Problems with final vcd/svcd result in DVDx

[gazman1965]

I've been using DVDx 4 about 3mths now. I am using 1.8a and find ripping fantastic with no plug-in. I get speeds of 12/13fpsec, which is great. My only problem is when I play it back on my PC & TV I get a "hazy/shadow" effect around people and a bit of "bleeding" with background colours. I have been told to use interpolate on the input settings change the mux rate to 3, but will this solve my problems?
My panasonic plugin will not work with 1.8a so all I have is DVDx. Recently I have had some excellent DVD Rips onto vcd and of course I want to know how these people do it!!
If there are any suggestions on how to improve my Ripping using DVDx then I would appreciate it!
Also my mate wants to know if you Rip the Vob files off a DVD then how is it converted to MPG? What process would you use and is it a better one than using DVDx?

[neomaine]

Gazman1965,

Well, it sounds like your ready to graduate from grade shcool to high school. To get something better, I'd recommend you go the route of Smartripper - DVD2AVI - TMPGenc to replace your current process. I know its not a one program process, but for the extra couple of steps, a little more hard drive space and what I've learned from DVDx, I'll never have to diveate from a standard VCD again.

I hit the same wall you did. I actually hung on to DVDx a little while longer by increasing the bitrate to 1800 or so on my VCDs to get that little bit extra quality. This was all fine and dandy until I bit the bullet and figured out my above suggestion. The results in sound and clearity truely make a difference. The guides here on the site are great. Take a look at them and you'll be suprised how quickly you'll pick it up.

The short and sweet and it, here is what I do:

- Smartripper, 10-15mins: Uses anywhere from 4-10gb of space depending on the movie. I set everything from Macrovision, region free and check every cell for encryption, have it create all the IFO and whatever it can. Maybe overkill, but it works fine.

- DVD2AVI, 5-10mins: Pretty straight forward. Simply open file, choose the first VOB of the movie you ripped and it'll select the rest of them for you and generate a *.dv2 and *.wav file for you. I have it generate the *.wav (versus just a pointer) to save some time and trouble on TMPGenc. The *.d2v is your video file and the *.wav file is your audio for input into TMPGenc. NOTE: Keep track of your frame rate and your display (4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1....)

- TMPGenc, 1.25 to 2 times movie length: Here you use the *.d2v (video) and the *.wav (audio) created from DVD2AVI as your input. Next load the template of your choice. I use NTSCFilm (23.97fps) since this gives you about %20 boost in quality and is usually what the movie is for me anyway. You'll need to set your source attributes (from info from DVD2AVI) for your source. The only other thing I set is in the ADVANCED tab and they are 'Sharpen Edge' and 'Simple Color Correction'.

This gives me something I can watch full screen (1152x860?) on my computer and not see any glearing pixellation or macroblocks. My friends and family can't tell the difference (video or sound) on what they see on the TV.

It sounds more involved, and is, than DVDx but gives someone with some experience the ability to do a lot more. And when your ready (me too) can even get more in depth into what's really happening in generating great video. I can geniunely say my VCDs of a DVD are (most of the time) better than VCDs I've bought.

[gazman1965]

Thx Neomaine 4 that extremely detailed document.
I will certainly have a go at it and test your theory!!
Where you mentioned about NTSC in TMPGenc is this because u r based in a NTSC region because I am in a Region 2/PAL. I presume with that particular setting it would be to simply change it to PAL 24.? whatever it is yeh? would you agree?
Going to download he latest versions now many thanks again
Ps do u use Nero for burning onto cdrom?

[sumibas]

hi,

you can use the CCE2.5 Plugin on DVDX and get the same result you get thru the process expialned using dvd2avi / tempengc and in half the time. i get a excellent VCD quality using CCE Plugin with DVDX no hassels. set it up then split the mpeg and author the VCD.

[gazman1965]

Thx 4 that as well
I will try to have a go at this one first then. It seems less work in downloading etc?
Is it the main CCE 2.5 sp? about 1.04mb? do u just install that into the dvdx directory?

[sumibas]

no. the Premier Plugin some thing like cce-XXXXX.prm. it will be installed only when you have adobe premier installed on you m/c. Place that in the DVDx directory.

[gazman1965]

More question 4 u guys!!!
I keep getting freeze ups onmy machine usind dvdx 1.8a. Do u suggest it would be better to try and use 1.6?
I defrag my machine virtually every time ive ripped or every week if not.
Smartripper rips ok but dvd2avi does not install into a folder it just opens up the program. I cant understand the information it saks me for so can someone tell me how to use dvd2avi properly or tell me yet another way of ripping with good quality
I'm getting quite desperate now