DVDs to VCDs
This is the best method to produce excellent quality vcds from dvds. This guide will help you produce vcd that can be played on almost all standalone dvd player and on PC.
Softwares you will need:
Vobdec(allow you to copy dvd files to harddrive) Flaskmpeg Panasonic plugin 2.5 ( the best encoder for conversion) TMpeg Xing mpeg encoder 2.20 Hardrrive with at least 3 gig free cdr burning software that can burn vcd ( Nero, Nti, and Easy cd creator) Checkout my links section on the main page to find these toolsStep 1:Copying DVD files to harddrive
Startup Vobdec and start ripping the vob files to your hardrive. If you are limited to 3 gig of harddrive then just rip the first 2 vob files which is about 2 gig. For the rest of you who can copy the whole movie, copy the .ifo files to the directory you rip the vob files to. Copy the .ifo file that is number in sequence to your vob file. This will allow you to copy subtitle.
Step 2:Conversion Startup Flaskmpeg. Click on "file", then choose "open files" if you have only copy parts of the movie. Choose "open dvd" if you have copy the entire movie and it ifo file. For "open files" click on the first vob file and flaskmpeg will see all the vobs as 1 files. For "open dvd" click on the ifo file then you will be able to choose language and subtitle. Now goto option and make sure panasonic is the select output format. Now configure the "format ouput" and "global" setting. For the "format output" select vcd (ntsc or pal) and leave evrything alone. Now goto "global setting". Choose vcd (pal or ntsc). Change the resolution to 352*288 for pal or 352*480 for ntsc. Fps should be 25 for pal and 30 for ntsc(If your movie is actually 24fps progressive then just 24fps in flask and check reconstruct progressive image. This will yield better quality for these kind of movie). For audio choose 44100. Leave everything else alone. Pick an output file name and hit encode. (New step: Before hitting encode run the flask player for at least 5 second. This will help prevent synching problem)This process will take a very long time so do it at night. After you finish delete the vob files to free up some space if you want. *note: sometimes the panasonic output will produce dull color for some movie so goto "format output" and select "allow modify color" and change all the color setting to 15. You will see dramtic differences in the color of the mpeg.
Not: panasonic plugin will produce very dull looking movies. It will look fine on a tv but on a computer moniter it is very blurry. You can use the lsx plugin for sharper image but picture will be more blocky.
Step 3:Demux and Remux This process will make your vcd 100% compatible with standalone dvd player. Start up tmpeg ang click on file and goto mpeg tool. Goto the Demux section. Load your mpeg file then demux it. After you're done load xing mpeg encoder and select "new
job". Now choose vcd( pal or ntsc). Load your audio and video files to be remux. Note: you may need to change the video file from m1v to mpv to remux. After you are finish play the new mpeg file to see if it is good. Then delete all your previous mpeg files.
Step 4:Cutting and Burning If you convert the whole dvd movie into a single mpeg files you will need to cut it. The easiest way is to just cut it in half with tmpeg so you can fit it equally into 2 disk. Use the mpeg tools in tmpeg to cut it. Now just burn the files onto cdrs and you're done. For those short on space and only convert 2 vob file at a times you can just skip the cutting process and burn your file onto a cdr. 2 vob file will generally yeild 45-52 minutes of movies. After burning the first half of the movie you will have to repeat step1 to 3 again for the second half of the movie. Note: please refer to your cdr burning software on how to burn vcd.
