PocketDivXEncoder_0.3.60 and TCPMP / PocketDVDStudio and Windows Media Player

[beto6971]

Hi all

I have been doing some searching :google: to find the best / free (inexpensive) :wink: way to rip my DVDs and video files and then watch them on my PPC (HTC TyTN) when I'm traveling, which unfortunately happens too often (I'd rather spend more time with my family).

According to the general consensus :lurking: I got the impression that the best would be PocketDivXEncoder_0.3.60 combined with TCPMP. So I tried them. Downloaded the latest releases up to today (PDivxEn 0.3.6, TCPMP 0.71) and run my conversion, usign mostly the default settings in both. Unfortunately I have to say the result was not good at all. Watching the file on my PC was OK (of course with the expected loos of quality), but when running the file on my device I couldn't even see anything, just some colored lines moving up and down, left and right. I found that changing between the different Video Drivers the problem was fixed, being the best "Raw FrameBuffer". This, however, didn't help when watching the video. The video and sound were all the time skipping, it seemed like if the device couldn't handle it :frusty: , eventhoug I made sure it was the only program running. This is one of the latest/powerful devices out there! :cry:

Then I tried the PocketDVDStudio (3.5.06) to do the same and then watched the movie using both TCPMP and WMediaPlayer to compare :i got it: . (Of course with the trial version you can only convert 5 min). The resulting file was more satisfying, eventhough when playing it on TCPMP it was the same "skipping" experience. If I tried to use full screen it was even worse!. When I played it with the WinMedia Player it was a lot better! I could finally watch the movie! Not needed to say that the process was quite stright fordward and not even need to install a program in the PPC!

So, I wonder if I am doing something wrong or what? How it is possible that lot of people love those two programs but I couldn't use them?. :oops: Is it necessary to make some special settings? Any recomended configuration? :helpme: I know the difference is that those first two programs are freeware, but I guess they do work, otherwise nobody would use them.

I have to mention the test I did was converting an already coded Xvid file in both cases. Unfortynaletly I couldn't compare a DVD rip because PocketDivXEnconder can't do it. But I'd like to mention that when I tryied with PockeDVDStudio the result was quite impressive (again, with the 5 min. limitation from the trial version) :cry:

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and of course for any good advice

P.S. I'm not a PocketDVDStudio vendor, in case you think it. Actually wath I was trying to do is to find an alternative not to spend the money!! :devilboy: Just to buy the device left me dry!!

[JesterMania]

I remember I used PocketDivXEncoder 0.3.51RC16 with TCMP 0.71 and it played smoothly on my iPAQ without any special tweaks/adjustments. Did you select the right resolution for your device (320x240)? Also, have you tried soft-resetting your TyTN before the test and have you tried encoding other video files to make sure that this problem is not specific to that particular Xvid-encoded file?

[beto6971]

Thanks for the asnwer!

I have just tried your suggestion, and it didn't work! Well, it worked for a copule of secnds, then when I tried to do anything, like move the sound control, change to full-screen or change orientation, it starts again with the "skip" thing!... I'm beginning to think is something specific to this device... any other ideas?

You mention "...I used...", so what are you using now?

[JesterMania]

I still use the same thing :lol: . It's just I hadn't encoded any media for quite some time now, though I just got a 2GB CF card so let the encoding begin. 8)

Back on track...Yes it most definitely sounds like something to do with your device or more likely, your software configuration. Here's some questions you might want to work with:

Did you have any programs running in the background at the time?

How much free RAM does your device show?

Finally, can you get a hold of a smaller converted file that can fit on your device's ROM (so as to eliminate a bad storage card)?

If all else fails, can you afford to hard reset it and start from scratch (with just TCMP installed)?

[Nurhisham Hussein]

Unfortynaletly I couldn't compare a DVD rip because PocketDivXEnconder can't do it.

Actually, yes it can - just point it at the *.VOB files, and make sure you select a folder on your PC to save to (by default PDE saves the ripped file to the same folder as the source).

[stlbud]

You don't state which PocketPC you are using. Some just don't have the video throughput to show movies.

I've had considerable success with this. Take a look at the tutorial on Aximsite http://www.aximsite.com/articles/link.php?id=215 The article was written for PocketDivXencoder version 0.3.50 but the new version makes it even easier with letter-boxed videos. Note the tutorial recommends changes to the framerate and sound parameters. Both of which will affect playback quality.

As others have written, make sure TCPMP is the only thing running and make sure you have some free memory available to keep TCPMP happy. Other programs, even alarms, can interfere with video playback.

[beto6971]

Thanks stlbud!!!

Following the tutorial it works perfect :clap: (almost!), as long as I dont try to forward or rewind during the playback on the PDA.

The only problem is the subtitles, because I couldt use the subtitiles from the DVD movie. If you use the subtitles option from dvdEncoder it asks for a file, but the DVD doenst have that file.

I tried with another video which I had the subtitles file (.SRT) and it worked fine, but I really wanted to get the subtitles from the DVD. Anyone knows how to do it?

BTW: The PDA is an HTC TyTN... quite good one!

[Nurhisham Hussein]

The only problem is the subtitles, because I couldt use the subtitiles from the DVD movie. If you use the subtitles option from dvdEncoder it asks for a file, but the DVD doenst have that file.


For a direct rip from a DVD, I use Fairuse Lite (http://www.fairusewizard.com/) instead of PDE - that'll give you the option of embedding the subtitles at the same time.