DVD to mobile without losing quality

[Kannkor]

Just did my first DVD to mobile to see how it would play (streaming it to a PS3). I used a full ISO on my harddrive to do so (4.8 gig file) and just choose the "PS3" option under DVD to mobile and hit start. The end result file was 800 and some megs. When I started watching it on the PS3, it reminded me of watching a VHS..

I search through the forums a bit and couldn't find anything related to being able to have a streaming file without losing quality. Having said that, I'm not sure what to search for to actually find others with my issue, since it isn't related to any specific movie, more options.

Anyone have any tips or tricks on how to have dvds so I can stream to my PS3? All my movies are kept as ISO's from original discs, and if needed I can re-rip from the originals.

Note: If I'm missing some "easy" way of streaming to a PS3 without doing any conversion, I'd like that idea also. Quality is far more important than the size of the video (I'm fine with uncompressed).

Thanks.

[Karloff]

Yes, read GregiBoys ...

I use 1400 bit rate. Not sure what you converted (Movie or episode etc.). But if you use 1400 bit rate with Audiocopy file sizes range from 1250 to 1800 GB etc.. This all depends on a few variables but the biggest variable I would say is the length of the film.

The PS3 profile default bitrate is 1024 in an MP4 container with aac for audio. for a movie like step brothers (1hr 47 min) will be 824 MB in size. I would up the bit rate and use 2 pass encoding method

Read GregiBoys Best Practices.

[Complication]

Use VOB Passthrough to keep video unchanged from the DVD and create a file that can be streamed to the PS3. This will create files that are about 2-3GB per hour in size. Make sure that you do not select the spit file option.

As for other profiles, the DVD is already compressed and you will always loose quality when compressing further. However, you may or may not be able to tell. There are those here that swear by 1100-1500 bitrate where as I find them unwatchable. Maybe my eyes are just too attracted to the extra movement that the compression errors create.

[Karloff]

I totally agree with Complication on VOB passthrough as long as storage space is not a factor. This is especially true for high action movies. However for a movie without a lot of action I get great results at 1400 bit rate. usually 1.4 gB in size for a normal length movie.

[Kannkor]

Okay.. so something went wrong.

I loaded the ISO fine and then went to "More" then choose "VOB". Choose my title (2 hours 4 minutes). I checked the settings and everything seemed fine..
Output Type: Video + Audio
Video format: pass throug
(Fixed bitrate/file size are blank)
Split: No split
Framerate - Same as source
Audio format: Same as source (all options)
Subpicture: extract to idx/sub file (default didn't change, no other option).

It resulted in 2 files. a 5.34gig .vob file that is 41 minutes 48 seconds long. Loads fine and looks great.. but.. it's 41 minutes..
There was a second folder /video/ with a mp4 video that is 1.06gig, and 2 hours 4 minutes long.

I'm thinking the second one was that I clicked on MP4, then click VOB so it made both.

I'm going to delete everything except the original ISO and try again. This time only selecting VOB, verify the options (same as above) and hit start and see if it's 41 minutes, or 2 hours.

Unrelated - Will this VOB option keep any 5.1 audio tracks? (This title doesn't have, but for other ones).

[Kannkor]

Okay, so that took 2 minutes to do.. same thing. 5gig file that is 41 minutes long...

When it starts, it says the file name, and that it is 2 hours and 4 minutes, so it's reading it correct (I think)...

I'm guessing I'm missing an option some where...

Okay, now that I'm getting this error I was able to do some more searching that some VOBs show the wrong movie length.. and this seems to be my case. I just opened my .vob with VLC and started to jump through the movie, at the end there are credits...

Okay - So the movie seems to be all there but some odd issues with FFing as others have mentioned...
Here's what I found and my semi work around... I can stream the file to my PS3 using PS3 Media server and I can FF it as I wish, however if I FF too much (or too fast?) when I hit play, it seems "frozen" unless I exit out of playback, and go back in, then it will pick up where I left off. I'm not sure this is normal, but it's what works so far...
I'm open to suggestions if someone has a better idea for me

[GregiBoy]

The VOB time error is caused by the way the source was authored and my colleague, Complication, has contributed considerable knowledge on this forum about this.

You will have to search through his posts to find the info, but basically, what I think he is saying, is that it can be fixed with 3rd part software but with great effort.

This is one of the reasons that a lot of us "Media Player Users" prefer the use of mobile formats that do not have the problems as indicated by you above, but the debate about quality will always be there.

I, for one, believe that my streaming files produced using the generic.avi.h264.audiocopy profile are as close as dammit to the source that the use of VOB at ~3 times the size and inherant problems is not justified.

[Kannkor]

Yea, I read a bunch about Complication's info about the VOB issues.

I'm still playing around in this area of streaming. Still trying to find out what my best option is. The one thing I'd like to keep if/where possible, are the files on a HD some where, and just have my PS3 access them. I may look at adding a new box instead of the PS3 if it would make reading different file types easier.

I'm going to try just using the generic profile you mentioned below but jacking up the bitrate.

Is it possible to go too high on the bitrate? If the default is around 1000, could I set it to say, 3000?

Edit: May have answered my question.. I didn't see there was a slider bar.. Going to try 5000 and see what happens...

[GregiBoy]

I think 5000 is way too high.

If you have a read of my "Best Practice: DVD to Mobile" thread, it may give you some clues.

I suggest doing a chapter or two of a movie that you think will provide you a good test and do it at 1100, 1500, 1800, 2400 & 3000 bitrates and this will give you something to objectively evaluate.

I am not sure whether the H264 encoding will work on your box. If it doesn't, drop back to the XVid profile.

On the use of another device, my good friend W&B, reports good success with the WDTV & the H264 profile, but as I think I have said before, I actually import & distribute media players from China and some of the new offerings that I am currently testing before ordering beat the WDTV hands down and should be in the worldwide market within 3 months, so do your research.

To give you some idea, one of the models that I am currently testing has the following features:-

Full HD Res and can play basically anything I have thrown at it. At the high end, plays HD MKV's with multiple embedded subtitles & multiple audio tracks.
Can take an internal HDD up to 2 Terabyte drive internally and works as a NAS on the network.
Acts as an external USB 2 or ESATA drive.
Has 2 x USB 2.0 host ports for playing from external USB drives.
Can play from an external USB DVD or Blu-Ray Drive.
Has wired and wireless networking.
Plays internet content.
Plays from streaming uPnP servers such as Twonky, TVersity
Great connectivity (HDMI 1.3, Component, Composite, Stereo L/R, Optical Surround, Co-Ax Sound)

[Kannkor]

Sorry I didn't mention it, I had read through that a few times. Just didn't understand what some of the options did etc.

I think I need to test with a newer movie. I played the VOB, then the 5000 bitrate and thought I could visually see a difference (VOB being better quality). However I'll try a newer title and see if I can tell. If not, I'll then start reducing the bitrate until I can see a difference.

Think I'll burn a copy to DVD also and compare that. I'll try to come back and update this thread with my findings.

Also, GregiBoy, thank you for the details about the other boxes. I'm still torn on what to do there.. for now I'll keep playing with things to just use my PS3. May watch for some of the newer boxes, and wait for the more guru people here to test them

[GregiBoy]

Just a point on the testing!!!

Use 2 pass encoding as I feel I always get a better result.

Get other people to give you their thoughts too because you are too close to the whole thing so do not put any preconceived notions to them.

Just ask, which quality clip is better, Clip 1 or Clip 2?

BTW: How big is your target screen? Mine is a 52" HD Samsung.

[Kannkor]

Yea, I'm going to have others in the house scope them out without telling them what is what (not that they would understand what a vob is).

A 60 inch LG and a 50 inch that I can't remember the brand and it's in the bedroom..
Yea - I used 2 pass when I had the option.