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Compression Question

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I never liked the idea of ripping and compressing all in one step. I will rip a dvd with Anydvd (which I love) and using Clondedvd2 (no compression). Once that's complete, I send the files to Nero Recode 2, and compress in advanced analysis and high quality mode. I achieve better quality this way.

My question is: What compressor will give me the best results? I also have DVD shrink. Once the 8.5GB of files are copied to my hard drive, would it be better for me to send them back to Clonedvd2 to compress, or to use DVD shrink, or to continue using Nero Recode2? I understand there is a high quality setting within Shrink as well, and I know there are many people out there who are faithful users of Shrink.

So what's the best compressor/re-coder?

Thank you all.
 
I never liked the idea of ripping and compressing all in one step. I will rip a dvd with Anydvd (which I love) and using Clondedvd2 (no compression). Once that's complete, I send the files to Nero Recode 2,

Why bother? Just remove Clonedvd from that step. Load the disc directly into Recode 2.5.4.0 and burn. By ripping first, I find, you're just adding additional time to the entire process. Clonedvd2, Recode, Shrink, etc . . . They all output files to the hard drive before burning. You aren't burning "on the fly" anyway.

What compressor will give me the best results? I also have DVD shrink.

Recode tends to offer approximately the same PQ as Shrink and also compresses faster on average than Shrink. Clonedvd2 is faster than either Recode and Shrink, but the tradeoff is picture quality.

If you're interested in the absolute best picture quality you can get on a normal single layer disc, then switch to DVD Rebuilder and use an encoder (there is at least one freeware encoder that's excellent, but Procoder tends to be the best, followed by CCE). You will be spending a lot more time encoding than you would transcoding though (Shrink, Recode, and Clonedvd2 are transcoders).
 
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Why bother? Just remove Clonedvd from that step. Load the disc directly into Recode 2.5.4.0 and burn. By ripping first, I find, you're just adding additional time to the entire process. Clonedvd2, Recode, Shrink, etc . . . They all output files to the hard drive before burning. You aren't burning "on the fly" anyway.

I feel like I get better quality if I rip in one step, and compress in another. Also, I don't make what most would call a "full disc backup". I remove all trailers and other "warnings" and keep only the special features that I want. I think clondedvd2 does this better than recode. After all that, I'll send the files to recode. I think you're saying this could all be achieved with recode.

Recode tends to offer approximately the same PQ as Shrink and also compresses faster on average than Shrink.

I did not know that. Thank you for all the info! It's appreciated.
 
I feel like I get better quality if I rip in one step, and compress in another.

You're not.

Depending on system specs, it's possible that advanced analysis won't take as long if you've already ripped first to your hard drive (but you'd have to add "advanced analysis" time to the amount of time spent ripping using Clonedvd2 to compare overall time spent going from rip to burned backup using both methods).

I think you're saying this could all be achieved with recode.

Yes. Really, if you want to save space and improve picture quality, just do a main movie backup only.

Unless you want to retain the original menus across split discs . . . Shrink nor Recode will do this.
Clonedvd2 is certainly easier to use (and faster at compressing; the tradeoff is picture quality).
 
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My question is: What compressor will give me the best results? I also have DVD shrink. Once the 8.5GB of files are copied to my hard drive, would it be better for me to send them back to Clonedvd2 to compress, or to use DVD shrink, or to continue using Nero Recode2? I understand there is a high quality setting within Shrink as well, and I know there are many people out there who are faithful users of Shrink.

So what's the best compressor/re-coder?

Thank you all.



:confused:
Pray tell us which software you used in copying 8.5 GB of files to your hard drive. Rippers and decrypters do, transcoders and encoders don't---not with that much output, anyway.
 
transcoders and encoders don't---not with that much output, anyway.

Clonedvd2, Recode, etc. can. In Clonedvd2 you just output dvd filesand select "dvd +/-r DL" near the quality bar. The method is similar in Recode. When you do this, there is no compression.
 
Nero Recode2 Version 2.4.5.0

Wow, I just started using the latest version of Recode2, mainly because of some issues AnyDVD is experiencing with Sony copy-protections, and the picture quality at 73% compression(movie only) specifically for Casino Royale is amazing. I've been using Shrink w/ "deep analysis" for forever and now that I've seen what the latest Recode can do(with its version of "deep analysis"), all I can say is WHAT A DIFFERENCE:clap: . In dark scenes and scenes with a lot of dark red in the background, you can see the improvements. I don't think I'll be using Shrink anymore. I got Nero 7 as a gift and never thought to use it's Recode2 application before, what a find.:clap: :clap: :clap:
 
Please remember everyone to not judge the compression of your disc by looking at the percentage. Remember there are other things to look at such as the bitrate, quant and how much 'action' there is in the movie.

If you still need to compress and WANT to keep as much quality as you can then DVD Rebuilder is the way to go. I recommend HCenc or Procoder (if you have the money). Forget about DVD Shrink, Nero Recode as these transcoders won't even come close to DVD Rebuilder. The free version of DVD Rebuilder is there but if you want a little more options than the Pro is also there. Worth every single penny if you ask me.
 
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If you still need to compress and WANT to keep as much quality as you can then DVD Rebuilder is the way to go. I recommend HCenc or Procoder (if you have the money). Forget about DVD Shrink, Nero Recode as these transcoders won't even come close to DVD Rebuilder. The free version of DVD Rebuilder is there but if you want a little more options than the Pro is also there. Worth every single penny if you ask me.

Thanks for the info. I've actually never heard of the program before. Pardon my ignorance, but may I ask what makes it better, and what you do (or don't) get in the free version?
 
DVD Rebuilder uses encoders (it does use one trancoder though) to compress the DVD. When using one of these encoders the picture is rebuilt from scratch and optimized for the resulting bitrate. One-touch transcoders usually drop DCT coefficients or change quantization info in order to lower the bitrate. This can result in pixelation and poor overall picture quality.

The only draw back which keeps some people away is the speed it encodes at. Depending on your machine, the DVD, filters you are using and the encoder, it can go from anywhere around 50mins to 4 hours. But if you want a great picture, this is nothing. You can even put a few movies in batch mode and leave it to be done over night. When you wake up in the morning, they're all done ready to be burnt.

The program is also backed by a fantastic author who really listens to you. The official forum for DVD Rebuilder is here.

Filters are also great. If you ever come across a DVD which is too grainy or you would like to smoothen the look a bit, just add a filter and using avisynth it will process it the way you want. Of course this adds extra time to your encode. But sometimes it is worth it.

Have a look at this link and read about the PRO version. The PRO version now has a DVD > AVI, MPEG4, H264. It already has iPod profiles set up for anyone using that. It's very handy when I want to take movies on trips on my iRiver.

I always do my compressing with DVD Rebuilder now. The quality just isn't good enough when I use DVD Shrink or any other transcoder. Not on any screen I view them on.
 
DVD Rebuilder uses encoders (it does use one trancoder though) to compress the DVD. When using one of these encoders the picture is rebuilt from scratch and optimized for the resulting bitrate. One-touch transcoders usually drop DCT coefficients or change quantization info in order to lower the bitrate. This can result in pixelation and poor overall picture quality.

The only draw back which keeps some people away is the speed it encodes at. Depending on your machine, the DVD, filters you are using and the encoder, it can go from anywhere around 50mins to 4 hours. But if you want a great picture, this is nothing. You can even put a few movies in batch mode and leave it to be done over night. When you wake up in the morning, they're all done ready to be burnt.

The program is also backed by a fantastic author who really listens to you. The official forum for DVD Rebuilder is here.

Filters are also great. If you ever come across a DVD which is too grainy or you would like to smoothen the look a bit, just add a filter and using avisynth it will process it the way you want. Of course this adds extra time to your encode. But sometimes it is worth it.

Have a look at this link and read about the PRO version. The PRO version now has a DVD > AVI, MPEG4, H264. It already has iPod profiles set up for anyone using that. It's very handy when I want to take movies on trips on my iRiver.

I always do my compressing with DVD Rebuilder now. The quality just isn't good enough when I use DVD Shrink or any other transcoder. Not on any screen I view them on.

Thank you. I just downloaded the free version. It looks like a good starting point to try before purchasing. I appreciate your info!
 
Quick question Linx05,

I'm recoding a movie now using the HCenc encoder. Will this compress the movie to fit on a 4.7GB disc? I didn't see anywhere within the options to choose the target size.

You're right, it is taking some time, which I really don't mind. Honestly, this program seem a bit above my understanding.

Thanks again.
 
Will this compress the movie to fit on a 4.7GB disc? I didn't see anywhere within the options to choose the target size.

Under the Settings menu select Standard Target Size DVD-5. There will then be a checkmark next to it and it will compress to a SL 4.7 GB disc.
 
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