Video Encoding for TCPMP on TH55

[RFW213]

I've been experimenting, attempting to find the best way to convert VOBs for viewing on the TH55 in one step. For a long time I used the FairUse Wizard but it creates videos with rather smaller dimensions for the megabytes than do the converters especially made for use with portable devices. I've gotten decent results with UMC with the T3 Medium settings, but conversion took ages. I thought I'd give Pocket DivX encoder a try and got so-so results the first time using one pass encoding. Each time I've tried using two-pass encoding since then I get a message that pops up in French: "n'est pas une valeur entiere correcte" and encoding stops after the first pass.

So I was just wondering, specifically, if anyone has had similar problems with pocket DivX encoder, and more generally what solutions (please include particular settings--they will be helpful not only to me but to any others who read this post as well) people here have found for converting VOBs to AVIs for the '55.

Thanks.

[daver]

I use DVD2AVI to rip the DVD to uncompressed AVI first (it's usually around 1 GB to 2 GB on my hard drive). Then I use PocketDivX Encoder to convert the HUGE AVI into much smaller AVIs around 180MB to 220 MB.

Under the T3 mode, I usually, I have these settings:
video:
15 fps
150-200 bitrate (depends on length of original movie)
brightness +25%
contrast +10%
change the resolution so that the width is 400 pixels (be sure that you have "Maintain aspect ratio" selected before changing the resolution)

audio:
48 kbps
44100 KHz
Stereo for action, Mono for all else (action, thriller/suspense, etc)
sound +30%-50% (depends on the original AVI you ripped)

under the "Advanced options", I always select 2-pass encoding, B-Frames, and Xvid.

I just finished encoding Remember the Titans for my father's 2-day trip to Silicon Valley tomorrow (everybody in my family loves that movie), with these exact settings. When my family went to Las Vegas a little while back, I used these same settings for The Punisher, and it played back smoothly on my TH55.

I hoped that helped. Keep in mind that the video bitrate really depends on how long the movie is (longer the movie, the larger the uncompressed AVI is).

[RFW213]

I really appreciate the detailed response. I'll give these settings a try tomorrow.

Thanks

[loooney2ns]

I've been using Pocket DVD Studio for Palm and have had pretty good results, although I have only encoded video files. I haven't tried a DVD yet.

[AndyJapan]

I use DVD2AVI to rip the DVD to uncompressed AVI first (it's usually around 1 GB to 2 GB on my hard drive). Then I use PocketDivX Encoder to convert the HUGE AVI into much smaller AVIs around 180MB to 220 MB.


Isn't it possible to encode a DVD movie directly from DVD using PocketDivX Encoder? I have to admit that I failed to do so, but assume that it has something to do with CSS protection (I am using AnyDVD, but couldn't manage to encode from DVD for some reasons). I've read that PocketDivX Encoder is the only prg that can encode a movie out of multiple movie files on DVD. This would be great as one could skip the step of ripping a DVD to hard disc.

[Drunkard]

I would also like to have one step to encode from a decrypted DVD image for a Palm capable file.

I like how easy Pocket DivX Encoder is to use and would love to know how to do this if possible..

[daver]

Actually, If you really want a one step solution, DVD2AVI can do that if you have at least a 256 MB card. Because you can set the video bitrate (audio is always 128 kbps; have yet to figure out how to change that) to match the file size.

Also, FairUse can do the same thing, but I think it gives you the extra option to set the audio settings.

[pruss]

I've been using Pocket DVD Studio (pqdvd.com) which has the advantage of not cracking CSS compression (it uses a licensed DVD player that you need to have installed on your PC) and hence perhaps not violating the DMCA... It's also VERY easy to use, though you still need xvid or divx and an mp3 encoder (it comes with lame, but lame has patent problems; fortunately, media player 10 auto-installs an encoder, I think). xvid has patent problems (though I'm actually obtaining a patent license from MPEG LA that will let me generate up to 50,000 encoders/decoders for free, so I'll be able to compile a fully legal xvid, in 50000 copies, for myself :-) don't ask for copies as I can't distribute them given GPL Section 7) so divx is better in that way.