Anyone tried DVD2ONE?

[dun4cheap]

Shellbyboy, those Riteks haved worked flawlessly. We have like 3 pcclubs here, I am waiting for more stock. I have not burned 1 bad one yet. All at 2x on my sony dru500a.

I am looking forward to new updates of dvd2one. I believe its great now and will be even better in the future.

[mrhua]

Well, I've come across my first "pulsating" or "crawling" dvd2one backup. Don't get me wrong, I am a *huge* dvd2one fan and I've used it on several of my DVDs with excellent results.

The DVD that gave bad results is an older movie, "2001". Whenever they show space scenes (primarily black), all the black parts "pulsate" in the same way that others described. I have to admit, this is the first of 10 that have done that, but the effect was very annoying. I'm not sure if I could get used to it to the point where I could watch the movie.

I'm sure this is related to the quality of the original encoding as I have made dvd2one copies of newer movies that have come out excellent.

I can't wait to see the next bugfix release of dvd2one and see if it fixes this problem. Does anyone know when it might be released?

mrHua

[Scarpad]

Isn't 2001 around 2 1/2 hours? Add to this from what I read the bit rate that DVD2One uses is first based on the existing disks bit rate, then it is computed to arrive at a total of 4.36. This is from of the programmers of the program. He stated to expect results to vary from disk to disk because encoding varies disk to disk. Look at the last two disks I tried XXX when ripped is a smidgen over 4.56gb. THen the Clint Eastwood "Every which way but loose" was 5.5gb , Obviously different compression amounts were used. So DVD2One starts off with what the original was and bases its scheme on it. What version of 2001 was it, the newest anniversary edition was mastered better, but not by much.

[dun4cheap]

Well I guess the DVD2ONE servers are back online. I also notice under the news that they have an official forumn located at this link.

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=68


So it probably would be best to send our requests, complaints, and thanks over their in hopes that they are answered by the dvd2one team directly.

I went to that page and at the top I noticed some shimmering. It is not in the dark spots however

[freedomsbeat]

Hey,
I noticed something while watching a backup I made of blade 2... Every now and then there's a shimmering like effect for a brief split second (maybe even just one frame).. What I mean by "shimmering" is that i looks like a white net is over the video frame.. Now I'm the kinda gut that picks up on these things (I noticed the subliminal messages in Memento and Fight Club) and my gf only noticed them (I noticed two in the entire movie) after I played the scenes over and over again.. But it's still a defect. Does this change my opinion of this fine product at all? Of course not.

[acidsex]

Ok, heres my problem. I have used DVD2One with no problem on store bought dvds. However, this is what I am trying to do. I have a Panasonic HS2 DVD Recorder. And unfortunately, it can only dub in highspeed mode for the original quality of the recording (usually 9655K bitrate). I copy yhe VRO (VOB) files over to the hardrive and rename them to VTS_01_1.VOB etc....

The problem, I have three VOB files that are like 12gb together. So after much research and many different tools such as VobEdit, I figured that smart ripper does something when ripping the files. So I got created some IFOs with IFOEdit and then tried to get Smart Ripper to rip it and create the list. I start smart ripper up and locate the directory with the VOB files. However, it doesnt do any analyzing or ripping.

So I open up DVD2One, select the source directory with VOBs and IFOs, select the default directory and then select the audio track and go to transcode and nothing happens. No errors or anything, it just sits there.

So what I need to figure out is how creat a virtual dvd rom drive and copy the vobs and ifos over to it so smart ripper can rip and create that analyzing list so that DVD2One can trasncode it.

Can anyone help? I tried using TMPGenc to renencode so it will fit a single dvd but the encode was chit. Hoping to have better result with DVD2One.

[JasonK]

Gandyman, you merely stated a bunch of worthless information about standards which everyone already knows. This has nothing to do with calling a projector a 120" HDTV. I imagine that anyone who ordered a 60" HDTV, and then received a low end projector that can display an image on the wall of 60" as a poor substitute for a 60" screen!, would be surely pissed off.

mikef, you are making me laugh now. "There might be an user error." LOL!!! I guess you've run out of excuses. Sorry, but there's MUCH more room for user error with CCE, but it looks great with my system. DVD2ONE is so easy, that's why most of the newbies here like it, adding to the fact that they aren't as particular about quality or have the type of equipment that I do to watch with. I've yet to see anyone say that DVD2ONE looks better than CCE. I'm sure there is a reason for that.

You may substitute TMPGenc for CCE, so I don't want to hear more BS about the $2000 anymore. If you want top quality, use a high quality MPEG encoder, end of story.

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of using DVD2ONE if that's what you want, I'm just trying to get you to open your eyes. It's better to know what you're getting yourself into rather than regretting it later wishing you had put a little more effort into preserving more quality from your original DVDs.

[mrhua]

Isn't 2001 around 2 1/2 hours? Add to this from what I read the bit rate that DVD2One uses is first based on the existing disks bit rate, then it is computed to arrive at a total of 4.36. This is from of the programmers of the program. He stated to expect results to vary from disk to disk because encoding varies disk to disk. Look at the last two disks I tried XXX when ripped is a smidgen over 4.56gb. THen the Clint Eastwood "Every which way but loose" was 5.5gb , Obviously different compression amounts were used. So DVD2One starts off with what the original was and bases its scheme on it. What version of 2001 was it, the newest anniversary edition was mastered better, but not by much.

I have done longer movies without this "crawling/pulsating" effect. To be sure, the quality is worse and you can see more artifacts in quick scenes, but that is liveable. This weird "pulsating" effect is just bizzare and it rips your eyes away from everything else. I don't think it's the amount of size reduction that creates the pulsating. I've done 10 other DVDs from 90 minutes up to 180 minutes (Seven Samurai) and never came across this annoying effect.

Perhaps it is a bug that will be fixed in an upcoming release? Anyway, it was not the the newest anniversary edition.

[Antonio S.]

@JasonK:

I think that is UNFAIR to compare CCE with DVD2one...

First, CCE is a commercial encoder that had been in existence for about 2 or 3 years. It had been improving since it first release. It is design to encode MPEG-2 from AVI files. If you want to use it for DVD you need also an authoring tool.
DVD2one is a new revolutionary tool that is making many functions ( calculating new bitrate, transcoding, striping, and muxing) at the same time in very short period of time. This is really amazing, and very challenging in the programming world. As you know right now, the program is just a 94 Kb long. What this means, is that the programer had made all this difficult process in a more efficiently way, and my friend this has a lot of credit...

That there is more room for improvements ?, YES!!!

But just remember that at this stage this program is really at its BETA stage (first version). Also, the more important thing is that, this will really change the way you had been reducing VOB FILES in the past...

Antonio S.

[IamCaleb]

Jason,
I don't believe watching a dvd on a "HDTV" will show any more detail than a projector. Since dvd has only 480 lines of resolution the fact that you are watching it on a display device that will show 1080 doesn't really matter. My projector does 1:1 pixel mapping so I'm not losing any picture quality and I'm seeing all the same imperfections that would be seen on a tv that is "HDTV" compatible.

All that Gandyman was saying earlier is what exactly HDTV is. HDTV is not a tv but rather a standard for transmission. Much like FM and AM are to radio. You don't say that song sounded great on my FM. You say that sounded great on my radio.

I'm not trying to convert you or anyone else to DVD2ONE, I understand that some people would rather spend the time and effort to get a little bit better final product. I have done 70 movies using CCE and I'm ready to spend time away from my computer and instead only have to spend a few minutes with DVD2ONE.

in a few years people will start to demand videos to fully take advantage of their HDTV. Blue-ray is a coming technology that could well start replacing DVD as soon as next year (naturally not all at once). To record a full length movie for HDTV will require up to 23 GB data.

I point all this out simply to say that DVD is a technology who's time is now but will slowly fade into the background as new technology replaces it. So all that effort to squeeze the last drop of quality out right now will still look "lacking" in a few short years.

This is the history of technology and is certain to repeat itself in the future.

Enjoy your life, enjoy your hobbies but also be prepared for the inevitable change that is constantly happening.

[IamCaleb]

RobW,
I was thinking the same exact thing. Spending extra time to get that extra quality is the same concept as 8 years ago spending twice as much for an SVHS deck to record tv programs because it was better than VHS. Spending money for CCE ( I know if you already own it your not spending any money) is the same concept. Sure you say that TMPG isn't $2000 but it crashes more than a blind drunk driver, and it takes longer than I'm willing to spend when the alternative is 20 minutes.
This is just my opinion.

[LanceSteel]

Sure you say that TMPG isn't $2000 but it crashes more than a blind drunk driver...

I've never had Tmpeg crash (after 100+ encodings).

Dvd2One is a pretty sweet program though. It took me 21 mins to do a 2hr10min stream that would have taken me 12+ hours to do. Its well worth the $50 (or even $100 for that matter.)

[[Deadman]]

First off, let me say KUDOS to the programmer of DVD2ONE. Very impressive. I know people are having back and forth discussions of quality vs. speed and etc.... but 94k!!!!!! I am totally amazed with the results of this program! I am happy to say I purchased this program and have not a single regret.

Now let me add my 2 cents on the issue of technology evolving and making DVD and current quality obsolete. If there is something much better to come it has several hurdles to jump which DVD is just recently starting to clear. Those are economics, technology (consumer vs commercial), standardization and interoperabilty. How is a manufacturer going to create a new medium which is enticing enough to convince people to spend more money and in turn make there current assets obsolete? What manufacturing processes and quality assurance investments will a manufacturer need to invest in and over what period of product life will they last in order to insure positive financial returns on a new technology? What steps and planning need to be jointly agreed upon between major manufacturers in order to create a technology / medium which can be profitable for said manufacturers and still be affordable and enticing to consumers? And lastly but most importantly, how can this new technology be made to work with not only here and now technology like non-HDTV equipment but also provide huge leaps in visual / audio presentation which will forge the new frontier in entertainment?

I am sure there are many many more hurdles in the way of technological standardization, but I guess my point is that even if there is something bigger and better on the horizon, it is still MANY MANY years off (my guess is 10).

The bright side of DVD technology though is that its digital. It may not look as good as the stuff to come, but it will surely be easier to convert and or preserve than something like VHS

Deadman

[IamCaleb]

I am sure there are many many more hurdles in the way of technological standardization, but I guess my point is that even if there is something bigger and better on the horizon, it is still MANY MANY years off (my guess is 10).

Yes it will take time for the next new technology. I don't think it will be 10 years though. Blue ray has already been developed and has the capacity to fit HDTV quality on a disc. I'm not saying don't go out and buy a dvd player right now because something bigger and better is coming soon. I'm just saying that the pursuit of perfection on a dvd backup isn't worthwile in my mind. Since I'll be replacing all my dvds with newer technology when it becomes available. I replaced most of my laserdiscs with DVD and I'm sure I'll replace my DVDs with something else.
Also a backup is just a backup the only reason I need backups is in case the original gets too scratched up or breaks. I don't feel like spending hours upon hours making backups is worthwhile. I am happy with the quality of DVD2ONE and will stick with it.
-Caleb

Here is how I visualize the new technology unfolding. First the price of HDTVs continues to drop. At some point it reaches a price point where it no longer makes sense to a typical consumer to buy an old style TV. Same was true for the development of color TV. Who out there would not want a HDTV if it was "reasonably" priced.

With sufficient audience, broadcasters will increasingly move their offerings to higher definition. This will naturally put a strain on bandwidth and the internet. But this will slowly evolve. Passive Optical Networking (basically optical transmission to the home) is already growing at a very high rate in the USA and elsewhere. But this is not essential for HDTV its just part of its evolution.

With sufficient numbers of people owning HDTV and broadcasters filling the cable with content, the consumer will look for ways to capture the content. This probably means bigger TIVO boxes and Blue Ray disks.

The commercial launch of Blue Ray technology is slated to begin later this year. Naturally, the numbers are going to be small at first but technology also typically follows an exponential growth curve during the early years ... so you can expect this adoption to be fairly far along during the next 5 years.

Again, I am not looking to argue the point of DVD2one and I for one will continue to use both DVD2DVD-R (>5.3MB) and DVD2one (for everything else). I am simply adding my comments on how CRUCIAL it is to squeeze out the last small bits of quality. Take it in perspective of the advance of new technology and reach your own decision not that based on other people. There is no right answer to the question that people have been kicking around here. Its a personal choice.

robw

[[Deadman]]

As a quick follow-up on the last couple posts in which we have discussed possible new technolgy, I think it is also relevant to mention another plausable idea. With the advent of faster and faster processors comes newer and better compression algorithims. I will admit that it is probably not likely for 23GB to be compressed to 4.3GB while maintaining realistic image quality. BUT..... I would personally have to believe that it wont be long before consumers will be able to purchase dual layer dvd burners with 9GB capacity. Certainly I think this would be available by the time a new 23GB reader is on the market. At the same time I can't imagine a new technology that wont read current DVD's.... Being it is all lasers and digital and DVD can read CD it only seems realistic that our current backups would be playable in forthcoming players.... would you not agree?

[IvIark]

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of using DVD2ONE if that's what you want, I'm just trying to get you to open your eyes. It's better to know what you're getting yourself into rather than regretting it later wishing you had put a little more effort into preserving more quality from your original DVDs.

I must say JasonK, you're the ONLY perfectionist that I've ever come across that would prefer to run CCE for 8 hours than split to 2 DVDs. Maybe your perfectionism doesn't quite run to a multi-changer,which is surprising since you seem to have more equipment than Warner Bros.

[jxsam1@yahoo.com]

Is it me or is it that JasonK enjoys a great deal joining this forum to bash people?

I don't consider myself a newbie but I am not a pro. I do enjoy DVD2ONE as it is fairly affordable for everyone to try and as some people have said in the past, two DVD backups will get your money's worth even if you don't think the quality is as great, it does a good job on certain DVD's. Most likely you will find it quite useful for some backups. As people have mentioned, there are certain movies where it does not do well, which is the shifting or the alternation of sharp/blur effect. This does not happen to all movies but it does on some. But heck, $40!!! It's an engeneering marvel. THANKS ERWIN!!!!

From all my postings, I have never said anything bad about CCE with the exception that it is expensive and it's time consuming. Even if I run it overnight, there are only so many nights in a week where I can do such encoding. The quality I must admit is superb. Nothing probably compares to the quality of CCE.

There is no right or wrong program. If you like to "re-encode" your video to the best quality possible, that's great. If you like to "compress" the video to an acceptable quality without the time and hassle that's fine too. Let people decide instead of bashing everyone who has an opinion.

Let people have their own opinions as opposed to insulting.

[simmons3d]

This program really is unbelievable.... The speed is great, the quality is fine for me, but the ease of use is the clincher. It doesn't get any simpler folks. The HUGE part for me: No screwing around with muxing re-muxing and all the other attempts at getting AC3 to work then finding an authoring program that will take ac3 etc. Then watching as your audio goes out of sync during the film. What a pain in the arse that was.

[JasonK]

I think that is UNFAIR to compare CCE with DVD2one...

I disagree. It's completely fair to compare tools that are available to me. TMPGenc is a substitute for CCE, and it's only about $40. So you can go with better quality with the TMPGenc method or with a faster encode with DVD2ONE method.

All that Gandyman was saying earlier is what exactly HDTV is. HDTV is not a tv but rather a standard for transmission

Just like Gandy, you're completely missing the point. A projector isn't sold as a 120" HDTV. If I had a projector, I would say I had a projector, and I wouldn't be tellnig people I had a 120" TV, whether it was HD or not. An HDTV is an HDTV anyway you slice it.

Sure you say that TMPG isn't $2000 but it crashes more than a blind drunk driver

I've never had TMPGenc crash. I use both TMPGenc and CCE since I have multiple systems.

The statements here about DVD being obsolete in a few years and going out and buying all new DVDs is ridiculous. If you really believe that, then why waste your time backing up all your DVDs? Geesh. A lot of people still are using VCRs, and even more people are still using standard TVs. It's going to take quite a few more years before most people have HDTV and HDTV video players. So make the most of those DVD backups so you don't need to redo them.

Blue ray has already been developed and has the capacity to fit HDTV quality on a disc

Remember, it took many years after DVD recordable was developed before we could record it at home for under $500!

IvIark,

I must say JasonK, you're the ONLY perfectionist that I've ever come across that would prefer to run CCE for 8 hours than split to 2 DVDs.

You apparently can't read because I've already said I have NEVER run CCE for 8 hours. It takes me only seconds to run it, and then it runs itself (for a few hours) while I do something else. The results are outstanding. I've also stated in previous threads that I will split some DVDs to 2 DVDRs. It depends on the movie whether I want a perfect copy, but I've come up with a CCE method that takes only seconds of my time with outstanding quality.

Maybe your perfectionism doesn't quite run to a multi-changer,which is surprising since you seem to have more equipment than Warner Bros.

If you had read my earlier statements regarding DVD2ONE, you would see that I have a changer. And if you had taken a few seconds to look at my profile, you would see I have a changer. Instead, you make yourself look foolish by saying things which had been, both, addressed in my earlier posts and clearly shown in my profile.

[sanmiguel2000]

Hi all,

I read everybody's post and it sound encouraging. So, I just purchase the DVD2one program and when I tried to open the attached zip file I was getting this error message.

"WinZip"Cannot open file: it does not appear to be a valid archive"
I tried downloading it again but got the same error message.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
If I can get a copy of the Dvd2one.zip file that will be wonderful.
Don't worry I have the registration information.

thank you

[LarryBird33]

I just got DVD2One and its awesome at least so far I think it is. I did signs and Goldmember with no complaints with quality what so ever. I was just wondering if there is anyway to make a simple menu that just says play movie or is this impossible with the current release? Any help would be cool.


Wood

[dilligaf]

I just got DVD2One and its awesome at least so far I think it is. I did signs and Goldmember with no complaints with quality what so ever. I was just wondering if there is anyway to make a simple menu that just says play movie or is this impossible with the current release? Any help would be cool.


Wood

Future versions may include this, for me I'm happy it does what it does

[JasonK]

I just checked the forum over at doom9.

There are a lot of complaints about DVD2ONE there about a "pulsating effect" and parts of the video going from blurry to sharp to blurry repeatedly. Apparently, this is caused by the method used for lowering the bitate. With CCE and TMPGenc, reencoding is more consistant, so you don't get the pulsating effect and a continual change in the sharpness of the video. I think you need to consider whether this shortcoming is acceptable, or if you should take a minute to setup your mpeg encoder and go to bed.

[flip69]

I am getting good results with NERO and my Sony 500a but I noticed that NERO is frowned upon and REcord Now recomended. Is record now really worth converting too?

[dun4cheap]

flip I have always liked nero. But the fact is it has compatability problems with many standalone DVD players. So I am using the Recordnow DX 4.6 with my sony dru500a until this is fixxed. Understand I didn't have any problems with my standalone dvd players, but my friends had problems playing some of my backups... Since I have burned with recordnow dx and using the dvd2one no problems.

[neonflx]

I agree with dun4cheap i was having compatability issues with my three stand alone's using NERO and switched to record now dx and all my backups work on all my stanalone now, I am also using the dvd2one and tho i'm a newbie all my backups look great on my Sony 40XBR800. As far as some of the comments that made reference to HDTV I think some of you making such coments should do your homework before stating myths rather than facts, just my .02

[mikef07]

A 120" projector is not a TV? Come on. That is an asinine statement. What does TV do? It displays a picture. A projector gives you 1024x768 resolution. Far sharper than a TV. Name something a TV can do that my projector cant.