Genreal questions regarding your excellent software

[steve7777]

Well, let me first start off with what I usually do to encode DVDs'. Basically, I use AnyDVD in conjunction with Nero Recode and it has, in the past, produced good results.

But today I wanted to back up my copy of StarWars Episode I, which is 2h20 minutes long and approx 7GB. I have a copy of CCE, but it didn't work, giving me an error (sorry for not taking it down). So I switched over to the freeware HC encoder, which is currently working it's magic.

My questions are as follows:

1- (the important question) After Decrypter does it's thing, Bitrate viewer begins a very long process determining the average bitrate and such. HOWEVER, I noticed that after only a couple of seconds, the bitrate 4024 in the "new calculated video bitrate" field in DVDReasy main window.

That number 4024, was then imported into the HC encoder. My first question is why did Bitrate Viewer analyse the entire movie if after only a few seconds the bitrate was displayed in the main window?

2- How long does the process take?? I'm used to 45 minute rips, (I use hacked firware from the dangerous brothers, plus I have a pretty fast laptop). At the present momment, it says that it will take 3hours for HC to finish up it's job. Is the quality diffrence that important?? I did look through the forums quickly and sombody had a time of ~ 4h30.

That set asside, I'm happy that people with less techinical skills have access to higher quality backup software, and the fact that it's freeware is a HUGE plus.

Here is my system configuration, to help you answer

Dell Inspiron 5150 Laptop
3.06Ghz P4 Processor
512 MB ram
60 GB 7200RPM hard disc
LaCie DVD burner (NEC-3500 based)
NEC -6500 laptop burner


Regards,

steve7777

[dvdreasy]

1- (the important question) After Decrypter does it's thing, Bitrate viewer begins a very long process determining the average bitrate and such. HOWEVER, I noticed that after only a couple of seconds, the bitrate 4024 in the "new calculated video bitrate" field in DVDReasy main window.

That number 4024, was then imported into the HC encoder. My first question is why did Bitrate Viewer analyse the entire movie if after only a few seconds the bitrate was displayed in the main window?

Perhaps you did notice, but the "new calculated video bitrate" (4024 in your case) was allready displayed in DVDREasy form before BITRATEVIEWER started. DVDREasy find this value based on the size of the audio track and its bitrate and the space left for the video size (DVDR total size = 4564480 Kb).

BITRATE VIEWER is used for getting MPEG2 settings - you can find some in vsettings.txt that is created in DVDREasy working forlder

2- How long does the process take?? I'm used to 45 minute rips, (I use hacked firware from the dangerous brothers, plus I have a pretty fast laptop). At the present momment, it says that it will take 3hours for HC to finish up it's job.

It really depends on how fast your machine is !

Is the quality diffrence that important??

For me it sure is !
But, nothing better to see for your self. Do the same movie with your method (AnyDVD in conjunction with Nero Recode) and compare the results.
You will notice quallity difference, special in long movies . . .

Regards

[steve7777]

Hey, thank you for that bit of information. It's great that you took the time to help me out with all of this and I think I can speak for all noobs when I say thanks.

I am curious though, as to an approximate time for encoding a movie. As mentionned in my first post, I have a P4 3.06Ghz machine. Is this sufficient to run the software without it becomming REALLY long? (As I write this, I am on another PC in my house, not the one encoding) The HC says that I am processing an average of 22 frames per second (bottom left corner). Given my PC specs, does that make sense? I'm already into the 2nd hour of encoding the first pass, and dont know if the 2nd pass will be any faster (if there is a 2nd pass at all?)

Regards,

steve7777

[dvdreasy]

Hey, thank you for that bit of information. It's great that you took the time to help me out with all of this and I think I can speak for all noobs when I say thanks.

No problem, You'r wellcome

I am curious though, as to an approximate time for encoding a movie. As mentionned in my first post, I have a P4 3.06Ghz machine. Is this sufficient to run the software without it becomming REALLY long? (As I write this, I am on another PC in my house, not the one encoding)

Look, for a movie of this lenght, a time of 4H for the total conversion process is normal/good.

The HC says that I am processing an average of 22 frames per second (bottom left corner). Given my PC specs, does that make sense? I'm already into the 2nd hour of encoding the first pass, and dont know if the 2nd pass will be any faster (if there is a 2nd pass at all?)

Yes 22 frames in the first pass is ok.
Yes there is a 2nd pass wich is much faster - you should get about 35 frames per second in 2nd pass