I give up again...

[dvd_maniac]

1. So do I search for Greggerm's STV and will it then also allow sage to recognize the AVC files when doing a Copy imported files also?

here
You'll have to add .mp4 to the seeker/video_library_import_filename_extensions= in the properties file. and setup the external player command file. What remote do you use by the way?

2. Do you know the difference between the Standard AVC format and HDTV AVC format? I'm wondering if the quality is better at the same file size but perhaps it also just takes even longer to encode than the standard AVC (which is long enough to encode as it is).

HDTV tries to use a bigger resolution and other higher settings. But requires alot more bitrate. So no, the filesize would have to be bigger to use then Standard AVC. But depending on your personal setup (Diskspace, type & size of display, persoanl taste etc...) you might want to give it a shot. Like I said before, I use the higher profiles for high special effects movies that I really like.

3. How much better do you find the AVC format is compared to xvid or divx?

I find that I get the same quality at almost half the filesize. But remember to use 2 as max reference frames.

Thanks again for the feedback. Now if I could just figure out my other post where channels 29-53 are coming in fuzzy.

I had a similair problem with the lower frequency analog channels. I have 5 tuners, 3 with STB and two straight into the tuners. I needed to get a better splitter and adjust the gain. My cable tech showed me how to check the gain on the STB boxes. What if you put the cable directly to the TV? Do you get the same issue?

[mike1961]

Where is that "2 as max reference frames" setting? Again, I'm using Nero 7 so it may be different.

Regarding the other problem...thanks for the feedback but I tried all that regarding the splitter.

Also, I don't quite have a full system setup just yet...I'm still doing testing on my individual computer so I just have one 45 button hauppauge remote at this time.

Thanks again,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

Maximum reference frames is located under Nero Digital Settings on the left. Enable Checkbox: Expert Mode -> General Settings-> Max Reference Frames.

Did you get a signal enhanced splitter?

Also if you are going to use an external player to play the mp4 files, you will need to setup the irremote.ini file to control that software. I have a setup for ShowTime if you want it.

[mike1961]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

Maximum reference frames is located under Nero Digital Settings on the left. Enable Checkbox: Expert Mode -> General Settings-> Max Reference Frames.

Did you get a signal enhanced splitter?

Also if you are going to use an external player to play the mp4 files, you will need to setup the irremote.ini file to control that software. I have a setup for ShowTime if you want it.

Hello - Yes, I would like the irremote file...thanks. Also, I could not find the max ref freames. I think it may be because I have version 7. Another thing, I think I found a bug in ver 7 (not sure if it is in yours). But, if I change the start to say chapter 3 for example and the end to say chapter 5 then I change it back so that it has all the chapters (where start = 1 and end = last chapter) then when I click the Chapters it is not updated and also I noticed renders the file in a not updated fashion. It's like the chapters are gone. If I quit Nero and go back in and click the chapters it appears to freeze...not sure what is going on or just exactly how to clear everything and refresh the chapters.

Mike

[mike1961]

Oh - never mind...I found it. What does it do and why set it to 2. What happens if I set it to 1 instead? I assume I can ignore all the other stuff?

Thanks,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

Maximum reference frames is located under Nero Digital Settings on the left. Enable Checkbox: Expert Mode -> General Settings-> Max Reference Frames.

I installed Version 7 last night and checked...It is there.
1. Make sure you are using Standard AVC
2. Under the Burn Settings dialog (The screen that tells you where to burn the file to) You'll see 2 Big buttons on the left. Burn Options and Nero Digital Settings. Highlight Nero Digital Settings. Then to the right of it You'll see a little checkbox: Export Mode. If you put a checkmark in there then above it You'll see the General Settings tab. Highlight that and then You'll see it.

[dvd_maniac]

What does it do and why set it to 2. What happens if I set it to 1 instead? I assume I can ignore all the other stuff?

Maximum reference frames indicates how many previous frames can be referenced by a P-/B-frame.

Basically gives you better quality at the same bitrate. 2 is the Maximum you can use with Standard AVC. It does slow the encoding down a bit, but through others and my own experience, I find it to be worth it.
If you use HDTV AVC the Maximum jumps to 5. But the encode will take you DAYYYYSSSS....
Just remember that my settings and preferences might be a good starting point but may not be what you end up doing. Try leaving a test at 1 and note the quality & time. Then try it with 2 and see the difference. I notice the big difference between the 2 when viewing cloudy nighttime shots like in horror movies where there is a lot of soft images.

[mike1961]

The quality is very good. I really like it. The only problem now is when I install the GermSage it's like the Sage interface looks all messed up (like seeing double vision or something).

I'm not sure why.

Mike

[Narflex]

mike1961, sounds like a background image path isn't correct. Check your properties file for this.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

How do you do it now?

AnyDVD will allow you to read on-the-fly without ripping, but anything that does this method "Might Be" prone to shorten the life of your dvd drive.

I have an HP lightscribe writer that takes about 10-12 minutes to rip a full dual layer DVD using DVDDecrypter.

I own an external lightscribe DVD R/RW (HP dvd640) and was just wondering if I can record 2x the normal content on the dual layer discs? I have only made some 4.7GB DVD's so far, and they work great. But if I can toss some dual layers in there, then I can get a lot more of my shows on each dual layer dvd.

I just am not sure if there are any problems I will face in doing this? Seems to me it should work just as good as a single layer DVD. My shows (after removing commercials with VideoRedo, are about 500/600MB)

So that allows me to put 7 to 8 shows on each DVD, but if I can double that to 14 to 16 on a dual layer...that would be great!

[dvd_maniac]

Hello - Yes, I would like the irremote file...thanks

The reason I have 8 ShowTime sections is for FF/RW.
With the 8 of them you can go from 1x, 1.5x, 2x, 4x, 8, 16, 32, 1x etc..and rw works the same.
But I would recommend if you are going to be doing alot of MP4 encoding for use in Sage that you get Zoomplayer since Subtitles and chapter work with this remote. I could never get Chapters to work in ShowTime with any remote.
Copy and paste this into your [Applications] section
ShowTime=
Show1Time=
Show2Time=
Show3Time=
Show4Time=
Show5Time=
Show6Time=
Show7Time=


You can Copy and Paste the below text to the bottom of your irremote.ini file
[ShowTime]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show1Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show1Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show1Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show2Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show2Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show2Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show3Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show3Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show3Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show4Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show4Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show4Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show5Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show5Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show5Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show6Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{up}{enter}{mode(Show6Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show6Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND=b{up}{enter}{mode(Show7Time)}
FASTFWD=f{up}{enter}{mode(Show7Time)}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[Show7Time]
GO=z
BACK={esc}
MUTE=q
MENU=l{down}{enter}
VOLUP==
VOLDOWN=-
CHNLUP=n
CHNLDOWN=p
NAVLEFT={left}
NAVRIGHT={right}
NAVUP={up}
NAVDOWN={down}
OK={enter}
REC=
STOP=s
PAUSE={space}
PLAY={enter}{mode()}
REWIND={enter}{mode()}
FASTFWD={enter}{mode()}
SKIPFWD=f{up}{enter}
SKIPREV=b{up}{enter}
1={alt}1
2={alt}2
3={alt}3
TEXT={ctrl}u
GRNPOWER={alt}{f4}

[dvd_maniac]

I own an external lightscribe DVD R/RW (HP dvd640) and was just wondering if I can record 2x the normal content on the dual layer discs?

4.7 x2 is 9.4, so no dual layer is only 8.5. You can put ALMOST 2x the amount of data.But I would not recommend using them just yet for 2 main reasons
1. Price of one dual layer is more than 4x the price or comparable quality single layer
2. They have not been around long enough and in enough quantity to know about longevity. Wouldn't it suck to spend alot of time archiving only to find out that the data is GONE??? !!!Only my cautious opinion!!!
My advice, for whatever it's worth is to wait until Blu-Ray, HD-DVD comes out. If you do not mind the price of dual layers then just spend that money on a 300GB hard drive and store them there. Or store to single layer DVD and transfer to next generation Media later.