Page 1 of DVD to video CD??

I have just ordered a DXR3 decoder card to go with my Samsung x12 PC DVD drive. I am also planning to buy a Creative re-writer. My question is: what would I need to back up my DVD`s to VCD? Many thanks in advance...

LJ

You need to "DivX ;)" them. This involves a lengthy process of ripping the DVD to your hard drive (needing at least around 5 gig of space) then compressing it (in most cases this takes an entire day) then buring it to CD. This means you can only view them on your computer. But that`s the price you pay for ripping DVD`s. ;)
Good luck. Do a search for ripping DVD`s and you`ll fidna wealth of info.

Thanks for the info, WPKenny. A day? Don`t think I`ll be doing that, then! ;) Plan B...back up to VCR. Any ideas if this is feasible with a PC dvd and the DXR3 card (I plan to connect to my TV, BTW)?

LJ

That all depends on Macrovision. If you can get a clear picture on the telly via your VCR, then you should be able to record the DVD`s fine. I`m unsure whether that decoder card is macrovision friendly. Check in the hack forum if there`s a hack to disable macrovision if you have problems with light/dark pictures when recording.

Perhaps not quite a day. I use SVCD instead of DivX so that I can play the discs on my standalone dvd player. The encoding takes about 8-9 hours on High Quality (Slow). The exact time depends largely on your CPU(s). VCDs take much less time to encode and you can normally get 50mins Video per CD but quality is below that of VHS. I prefer SVCD which is comparable to that of DVD. Here is a brief summary of what software/Hardware you will need.

First make sure you have 10GB FREE

Here is a rough guide on how long it will take to encode a 100min film
Athlon 1Ghz = 8.5Hrs (High Quality), 6.5Hrs (Normal)
VCDs take about a third of this time.

N.b. I always use HQ because the quality is significantly improved.

1)Download “Smart Ripper” and use it to rip the .vob files (the film) from the DVD to your hard disk. (15mins)
2)Download “DVDAVI”. Open the first .vob file using “DVD2AVI” (it will automatically find the other .vob files). Select save project from the file menu and save it to the same place as the .vob files. This will create 2 new files, a soundtrack (.wav) and a project file (*.dv2). (15mins)
3)Download “TMPGenc”. Set the video source as the .dv2 file DVD2AVI created. Set the audio source as the .wav file.
4)Choose what type of film you want to create by loading a profile i.e. VCD or SVCD.
5)Hit encode. (This bit takes a loooong time)
6)Go out/to seep/to work/school. When the encoding is done you will have a 1.8GB .mpg file which is your SVCD.
7)Check the .mpg file works by opening it in your existing PC DVD software. Then delete the *.vob files
8)As you may have guessed this won’t fit on an 80Min CD. So in TMPGenc select “Fileà ToolsàCut”. Cut the film every 32mins so you have 3 new files which you can put on separate CDs.
9)Download “Nero Burning Rom 5.5”. Close the wizard which comes up when you first open it and choose SVCD from the list of CD available types.
10)Drag the first .mpg file into the bottom window of Nero (Should be about 760MB). Burn first part onto a 80min CD-R(W). Play the disk in your dvd player. If it works then create the next two disks.

All done. Not nearly as bad as it sounds.

Hi Gavin,

What DVD palyer have you got that plays SVCD ? I am looking for a player that can do that.

Cheers

///*** You need to "DivX ;)" ***///

I think I`m right in saying that DivX isn`t able to be decoded with a DXR3 Card. Only DiVX players such as Windows Media player and MicroDVD will output them.

Second point is if youre looking for a player that`ll play SVCD do `NOT` choose the Hitachi 505. Choose a good Chinese brand.

[Mod - Keep That Itchy Trigger Finger Still Until You`ve Read My Explaination Below. No Flame War Intended But It`ll Probable Start One]

The 505 CANT `really` play SVCD`s! (SHOCK HORROR, DID I HEAR IRONDUKE FALL OUT OF HIS PRAM?)
Many believe the 505 can, as it will play small sample files like those at www.vcdhelp.com.
The truth is out-of-sync picture/sound becomes worse the further into a film, making it unwatchable.
The 505 will play VCD adequately (just) but nothing else.

My new Mico `S` (Thanx Carrot) will play SVCD VCD, DVD, XSVCD nicely and MP3 as well. Its a bit expensive for an unbranded make but is a great babe magnet compared to the Hitachi.

https://www.business-ecommercesoftware.co.uk/actinic/softech/index.html

By the way - Before you chip in "Ir*n*u*e" I can post third-party confirmation of the lack of a proper SVCD mode below if you require.
But please dont tempt me!

With regard to recording from the DXR3 to VCR, I CAN get a macrovision disable program! Very tempted, but just one thing is holding me up! My TV & VCR are approx 15 feet away from my PC (wifey`s rules the decor dept, I`m afarid!), so how would I go about connecting the DXR3 to my VCR (it has 2 scarts, one of which is free. My TV also has 2 scarts, one free and a s-video connector)). I already have the small converter cable supplied with the card (the DXR3 card output connectors are unusually 7-pin connectors!). Could I purchase a cable with a scart to connect to the VCR? Sory if this sounds very basic questioning, but I`m a real beginner in this aspect.

LJ

PS I have a Sky Grundig digibox. Does this complicate matters somewhat?

I`ve got a xwave 1000k (macro free £220). Could have bought a 900 model for only £149 from aria.co.uk. (the same internally). Another tip if using a PCDVD player is a program called girder which can control any program using an old remote control and IR receiver (£15). much better than getting up to ffwd your film.

This item was edited on Thursday, 31st May 2001, 16:13

Hello, where did you say you can get a macro diasable program for pcdvd??? I`ve been looking for one a long time...I have an ATI All-in-wonder video card...
Thanks
nycman

This item was edited on Saturday, 9th June 2001, 17:47