Video Recording/Playback/Editing/Converting/etc.

[cghu007]

Hi,

I want to insert the Tiger & Dragon subtitle found in one of the D-Addicts forum into my T &D CD. The problem is, I bought it off the shelf and all the files are in DAT format.

I've searched high and low on how to convert DAT to AVI, but the only help I found was on how to convert DAT to Mpeg.

Also, Vobsub works with Virtualdub so it will be good if the file can be converted from DAT to AVI directly.

Please help, or at least point me to any links anywhere that have discussed this. Thanks in advance

[bmwracer]

Uh, there's no need to start another thread to try to get you problem solved... Did you check the forums on videohelp.com?

If you can't convert from .dat to .avi directly, you're gonna have to create a .mpg file, then convert the .mpg to a .avi file....

[krim]

if you have a mac, then i'll tell you how, but otherwise, take BMW's advice, and go through videohelp.com, they have EVERYTHING you could possibly want.

[cghu007]

Quote:

Uh, there's no need to start another thread to try to get you problem solved... Did you check the forums on videohelp.com?

Aah! You caught me red-handed. Actually I was too embarassed to ask the same question over and over

I've gone through so many postings in Videohelp until I got a headache and came to the same conclusion too...there isn't any tool there to convert .dat file to .avi format directly, and I have to go via the .dat -> .mpeg -> .avi route. The thing is I don't have any idea what's the difference between mpeg1, mpeg2, mpg3 and mpeg4. And also, the .dat file I extracted using Isobuster is converted to M2F2 mpeg (I think). What is that all about? I have no idea...is M2F2 mpeg file the same as mpeg2?

God, I'm so out of depth here.

This is because, the AutoGK I want to use to convert mpeg to avi caters for mpeg2, so I gotta know whether the file I extracted is mpeg2 or not...but I can't seem to find any explanation anywhere. Probably because everyone should have known about it, 'xcept me of course

Another thing I wanna know, is there any other tool to convert my frames into gif? 'coz I've read many postings and almost everyone recommend Ulead Gif Animator and Adobe Imageready. But I want freeware since I'm such a cheapskate. Actually I'm just a student running on a budget . I would be so grateful for your help.

[bmwracer]

cghu007 wrote:

Quote: Uh, there's no need to start another thread to try to get you problem solved... Did you check the forums on videohelp.com? Aah! You caught me red-handed. Actually I was too embarassed to ask the same question over and over

No need to feel embarrassed.

Quote:

I've gone through so many postings in Videohelp until I got a headache and came to the same conclusion too...there isn't any tool there to convert .dat file to .avi format directly, and I have to go via the .dat -> .mpeg -> .avi route. The thing is I don't have any idea what's the difference between mpeg1, mpeg2, mpg3 and mpeg4. And also, the .dat file I extracted using Isobuster is converted to M2F2 mpeg (I think). What is that all about? I have no idea...is M2F2 mpeg file the same as mpeg2?

MPEG1 is the video type used on VCDs
MPEG2 is higher quality video used on DVDs
MPEG3 is just audio for iPods and similar
MPEG4 is the new DiVx video standard

Any video you extract from a VCD will be MPEG1 at best...

Quote:

Another thing I wanna know, is there any other tool to convert my frames into gif? 'coz I've read many postings and almost everyone recommend Ulead Gif Animator and Adobe Imageready. But I want freeware since I'm such a cheapskate. Actually I'm just a student running on a budget . I would be so grateful for your help.

Don't know of any freebie gif animation tools out there...

Time for a Google search, ne?

[cghu007]

Quote:

Any video you extract from a VCD will be MPEG1 at best

Thanks for explaining it so simply for a beginner like me. I swear if I have to find that info by myself it will take me thru the long-winded google jungle path

I found this tool in videohelp: TMPGEnc_Xpress. Could you please advise me whether this is the tool to use for mpeg -> avi conversion or perhaps recommend another tool for me if this is not a good choice for me.

Thank you.

[Buruburu]

dat = mpg. just rename the extension.

well.. dat isn't an mpg mpg, but it's close enough. essentially, dats have error correction bits if I remember correctly.
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[bmwracer]

Hmm, the above post died on the vine.

Here's another:

Does anyone know how to repair/fix damaged DivX/AVI files?

I've tried a couple of programs, and all they do is cut out the bad footage... Too much, I think.

I was looking for something less damaging to the file...

[bmwracer]

Anyone out there convert MPEG2/DVD to divX/xvid?

What software to you recommend to do this conversion?

[dochira]

bmwracer wrote:

Anyone out there convert MPEG2/DVD to divX/xvid? What software to you recommend to do this conversion?

I've used SimpleDivx to do the trick. It's actually just a frontend for all the different tools (VDub for example). For the most part, it gets the job done. You give it the bitrate you want, the resolution, etc. and then set it to batch mode to process all the files that way. It'll even do the two passes to Divx/Xvid for you.

[bmwracer]

dochira wrote:

I've used SimpleDivx to do the trick. It's actually just a frontend for all the different tools (VDub for example). For the most part, it gets the job done. You give it the bitrate you want, the resolution, etc. and then set it to batch mode to process all the files that way. It'll even do the two passes to Divx/Xvid for you.

Doch, I can always count on you to respond in this area.

Yeah, I tried SimpleDivx, but I was just wondering if there were any other programs worth considering... I just downloaded Auto Gordian Knot, and I thought I might give that a whirl...

I'm in the process of trying to archive all those Dotch Cooking Show episodes and I wanted to pack more than two per DVD...

[dochira]

bmwracer wrote:

Doch, I can always count on you to respond in this area. Yeah, I tried SimpleDivx, but I was just wondering if there were any other programs worth considering... I just downloaded Auto Gordian Knot, and I thought I might give that a whirl...

I know I'm probably not encoding at optimum levels. Like getting a pricey SLR camera and keeping it on Auto. I haven't tried AG Knot, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt.

I think amrayu would be able to answer your question more thoroughly. Heck, it's what she does.

bmwracer wrote:

I'm in the process of trying to archive all those Dotch Cooking Show episodes and I wanted to pack more than two per DVD...

I'd be interested in them once you're done.

[bmwracer]

dochira wrote:

I think amrayu would be able to answer your question more thoroughly. Heck, it's what she does

Yeah, but she's been pretty scarce here.

Quote:

I'd be interested in them once you're done.

I had you in mind, bud.

All of 'em, I suppose?

[dochira]

bmwracer wrote:

Yeah, but she's been pretty scarce here.

I would try to PM her at d-addicts. She might be able to give you some pointers.

bmwracer wrote:

I had you in mind, bud. All of 'em, I suppose?

What? Is it Christmas already? Thanks.

I should make the "SMAP Guy Hungry Montage". Apparently I'll have plenty of footage to choose from.

[bmwracer]

dochira wrote:

What? Is it Christmas already? Thanks.

It's the least I can do.

But you still have to make time to watch 'em.

Quote:

I should make the "SMAP Guy Hungry Montage". Apparently I'll have plenty of footage to choose from.

Yep, plenty.

And don't forget the "SMAP guy implodes from hunger" footage.

[dochira]

bmwracer wrote:

But you still have to make time to watch 'em.

Ay, there's the rub.

[tabana]

bmwracer wrote:

Anyone out there convert MPEG2/DVD to divX/xvid? What software to you recommend to do this conversion?

I use Auto Gordian Knot. http://www.autogk.me.uk/

Free and very easy to use. Great quality in 4 mouse clicks.
IMHO, it's easier and better than Doctor DivX.

[bmwracer]

dochira wrote:

Ay, there's the rub.

I usually watch stuff during dinner, especially cooking shows.

[dochira]

tabana wrote:

I use Auto Gordian Knot. http://www.autogk.me.uk/ Free and very easy to use. Great quality in 4 mouse clicks. IMHO, it's easier and better than Doctor DivX.

I think I'll give this tool a try. I need to upload some things to d-addicts.

[bmwracer]

Tried out Auto GK last night: not bad.

Easier to use than SimpleDivX, since I don't have to create a DVD-formatted volume (VIDEO_TS) before conversion...

The conversion with Auto GK does take longer: two hours for one hour of video, since it does two passes... I wonder if that can be changed...?