DVD Shrink Encoding slowd WAYYYYYY down

[OhGodHelpMe]

So I'm backing up DVDs with DVD Shrink.

When I started doing this it only took about 30-45 seconds for the initial analysis. The actual encoding took roughly 45 minutes (depending on the DVD of course). It was fine like that for quite awhile.

So I go a few days without backing up and DVDs, restart my computer somewhere in those few days as well... And when I try to back up another DVD it takes over 3 minutes to do the initial analysis, and over 2 hours to do the encoding.

Now it doesn't affect the actual burning or playing of the DVD at all, that has remained the same.

I've tried backing up DVDs that I had backed up when it took 45 minutes to encode. Still took 2 hours now.

Also, I used to be able to browse the internet easily while it ran. For some reason when it runs now it slows down my computer enough that my mouse movement is choppy, and theres no way in hell I can even open Solitaire, let alone browse the web.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[guns1inger]

A couple of things to look at.

1. For DVD Shrink to be that quick, you probably didn't have Deep Analysis and AEC enabled. These are disabled by default if you don't need to do any compression, but I believe they are enabled by default if you do. Depending on the size of the discs you have been working on in the past, you may not have been using these features. If you are compressing without using Deep Analysis and AEC, shame on you.

2. Every time DVD Shrink does it's initial pass through a video, it stores stats about this file. This is why, if you load the same DVD into Shrink again, it loads instantly. These files are never cleaned out. There is a rumour that over time, the build up of these files can slow Shrink down. The files are stored somewhere under Documents and Settings/Username/Local Setting/ You can either look for them yourself, or search here for DVD Shrink and you will find references. Each file is very small, but a large number of them might have an effect.

[OhGodHelpMe]

About 2... Every single time I back up a disk it gives me a prompt to delete the old file and I do so every time, because I don't need it anymore. I double checked the folder just to make sure, and there is only one file there.

Annnd 1... I can't find those phrases under the settings. Mind you, I'm very newb at this. I just follow the quick newbie guides for DVD burning that are avaiable on this site. If I read your post correctly, does that mean that 2+ hours for encoding is normal?

Is it also normal for your mouse to be choppy and for your computer to be un-usable other than the encoding process?

I just find it odd that theres such a night and day difference between the performance of my computer and the speed of the encoding, with relatively little difference on the finished product.

[guns1inger]

I don't have Shrink on this machine, but I believe the files you are referring to are the DVD files, not Shrink's analysis files.

If Shrink is compressing files using Deep analysis and AEC, then on a machine of your spec 2 hours is reasonable. If it doesn't have to compress files then is will be closer to 10 minutes. These settings are on one the Tab when you hit the Backup button. also, the time is influenced by how hard Shrink has to work. Compress a little - very fast. Compress a lot - not so fast.

That said, my system is not dissimilar to yours, so I am basing the timing on my experiences. However I do not have the other issues you are seeing. I can still freely browse while shrink running. If you open Task manager while Shrink is compressing you can see what the CPU usage is, and where. Shrink should hover around the 80% + mark.

[winifreid]

Those files are located in:
Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data/DVD Shrink

but I do not think this could cause the symtoms you indicate. I would suspect either some sort of malware or a drive has switched to pio mode.

[OhGodHelpMe]

If Shrink is compressing files using Deep analysis and AEC, then on a machine of your spec 2 hours is reasonable. If it doesn't have to compress files then is will be closer to 10 minutes. These settings are on one the Tab when you hit the Backup button.

Alright, I just checked the tabs after the Backup button, and deep analysis is NOT checked... So according to what your saying, I shouldn't be anywhere near 2 hours of encoding. That on top of the poor performance of my computer during the process makes me think something is very wrong.

As for the size of the compression, I backed up a good bit of DVDs before this problem started. The average was between 30-45 minutes, obviously depending on the time.

Since it started taking 2+ hours, I only do it when Im not around, so I can't tell you exactly how long. I can tell you that I've tried encoding one of the same DVDs from before the problem started, and it takes like three times as much time. My computer performance other than DVD Shrink hasn't changed at all. This problem only exists while it' encoding.

By the way, I am very appreciative of the help you have offered. I don't mean to sound ungrateful at all. You're definately helping me narrow down the possible issues.

[guns1inger]

PIO is a definitely a possibility for slow burning. Right-click My Computer and select Manage. Click on Device Manager, then expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller branch. Click on the Primary Controller object, then the Advanced Tab and check the Transfer Mode. It should read DMA for all connected devices. Repeat for the Secondary Controller which is where optical drives are usually connected.

If either controller has a transfer mode of PIO, uninstall that controller, and restart your machine. Then give shrink another go.

It is also worth making sure you have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware running on your system.

[OhGodHelpMe]

PIO is a definitely a possibility for slow burning.

Burning isn't the issue. Burning is normal. Encoding is the problem.

Just in case you worded that wrong, I checked those anyway. ONE of the Secondary Channels was set as PIO. I'm switching it to DMA now and restarting.

...Im trusting you guys here because I have NO idea what PIO and DMA mean...

[guns1inger]

They are different methods of access the drives. DMA bypasses the CPU, PIO doesn't. PIO is substantially slower than DMA, so reading and writing to the optical drive will be a lot slower (I mean 6 minutes versus 50 minutes type slower). Depending on how you are using DVD Shrink, it could have a major impact.

When I do use it, I always rip the HDD first, using RipIt4Me, then load the files into Shrink, process, and write the output back to the HDD. Then I burn with Imgburn2.

Some people actually rip with Shrink, process, then write back (using the link to Nero or DVD decrypter). If you are doing this then PIO mode will slow the whole process down drastically.

[OhGodHelpMe]

Still not working. =( Thank you for trying though.

Maybe someone else has had this problem before and knows what to do.

[guns1inger]

Did you check to make sure the drive is back in DMA mode ?

PIO mode is a fallback position that Windows takes when it encounters 6 or more drive errors in a row. These could be from trying to read scratched or dirty discs, but can also come from bad HDDs, or bad or unseated drive cables.

[victoriabears]

The DMA mode is the usual problem, or try this:-

click start then run, the type msconfig then click ok, in your start up area is there anything that looks odd, thats running when you start up thats just multiplying ad aware.

Download ad aware and avg and run them in safe mode.

Thats my 2 cent worth.

Terry

[OhGodHelpMe]

Ok, under one of my Secondary Controllers (the one that I changed) it has the drop down box where you select the mode. I have "DMA if Available" selected, but under the "current transfer mode" that is unchangeable it says PIO...

Despite me changing the mode it's staying on PIO. I don't know what to do.

Also, I don't think it's spyware or a virus or anything... I have Adaware, a decent firewall, and run virus scans on a regular basis. I take pretty good regular maintainance of my computer, and my boyfriend works with some database/software company and is pretty good with computers, so he cleans it up every once and awhile...

Not to mention, the only program I'm experiencing any problem with is DVD Shrink. I haven't noticed any decline in performance of my computer other than that. Surely if it were something malicious on my computer it would affect more than just that.

-.- I hate being a computer newb.

[victoriabears]

go to control panel, uninstall the drive and controller ,re-boot and it should solve it. Never ever be concerned about learning, we have had to.

[OhGodHelpMe]

Under the "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" section I have the following things:

ATI IDE Controller
3 Primary IDE Channels
3 Secondary IDE Channels
2 Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controllers

The 2nd Secondary IDE Channel is the one with the PIO problem.
Is that the only thing I need to uninstall? I'm just a little confused as to what exactly I'm uninstalling, and I would like to be certain so that I don't mess anything up.

...And after I uninstall that and restart, it will just right itself? Do these controllers just come back after you uninstall them and reboot?

Sorry for the questions, I just worry about screwing up my computer.

[winifreid]

Yes, they will automatically reinstall. Some versions will let you select dma or pio in the driver window. If this is the case, you do not have to uninstall, just select the dma mode (or bios select). In any case, you have to reboot before it takes effect. If it still swithces to pio mode, you probably have a poorly seated cable and you will need to press it in to the slot better.

[OhGodHelpMe]

AH! Success! You guys are the best!!! Guns1inger, victoriabears, and winifreid.. Thank you all very much for your help. Problem solved!

Just one real quick last question... Is Deep Analysis really that important hen compressing? It seems to be working fine without, and the quality is pretty good depending on the size of the compression. I just can't see it being that important to extend the encoding time, when it's working without it.

Whats the difference in backups made with Deep analysis?

In any case, thank you SO much for your help. I <3 you guys.

[SCDVD]

Deep analysis is a method used for variable bit rate recording. This is usually done in two passes. The first pass determines the bit rate needed for each part of the video. Fast motion, frequent scene changes etc. require a higher bit rate than more static portions of the video. The second pass then uses this information to set the bit rate for each portion of the video.

[CobraPilot]

"Quality" is often in the eye of the beholder, and that may help you decide whether or not to use Deep Analysis or other settings.

Some folks on this valuable resource will not go below, say, a 10-20% compression rate (i.e., resulting files are 80-90% of originals) because of the perception of quality loss in their eyes.

Soooo, try your own experiment: Take a long movie that Shrink needs to compress to close to the 50% mark and shrink it with and without Deep Analysis (and perhaps AEC). Note the total time it takes with each methods, view the results, and make your decision.

Sometimes substantially shorter shrink times are better (if the quality doesn't suffer in your eyes) because of the savings in wear and tear on your hard drive.

[guns1inger]

I am one of the fussy ones. If I am compressing with Shrink I always use Deep Analysis and AEC, even if I am trimming just a few %

I do this because every disc is different. Every encode is different. You can't predict exactly what will happen. You can experiment to get a feel for it, and you can make some general judgments, but bottom line is no two movies will be exactly the same. So you can either do a test encode with and without and make a call, or use that time to simply do it with DA and AEC on.

I must admit that I don't use Shrink to compress all that often. I use it to re-author, which more often than not get the disc down to DVD5 size. If it doesn't, and I need to trim more than 5 - 10% then I use Rebuilder, which takes a lot longer.

[winifreid]

So what was it?