[james7604]

I was using Handbrake a few months ago to rip my DVDs to mkv, but back then you could only hardcode subtitles. In what way does the new version support selectable subtitles, will it sort them out automatically or do you need to go converting them to srt files?

I'd appreciate a guide if you have the time to make one.

Originally Posted by Rom

I have only had my PCH a few days but have already successfully ripped about 50 DVDs (700+ to go!). I am happy to do a guide on how I rip which creates a file around 1.5-3gig from a DVD. The rips contain:

Video (compressed to x/h.264)
AC3/DTS passthrough (so your amp can decode it in 5.1 etc)
Optional (selectable) subtitles.
Chapters (only supported in latest Popcorn Hour firmware but they work)

If you want me to write one so Smurfin can do one of the other guides, I am happy to do it.

The tools I use are

AnyDVDHD (purely for ripping and removing encryption/region) - $$$
Handbrake (ripping to x264) - free

[Rom]

Originally Posted by james7604

I was using Handbrake a few months ago to rip my DVDs to mkv, but back then you could only hardcode subtitles. In what way does the new version support selectable subtitles, will it sort them out automatically or do you need to go converting them to srt files?

I'd appreciate a guide if you have the time to make one.

Hi james. You don't have to have them burned into the video with the latest version (I have only used the most recent Handbrake so can't comment on previous versions) if converting to MKV.

With the latest one, you can select any number of subtitle streams. Make sure each one highlighted and added has forced, burned and default UNchecked.

This puts the streams directly in the MKV container and my c-200 sees each stream and you can select any of them at will.

As long as Smurfin is OK with it (I don't want to step on any toes!) then I will start on one this week. Obviously it is only the way I do it and may not suit everybody but it gives good results for the quality to compression payoff.

[MeanDorris]

Originally Posted by Smurfin

ToNMT works fine with HDDVDs and TrueHD soundtracks, so not sure what the problem is - maybe it's a Dune issue?

Nope, exactly the same problem if I convert to BD folder and play on the C200.

Smurfin, if you don't mind could you check out and name a few TrueHD HD DVD discs you have ripped and played back ok and I'll hopefully have one of the same I can try...?

Thanks

[Mooncat-UK]

I cant get ToNMT to run unfortunately

Im running Vista 64 is there any work around ?

EDIT :

Found - http://www.networkedmediatank.com/sh...d=1786&page=27

zsad Wrote: I am having problems running ToNMT 4.0.6. I have Windows Vista (64-bit) and when I double click ToNmt.cmd to run the application a windows pops opens for a split second and then disappears. I have the newest version of Java installed. The windows disappears so fast that I can't read what it says. Although when I run ToNmt.cmd from the command prompt I get the following "java -cp remuxTool.jar ui.tonmt.ToNmtUI 'java' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. Does anyone have any advice on how to resolve this? I would really like to give toNmt.cmd a try.

I have the newest version of Java installed.
UAC is turned off.


Sometimes Java doesn't get added to the path. You can either manually add it to the path, or trying installing the full JDK from here: http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

[Mooncat-UK]

OK got ToNMT to run and tried to configurte it - as per the walkthrough

It seems to be doing stuff, but Im at a loss as to the end result ?

I ultimately want to rip, my Blurays to

1. Work on my PC

(Im undecided whether to buy a C200 or go for something like this and buy a keyboard mouse combo, and build sometype of GUI for my videos myself using something like Autoplay Media Studio)

ACER R3600 ATO Desktop PC - Save on refurbished ACER computers including the ACER R3600 ATO at PC World

2. Work on the C200

Any help would be appreciated

It showing a (blue bar and "completed J:\BDMV\STREAM\00010.M2TS in 350898:52:39.334) for example but the "save as" is still greyed out

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Mooncat-UK

It seems to be doing stuff, but Im at a loss as to the end result ?

What do you mean? In the settings, look for the path where the temp files are going. Once completed, you should be left with a .ts file which is the end result

It showing a (blue bar and "completed J:\BDMV\STREAM\00010.M2TS in 350898:52:39.334) for example but the "save as" is still greyed out

Save as is greyed out because it's completed the job. Look in the folder that I mention above and you should find the resultant .ts file, this can be streamed directly the C-200

[Jackass]

I have just backed up my Ultimate Matrix set to NMT using ToNMT but i have a sound level problem.

When i now play it back on the NMT i have to have the sound cranked right up to -5dB on the amp, its never been like that before and noticed that the dialnorm level was at -27 during the backup, is this normal?

If not can you adjust it as i couldnt see any settings for this in ToNMT.

[Jackass]

Oh and whats the best app for converting multimate AVI files to a single m2ts file?

I Have LOTR trilogy in this format with each movie having multiple AVI files and want to convert it.

Thanks

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Jackass

I have just backed up my Ultimate Matrix set to NMT using ToNMT but i have a sound level problem.

When i now play it back on the NMT i have to have the sound cranked right up to -5dB on the amp, its never been like that before and noticed that the dialnorm level was at -27 during the backup, is this normal?

If not can you adjust it as i couldnt see any settings for this in ToNMT.

It's not normal, but unfortunately I can't check my rips due to the .m2ts bug on the C-200 Is The Matrix made up of a single m2ts file? I can't remember - if it is though, try running it simply through tsmuxer and then play both files back to back on the A110 - you'll soon know if there's a discrepancy...

[Jackass]

Originally Posted by Smurfin

It's not normal, but unfortunately I can't check my rips due to the .m2ts bug on the C-200 Is The Matrix made up of a single m2ts file? I can't remember - if it is though, try running it simply through tsmuxer and then play both files back to back on the A110 - you'll soon know if there's a discrepancy...

It was 2 EVO files on the HDDVD, i'll check it out

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Jackass

It was 2 EVO files on the HDDVD, i'll check it out

Bugger, tsmuxer won't work then. Have you tried any other HD-DVDs with TrueHD tracks? I'll give mine a whirl tomorrow, it usually runs at least 2 seconds without a sound dropout

Your other option is to try ripping via ClownBD (reminds me, I need to write the guide for that amongst other things!)

I've also recently discovered MakeMKV which is absolutely perfect for ripping BluRay and DVD TV series (without lossless audio). I've had MakeMKV for ages but never really used it as I've thought it's largely unnecessary, but for TV it comes into it's own

For those who may be waiting (or not as the case may be ), I'll try getting a couple more guides done this weekend.

Mods - any chance you can insert some posts for me after the 1st post in the thread? I'd like to have a post for each guide so it's all neat a tidy (why didn't I think of that before

[MarkTaylor]

Originally Posted by Smurfin

Mods - any chance you can insert some posts for me after the 1st post in the thread? I'd like to have a post for each guide so it's all neat a tidy (why didn't I think of that before

I'll see what can be done to help out.

Edit: That was easier than expected, due to a little creative use of the mod tools

Check you can edit the new post just below your first one.

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by MarkTaylor

I'll see what can be done to help out.

Edit: That was easier than expected, due to a little creative use of the mod tools

Check you can edit the new post just below your first one.

Perfect, thanks

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Jackass

It was 2 EVO files on the HDDVD, i'll check it out

I tried mine last night - aside from constant sound dropouts, when I could hear anything it sounded fine, so I'm not sure what the problem is?

If you want, I can stick my copy on an external HDD and send it to you to compare?

[cmclean]

Thanks for the guide

Not having a Popcorn Hour I was wondering how much success people have had playing these files on the following:-

PS3
Xbox 360
Kiss 1600
XBMC

As these are my available endpoints for playback.

Thanks

[Evil Engineer]

Originally Posted by Jackass

I have just backed up my Ultimate Matrix set to NMT using ToNMT but i have a sound level problem.

When i now play it back on the NMT i have to have the sound cranked right up to -5dB on the amp, its never been like that before and noticed that the dialnorm level was at -27 during the backup, is this normal?

If not can you adjust it as i couldnt see any settings for this in ToNMT.

I've come across this problem before with TrueHD rips played back on the C200 as well.

The dialnorm value can be anything between -31dB and zero but is usually -27dB on a movie soundtrack. It's part of the audio spec and is used to tell your amp to adjust the volume on playback to achieve a reference sound level. It works backwards. In the same way that many amps display their volume as a -dB value and the number gets smaller as the sound gets louder.

A dialnorm value of -31dB results in no change to the output volume by your amplifier. A value of -27dB results in the amp reducing the volume by 4dB (the difference beween -31 and -27). You've probably noticed your Amp flashing up "Dialnorm -4dB" on the front display when you start a movie with a Dolby Digital or TrueHD sound track.

ToNMT uses a command line program called "eac3to" in the background to extract the actual video and sound from a Blu-ray (or HD-DVD). The default settings in eac3to remove the dialnorm value. But rather than reset the dialnorm value to "-31dB" it removes it altogether.

As a result when you play back the rip on a C-200 it will see a Dialnorm value of zero dB and tells the amp to reduce the volume by the difference between -31dB and 0dB. Resulting in the audio being reduced by a whopping 31dB!

To be fair to the C-200 this is technically the correct thing to do when presented with a dialnorm=0dB value.

Eac3to does have a "-keepdialnorm" option which will stop it stripping out the "-27dB" value but I don't know if ToNMT has an option to use it.

If not the alternatives are either to use eac3to manually from the command line (which can be a pain) or use "ClownBD" which does a similar job to ToNMT but will automatically use "-keepdialnorm" if you select unconverted audio.

It should be noted that dialnorm only applies to Dolby formats. DTS doesn't use it at all.

[Smurfin]

Chaps, if you have a C-200 or A-200, just rip using tsmuxer to "Blu-Ray disc" structure - sorts out any horrible problems and doesn't involve eac3to. To be honest, due to the issues with the C-200 and single file TrueHD playback, I've begun going through my rips and re-ripping them to bluray structures Not all that much hassle I've found....

[Rom]

I have finished ripping my DVDs now and have some space so just started ripping some of my HD DVD/BDs. I just use ClownBD to rip directly and the results are fine from what I have tested up to now.

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Rom

I have finished ripping my DVDs now and have some space so just started ripping some of my HD DVD/BDs. I just use ClownBD to rip directly and the results are fine from what I have tested up to now.

What are you ripping them to? In most cases, clownbd is unnecessary as it's so slow. It can be useful though

Reminds me that I need to get these guides finished

[Rom]

I am ripping them directly from the disc (with anydvd running) to a BD folder structure. So I am keeping all untouched audio, film only with chapters.

Just done serenity HD DVD. Not tried one where I have kept the subs yet. Will do one of my french films to try that

Seems that ClownBD will avoid the dialnorm issue that EvilEngineer mentioned.

Only thing is I will have to temporarily put the PCH on my AVR to test HD Audio (I won't have it permanently there due to the colorspace bug - where is that new firmware!!!).

As you know I don't mind it taking a while Serenity took a couple of hours to do direct from disc.

[Smurfin]

ClownBD is definately the best option for HDDVDs, just alot quicker for BDs using tsmuxer (assuming it's not a multi-part disc, in which case ClownBD really is the only option).

[Grangey.]

Smurfin Ive just followed your guide to backup Hellboy II after backing up Transformers 2 using DVDFab to be left audioless...

Unfortunatley the result has been exactly the same, and I simply cannot understand why.

Im streaming from my PC to my PS3 using a wired connection and get no audio at all on the rips.

Any advise??

Thanks
Grangey

[Rom]

I assume that you have ripped with HD Audio only and no AC3/DTS/PCM track (or mixdown). In which case it won't stream the audio to your PS3 AFAIK.

[Grangey.]

Originally Posted by Rom

I assume that you have ripped with HD Audio only and no AC3/DTS/PCM track (or mixdown). In which case it won't stream the audio to your PS3 AFAIK.

that could well be what I have done as I was looking for 7.1,

From what I understood from the first post though was that HD Audio was supported, or is this a restriction by the PS3 rather than the program? What are my other options if I wanted to keep 7.1?

[Rom]

Its not the ripping at issue - your rips will have the full HD audio, its just that your media server/ps3 combo can't handle it streamed. I can't really comment on if there is a way around it as I have retired my PS3 and have a popcorn hour now.

You could try setting the encoding to extract the audio to PCM otherwise just include the AC3/DTS core streams.

[Grangey.]

Originally Posted by Rom

You could try setting the encoding to extract the audio to PCM otherwise just include the AC3/DTS core streams.

ok tried this and i did get audio... however it was the audio descriptive version (for blind people)! i have only 3 english audio options with transformers 2 is hd audio, ac3 5.1, and ac3 2.0. the rest are forgien. I also have no subtitles selected.

So far I have tried with hd audio only which resulted in no audio, hd audio & ac3 5.1 selected which resulted in the audio descritive to be on, and now I am trying ac3 5.1 only... however this isnt ideal as I would like to retain the hd audio somehow and Im not yet sure whether audio descriptive will be on again! any further advice??

[ap69]

Originally Posted by cmclean

Thanks for the guide

Not having a Popcorn Hour I was wondering how much success people have had playing these files on the following:-

PS3
Xbox 360
Kiss 1600
XBMC

As these are my available endpoints for playback.

Thanks

It would be great to hear peeps' feedback on this. Life would be so much easier if you could rip once and play using all media clients!
Currently my experience is as follows:
> Xbox 360: poor, no MKV/TS/M2TS. VOB and AVI only (limited file size)
> PS3: average. No MKV. TS/M2TS, but get constant 'Data File Corrupted' issues when streaming.
> WDTV-Live: excellent, all of the above, plus ISOs.
> HTPC (Windows Media Centre/Shark codec): excellent, all of the above.

Would be extremely chuffed I could place one file on myNAS and get all these clients to play it - wishful thinking I guess

[saguk1234]

Whats the best way to rip a hd-dvd?

[scumball]

Originally Posted by saguk1234

Whats the best way to rip a hd-dvd?

For PCH A110 - ToNMT
For PCH A200/C200 - ClownBD

For other NMTs ???

[saguk1234]

Originally Posted by scumball

For PCH A110 - ToNMT
For PCH A200/C200 - ClownBD

For other NMTs ???

Clown bd spits out more than one file.

tonmt doesn' seem to work on windows 7