DVD on Sony Walkman X, "SP" template but high bit rate

[dch888]

Hi,

I'm trying to find a way to optimise the DVD ripped video for display on the Sony Walkman X. If I look at the sample WMV file that came with the device (Nature.wmv) with the GSPOT utility I see the following attributes, amongst others:

1. 432x240
2. 1714 bit rate.
3. Video Conformance Template: SP

If I use say FabDVD to rip a movie using the first two settings (i'm not sure how to set 3), then I end up with a file which has the required pixel size of 432x240, bit rate is 1714, but the Video Conformance Template is not "SP" - is it something like 'MP' or 'MP"ML' other string depending on the program I use to rip (I've tried several others). I see from Microsoft's site this designates the basic properties of the file, such as bit rate and suitability for playing on certain devices, with SP being at the bottom of the list.

If I now take this ripped file and transfer it to the Walkman X using Windows Media PLayer, I see "converting" then "transferring". After the transfer the movie will fill the whole screen only if Zoom has been set to Full. If I look at the properties of the transferred file, the size has dropped back to 340x240 or something like that, plus the bit rate is dropped.

The only way I've found of preserving the 432x240 size is by using the Windows Media Components like this:

cscript wmcmd.vbs -input file.wmv -output newfile.wmv -v_profile SP

This preserves the 432x240 size, and allows me to drag'n'drop the file onto the Walkman X using File Manager for it to be played, avoiding any conversion with Windows Media Player. Then the file plays in full screen, without Zoom. HOWEVER, the bit rate drops dramatically. I just tried in on a file that had 1200 kbps, and it dropped to around 250 kps. I can't believe Sony went to this kind of trouble when encoding Nature.wmv, so I wonder what tricks they used to keep SP template, but high bit rate.

This is fast getting into areas outside of my expertise. Can anyone offer me any advice?

Thanks,
David.

[dch888]

Well, I found a way to sort this out and it's quite simple: just add -v_bitrate X with the X being the desired bit rate. The quality on the Walkman X is truly worth this time-consuming "two pass" effort (once with DVDFab, another with wmcmd), but it would be nice if it were one pass!

Hi,

I'm trying to find a way to optimise the DVD ripped video for display on the Sony Walkman X. If I look at the sample WMV file that came with the device (Nature.wmv) with the GSPOT utility I see the following attributes, amongst others:

1. 432x240
2. 1714 bit rate.
3. Video Conformance Template: SP

If I use say FabDVD to rip a movie using the first two settings (i'm not sure how to set 3), then I end up with a file which has the required pixel size of 432x240, bit rate is 1714, but the Video Conformance Template is not "SP" - is it something like 'MP' or 'MP"ML' other string depending on the program I use to rip (I've tried several others). I see from Microsoft's site this designates the basic properties of the file, such as bit rate and suitability for playing on certain devices, with SP being at the bottom of the list.

If I now take this ripped file and transfer it to the Walkman X using Windows Media PLayer, I see "converting" then "transferring". After the transfer the movie will fill the whole screen only if Zoom has been set to Full. If I look at the properties of the transferred file, the size has dropped back to 340x240 or something like that, plus the bit rate is dropped.

The only way I've found of preserving the 432x240 size is by using the Windows Media Components like this:

cscript wmcmd.vbs -input file.wmv -output newfile.wmv -v_profile SP

This preserves the 432x240 size, and allows me to drag'n'drop the file onto the Walkman X using File Manager for it to be played, avoiding any conversion with Windows Media Player. Then the file plays in full screen, without Zoom. HOWEVER, the bit rate drops dramatically. I just tried in on a file that had 1200 kbps, and it dropped to around 250 kps. I can't believe Sony went to this kind of trouble when encoding Nature.wmv, so I wonder what tricks they used to keep SP template, but high bit rate.

This is fast getting into areas outside of my expertise. Can anyone offer me any advice?

Thanks,
David.