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Sansa e250 Video Conversion
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rclns67
Newbie
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12. June 2006 @ 16:55 |
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Hey guys, I've just got a quick question about some conversion issues. I recently bought a Sandisk Sansa (e250) mp3 player. It is able to hold full-length movies in MJPEG B format. It can also hold pictures. The pictures generally fill the whole color screen, but to view the video, you must turn the player sideways. I would prefer to view video in the same way as my photos, but the converting software (Sansa Media Converter)automatically formats the video to widescreen, and thus you must turn it sideways. It doesn't matter what format (.avi, .mpeg, ect.) I convert from. I just want to use the full screen as opposed to a small chunk of the screen to watch my video, which is what I get when I am forced to turn the screen sideways. Does anyone know of a program that will give me video editing capabilities when converting to MJPEG B? I know it's a long shot, but any help would be appreciated. Anyone who has the player knows what I mean. Thanks!
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rclns67
Newbie
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13. June 2006 @ 08:05 |
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I got the problem figured out. Thanks anyways. For anyone who is curious, whether or not you have to turn the player sideways depends on the size of the video. If it's widescreen, you'll probably have to watch it like that. I just resized w/ Vdub and all was good.
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sracer
Newbie
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14. June 2006 @ 13:57 |
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Have you used VDub to actually encode videos for the e250 or just used VDub to rotate the video? If you use VDub, what parameters are you using?
I've patched the Sansa Media Converter control file to decrease the bitrate used to roughly half, but I'm looking for a way to have more control over the encoding process.
Thanks in advance.
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rclns67
Newbie
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16. June 2006 @ 22:09 |
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I know what you mean with having more control over the Sansa Media Converter. Some editing features would have been nice! I've been experimenting with some music videos lately and realized I like watching the video in a widescreen format, even if I have to tilt the player sideways. I resized the video so it can play upright, but it's not as good as I imagined. Anyhow, for the music videos: I put them in Vdub and used the null transform filter to crop any letterboxing. This allowed the video to take up all of the screen as opposed to a small portion. Then I resized the video to a height of 300, and a width of 380. This gave me a picture that filled most of the screen while watching video with the player tilted sideways. Finally, I used the DivX compression codec and saved the file as an AVI. From there, I put it in the Sansa Media Converter and transfered it. Now, if you want to watch video while holding the player upright, I'd suggest increasing the height to around 400, give or take (just mess with it). You also may have to decrease the width. Sorry if all of this is unnecessary info to you. To answer your intial question, I have not used Vdub alone to convert video to the format (MJPEG-B) Sansa uses. I just used it to edit and resize the video, then sent it to the Sansa Converter. In the beginning, I also thought rotating was the way to make the video play upright, but it didn't work. Like I said, just increase the height, using the resize filter, to around 400 or more. As for saving space, I just converted into AVI using the DivX compression codec in Vdub b/f sending it to the Sansa Converter. Anyhow, what exactly did you do to to patch the control file? That sounds awesome! Well, if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to attempt to help. But hope I helped a little and happy encoding!
Ryan
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sracer
Newbie
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17. June 2006 @ 08:20 |
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Thanks for the reply, Ryan.
I'm going to analyze the video created by Sansa Media Converter (SMC) and attempt to recreate the parameters in VDub.
As for how I patched the control file...
SMC appears to be a "hardwired" version of Arcsoft's media converter. In C:/Program Files/SanDisk/Sansa Media Converter/Profiles directory are some .apr files. SMC uses the SanDisk_E200_MSC.apr profile for converting video. Loading it in notepad, it appears to be a plain text file. But loading it in my programmer's editor, it looks like a binary file. Anyways, if you make a backup copy of that .apr file, and edit it, look for the [ MOV ] line. Under that, you should see a DefaultVideoBitrate=. Set that value to 0 and you will find that SMC now creates smaller files. (approx. 1/2 of the default out-of-the-box)... but still far larger than I care for.
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rclns67
Newbie
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18. June 2006 @ 19:42 |
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I changed the value to 0, but I didn't notice a significant cut in the amount of space my video took up. Perhaps I changed the wrong value. Right now, however, space isn't my primary concern. Every time I convert a regular 1 hour 30 minute video the Sansa Converter splits it up into 10 parts. Normally I wouldn't mind, but after about every 10 minutes one section stops and brings you back to the menu screen. If it would simply go from one video to the next without stopping, like a playlist, it would be fine. This option isn't available as far as I know. Have you come across this problem?
Ryan
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sracer
Newbie
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19. June 2006 @ 07:29 |
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The SplitTime=600 tells the converter to split the file after 600 seconds (10 minutes). You can modify that value for larger files.
SplitTime=3600 would make the split at every hour of video.
Here's what my SanDisk_E200_MSC.apr file looks like:
(I've bolded the areas you need to change)
----------------------------------
[DEVICE]
HID=VID_0781&PID_7421
PhotoFolder=Photo
AudioFolder=Audio
VideoFolder=Video
DeviceIcon=hcata_e200
EnableAlbum=1
DefaultAlbum=My Album
[TRANSCODE]
FilenameLength=1000
FilenameExclude=
FilenameRenameCap=
UniqueFilename=0
PromptCompatible=0
CheckPhotoCompatible=1
CheckAudioCompatible=1
CheckVideoCompatible=1
UseArcAviWriter=0
ArcAviWriterMode=2
ArcAviWriterModeDesc=AVI_TIME(0),AVI_SAMPLE(1),AVI_CONTROL(2)
SplitTime=600
[OUTPUT_FORMAT]
PhotoFmts=Jpeg File(JPG),Bitmap File(BMP)
DefPhotoFmt=JPG
PhotoSaveMode=BMP(2),JPG(4)
AudioFmts=Mp3 File(MP3)
DefAudioFmt=MP3
VideoFmts=Motion JPEG B(MOV)
DefVideoFmt=MOV
VideoSaveMode=AVI(256),MPG(257),WMV(258),MOV(259),ASF(261)
[OPTIMIZE]
PhotoFmt=BMP
PhotoSize=176x220
PhotoQuality=100
AudioFmt=
AudioBits=
AudioSmpBits=
AudioChnl=
VideoFmt=MOV
Resolution=160x208
VideoEncoder=MotionJPEGB Codec
AudioEncoder=16-bit big endian
VideoBitrate=0
AudioBitrate=
AudioSmplrate=11025
VideoFps=15.00
RotateDegree=270
[BMP]
FileExtName=BMP
SaveMode=2
Resolutions=320x240,640x480,720x480,800x600,1024x768
DefResolution=640x480
[MOV]
FileExtName=MOV
SaveMode=259
VideoEncodes=MotionJPEGB Codec
DefaultVideoEncode=MotionJPEGB Codec
AudioEncodes=UnCompressed,16-bit big endian,16-bit little endian,32-bit floating point,64-bit floating point,24-bit integer,32-bit integer,MACE 3:1,MACE 6:1,IMA 4:1,.Law 2:1,aLaw 2:1
DefaultAudioEncoder=24-bit integer
Fps=15.00,20.00,24.00,25.00,29.97
DefaultFps=15.00
AudioBitrate=
DefaultAudioBitrate=
VideoBitrate=Lossless Quality(100),Max Quality(100),High Quality(75),Normal Quality(50),Low Quality(25),Min Quality(0)
DefaultVideoBitrate=0
AudioSmplrate=
DefaultAudioSmplrate=44100
Resolutions=208x160
DefaultResolution=208x160
-------------------------
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19. June 2006 @ 07:34
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rclns67
Newbie
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21. June 2006 @ 21:37 |
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Still working on the split time. I changed the value to 7200 (2 hours), but after it has transferred to the player, I'm asked to put it in the converter. I'm going to mess with it some more.
Ryan
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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22. June 2006 @ 22:02 |
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Do any of u know how to put movies like example dvd that you own on your player to watch i just bought and i dont know any way to put movies on can u hel out ?
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rclns67
Newbie
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23. June 2006 @ 20:50 |
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Sure there. Well, I use DVD Decrypter or DVD-Shrink to copy my purchased DVD onto my computer's hard drive. Then I send the files to Virtual Dub for resizing. Finally I put them in the Sansa Media Converter and it transfers the files to the player. Hope this helps!
Ryan
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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23. June 2006 @ 23:15 |
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Thanks but do u know of any free version ?
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rclns67
Newbie
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24. June 2006 @ 19:05 |
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Well, Sansa Media Converter comes with the player, and DVD-Decrypter and DVD-Shrink are free last time I checked, as well as Virtual Dub.
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sracer
Newbie
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24. June 2006 @ 19:52 |
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Absolutely correct. And depending upon the format of the DVD, you can simply drop the .VOB files directly onto Sansa Media Encoder (after copying them to your harddrive with DVD Decrypter)
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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24. June 2006 @ 22:23 |
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Sweet do u happen to know where i may down load this?
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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24. June 2006 @ 22:27 |
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So the link u gave is this decrypter a trial one or is it the real thing?
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Vidiot250
Newbie
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25. June 2006 @ 07:02 |
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Very interesting stuff for a guy that's got tons of DVD's (purchased) and wants to play them on his PVP (e250) and not to distribute. I have run into several problems which you all discuss. There are claims from Amazon that these devices can play DivX...which is not true. But reading over your messages it seems to be true. Ugh...
I'll try to mull this over and do sump'n. Meanwhile, if you feel kind enough to help me out, I am open for your hints or tools I need to buy or find. I cannot find DVD Decrypter anywhere, I guess with all cool things..people abuse them. I state again, this is for my own consumption of my previously paid for DVD's (200 +). Thanks for any help.
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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25. June 2006 @ 11:46 |
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Lol Yea thanks i downloaded it haha im not good at computers but thanks a million.
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Kukakev
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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25. June 2006 @ 13:53 |
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Ok i have 1 more question after you get all of the files from the disk is their a way to convert them into 1 file so i can play it on windows media player
Thanks
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solidgold
Newbie
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28. June 2006 @ 23:01 |
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Hi, I recently bought the c150 from one of my friends. All I got was the USB and actual player, so I don't have the Media Converter and therefore can't put photos onto it, which basically just neuters it. I can't find anywhere to download it from, not even SanDisk's site. Can somebody put the Converter on RapidShare or one of those hosting sites?- I'd rather not have to go through email just because my computer is old and probably a virus away from dying.
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rclns67
Newbie
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29. June 2006 @ 14:23 |
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I bundled it in an rar file, but rapid share wouldn't let me upload it.
I can probably do it another way, just let me know.
Ryan
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solidgold
Newbie
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29. June 2006 @ 15:10 |
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Well, I suppose just PM me and I'll give you my email address and just send it through that way.
Thanks in advance. :)
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rclns67
Newbie
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30. June 2006 @ 18:03 |
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Am I the only one in distress about the 15 minute maximum video split time? I want to load a full-length movie here, not snippits! We need to do a little reverse engineering here and edit that Sansa Media Converter, or use other software.
Ryan
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solidgold
Newbie
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30. June 2006 @ 19:55 |
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15 minutes? Wow. I don't really know what SanDisk was thinking when they have that kind of split time. That's not even enough time to watch a half-hour TV show, let alone a movie.
I think if I ever get an mp3 player with video, it'll probably just be an iPod Video or whatever the next-gen iPod turns out to be.
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sracer
Newbie
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1. July 2006 @ 14:37 |
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Sansa probably thought that the only videos people would want to watch on the players were music videos and short newsclips. I'm hoping that Sansa will release a firmware update that will enhance video playback.
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Vidiot250
Newbie
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11. July 2006 @ 07:12 |
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I think the 2 hour hack works...sracer kind of spells it out very clearly for you in this thread. I'm done with my experiments and have successfully exported Sin City and Dodgeball! Xilisoft DVD Ripper Platinum to a single .avi file, needs the AC3 filter (freebie), chose the right sound track...then boom! Ripped! Yeah, it's cool, but the time it takes...you could just watch the movie and get it over with. I do have a flash Ram Cam, I can drop my home video into the converter and it works...great for sharing. I've joined Urge and am legally using my Sansa with MS Media Player version 11 Beta, I can download clips and convert them...100% Compatibility with "MS-Playsforsure" anti-ipod movement. Expect a serious integration with Vista, but start saving for a nice video card/cpu/memory chip reader. iPod's suck, unless you need to have your handheld...while using your handheld. I expect Sansa e-series to release a firmware with integration into the playsforsure product licensing.
Sansa e250 Noob
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. July 2006 @ 07:17
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