Starting out with MeGUI which Netframework runtime needed

[loninappleton]

Progress but an error resulted. I got a fatal error message from simply executing MeGUI from the scratch directory that the "core" 2395 obtained from unzipping it. I did a search for the missing files and they are in the base version 2303 which installs form Videohelp, Sourceforge.

Can I simply move the MeGUI.exe 2395 core into the base directory in Program Files and run any suitable update?
I'd rather ask first on this since I have one working version going-- just not the one needed for the 10 bit option.

And I have no pressing jobs at the moment so there is time to do a careful setup.

Another guide possibility would be to cover these types of things for those wanting to get 10 bit encoding right away.

[hello_hello]

So did you get 2395 installed one way or another?

Yes, we're talking about stable vs development release options. I've pretty much always used the development update server. Mostly it's not a problem and you get all the new goodies earlier, but you can run into the odd bug due to being an "early adopter". I'm pretty familiar with MeGUI so I don't mind using the development version as I can report any problems I find and it's not a stress for me to roll back to a previous version of need be.

I asked about your monitor as Windows defaults to a 60hz refresh rate for CRTs and it's too low for me. Too much flicker. It's fine for a TV but not for reading text. My monitor's a 22" CRT and 85Hz seems to be the refresh rate which is comfortable for my brain at the resolution I use (1152x864). Both higher and lower refresh rates feel less comfortable for me, but everyone's different. Anyway.... if you've tried different resolutions have you tried different refresh rates too?

Also the question I remembered to ask today was: with all these versions and settings is there any sort of checklist so you know you've got all the necessities installed? Some of the info like the LAME audio settings are subtle.

If you're talking about MeGUI then no, it pretty much includes everything it needs with it's installation. There's a few exceptions.... the stuff under External Program Configuration in settings probably needs to be downloaded manually if any of it's enabled, and I think you're supposed to have the Haali media splitter installed for re-encoding file types such as MKV, but that's about it.

[loninappleton]

My reason for asking about moving core 2395 version was that I did not know if MeGUI just showing 2395 as the loaded version means the core update as well. I forgot to look and see in the updater if that shows up as data.

The beginning of this thread started with beginning with MeGUI and the Net Framework required. It's things like that which I have not seen in guides and so wondered about a checklist and things like using the updater to know what version is present either as stable or developmental.

In case of machine malfunction, at some point it might be desireable to copy MeGUI to cd for safekeeping especially if there are many settings. The checklist could be on the CD envelope for reference-- something like that.

There's a few buttons on my old CRT which quite frankly I don't know how to operate. And they are hidden under a cardboard mask b/c this old screen puts them in the front and buttons staring at me while viewing is distracting. Every so often I change the little piece of cardboard. My first thought is leave well enough alone, though I could dig out the manual, brief as it is.

[hello_hello]

In my experience, the version number shown at the top of the MeGUI window is always the version you're running. You should be able to replace the MeGUI.exe file manually if need be, using the link I provided.

MeGUI will run using any version of dot net framework from version 2 onwards. Well I've run it with only version 2 installed in the past and currently it's running using version 4. Dot net version 1 is basically obsolete. I didn't bother installing it the last time I reformatted.

When MeGUI first runs it checks for required components. Maybe not everything (such as the LAME encoder etc) but it checks for the major stuff. If you switch to the Log tab you'll see what it's checked for by clicking on the plus sign next to "versions". If something is missing, it'll tell you what, and I'm pretty sure it'll refuse to work.
Edit: Even though it's not mentioned in the log, as an experiment I deleted the LAME folder from MeGUI's Tools folder. When I restarted MeGUI, it complained about a missing component and offered to download it.

If you want to backup your MeGUI settings, you only need to backup the xml files. "Settings.xml" being the one where general settings are kept. The "allprofiles" folder holds nothing but xml files containing encoder configurations. If you backup that entire folder, along with settings.xml, you should be able to re-install MeGUI from scratch and then restore all your settings and configurations by replacing settings.xml and the allprofiles folder with your backed-up versions. MeGUI also has an option for importing and exporting presets under the File menu.

On the subject of the monitor..... checking/changing the refresh rate is done within Windows. Right click on the desktop and select properties. Under the settings tab is the monitor with it's current resolution listed. Click on "Advanced", then in the new window select the Monitor tab. You'll see the current refresh rate and there'll be a drop down box which should let you choose others the monitor supports.
It's no big deal, but if it's running at 60Hz you might want to try something higher as 60Hz tends to produce noticeable flicker for many people (ie me). A higher refresh rate may let you increase the resolution a little without it being uncomfortable. Depending on the resolution/refresh rate chosen, the size of the window which the monitor displays may change, in which case you'll need to re-adjust it using the buttons on the front of the monitor.
I use a couple of Trinitron CRT monitors as I still think a good CRT looks better than LCD, as long as the refresh rate is high enough. The default of 60Hz is too low.