Greetings,

I have been reading all the latest threads on converting DVD to PPC format for use with PocketMVP or BetaPlayer on the Axim. Along with all the various suggestions and other websites, not to mention the various guides I have still been unable to create a decent file of a full lenght movie. Each time I end up with audio sync issues or picture quality issues (never both).

I am using an Axim X30 High to view the video and a Dell Inspiron 5100 with a Pentium IIII at 2.3 MHz and 512 MB RAM.

I am currently using the following method:

1. Rip DVD using SmartRipper or DVD Encrypter (Doesn't seem to matter which)
2. Run the files through DVD2AVI to create the file that I then run...
3. ...through TMPGEnc to get an mpeg file
4. Run the mpeg file through VirtualDub to get an AVI

I read about this method on a website linked from Aximsite somewhere. It was successful in creating some Andy Griffith shows and one Abbott and Costello movie that were close enough in sync to watch, but Spiderman, Chariots of Fire and others have crapped out. I have tried other methods (DVDx 2.2 and PocketDivxEncoder), but both of these methods left me with poor video quality or very large files.

Any tips on getting these audio files to sync up?

Thanks.

Aaron Jackson
www.highcaliberguns.com

I haven't tried personally but try these links:

http://www.aximsite.com/tutorials/index.php?qid=45

http://www.bigdsvideo.com/index.html

Have u tried these methods before? DivX perhaps?

hope that helps!

----JOSH Feedback //e-mail
I DO NOT HAVE TO JUSTIFY|the reason I'm alive.

Ouch, why the two encodes? Just use a frame server and MS Media Encoder. Less things go wrong...

I have heard that .wma files aren't as good as .avi files. Won't MS Encoder give you .wma files? Do you think they are better?

Whatever the path to get there, I have discovered that my biggest problem is getting VirtualDub to make a decent .avi. I get to a point where I have a really goog sounding/looking .mpeg file, but getting all the VD settings just right is a pain...especially when you are guessing.

Aaron Jackson
www.highcaliberguns.com

Here's the method I use - finally got around to documenting it in a website. I find the 2-pass encoded wmv files to be vastly superior to MPG and 1 pass avi.

DVD to PPC

Further benefits of this method are less transcoding steps and robust frameserver framework for future expansion.

Nice to see another person advocating WMV encoding! I felt like the lone hold-out in a sea of Divx people.

Your guide is sure to be helpful to those wanting to try out WMV encoding.

Here's a link to my guide for encoding DVD to WMV: http://percontifamily.com/speedzone/vid.html

I will be updating it soon with optional parameters for different degrees of video quality. The current settings create video that weighs in at 40MB per hour.

Tom Perconti (aka SpeedRacer - Lancelot of the Information Superhighway)
speedZone - soup up your Pocket PC!

You might also want to look at this for only $11.95 if you decide to buy it, but it comes with a Free 2 day Try-It-ALL version. PPC2000,2002, Smartphone and WM2003 Compatible. There is PDF manuals and support links also available on the same website, http://www.mdvd.ca/

Apple iPhone
iPod Nano 8 Gig (Red)
iPod 30 Gig (Video)
Axim X30 High
DSI Aluminum Case
Lexar Secure Digital 256MB
Kingston 512MB My Encoding Guides

sracer,

I'm having an issue with your guide. Following it step-by-step, everything seemingly going well until I get to WME and select the avi file created with VFAPI as the source. It spits out an error: "myfile.avi...is not a valid source file. It may have an unsupported or invalid format or may be corrupted."

I'm doing this with a full length movie - about 90 minutes. The .wav that is created with DVD2AVI is about 980MB, whereas the .avi created with VFAPI is about 9MB. Does this seem right?

Obviously there's something wrong on my end, but do you think you may have left out some crucial details? I'm thinking it may make a difference what versions of all these tools I'm using, which are all the latest.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Holy crap thats a huge file!!! Ok, this is what I do. I use dvd decrypter and depending on how big your sd card is I go under settings and click off the file splitting at 1 gb (pm me if you need help finding some of this stuff). Then I use pocketdivxencoder and open up the vob. file. You'll open the largest file created for that movie. Next you can fudge with the kbp/s to get a smaller or larger file size (once again depends on how big your sd card is). You can set your audio anywhere from around 88 kbp/s to 128 kbp/s past that your wasting space. Then on advanced options click 2-pass encoding, b-frames, VHQ, I think its NSTC or something like that, and I check the xvid box too. Make sure you click on the ipaq icon and have it rotate the picture to landscape. Of course when you do this it will tell you your resolution won't be greater than 320x240 that is what you want. Now click direct encoding and voila!!! You got your avi file. Make sure that you download betaplayer .04 especially since your going to be using b-frames. If you have any questions pm me. Also, what size sd card do you have? Hope this helps.

Jason

jason,

i've actually used PocketDivxEncoder...have not been too impressed. FairUse 0.44 blows away PocketDivxEncoder in quality and speed...and that's not my humble opinion, that's the truth.

I actually tried AMike's guide (in this thread) with some success, though with some audio/video sync issues.

Ultimately, though, I think I'm going to abandon making the perfect WMV for PPC, after rediscovering FairUse. DIVX/XVID is the only way to go for the PPC...they need much less processor than do WMV files.

Hey, I was wondering if you have some numbers to show that Divx needs less processor power than wmv... I'm genuinely curious since I thought the original divx (years ago) was just a hacked verson of wmv to encode to avis...

Thanks, and sorry about the sync issues - I think some versions of DVD2AVI have problems, but if you use that link I provided it should fix that. If you're already using that, then I have no idea really...

EDIT: nevermind, I thought you meant playback... DivX does indeed take less to encode.

divx3 is msmpeg4 (a pre mpeg4 format by ms). but thats the past. divx5 and xvid are using the offical mpeg4-2 (h.263) video standard (i think comperable to wmv8).

wmv9 is on the other hand like next generation. it's kinda ms version of mpeg4-10 (h.264 or AVC) video standard. needs more cpu power, but have better compression rate (at least this would be the point of next generation...) mpeg4-10 is not widespread yet, needs more time to have advanced encoders like the current mpeg4-2 ones. but it's an open format vs the closed format of ms.

btw BetaPlayer can now play wmv files too (with the original ms codec). it's preliminary, but you will have better visual quality, because of real 16bit rgb (wmp uses 15bit) and dithering and adjustable color settings. but only works on wm2003 and above, no drm, no streaming... http://beta.topcat.hu/unstable (you will need the betaplayer setup and asf setup)

I've currently been using pocketdivxencoder to encode my files and love them. I get dvd like quality. Although, I was looking to try to put my files in a windows media player format but every time I try converting a vob. file in windows media encoder I get a message saying it needs a decoder that wasn't found to process the video. I downloaded the newest version of windvd because I read somewhere it need some of the codecs. Also, if I do try converting a avi. file in windows media encoder it shuts down windows media encoder and says that there was an error. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what I can do about it. I know I probably should wait until I can post the exact error message but I thought that someone might have had the same problem and be able to recognize it. I am running widows media encoder 9 and my computer runs xp media center. <just in case that makes a difference. Thank you for all your help.

Jason

I know alot of you cats have such extended experience at this stuff, but I got a program that just does all of that stuff. It is called Pocket DVD Studios. I believe it was 24.95 on handango or something similiar.

No muss, no fuss! pop in the DVD, (Must have dvd drive, however) and choose how big I want it to be. I am typically using only 12 FPS, but cd-quality (their terminalogy) sound. Picture is fine with me, sound is great with Wireless RF Transmitter in the car. You can adjust the picture, audio quality, etc. No problem with ANY movie out there today. Creates AVI file, using pocket MVP to watch.

Try it!

Startir

Rock On!
Help with Autism Research Today!!
Remember just one thing....
I have no idea what I am talking about.
Ever.

Thank you Startir but the only reason I want to put the file in a windows media format is to get a smaller size video. Besides that I'd rather save the money and go through a few steps by using dvd decrypter to pocketdivxencoder to ppc. Thank you for the reply though.

Jason