PocketDVD 1.1 vs. the FREE method

kcscout · 07-28-05, 10:16 PM

This is a very loose, non-scientific review of these two methods. By that, I mean it's really just my opinion.

Well, I've tried a couple of DVD decrypt/encode methods:

First I used the "Do it for free" method as described in this thread .

One thing that I really like about this method is that it allows me to make a backup copy of a DVD using DVD Decrypter (which, in case you missed it - is no longer available for download).

Another thing that I really liked about this method is that I could set up a list of videos and then batch process them.

The quality of the finished video at the highest settings was awesome. But I didn't like the idea of having to do a 2-step process - decrypt with one program and then encode with another.

So, I started shopping for other methods. If you've gotten this far, I'm sure you've read the hundreds of other posts here and on the Internet about the various software. I have, too. And after reading as much as I wanted, I decided to buy PocketDVD 1.1.

I used a 20% coupon and got it for $10. I'm going to start with what I wish it could do.
* I wish it could batch process several DVDs. That way I could start it up, go to bed and wake up with the conversion done. Because it processes the DVD in realtime, that's not possible (at least as far as I can tell). It's worth noting that this wish list item is one of the strengths of PocketDVD 1.1 in that the conversion process is done in one-step.

Okay, so much for my wish list. Everything else it seems to do better than the free method.

I converting several videos using both methods at the same settings. At the higher quality settings, it was hard to tell the difference between the two. But as I reduced the quality level (thereby reducing the size of the final output file) the free method showed greater pixalation and image loss than PocketDVD 1.1.

Converting the movie Collateral with the instructions to make it a 200 meg file resulted in an image that was mediocre to poor using the free method. PocketDVD 1.1 created an image that was acceptable to good.

Another thing I like about PocketDVD 1.1 is the flexibility it offers in the conversion process - both on the audio and video side. You can read some of the other reviews for what I'm talking about.

PocketDVD 1.1 also comes with a nifty little program called PocketVideo. This lets you take existing videos you may have on your hard drive and convert them to a smaller PPC compatible format.

How big is the file size of a two hour movie? For the free method, it was around 350 megs. PocketDVD 1.1 could create an equivilent viewing experience in about 250 megs.

For now, when I want to put a DVD onto my PPC, I'll choose PocketDVD 1.1.

Naturally, your experience may be different. And, to be realistic, image quality of a 2 hour movie converted to a 200 meg file won't be DVD quality. But for the occasion when you want to put a little viewing entertainment on your PPC, PocketDVD 1.1 is hard to beat.

07-28-05, 10:27 PM

Didn't really take the time to read your whole post, but it does seem interesting.
You CAN get the same if not better quality doing it the free way. You just have to know how to do a multipass.
Usually pay methods are a one step conversion.
Free methods usually involve multiple tools.

You are really just paying for convenience is all.

Morphy · 07-28-05, 10:43 PM

I'm not that technologically inclined but I use the "free" method with no trouble at all. I don't mind the generally larger file size of the converted video since I'm currently using a 2 gig cf card. I also love the fact that I can queu up several video files for conversion. That being said, there's probably a decent "market" for both methods. It's nice to have choices (until the film industry shuts down the free method).

07-28-05, 10:54 PM

Ok. Now I read it alittle more thoroughly.

Originally Posted by kcscout

One thing that I really like about this method is that it allows me to make a backup copy of a DVD using DVD Decrypter (which, in case you missed it - is no longer available for download).

Hmmm.
This link seems to be valid
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi..._decrypter.cfm
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail...r/1011845169/1
I hope it doesn't go out, I love dvd decrypter.

As for fact that video quality was reduced when file size was reduced, that FREE guide isn't too good.
I find it much easier to use DVD Decrypter, then virtualdub mpeg 2 by fcchandler. I find that mpeg 2 by fcchandler works faster then virutaldub mod.

Virtualdub can ONLY save as .AVI.
With the official vertialdub you cannot open a .asf file (however in an old version of it you can) or a mpeg2 file. It can open mpeg1.
With this program, you select the codec you want, and you start configuring from there.

There is soo much that you can do with Virtualdub. If anyway needs any help using it, PM me or AIM me.

Paul123 · 07-29-05, 02:38 PM

I'd like to mention that PocketDvd 2.0 is coming soon, and from what I've heard-it is much improved!

One thing: PocketDVD 1.1 is 12 dollars, not 32 or whatever the others are, and i haven't heard anything about raising the price. all I'm saying is that Pocketdvd costs as much as a t-shirt (depending on the store you go to! lol) and for what the two combined programs included do is worth it.

If you have the time, the free method is fine. But a one step, usually faster program like Pocketdvd will do it all for you.

Note: this is pocketdvd.ca, not something else.

thanks!
Paul

Morphy · 07-29-05, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by tancerman

There is soo much that you can do with Virtualdub. If anyway needs any help using it, PM me or AIM me.

How about a tutorial?

bigds63 · 07-30-05, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Morphy

How about a tutorial?

VirtualDub Tutorial

07-30-05, 03:43 AM

Originally Posted by kcscout

Naturally, your experience may be different. And, to be realistic, image quality of a 2 hour movie converted to a 200 meg file won't be DVD quality. But for the occasion when you want to put a little viewing entertainment on your PPC, PocketDVD 1.1 is hard to beat.

Compared to free Fair Use and PocketDiVxEncoder, then it can be beat very easily. I've just tried PocketDVD and the audio on the generated files is terrible..very distorted (as if the volume is too loud)and clicky,the same file converted by PDE had no such problems.

For DVD ripping Fairuse allows you to see a size for the converted file, even when generating files of a similar size to the ones generated by PocketDVD, quality for the video and audio was far superior to PocketDVD.

kcscout · 07-30-05, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Vanamonde

Compared to free Fair Use and PocketDiVxEncoder, then it can be beat very easily. I've just tried PocketDVD and the audio on the generated files is terrible..very distorted (as if the volume is too loud)and clicky,the same file converted by PDE had no such problems.

I didn't have that experience. One thing that I did notice with PocketDVD (there's two programs with essentially the same name - so there's no confusion, I'm referring to the $12 program at PocketDVD.ca that audio sync tended to slip if I converted at less than 96 Kbps.

07-30-05, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by tancerman

Ok. Now I read it alittle more thoroughly.

Hmmm.
This link seems to be valid
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi..._decrypter.cfm
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail...r/1011845169/1
I hope it doesn't go out, I love dvd decrypter.

As for fact that video quality was reduced when file size was reduced, that FREE guide isn't too good.
I find it much easier to use DVD Decrypter, then virtualdub mpeg 2 by fcchandler. I find that mpeg 2 by fcchandler works faster then virutaldub mod.

Virtualdub can ONLY save as .AVI.
With the official vertialdub you cannot open a .asf file (however in an old version of it you can) or a mpeg2 file. It can open mpeg1.
With this program, you select the codec you want, and you start configuring from there.

There is soo much that you can do with Virtualdub. If anyway needs any help using it, PM me or AIM me.

I just downloaded and tried DVD Decrypter from the afterdawn site. (Had to do a free forum membership. NBD)

Worked great! Quickly decrypted my copy of Anchorman, and I then used Nero to recode it as an .mp4 (Nero Digital). Playing great on TCMP (formerly betaplayer) and I shrunk it to 256 MB and it looks very decent. (My Sony DVD Burner came with the OEM version of Nero and it's been really great for recoding to the .mp4 format for it's small size.)

But, take what I say with a grain of salt, as I've only done this a couple of times before and my experience with other methods and programs is very limited.

joethemole · 07-30-05, 04:07 PM

pocket dvd's pocket video is awesome. i converted a 700mb avi movie into a 100mb (ya, just 100, flat) onto sd with perfectly acceptable quality. although not dvd quality, no duh.

07-30-05, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by kcscout

I'm referring to the $12 program at PocketDVD.ca that audio sync tended to slip if I converted at less than 96 Kbps.

Yes I know, that is the one I was using. I was using pocket dvd and pocketvideo, and was getting poor sound quality with the audio set at the default 32kbs mono and 64bps stereo.

07-30-05, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by joethemole

pocket dvd's pocket video is awesome. i converted a 700mb avi movie into a 100mb (ya, just 100, flat) onto sd with perfectly acceptable quality. although not dvd quality, no duh.

I don't expect DVD quality, however I do expect audio not to be distorted or clicky, I wasn't getting that with pocketdvd (and pocketvideo)I do get that with Fair Use and PocketDiVxencoder.

Paul123 · 07-30-05, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Vanamonde

I don't expect DVD quality, however I do expect audio not to be distorted or clicky, I wasn't getting that with pocketdvd (and pocketvideo)I do get that with Fair Use and PocketDiVxencoder.

Ummm, Before you start hating pocketdvd, set the audio to 96kbps stereo.

Thank you.
Paul

gjw · 07-30-05, 10:03 PM

I think that's one of the biggest problems with PocketDVD.
It gives you so many options and most of them just plain don't yield quality results.
What exactly is the point of that?
Then you go to their support forum and they have only two recommended settings.

The point of using a paid app is quality and simplicity.
If I'm going to have to experiment for days just to find a setting that actually works then I may as well use a free app.