1. Introduction - FAQ
DVD to DivX ;)-
Page 1
This is the best way to convert DVD movies to (usually) a single
CD. How can this be possible? With DivX ;) codec we compress Video to mpeg4v3
and the sound to mp3 (or MS audio). This gives us the possibility to get
MUCH better video and sound quality than VideoCD, at a smaller file size. A
great way to backup those favourite DVD's you paid 30 bucks for.
- What is DivX ;)?
You all might knew the term "DivX" from past since it was a DVD
Rental system by the same name that emerged about a year ago. However don't
mess it with DivX ;)..Actually DivX ;) is nothing else but hacked Microsoft
Mpeg4 codecs in order to be used with AVI files since original MS Mpeg4 codec
were restricted to ASF use only!.
- Why i should care about it?
Mpeg4 codec gives you a great video quality and produces low filesize avi.
In simple words you can have two hour movie compressed with DivX and fit in
one CD with very good sound and video quality.
- How good it this Mpeg4 codec compared to original DVD and
VCD standard?
I think you can place Mpeg4 in the scale of 50(VCD) and 100(DVD) at 75.
- Will it play at my stand alone DVD player?
Nope! DivX ;) is not playable to any standalone player since it uses Mpeg4
codec. I guess soon manufactures will support Mpeg4 decoding and then you will
stand alone players which will support DivX ;) standard.
- What are the platforms which DivX ;) is supported?
Mostly Windows and MAC
- What are the minimum requirements for playback it?
Because DivX ;) uses heavy encoding techniques for audio and video, you
will need a quite powerful PC to play them well. If you want to play it at the
highest possible quality, you might need a P3 or K7. Of course you can also
use 'low' or 'normal' quality decoding, which will work on lower spec machines.
But keep in mind you at least will want a P2-300mhz+ PC.
- Where I can read more about Mpeg4 technology?
http://www.iis.fhg.de/amm/techinf/mpeg4/index.html
http://www.licensing.philips.com/mpeg/
MPEG-4 Overview
document
2. Ripping
DVD to DivX
;)- Page 2
Ripping
1st Step: Copying DVD Movie files to HD
Procedure :
After we insert the movie disk in our DVD-ROM drive, we run VobDec.
Tools:
VobDec
v0.31
VobDec GUI
VobDec is a utility that decrypts VOBs that have been encrypted
using CSS. Unlike DVD rippers, it does not need to get the decryption key
from the DVD drive, but actually derives the key from the encrypted VOB itself
using a cryptographic attack. This means that once you can read the VOBs (after
the drive has been authenticated) VobDec should work. This may be useful for
people who have problems with DVD rippers, or those who must disable DMA to
get them to work. VobDec can even decrypt a VOB that has been copied encrypted
to the hard drive!
1) Place in the same folder VobDec.exe and VobDec GUI. After
run GUI. You will see something like this:
2) Press on Locations and locate VobDec and also select the target
directory:
3) Now don't waste any more time and press the
"GoldCD button" at the bottom of VobDec GUI (one step copy) and
the after sometime you will have the vob files uncrypted at your HD. Notice
that the vobs are copied in the same folder which vobdec is:
4) You are ready to step in Encoding Page!
Other options
- Merge: Merges all files in one big file! But with the FAT32
file system you will have problems since it doesn't allow files bigger than
4GB. A possible solution would be to convert the FAT32 partition to NTFS with
Winternals NTFS for Win98. When the conversion finishes you can use files
bigger than 4GB. But most users can work fine having 5 separate VOB files.
- Detect Multiangles: Have this option always checked, since
it skip multiangles vobs which causes problems when encoding multiangles movie.
Useful for movies like Matrix, Sixth Sense..
- Find key: Press it in order to find the key which
was the DVD encrypted
- Read key: It will read the key (if you have found it previous)
- Show DVD Info:
- Show AC3 streams
3. Encoding
DVD to DivX ;)-
Page 3
Encoding
2nd step: Installing DivX Drivers.
Tools :
DivX
;-)_Drivers v3.11 alpha (Homepage) for
PC platform
DivX ;-) Player v1.0 beta 3 (Homepage)
for MAC platform
Procedure:
We must install DivX Drivers package in order to be able to play and encode
DivX files. After installation you must run "Register_DivX.exe"
and after you must reboot. This works in both Win9x and Win2k.
3rd step: Converting VOB(s) to AVI (DivX)
Tools:
FlaskMpeg
download page (Homepage)
BitRate
Calculator (Homepage
or FeZ BitRateCalc
(Homepage
Procedure:
This
step will take lot of time so relax and let your PC work alone.. We will convert
VOB files and
AC3 sound into AVI (DivX). For converting VOB files to AVI
we must unzip the FlaskMpeg and run it. We go to " File > Open >",
select the folder in which the VOB files rest, select VTS_06_1.VOB and Flask
Mpeg automatically selects the rest of the files too. After we press ok the
program informs us that there are 4 AC3 Audio Streams (4 different languages)
in the VOB files. We select the first one (English). From here you cannot
listen to the 4 AC3 streams but with your DVD Player you can understand which
language stands for every steam. (In our example the first stream is English,
the second is German (2), the third French and forth English 3 (director's
comments 1). After choosing our AC3 stream we press on "Flask It!".
Then we go into "Options >> Global Project
Options". (Remember to select .avi output from Options >> Select
Output Format).
Video
Tab
We suggest to use for all the DVD modes (16:9 and 4:3) final resolution 720x576
and bitrate's around 2000kbit/sec. If you use bitrates below 1700kbit/s you
might have not good results. This way our final movie will fit in two CDs. If
you want to fit your movie in one CD you must use lower resolution and lower
bitrate. for example 640 or 512 (width) (check below table of Post Processing
tab).
If you using such a resolution you have have 16:9 (4:3 don't
have black border) head over to Post Processing
Tab and see what numbers you must fill for doing a perfect
crop. Notice that there will be slight differences between output avi size
in different resolutions.
If our movie is NTSC we use 29.97fps or if our movie is PAL
we use 25fps for output. Notice that if we don't use same original framerate
as final one , there will be problem with sync of movie and sound!
Video Structure
Here you can tweak the way FlasKMPEG decodes and handles interlaced and progressive
content. Here we have the options available:
- Reconstruct progressive images: This options is only available with
23.976 and 24 fps setting. It's main use is for 24fps progressive encoded MPEG2
material. Check this option if your source is 24fps progressive. This setting
is not an IVTC (inverse telecine); it just forces FlasKMPEG to 24fps progressive
mode, avoiding potential problems.
If this option is not checked, FlasKMPEG will follow the MPEG sintax for decoding
the video structure.
- Deinterlace video: If your source is interlaced you can use the video
deinterlacer. Keep in mind that this will slow down encoding process. With the
'threshold' setting you control how much sensitive to motion is the algorithm.
A lower setting means more sensibility (0-255). As FlaskMpeg author suggests:
NTSC 24 progressive
|
Deinterlace video off & Reconstruct
progressive frames
|
NTSC 29.97 or 30
|
Try Deinterlace video if interlacing artifacts
are annoying
|
PAL 25
|
Try Deinterlace video just for video material
(soccer, TV programs...)
|
Audio Tab
We select "Decode Audio". Also we choose either 48000hz or 44100hz
sampling rate keeping in mind that some soundcards (mostly older ones) do not
support 48khz, and that results in distorted noise. Note: If we select
to convert sound to 44100 we must know that the final AVI file will loose sync
after encoded from FlaskMpeg. If this happen head over to Misc Page and read
how we can re-gain sync with VirtualDub.
Post Processing Tab
We leave Resizing quality options tab as default (HQ bicubic- highest quality)
and in the crop area we put the following settings (only for 16:9 movies). Also
keep aspect ratio selected. As we said we put an final resolution 720*576. If
our movie has the following original resolutions and it is 16:9 sized we must
put the in Post Processing Crop:
Original Video Resolution:
|
|
Post Processing Crop:
|
Width
|
Height
|
Aspect Ratio
|
PAL/NTSC
|
Top
|
Height
|
Left
|
Width
|
720
|
576
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
128
|
320
|
0
|
720
|
720
|
576
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
80
|
416
|
0
|
720
|
720
|
480
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
128
|
320
|
0
|
720
|
720
|
480
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
80
|
416
|
0
|
720
|
If you want to lower the resolution of final video
(lower than 720x576) you must put the following sizes and crop selection.
If you had a DVD that had originaly 720*480 you should use Flashmpeg at 720*576
or one of the other resolutions mention below. If you use Flashmpeg at 720*480
resolution you still get a border:
Output Video Resolution:
|
|
Post Processing Crop:
|
Width
|
Height
|
Aspect Ratio
|
PAL/NTSC
|
Top
|
Height
|
Left
|
Width
|
704
|
528
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
112
|
304
|
0
|
704
|
704
|
528
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
72
|
384
|
0
|
704
|
640
|
480
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
96
|
288
|
0
|
640
|
640
|
480
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
64
|
352
|
0
|
640
|
576
|
432
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
88
|
256
|
0
|
576
|
576
|
432
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
56
|
320
|
0
|
576
|
512
|
384
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
80
|
224
|
0
|
512
|
512
|
384
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
48
|
288
|
0
|
512
|
448
|
336
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
72
|
192
|
0
|
448
|
448
|
336
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
40
|
256
|
0
|
448
|
384
|
288
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
56
|
176
|
0
|
384
|
384
|
288
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
40
|
208
|
0
|
384
|
320
|
240
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
48
|
144
|
0
|
320
|
320
|
240
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
32
|
176
|
0
|
320
|
256
|
192
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
40
|
112
|
0
|
256
|
256
|
192
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
24
|
144
|
0
|
256
|
192
|
144
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
24
|
96
|
0
|
192
|
192
|
144
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
16
|
112
|
0
|
192
|
128
|
96
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
16
|
64
|
0
|
128
|
128
|
96
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
8
|
80
|
0
|
128
|
64
|
48
|
2.35/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
8
|
32
|
0
|
64
|
64
|
48
|
1.85/1
|
25 / 29.97
|
0
|
48
|
0
|
64
|
4. Encoding (2)
DVD to DivX ;)-
Page 4
Encoding Page
2
Files Tab
We select the destiny location for our files.
General Tab
We leave the defaults settings here too.
Go to " Run > Start Conversion". A popup window
will come up and we'll have to select codecs for video and Audio. You can
either select Low-Motion and High-Motion DivX codec.
High-Motion is Variable BitRate (VBR) codec and
usually used on high motion movie. If you choose high motion you must probably
choose higher BitRate than you would choose with Low-Motion codec (above 1500).
This happens cause this is the BitRate it will be used on HIGH action scenes.
On low action scenes codec will automatically use a lower BitRate for better
compression video.
Low motion is also based in Variable BitRate (VBR)
codec and most times used on low motion movies.
Note: FeZ Microwave BitRateCalc has support for High
and Low motion codecs. However as the author says:
- Why does my variable bit rate file came out bigger/smaller
than expected?
This is because the codec will encode different file sizes according to the
amount of action (fast scenes/scene changes) in the video you are encoding.
Due to this the variable bit rate is an APPROXIMATION! - based on my experiments
If you have a very hi-action film, you might need to decrease the bit rate.
But without inspecting the video, there is no way of calculating this.
For our example we select "DivX Mpeg4 Low-Motion".
We press "configure" and we leave Key frame to 10 sec. If you face
clip problems when you fast forward/skip to a section during playback decrease
it. A good value would be (6). Notice that this setting will increase output
file size. We must now select at which Bit Rate our movie will be encoded
at.
Now it's time to run the Bit Rate Calculator. We select the
size of our movie (in minutes), the rate at which the sound will be encoded
(mp3), and finally we insert the desired total size.
You can also user Fez Microwave BitRateCalc. However
notice that Fez BitRateCalc gives different Suggested VideoBitRate. From our
experience DV2Mpeg4 Bitrate Calc works great with Low Motion Codecs. If you
plan to use High Motion Codecs you must use Fez BitRateCalc. Notice that as
the author says this is just a suggestion! Your final AVI file could end up
bigger than your original desired file size. If this happens you can split
the AVI file in 2 parts (check Misc Page).
The calculator will give us the BitRate of the clip. We insert
this number in DivX Mpeg4 Low Motion Compressor and continue to Sound Encoder.
We select Mpeg Layer-3 (Mp3) and put the same BitRate quality
we used in the calculator. Newest 3.1 alpha release drivers finally support
wma encoding but only up to 64kbit/s. WMA sound encoding is very good for
low bitrate encoding (comparing to 128kps mp3) and gives much smaller output
size file! We press ok and the encoding process starts.
Into our example, it needed 15 hours for the conversion to
finish. We run it on Win98SE. However in Win2k it will probably take less
time especially if your system is DUAL! Also from various reports DivX encoding
works faster in Athlon and PIII CPUs and not so fast in Celeron.
Note 2: When you start conversion LEAVE THE PC ALONE to make
the process. If you start using it you will get distortion of the image. With
a different combination of CPU and RAM your time could be smaller or bigger.
Final note: These pages were put up on a rush due to GREAT demand, they will
be refurbished and enriched during the following days (-:
It is in our knowledge that not all aspects of DivX have been covered
here, like more available tools, mpeg4 tech stuff, the differences between fast
& slow versions of the codec, etc, this will happen soon. We also welcome
ANY opinions & ideas on this matter. (Changes, additions, clarifications
etc).
5. Misc Page
DVD to DivX
;)- Page 5
Misc Page
- Can i see my DivX movie file (avi) without installing DivX drivers?
Yes you can! If your system have the original MS Mp4 decoder you can use
DivX2Mp4 software. It changes the FOURCC code so that DivX is then labeled as
MP4 which it is in the first place. This allows any windows PC to play it without
having to get hold of the DivX codec. The homepage for this program is right
here and you
download the program here.
How it works ? Simple. Open an MS Dos Box and type : C:\Test\divx2mp4 testdivxmovie.avi
. If you would like to restore DivX format type: C:\Test\divx2mp4 testdivxmovie.avi
-restore.
I used FlaskMpeg method and I get out of sync. What I can to avoid this
?
Convert Video using same procedure. Use the Decode Audio Mode and select
44100 kHz and select PCM compression for Audio.
After video conversion is done :
- Open VirtualDub to compress and multiplex Audio with Video
- Select your AVI video file,
- Video -> Direct Stream Copy
- Audio -> Interleaving -> 500 ms of Audio before video start
-> Interleave
Audio every 500 ms
- Audio -> Compression -> Choose desired sound compression (for example
for WMA try DivX ;-) Audio at 64Kbps)
- Audio -> Full Processing Mode
- Save the final AVI.
- Done!
My video input is interlaced and when I try to encode I get artifacts..What
I can do ?
Get latest FlaskMpeg 0.593 and re-encode movie with de-interlaced option!
Hmm..My final output avi file is bigger than 650 or 700mbs
what we do now ? (Thanks
Abdullakhan Anwar for info!)
Open Virtual Dub:
1. Load the avi file.
2. Configure video -- Direct stream copy mode (i.e : no processing of the
video or Audio of the original file.)
3. Configure Audio in direct stream copy mode.
4. In "video" - "select range": Select a range from 0
to an offset ending on a key frame that match a size under 700 Mb or less.
5. Goto "file" tab and select "save AVI ............ F7"
This must take from 1 to 2 minutes for an 800 MB file. Repeat
the process with the same file but now start the range from the last ending
offset and up to the end of the file.
You will get out with two avi files. That all! BUT...if you
want to join the second file to say a third avi file. The joining must be
done on Key frame or else you will end up with an out of sync in the final
file (The out-sync will start at the joined point). I have experienced it
with 8 DVD and found no pbs. Sure, you don't want to lose some seconds in
your finalized file. If so you can cut the end of the second file at the KEY
FRAME plus a multiple number of frames which should correspond to a whole
number of seconds.
Example:
Myfile.avi is 720 MB with say 72000 frames. There is a KEY FRAME every 10
seconds (if you have taken the default conf of FlaskMpeg + DivX MPEG encoder
Version 3e). A brute calculation gives 100 frames per MB. We will cut out
50 MB from the file = 5000 frames. I use the lower bar markers to skip to
the end of the file and skip back with the FRAME SKIP button to move back
about 5000 frames. When in the range, note the frame counter "cause its
not sure that the 5000 frame exactly match the KEY FRAME". Say now that
the marker give 66020 frame. Note this: Go to the "video" tab and
in the "select range" type in 66020 in the ending frame field. Goto
file and SAVE AVI. Give it a name like part1.avi. This will take around 1
mins on an ATHLON 700 and 3 mins on a PII-400.
Close VirtuaDub. Rerun VirtuaDub and reload Myfile.avi . Now
in the "select range" type 66020 in the start frame field. Direct
stream copy for Audio and video. Save avi : Ex: part2.avi(some secs). That's
it.
How I can add subtitles
to our rip?
Tools:
VirtualDub
v1.3c (Homepage)
DVD subtitle plugin for
VirtualDub v1.16
Procedure:
- Copy Vts_01_0.ifo in same dir which ripped Vob is.
- Run VirtualDub, Open your avi file.
- Go to Video>>Filters>>Add>>VobSub 1.3 plugin.
- Push "Select vob(s)/gif..." button, and select your vobs&ifo
(order is important!) or gif. If you are doing it for the first time you might
want to push the Create index... button. This will take some time if your
PC is not fast..(in our test machine around 30min).
(- If you need space on your hdd: push "Save to gif...", wait, reopen
gif, delete vobs)
- Set language, and push "OK".
- "Save AVI" or "Save segmented AVI.." and wait...
Possible Bug:
- The movie and the subs may run out of sync (send movie title, index file
and the time position when the LAST sub should normally be shown by a regular
dvd player).
Other Way to add subtitles using DVD2Mpeg
Squeezer v1.16:
- Convert Video to DivX ;-) AVI using DVD2MPEG
Squeezer with the AVI plug in
- Set the Audio Output format to WAV 44100 kHz
- Do not use 'Add bands'
- Select the DivX ;-) Low or High for Video
- Set the Keyframe to 10 seconds
- Set the Compression Control to 100 (Crispness)
- Set the Data rate to 1h30=900 2h=750
After video compression is done:
- Open VirtualDub to compress and multiplex Audio
with Video
- Select your AVI video file,
- Video -> Direct Stream Copy
- Audio -> Interleaving -> 500 ms of Audio before video start
-> Interleave
Audio every 500 ms
- Audio -> Compression -> Choose desired sound compression (for example
for WMA try DivX ;-) Audio at 64Kbps)
- Audio -> Full Processing Mode
- Save the final AVI.
- Done!