MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Article: Converting a DVD for PDA Viewing

Bob Russell · 02-15-2005, 04:33 PM

I've used this method with FairUse Wizard now and I can say it's very nice. My best option so far. Don't think it will have any audio buffer and gap issues because it has a separate audio pass. The volume levels are better than the PocketDVD Studio defaults also. Still takes as long to convert, but it's easy and the audio comes out fine for me now. Funny thing... the default settings leave the subtitles. But I think I like that!

The audio was a problem for me in Pocket DVD Studio (which I already purchased before I learned that). I submitted a question to them for help and they asked me for a log and to try the latest version which was just released, but the version made no difference and I haven't heard back from them again yet after reporting the results. So I don't know if they gave up or are working on it. I discovered on some discussion boards what seems to be the reason, but to be honest, I already forgot what it was. Must have been more technical than my memory could handle! But I'd like for it to work because it's a slick interface.

Another cheaper commercial alternative is Pocket DVD. I tried a conversion, but haven't watched the resulting file yet. I asked for 225meg size, and got about 180meg. So far so good, and very simple. I think the output I'm using is DivX instead of Xvid, but BetaPlayer seems to be happy with it. Xvid is supposed to be better, but hey, if it works I'm not picky. They also have options for one pass or two passes, and the one pass did the whole conversion of a 1hr37min movie for me in about an hour, so it was quicker than the alternatives I've tried so far. We'll see what the results look like when I have time to watch it all the way through.

Also, I should point out that the article was correct about using ActiveSync (sometimes referred to as "ActiveStink!") I have Win Mobile SE, and was able to copy a 180meg file with Active Sync and did not have to use a card reader. Maybe they fixed that copy process recently, but if they are using main memory, they must only move portions into memory for the copy process. Card readers are still preferred as they are faster.

Also another method has also popped up at Palm Addicts.
Check out the following about ViritualDubMod with a VB graphical front end...
http://palmaddict.typepad.com/palmad...ideo_conv.html
http://unlogic.no-ip.biz/umc/
I don't know anything about this one, and haven't even heard of it until today, so proceed with caution. (You never know where spyware lives.)

02-15-2005, 04:33 PM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	I've used this method with FairUse Wizard now and I can say it's very nice. My best option so far. Don't think it will have any audio buffer and gap issues because it has a separate audio pass. The volume levels are better than the PocketDVD Studio defaults also. Still takes as long to convert, but it's easy and the audio comes out fine for me now. Funny thing... the default settings leave the subtitles. But I think I like that! The audio was a problem for me in Pocket DVD Studio (which I already purchased before I learned that). I submitted a question to them for help and they asked me for a log and to try the latest version which was just released, but the version made no difference and I haven't heard back from them again yet after reporting the results. So I don't know if they gave up or are working on it. I discovered on some discussion boards what seems to be the reason, but to be honest, I already forgot what it was. Must have been more technical than my memory could handle! But I'd like for it to work because it's a slick interface. Another cheaper commercial alternative is Pocket DVD. I tried a conversion, but haven't watched the resulting file yet. I asked for 225meg size, and got about 180meg. So far so good, and very simple. I think the output I'm using is DivX instead of Xvid, but BetaPlayer seems to be happy with it. Xvid is supposed to be better, but hey, if it works I'm not picky. They also have options for one pass or two passes, and the one pass did the whole conversion of a 1hr37min movie for me in about an hour, so it was quicker than the alternatives I've tried so far. We'll see what the results look like when I have time to watch it all the way through. Also, I should point out that the article was correct about using ActiveSync (sometimes referred to as "ActiveStink!") I have Win Mobile SE, and was able to copy a 180meg file with Active Sync and did not have to use a card reader. Maybe they fixed that copy process recently, but if they are using main memory, they must only move portions into memory for the copy process. Card readers are still preferred as they are faster. Also another method has also popped up at Palm Addicts. Check out the following about ViritualDubMod with a VB graphical front end... http://palmaddict.typepad.com/palmad...ideo_conv.html http://unlogic.no-ip.biz/umc/ I don't know anything about this one, and haven't even heard of it until today, so proceed with caution. (You never know where spyware lives.)