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Please note that some, if not many of the links on this page may be broken. This is just an archived copy of the news for this month. We cannot guarantee that the links will work because we remove old versions as we update. For the newest software releases please always refer to the main news and software pages. If you really need a file then please contact us and we'll do our best to help.

Date News
3/31 AvisynthEditor is an AviSynth script editor that should help you create complicated AviSynth scripts with ease. It includes descriptions of all AviSynth functions and can help you with the syntax as well, much like in a programming environment. DivX 5.04 beta3 has also been released and if fixes a number of bugs from the earlier betas. Microsoft has also released an interface for Windows Media Video 9, which enables WMV9 inside AVIs. DVDToolbox 0.12.1 once again offers all functions to unregistered users but has two registration popups. DoItFast4U 1.1.0.c fixes problems the program was having when working together with DoCCE4U. It requires that you use the latest version of DoCCE4U. For a patch please visit the official homepage.
3/30

I have created a new guide called DoItFast Tools guide, which, based on DoItFast4U and DoCCE4U helps you create perfect DVD backups. This guide replaces the old MultiPGC and IfoEdit CCE guides (which incidentally can still be found and can show you just how much we have progressed since last year). The guide is based on the brand new DoCCE4U 1.0.0.7 beta which should better support Spanish Windows versions, a bug preventing the program from completing the 2nd pass of an encoding session has been fixed and the CCE open dialogue location has been changed so that there should be no more endless loops.

CDR-Info has a very interesting CeBIT coverage. They have focused on recordable CD and DVD drives and media and if you're interested to see what is going to happen in that area in the foreseeable future I highly recommend reading it.

3/29 Good news for Pioneer owners: The A05/105 DVD burner can now be made regionfree. If it weren't for the 2x ripping speed of CSS encrypted DVD-9s I'd go out and buy one as soon as the stores open tomorrow. Now people will start wondering about the 4x4all patch that may soon come out so mind my words: writing at 4x on 1x certified blanks is not a very smart idea. There's a standard for 4x DVD-Rs and all media that is not rated for 4x shouldn't be burned at 4x or you risk having very high error rates. Maybe you won't notice the problems at first but eventually your drive's error correction won't be capable of handling all the errors on the disc and you'll notice image distortion, breakups or even skips when watching the movie. If you want 4x writing at an affordable price, stick to Ritek G04 blanks. DVDWriters.co.uk has an interesting newsbit on the upcoming CloneDVD by the CloneCD makers. Looks like there's another serious competitor to IC7 and DVD2one on the way. Speaking of InstantCopy, there's a new patch bringing IC7 up to version 7.02. The patch should fix some minor bugs here and there.
3/28

DoCCE4U 1.0.0.6 beta is out. Despite being a beta I think the new version deserves to be mentioned since it no longer activates the noise filter by default, buttons are colored now making it a bit more obvious what they are good for (plus on my machine tooltips now work), CCE will be loaded in the background and with the cancel button disabled preventing you from accidentally killing CCE, the aspect ratio selection when using DoCCE4U together with DIF4U should now work and the RoBa encoding method should finally be OK.

Also, I'm looking for PAL DVDs which are progressive but require a field order change (using the default field order in DVD2AVI they appear to be interlaced). If you know about such disk, please post the details in the forum (it also contains more info on what to look for). Also, since my new PC only offers one 5.25" slot I'm kinda looking for a new DVD burner. Main requirements are fast CSS encrypted DVD-9 reading speed (most of today's burners only do 2x and that's not an option), reasonable CD writing speeds and at least the chance for an RPC-1 firmware. More info on that (and it's also the place to post your suggestions) in the forum.

3/27 DoItFast4U 1.1.0b now properly writes the number of CCE passes in the ccedata file for DoCCE4U and if you activate the option to launch DoCCE4U but haven't activated the option to create the ccedata file DIF4U will offer to do it for you before processing starts. If you have already downloaded v 1.1.0 you can find a patch for these issues at the official homepage instead of having to download the whole package again.
3/26 VirtualDubMod 1.4.13.2 fixes a lot of bugs and contain some usability improvements. The full changelog can be found in the forum.
3/25 DoItFast4U 1.1.0 has a revamped GUI displaying the contents of your DVD in a more understandable way and allowing you to select noncontiguous PGCs for demuxing, the AC3 delay is added to the filename, the duration of each PGC is shown in the VTS attributes section, the main movie bitrate is calculated according to the selected extra bitrate, a DoCCE4U project file is created allowing easier CCE encoding (bitrates are taken from the DIF4U calculator), VOB ID demux now works even for subtitles, audio and subtitle stream selection is available on a VTS level, multiple main movie DVDs (series) are automatically detected, an AVS editor has been added and there's a lot more. BeSweet GUI 0.6b73 fixes a bug in the OTA options (negative DVD2AVI delays were not supported before).
3/24

If you have already downloaded the GKnot source code please download it again. There was a problem with the license which has now been fixed.

On the issue I reported yesterday, sh0dan pointed out a way to make CCE 2.50 support both AviSynth 2.08 and 2.51. You have to replace the resampleaudio line with AddAudio.

3/23

eXtreme Movie Manager 1.2 is out. It refreshes the main window after importing a movie, covers and photos can be put in a separate directory, the cursor is placed on the movie list upon startup and some bugs have been fixed.

2 days ago I wanted to test the speed of my new CPU in CCE. CCE 2.50 would always crash upon loading an AviSynth script. It turns out that AviSynth 2.08 and CCE 2.50 do not like each other and I had to use AviSynth 2.07. I also wanted to test AviSynth 2.51. In order to frameserve with the new version you need MarcFD's mpeg2dec3.dll rather than the usual mpeg2dec.dll. When using GKnot specify the new DLL as alternative mpeg2dec.dll in the Options. You also have to install a recent DivX5 or XviD codec (even if you're not going to encode to DivX/XviD.. for AviSynth to work in YV12 mode a WFV codec capable of decoding YV12 data has to be installed no matter what encoder you're going to use). Back to CCE another problem arose: CCE does not like YV12 data either - there goes the speed advantage - and you have to convert the video data to YUV2 by adding a ConvertToYUY2() at the end of your AviSynth script. But perhaps Cinemacraft will add YV12 support in the final version of CCE 2.67 - Cinemacraft, are you listening? - they seem to be taking AviSynth input rather seriously after all.

3/22

BeSweet GUI 0.6b72 allows you to use the DVD2AVI option even in batch mode and the button color has been changed for a couple of buttons. The Core Media Player 4.0 RC3 supports shoutcast streaming, has native monkeys audio and MPC support, a new plugin system and improved CDA/CDDB support. A full changelog can be found here. The Corecoded team has also released a TCMP SDK supporting the newly supported audio codecs and the new plugin system. AVI-Mux GUI 1.13 supports srt subtitles (including splitting), contains 2 workaround for DirectShow bugs (one enabling playback of OpenDML files with more than 3 audio streams) and some bugs have been fixed. Last but not least there has been another minor DVD2One update. DivXNetworks has released a public beta of DivX 5.0.4. The beta should fix a lot of bugs in v5.0.3 and adds a new tool to help you manually change the bitrate distribution for multipass encoding.

Last but not least a sad piece of news. TheWef has definitely stopped developing Gordian Knot and development of the successor has been put on hold due to lack of time. In the hope that somebody will continue where GKnot left off, the GKnot source code has now been released under the GPL.

3/21 DVD2One 1.1.0 has a full disc copy mode allowing you to keep all the extras (no selecting stripping or audio/subtitle removal is possible at this point), there's a new system to calculate the compression ration which would keep image quality more stable, the progress bar has been improved along with CSS encryption detection. And speaking of "one click" tools the InstantCopy 7.01 patch has once again been updated but without a changelog.
3/20

ImgTools 1.00.4 can shutdown the PC after burning (if the burning process was successful), erasing an RW disc no longer blocks the dialog and the speed reload button now reloads the API and lists all possible burning speeds. AC3Filter 0.66b fixes the bug that would prevent switching from SPDIF to stereo mode after seeking in the movie. SVCD2DVDMPG is a program automating the steps needed to put SVCDs on DVD±Rs (except for the authoring part). It rips disc images to MPGs, demuxes those to elementary streams, re-encodes the audio at 48KHz, patches the resolution of the video stream so that you can import it into your favorite DVD authoring program and optionally patches the authored VOBs back to the correct resolution.

Sony has released a new firmware for the DRU500A DVD recorder. The new version v2.0e allows 4x writing on 4x DVD+R media (I thought v1.0f already allowed that but I don't have a 4x blank to verify that), read and write performance and reliability have been improved and vibration noise due to disc unbalance or eccentricity has been reduced.

3/19

AC3Filter 0.65b is a bugfix and compatibility improvement release. SPDIF stuttering and several W98 (you shouldn't use that OS anymore!) have been fixed.

Pioneer has released a new firmware for the A05/105 burner. It includes further read and write improvements for both CD and DVD media and supports 2x writing on new Prodisc DVD-R discs. And if you have already flashed your drive but don't like the new firmware, there's now a patch allowing you to downgrade the firmware on your Pioneer.
3/18

Another DivX capable DVD player was announced at CeBIT: The Scott DVD-842 plays DivX3.11 and 4.02 and MPEG-4 ISO compatible streams, as well as WMA8 and MP3 audio. There's no word about DivX5 support though but that may just arrive via a firmware update.

On a personal message, due to my last semester at university coming to an end and me working part-time I haven't been able to send out personal thank you letters to all donators. I have cashed in a sizable check just last week and I'd like to thank each and everyone of you who donated again and I hope you'll forgive me for not thanking you in a personal e-mail.

3/17 ImgTools Classic 0.90 generates ISO DVD images using the open source mkisofs toolkit rather than imglib.dll. This version is to replace ImgTools 0.89, not the new versions based on the Nero API. DoCCE4U 1.0.0.5 fixes a bug in the pulldown function, the application will now minimize to the taskbar, switching from first to 2nd pass no longer locks up the program, an output file size calculator has been added and the RoBa method has been changed back to a single run through a multipass VBR. DVDTool 0.11.0b fixes the incorrect last Nav pack, the split point is no longer a chapter off and some new languages have been added. DoPulldown 1.0.0.0 is a GUI'ed version of the classic pulldown.exe for all those who are afraid of CLI interfaces ;)
3/16

Starting in the 2nd quarter of this year the DVD+R faction will increase their speed advantage in the rewriteable field: Both Philips' DVDRW424 and RICOH's MP5240A-DP can not only write DVD+R discs at 4x speed but also DVD+RW discs. Furthermore, DVD disc manufacturers are already testing blank DVDs for 8x writing capability, but DVD recorders capable of 8x speed won't be released until the 2nd half of 2003. LiteOn has announced a new DVD standalone player at CeBIT. The LVD-2001 is not only capable of playing DVDs but also DivX and XviD. What's particularly interesting is that DivX in this case means DivX4/5 AND DivX3.11 so you can finally play all your SBC rips on a TV without having to connect a PC (or modded XBox) to your TV. KiSS' already available DP-450 player will also become DivX3.11 capable via a firmware upgrade (which also enables Ogg Vorbis playback, but not OGM). KiSS' DP-500 even has an Ethernet connection allowing you to download movies from your PC to your standalone. The press release does not outline how the download actually works and since no HD is mentioned I suspect that movies would have to be streamed from your PC to the standalone. All 3 players can handle both MP3 and AC3 audio, and the KiSS models also have a progressive scan output.

The final version of the DivX Player 2.0 has been released and is available for download in the DivX codec packages. It has the DivX5.03 decoder integrated, HTTP download is supported along with progressive downloading, all DirectShow codecs are now supported and the DivX MasterMind software is natively supported. Then there's accelerated video playback, a fix for VBR audio files, an important memory leak has been fixed and last but not least multiple audio streams are also supported. And to conclude the day ZoomPlayer 3.00 beta 6 has been released

Oh, and before I forget, yesterday was the 3rd birthday of this site and we're still going strong :)

3/15 IfoUpdate 0.70 fixes an error in the CLI interface, VTS_C_ADT and COPYCOLOR settings are now saved in the ini file and the runtime error 6 should be fixed. I have also located the official press release regarding the Nero Digital MPEG4 codec. The codec suite fully supports MPEG-4 advanced visual profile (including DivX and XviD decoding) and high efficiency AAC (aacPlus).
3/14 AviSynth 2.08 is a bugfix release fixing these bugs. AviSynth 2.51beta also fixes many bugs and has better support for interlaced image processing. A full changelog can be found here.
3/13 An update for InstantCopy which brings the program up to version number 7.01 has been released. Backups now contain an AUDIO_TS folder for compatibility reasons, the volume label on the destination disc is editable, layer breaks are removed and there are a couple of bugfixes as well. cd-rw.org has an interesting, though yet to be confirmed, news item: Ahead, creator of Nero Burning ROM is supposed to release their own MPEG-4 codec called Nero Digital at CeBIT (meaning any day now).
3/12

VCDEasy 1.1.5b6 is exclusively available at Doom9. It can save and re-use the MPEG analyze information, an anti flickering option has been added to the MPEG stills page, Mjpeg Tools v1.6.1 are supported along with network shares, CD Image recorders are supported, the settings dialogue has been restructured along with the GUI, some file compliance tests have been added and last but not least there's an expert mode.

On the computer hardware side the NDA on NVIDIA's new cards has run out so you can now find reviews of the GeForce FX 5200 and 5600 on the web.

3/11

mctooLAME is an open source MPEG2 multichannel encoder from the author of tooLame.

3/10

DVDToolbox 0.10.1b can add Change CD pictures when splitting over 2 DVD±Rs and has its own installer now.

As I have previously announced, I did indeed get the Shuttle SN41G2 nForce2 barebone. I've equipped it with a Barton 2800+, 2x 256MB DDR333 RAM, a 120GB WD HD and a GF4TI4600. It's a pretty neat thing once you can figure out the mounting instructions which seem to be referring to another model at times. Besides my I/O wishes (I really need those 6 USB ports and who needs a serial port those days?) I sincerely hope that Shuttle will work on the cooling. The northbridge fan shouldn't be necessary, there are low noise 80mm coolers that can handle the cooling of the heatpipe and please replace that annoying PSU fan.

In site related news we have a new mirror in Traditional Chinese. As all other mirrors they're still looking for volunteers to help complete the translation, so don't be shy.

3/8 ImgTool 1.00.3 fixes a GPF when trying to write to the image recorder. Media Player Classic (MPC) 6.4.3.1 fixes occasional crashes with the special RealMedia renderer while at the same time speeding up RM performance, unicode is better supported on win9x/me and the output audio separately checkbox on the capture bar now remembers its state.
3/7 The Avisynth team has released a 2.51 candidate with some YV12 bugfixes that needs feedback. Since YV12 is the way to go in DVD-reencoding read up and try it out.
3/6 It's still very quiet on the software side, hopefully all the developers are working hard on bringing us new and improved utilities. On the hardware side ATI has released their upcoming Radeon 9800 Pro to a number of hardware-testers and it seems that Nvidia is lagging behind.
3/4 Not much on the software side today but with CeBIT coming up, more and more humors are floating around. LG Electronics are supposed to enter the DVD±RW market (still no pricetag available, but expect a price war) with Sony retaliating using the Blu-Ray 23GB set-top RW. But since the Blue-Violet laser is due in Japan in April and expected to be in the $4.000 range it's not yet an option. More info about Blu-Ray here.
3/3 Media Player Classic 6.4.3.0 has configurable shortcut keys, can play QuickTime and Flash files when the respective IE plugins are installed, playlists can be saved via the context menu and clicking the seekbar with the shift key pressed jumps to an I-frame. A full changelog can found on the official homepage.
3/2 AutoDub 1.7, the automated DivX3/4/5/XviD encoding tool fully supports the latest XviD builds including VHQ mode, automated AltCC High/Low distance calculations, ChromaMotion and B-frame offsets. More info about this program can be found in the forum. The Core Media Player (TCMP) 4.0 RC2 adds CDA/CDBB and initial Matroska support and Windows XP AutoPlay integration. Furthermore the player is now integrated into the OS shell, version update notifications have been added, MPEG sound has been optimized along with player startup/close. The full changelog can be found here.
3/1 DoCCE4U 1.0.0.4 limits the max bias when using auto bias calculation to 50, the RoBa method has been reverted to running CCE twice, some button graphics and tooltips have been added and another W2K issue regarding the search for the CCE executable has been fixed. Dicas' mpegable AVI MPEG-4 codec is now available for free. It supports the MPEG-4 simple and advanced simple profile including QPel motion estimation (but without B-frames and GMC). DVD Transcoding utilities seem to become more and more popular. The latest commercial member of the pack is called DVD95Copy and can transcode main movie and extras and strip subtitle and audio streams.