am writing this mainly because i thought the software that came with it was very hit and miss as far as getting things exactly right
tools you will need are:-
super dvd ripper 1.9
dvd shrink
pocket divx encoder
first things first
you need to convert the dvd into an avi file
if you havent already ripped the dvd to your hard drive DO SO NOW
you can do this using dvd decrypter or smart ripper. i use dvd decrypter myself as i have found it to be more consistent
after you have ripped all the files off the dvd you should have all sorts of files such as .vob .bup and .ifo
this is where my method may differ from other ppls
i load up dvd shrink and choose re author
i only keep the movie as thats all i really want
i am using dvd shrink version 3.2 which is freely available
the method for older versions is very similar
on my version, after you have clicked re author you will see the layout change
you now have a bit on the left which says re-authored dvd
you literally drag the main movie file into this part
then when you click backup it will back up ONLY the movie
a dialog box will appear asking you where you would like to save the files.
if you are only interested in getting the film on to your archos then dont worry about the bit that says "create VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders"
if you possibly want to back it up to a dvd as well then create the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders. later on you can burn these onto a disc in your favorite burning program and you have a playable dvd backup
back to the archos
after you have re authored the film you need to load super dvd ripper
click the wizard button
you then need to click the VOB -> AVI button
you now browse to where you saved the re authored dvd files
select all of them and click open
it will start to scan the files
this is normal and can take a little while so be patient
then you are prompted with a box that says "please select dvd parameters"
i suggest you leave these as they are and click next
then it will say please choose output file
choose where you would like to save the .AVI file
then it will say please select output size
here you need to click the "files don't exceed" part and select infinite
if you dont and the film ends up larger than the size you choose then it will split the files which is just awkward
infinite will make it one single file
under the video codec part i always choose xvid
dont know why just have had better experience with xvid
now you are ready to encode your AVI, just hit start when youre ready
once complete it will ask you to insert a cd
just click cancel
this box comes up so you can make a vcd but thats not what we are doing so ignore it
you should now have an avi file of your movie
(depending on firmware and lots of other variables this actual file may play on your archos
either way i suggest you carry on to the next stage)
now your job is to encode the file so that archos gets along with it
load up pocket divx encoder
from here its pretty much straight forward
click browse and select your avi at the top where it says "1 - file to encode"
where it says "2 - output file" select where you would like to save it
now you expect i would say move to stage three
wrong
click advanced options
this is the clever bit
it actually lets you choose which archos machine you have and then will automatically choose the correct settings for you!
once this is done it will say something like "dimensions of the output movie will not exceed 720x576" <~~~thats what it says for the av400 series anyway
now you have two choices
either click direct encoding or add to the list
direct encoding will start encoding the file once clicked
add to list will put that job in a queue
handy if you wanna add a load of files to it and leave them encoding overnight
AND WE ARE FINISHED!!!!!!!
some of you may have quicker alternative ways of doing this stuff but this was my method that i pretty much had to teach myself so i hope it helps someone
If you wish to turn VOBs into AVI using 'super dvd ripper', you don't need to re-author the VOBs with DVD Shrink first.
That's just to make it smaller (although still MPEG2) to fit on 4.7GB DVD blank.
Rip your DVD with DVD Decrypter in IFO mode - it will automatically ID the program chain and decrypt the movie (no extras, no nothing but movie).
Then encode to AVI. I use GordianKnot.
Then you want to transcode the poor file AGAIN using 'pocket divx encoder'?
Why can't you get the right settings right, the first time?
With your method you are transcoding the movie no less than 3 times ;^(
You really should be able to first run DVD Decrypter, then convert to a file that plays in your Archos, in just one step.
Try GordianKnot
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/g... and fiddle with the XviD encoder settings, to produce AVI files that the Archos device likes.
The MPEG4 must be compliant for playback on these machines. DivX has 'profiles' ie. Portable, Theatre, etc. and I have heard that Quarter Pixel and GMC are discouraged for compatability.
The secret is in the XviD (or DivX) settings - use real vanilla settings, real compliant at first.
Make AVIs that play. Then, experiment with settings, making one change at a time.
Check that the AVIs still play.
Figure out what works and what doesn't work in the encoder settings, for playback on the Archos device. Then, write us a guide about that (the Archos guys need one :^)
Regards
reason i use DVD Shrink to extract the thing is cos once i did an AVI encoding from the VOB files ripped straight from the dvd and it encoded the menu into it
to be honest as ive already stated there are probably quicker ways but i just wanted to share a method that i know 100% works!
thanks for the advice though i may look into this gordian knot stuff
Downlaod AutoGK (from this site or www.rita.lt) and PocketDivXEncoder and DVD Decrypter.
highly suggest reading the Auto GK DVD-to-AVI guide on rita.lt for instruction on how to setup DVD Decrypter and Auto GK before continuing my guide (do not read after the setup portion as they are creating dvd backups not the files we need).
...
Now that your back, open up DVD Decrypter, drop youre dvd you wanna backup into your dvd-rom and pick the movie or tv episode you want to burn to the HD in the "ifo" mode as read in the guide. Press the green disc button to start the ripping. When it is done (usually 5-15 minutes), open up Auto GK and at the top left select "dvd input" and in the input directory select the file you just created with decrypter. In output file rename the file to what you want the file to appear as on your lyra. Now go to advanced settings (towards the center of auto gk)under codec, select "divx5", and finally under "output audio", select CBR mp3, 128 kps or leave AUTO if the archos can take it. Now press OK and select "target quality" under "output size". Move up to 80. Next press "Add job" (near the bottom right) and then "Start". The encoding process will take about 1 hour 25 minutes for a 2 hour movie and 18 minutes for a tv episode (chappeles show, family guy, etc..) Now...Open up Pocket Divx encoder,
When you open it it will ask you what portable you are encoding the files for, select "Archos v4xx". Now go to open file on the top left and selct the file you just created. Leave the video quality at 60 and audio quality at 7. Set brightness to +6. Next to output dimensions select "change" and change the resolution to the resolution acceptable on your Archos. Now press "add to list" and then "Encode all". The Encoder takes about 4 minutes for every 200 mb, so do the math. Enjoy!
