Which is better - shrinking with DVDShrink or......

[robertazimmerman]

Which is better - shrinking with DVDShrink or letting DVDFab Platinum do it while ripping? I've bought a copy of the latter program and would like users' opinions.

Thanks!

Roberta

[freebird73717]

I have never used the pay version of dvdfab. I have used dvdshrink and always got acceptable results when there wasn't much shrink needed.

Better yet rip to harddrive with dvdfabhddecrypter then use dvdrebuilder with hcenc to reencode the disc to fit dvd5.

Another way to increase the final outputs quality is to use vobblanker (before shrinking) to remove/blank any unwanted material (like advertisements for other dvd's and any unwanted extras). That frees up space/bitrate to be used for the main movie.

Sorry I can't comment on the pay dvdfab though as I have no need for it. I get great quality the the freeware dvdrebuilder!

[wtsinnc]

I've used both programs and I find DVDFab Platinum easy and efficient and the output quality is, to my eyes, very good in most cases. It will usually take more time to rip, compress (shrink), and burn with separate programs and there is the possibility of certain programs being incompatible with others. DVDFab Platinum is simple and effective, plus it is regularly updated to deal with the latest copy protection schemes. You might be able to achieve slightly better results using freeware DVDFab HD Decrypter, DVD Shrink, and Imgburn, but seeing that you've already invested in the program, use it and be sure to download updates when available.

[freebird73717]

I am curious why you posted this question after you bought the program. To me it would have been more prudent to ask this before you forked the money out. I agree that since you already bought and paid for the prog then you should use it and be happy.

You might be able to achieve slightly better results using freeware DVDFab HD Decrypter, DVD Shrink, and Imgburn

You probably wont get any better results using shrink but you will get better results with dvdrebuilder. It's the difference between a transcode and a complete re-encode. And there is no compatiblity problem because dvdrebuilder does all the work (except decrypting) for you.

[robertazimmerman]

The reason I posted it after buying the software is because I believe in supporting software developers by paying for their development efforts. I was using the program for ripping, DVDShrink for compressing and a 3rd party's product for burning. If DVDFabDecrypter's quality is as good as DVDShrink, then I can scrap the latter and use one program exclusively.

Roberta

[freebird73717]

If you are wanting to use one program exclusively then yes dvdfab will work perfectly for you.

The reason I asked why post after instead of before was because your initial post seemed to me to be more of a "Did I make a good investment?" kind of post. Personally I would ask for opinions about software before paying $40 for it. It's really no big deal though. I think you will be perfectly happy with dvdfab and can eliminate the use of other software to backup your dvd's.

[robertazimmerman]

>The reason I asked why post after instead of before was because your initial post seemed to me to be more of a "Did >I make a good investment?" kind of post. Personally I would ask for opinions about software before paying $40 for it.

Pardon my cynicism, but what would be the point of doing that? I don't need post-purchase reassurance - it's meaningless.

Anyways, I'll stick to DVDFab exclusively. It's a one step process vs. using DVDFab Decrypter and DVDShrink.

Thanks to all!

Roberta

[GKar]

On 480i/p CRT TV's a transcoder is ok but if you want to play your stuff on larger screen DLP/LCD/Plasma TV's the artifacting on higher compression transcoded stuff is more pronounced. Use a DVD-DL blank or encode your stuff with HC or CCE Basic using DVD Rebuilder Free or Pro if you are using a large screen DLP/LCD/Plasma TV.

[robertazimmerman]

Thanks again!

Since my next purchase will be a 65"+ screen, I'd like to get the best possible results. DVD Rebuilder & CCE it will be!

R

[lordsmurf]

I'd suggest DVD-RB + HCenc (free)

[robertazimmerman]

I tried DVD Rebuilder and after 20 minutes had passed, I got an error message stating that the encoder path had not been set, even though I had pointed to my CCE installation. I'm wondering if it's worth the effort to try and figure it out.

Programs should check configurations BEFORE running their processes, so that users don't waste time trying to solve problems.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

I got an error message stating that the encoder path had not been set, even though I had pointed to my CCE installation. I'm wondering if it's worth the effort to try and figure it out.

Yes, it's worth the effort, especially if you plan to buy a 65" TV.

[mwkurt]

I am not at my computer right now and have not used DVDrebuilder recently, but I seem to remember having the same problem as you. I believe it has something to do with what file you are pointing to. I don't believe that you point to the CCE.exe file, but there is a proxy file you need to point to to get CCE to work correctly. The proxy file is in the downloadable for DVD RB. Hope this helps.
Perhaps someone else can explain this better than I did????
Mark

[samturner01]

This is THE DEFINATE ANSWER.... RIP WITH YOUR FAVORITE RIPPING TOOL, BUT KEEP IT UNTOUCHECHED.. IF IT IS OVER75%, I REPEAT, OVER 75%, Shjrink it with DVD shrink WITH DEEP ANALSYS... BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IF IT IS UNDER 75% ALWAYS ALWAYS USE DVD REBUILDER WITH 3 PASS CCE... If you cant aFFORD cce USE heNC.. But DVD shrink is not good under 75.. preferably 85%.

[jimmalenko]

This is THE DEFINATE ANSWER.... RIP WITH YOUR FAVORITE RIPPING TOOL, BUT KEEP IT UNTOUCHECHED.. IF IT IS OVER75%, I REPEAT, OVER 75%, Shjrink it with DVD shrink WITH DEEP ANALSYS... BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IF IT IS UNDER 75% ALWAYS ALWAYS USE DVD REBUILDER WITH 3 PASS CCE... If you cant aFFORD cce USE heNC.. But DVD shrink is not good under 75.. preferably 85%.

I don't think you can put a definitive % point on when to change ... but different strokes for different folks I guess.

[nick101181]

I recently backed up a copy of the new adventures of spider-man using dvdrebuilder and a 6 pass encode with cce and I seen a lot of pixelation during fast action scenes on my 32" samsung lcp. I doubt a 9 pass encode would make a difference. Too bad I can't find a decent brand of printable dual layer's here. All I can find are ridata and I had 5 out of 10 fail on my first batch.

[Squash]

@robertazimmerman,

As mwkurt was saying, if you're using some of the older versions of CCE or a trial version, you have to use the eclCCE program in order to get CCE to accept command-line commands. Newer versions don't require it. Just put the eclcce.exe into your CCE folder, then point to the eclcce.exe in DVD-RB's setup page. I've used it before and it worked fine that way, but haven't used CCE in a year or so, so I'm not up on the latest versions.

Similarly there's an eclPRO for using Procoder with DVD-RB, but I've never used that.

More info here:

http://dvd-rb.dvd2go.org/modules.php?name=FAQ&myfaq=yes&id_cat=1&categories=

eclcce is here (if it's not in the DVD-RB setup package, which I think it was):
http://dvd-rb.dvd2go.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=20

[robertazimmerman]

I'm using CCE 2.70.01.05 and still got the error messsage (I assume I don't need the ECL file). I am pointing DVD Rebuilder to "cctspt.exe". Is that correct?

Roberta

[manono]

I'm using CCE 2.70.01.05 and still got the error messsage (I assume I don't need the ECL file). I am pointing DVD Rebuilder to "cctspt.exe". Is that correct?

Probably not:

Q2. Do I need to use eclCCE.exe with DVD-RB?

A2. If you have a newer version of CCE that you have purchased, you don't need to use eclCCE. But if using CCE v2.50 (which is very popular) or any trial version -- yes, you must use eclCCE. Version 2.50 and trial versions do not support command line parameter passing and/or saving/loading of .ECL (CCE Project) files.

Q2 of the DVD-RB FAQ:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=74273

Open your CCE and hit "Help" followed by "About" to confirm your version.

[CobraPilot]

My experience with RIPIT4ME is that when it gives an error message that the disc is scratched or dirty, the disc IS scratched or dirty.

So far, after properly cleaning or polishing a damaged disc, none of my backup efforts has been unsuccessful using it (including its incorporation of FIXVTS) and DVDShrink, even on newer issues.

None.

Not bad for a couple of programs that aren't being updated . . . . .

Maybe I've just been lucky?

Your mileage may vary.

[robertazimmerman]

[quote="manono"]

Open your CCE and hit "Help" followed by "About" to confirm your version.

"CCE SP Works Version 2.70.01.05
SDK Version 2.70 CCE Works (built at 13:17:21)"

Roberta

[manono]

Guess I was wrong then. Have you tried pointing it to the eclCCE.exe file just as a test, to see if it'll encode for you? Have you checked any of the guides to make sure you got it installed correctly (not that it's all that hard)? Like this one:

http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/dvdrb_free_basic_ops.cfm