massage the NSTableView , NSTableViewColumn , NSButtonCell , NSDataSource.. just to get these results.....!!!!

Anyway , this work will not be in the 2.6 release , And that will not be released untill i have aquired the NEC 3500 DL DVD trhat I want.

Still a long way of that yet.

[WiseWeasel]

Ah, ok. You're right, I don't have any idea how difficult it is to juggle NSTable, button, datasource, etc., and all I can offer is sympathy and gratitude, which along with $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee. Thanks for sharing your progress on this, and I'm sure we all look forward to the further perfection of MTR as the ultimate ripper. Still no word on when I get my computer back, but I'm hoping any day now... Hopefully, we can get enough donations going your way to get you the DL DVD burner you want.

[geezerbuttz]

Spent a good night thinking about the non-contiguos ripping of chapters...

got it worked out, should not impact the ripping engine atall.

So more good news........

GB

[WiseWeasel]

That's good news, though I must admit I can't really think of a time when I'd want to merge non-contiguous chapters. Any comments on non-merged chapter extraction (individual queued chapter extraction)?

[JoachimS]

So where do you want me to send you EUR 20.-? PayPal is waiting.

The NEC drive sells for EUR 65,- including VAT), so this should bring you 30% along your way....

No e-mail for PayPal donation, no drive. All up to you.

And unfortunately no new MTR for myself (and the rest of us).

Cheers,

Joachim

[WiseWeasel]

Sorry, I'm the one who needs to get the donation info out, but I don't have it with me since my computer is in the shop, getting repaired. I should get it back within the next couple days (/me knocks on wood), so I can send out donation info then. Until then, please be patient.

[geezerbuttz]

right implemented the non-contiguous chapters mode... works both ways so its cool.... esp for disks that have TV episodes spanned into chapters...

Removed the OLD title / titleChapter code.... no longer needed as the PGC mode is far better.

Working on an issue where some disks will screw around with the extraction size text coz of slightly non standard production...

Cured the title mode , just got to do the chapters mode...

Cant think why no body saw this before......

This release will be slated as 2.7 ( maybe 3.0 ) so it will not be released BEFORE 2.6 is released.
(New Year ? )

GeezerButtz

[geezerbuttz]

right , after my little outburst ( due to someone annoying me bigtime )
I got a formal warning.....

another one for my ever growing collection !!!

get five and get a free prize!



right back to the good stuff.....

i have implemented the table view now directly in MTR...

Still have to remove the chapter popups , and the button marked BUTT is temp to open the table draw.... have a look.....

oh ,one last thing... the word BUTT , as used in this case is short for BUTTON , not as in posterior .. so no need to issue another warning for obsenity....

[WiseWeasel]

I definitely think that other farker should have gotten a warning too, just for his flamebait. That definitely looks excellent. I would change 'Split' to 'Merge' (and make it on by default, and change it to a checkbox if possible, since what it does isn't immediately visible), since that's what other rippers have called it historically. Also, I think it would look better if merge was on the lower right of the drawer and all/none on the left side (just feels like it makes more sense for the function it serves, don't ask me to explain). Out of curiosity, can you hold down shift or something and select a range of chapters (or a click-hold of something)? I'm just getting picky now, but I'm wondering if that function was included for free with the NSTableView implementation.

On a side note, I just got a call from the Apple store, and my G5 is FIXED (supposedly)!!!!!!!! Turns out my video card (BTO ATI Radeon 9800Pro 128MB) was causing the problem. It could be triggered instantly by running the iTunes visualizer, and putting in a new card fixed it. Apparently, the video card has the power to shut down the whole system when it's unhappy (damn snooty video cards these days, I swear). We should be in business in a few hours. Huzzah!!! I've survived two whole weeks without a computer (except this crappy iMac running MacOS 9.1 my roommate has let me use on occasion); I think I deserve some kind of medal. Well, I'm off to go pick it up. Next time we speak, I'll be back on my precious.

[geezerbuttz]

right .. small update...

changed the button to NSSwitchButton.. ( split or merge or whatever...)

I honestly prefer them as they are , i did originaly do them as you suggested , but it just didnt look right. so they stay as they are..

hooked in all the code to fill the table and get all actions from it .. so its now fully operational... just got to add the code to select all / select none ( to easy ) and and the compare in the chapter extractor to check the condition to see what chapters to extract...

her is a new piicy ... I still have the popups in there and the BUTT button.... they should be gone by tommmmm....

1 point , i am thinking of having the draw open auto when the user selects chapter mode , and toggle it when the stream window is open , when the user closes the stream window , it will re-open