MobileTechReview Reviews Makayama's DVD to Pocket PC 3.0

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/software/DVD-to-PocketPC.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/sof...to-PocketPC.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"There you are, waiting with nowhere to go and nothing constructive to do. After you finish your Snickers, what do you do... what DO you do? If you have your Windows Mobile device on hand with a good battery and a large storage card, and you've planned ahead, you could watch a full-length movie. If you have a very large storage card and DVD-to-Pocket PC 3.0, you could choose between a number of full-length movies to watch. We couldn't resist checking out the possibilities."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_mobiletechreview_dvd2pocketpc.jpg" /><br /><br />Arguably, one of the greatest advanced features of the Pocket PC is the ability to watch full-length movies (with the help of the right PC tools and a big enough storage card). In my prior years when I was travelling quite extensively, there were a suite of PC applications (DVD Decryptor, DVD2Avi, AVISynth, HeadAC3, VDub, etc.) that I relied upon to rip from DVD into my Pocket PC. Nowadays there are a slew of "one-button" solutions that attempt to take all the menial steps out of the process. Makayama's DVD to Pocket PC software is one of these solutions. If you're at all interested in this capability, give it a read. Is there any of you who have tried DVD to Pocket PC? Give us a shout and let us know your opinion! As for me? I'm still quite old school!

[unxmully]

I got a version last year when I bought my 4700, Waste of time was my view, thought it may have moved on now.

I use DVD Catalyst which has is much more user friendly and is much faster - about twice as fast as far as I can tell.

[birick]

I bought an earlier version, It worked pretty good. Then, when my desktop PC crashed I went to download it again from handango and I only got the latest trial version and the upgrade was kind of expensive. I contacted the company to get a copy of the version I purchased but they didn't respond. I opted not to throw more money at it and just wrote it off. I am currently looking at other programs to fill this need.

[Fedorov]

Tried it and earlier versions, not impressed at all, in fact I've tried almost every tool out there.

Myself and many people I know are all switching to DVD Catalyst these days, very reasonable price, great quality conversions and best of all you actually get great support from the author - and he doesn't pay me to say this ;)

My mini review here:
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=45969

Fedorov.

[petevick]

Same experience here - wouldn't work on Laptop, just kept crashing.

Got several new versions to try, but still very unstable. Finally gave it up as a bad job

[hamishmacdonald]

Yeah, I paid a significant amount for the upgrade, and didn't find it faster (as claimed). When I first bought it -- back when this was the only friendly DVD ripping tool specifically for the Pocket PC -- the program had a nice, clean interface (even if it did fail to create the movie properly a lot of the time). Now, though, it's gone ugly -- and with the skins provided, you get about 54 different variations on ugly to choose from. I'm not sure who got fired or they didn't work with the second time around, but it was a bad decision.

DVD Catalyst for me.

[hydrashok]

I use Pocket DVD Studio to rip my DVDs. I'm a real movie buff (I own 641 DVDs), and one of the main reasons I got my PPC was to watch movies wherever I wanted to. I've still got only 120 or so onto PPC format (.wmv is my preference).

I use TCPMP (Core Media Player) to watch the movies on my PPC (O2 XDA IIi, PPC-PE 2003 SE). I haven't tried Makayama. Pocket DVD Studio works well enough for me (as long as I make sure the screensaver and antivirus are off when I'm ripping the DVDs). It does crash once in a while, but what the hell? Nothing works as its supposed to all the time.

Ripping a DVD (2 hour movie at 457kbps for video and 80kbps stereo) usually takes just over an hour and gives me a 380-400MB file. My settings are somewhat high quality, but my PPC processor (520mhz) hasn't given me trouble so far. I have a 1GB SD card, and I'm getting a 2GB one to cover my fix (1 GB isn't enough nowadays). I also carry around a backup battery when I'm travelling.

I'd really recommend anyone whos' interested to go in for the one-click-rip solutions (any one of them - I think they're all mostly good, with just a few differences). Otherwise, you need to filter the DVD content thru 2-3 bits of software and spend anywhere like 4-5 hours for just one movie. These one-click software get the job done in just an hour to an hour 'n half, and you need to make so few setttings before you start. Mine even lets me automatically shut down the computer after the job is done!

I hadn't heard of DVD Catalyst before. Will give it a look see!

[The Yaz]

I still use the prior version of this program to update my entertainment on my pocketpc. One thing that makes this program confusing is that it works on the movie twice.

First, it converts the dvd into an mpeg2 file. Then it slices the file down to make it "friendlier" to your pocketpc. Unfortunately, this is where it saves space by dropping one frame for every ten (I'm not sure of the exact intervals) to reduce the file size. The second step causes the film to become more jumpy and the score is not as smooth.

I've discovered that I can just as easily use the file from the first step (which is usually 200-300meg) on the pocketpc and it works fine.

The other benefit I've found is that I can use the converted file and drop it into itunes for conversion into the video format my wife's iPod uses. She can enjoy her movies and shows and I didn't have to pay for yet another program.

Steve 8)

[dekstar]

I've still found better results doing things using a two-step process. usually rip the DVD using DVD Decrypter, and then recode using AutoGK, another freebie program, which does an awesome job coding to XviD. The resulting XviD .AVI files can be played using the freeware TCMP player for Pocket PC.

The reason I love AutoGK is that I can really play with frame-rates ( i like to keep it at 24fps+ for fluid motion...I've found many of the one-step programs default to 15fps, which is a little jerky to me), video and autio quality settings. For most &lt;120 minutes films I like to use the "1/3 of a CD (233MB)" preset to fit the resulting media file onto a single 256MB SD Card, or 4 in a 1GB Card. I Usually tweak the audio settings to retain near-CD quality audio so that it still sounds awesome if I plug in some 'phones to my iPaq. I have found I can often keep 24fps and near-CD audio on a 90-120 minute movie and it looks and sounds awesome, at less than 256MB!

For longer flicks, I usually jump up to a "1/2 CD (350MB)" or higher preset, or even downgrade to audio to FM radio grade, but that kinda bugs me.

Anyhow, I guess if you want a "one-step, no hassle" solution DVD to Pocket PC is OK, but if you want the best picture and sound quality, you can do better with some freeware tools and a little trial and error.

[stlbud]

I use DVD Catalyst which has is much more user friendly and is much faster - about twice as fast as far as I can tell.

I tried to find more information about DVD Catalyst but it looks like they've taken their web site down. Are they still in business?

Bill B

[rmasinag]

OT but

I gave up on movies on my PPC because the PSP last so much longer in terms of batt life, better screen, plus was able to get a 2 gig memory for $60 on eBay.

I use d to watch alot on my PPC , but now must go with the times :D

[Jetjockgordo]

I tried to find more information about DVD Catalyst but it looks like they've taken their web site down. Are they still in business?

They are in business (try http://pocketdvd.ca) and have the absolute best ripping program anywhere; two thumbs and two big toes up!!

I have ripped at least 30 DVD's without a single hiccup. The UI makes it real easy to change settings and play with getting the most out of the type of PPC you have. Their tech support is fantastic and any updates to their program has been well thought out.

I could not recommend it any higher 10/10!

Regards,
Gordo