Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Project "Free DVD-A"
#1
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Project "Free DVD-A"
I've just finished version 1.0 of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for my free scripts that many of you are using to create DVD-A discs for the car. No more having to use special directories and run batch programs. The objective was to make the process much easier to run (and for me to learn more about .Net programming).
This new GUI shell will:
Here is the home page http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/ Download version 1 and install. System requirements are below in this post.
Please don't expect things to be any faster. Unfortunately the same 2 passes are required as they always were. You still only get an ISO file that you burn with your burning software. Two HDD mode is still supported as well. If you are comfortable with the batch programs you may want to stay with them. It is up to you. It is all still free. For payware I still really like Cirlinca's DVD Audio Solo.
The system requirements are
Here is a screen shot http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/image002.jpg
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
This new GUI shell will:
- Let you just drag and drop wav or mp3 files into this program in any of 9 groups
- Allow you to re-order tracks by selecting them and using up/down buttons. (no more making sure the songs are named a special way to have them sort right)
- Check you HDD space prior to letting you make an image.
- Specify your DVD media size and then make sure you don't exceed it.
- Save projects for later use / Open projects previously saved.
- Allow you to pick a normalization factor (for mp3->wav decoding)
Here is the home page http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/ Download version 1 and install. System requirements are below in this post.
Please don't expect things to be any faster. Unfortunately the same 2 passes are required as they always were. You still only get an ISO file that you burn with your burning software. Two HDD mode is still supported as well. If you are comfortable with the batch programs you may want to stay with them. It is up to you. It is all still free. For payware I still really like Cirlinca's DVD Audio Solo.
The system requirements are
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP
- Microsoft .Net Framework V1.1 or greater. If you have XP and have been keeping up with Windows Update then you have this. Windows 2000 users will also most likely have it.
- Plenty of hard disc space. You will need 2 to 3 times the size of the DVDA you intend to make. About 2X if you are using all wav file and about 3x if you are using all mp3 files. So for a 4.32 GB (full) DVD single layer disc made from all mp3s you could need up to about 13 GB free space.
- A computer with 2 separate hard disk drives is recommended. This way you can spread the disk requirements across 2 disks as well as greatly increase performance. Check out the “Options” section for how to set this.
Here is a screen shot http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/image002.jpg
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
#6
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What program did you use to create this gui and script? I am in process of getting into Powerbuilder 10 and this was going to be my test project.... interested to see what you did.
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#11
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by mptlptr
I haven't tried making one yet, but you say you can put songs in any of 9 groups. When you're playing the disc on the car, how do you select the group?
To all the other replies:
I really appreciate your compliments. Now I guess the program better live up to them (gulp). Please post back with any success, failures, or other experiences with the GUI. I tested this thing out a bunch on XP and 2000 machines. Hawhyen51 was also kind enough to help test prior to my releasing it (Thanks again "H"51). But sometimes things are unique to other people's computers and don't come out until many people use it.
#15
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Adobeman - hats off to you. I used your program this morning and burned the ISO file using Roxio. Worked perfectly. Thank you for the efforts in making this happen. I have a ton of MP3s to convert.
Originally Posted by Adobeman
I've just finished version 1.0 of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for my free scripts that many of you are using to create DVD-A discs for the car. No more having to use special directories and run batch programs. The objective was to make the process much easier to run (and for me to learn more about .Net programming).
This new GUI shell will:
Here is the home page http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/ Download version 1 and install. System requirements are below in this post.
Please don't expect things to be any faster. Unfortunately the same 2 passes are required as they always were. You still only get an ISO file that you burn with your burning software. Two HDD mode is still supported as well. If you are comfortable with the batch programs you may want to stay with them. It is up to you. It is all still free. For payware I still really like Cirlinca's DVD Audio Solo.
The system requirements are
Here is a screen shot http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/image002.jpg
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
This new GUI shell will:
- Let you just drag and drop wav or mp3 files into this program in any of 9 groups
- Allow you to re-order tracks by selecting them and using up/down buttons. (no more making sure the songs are named a special way to have them sort right)
- Check you HDD space prior to letting you make an image.
- Specify your DVD media size and then make sure you don't exceed it.
- Save projects for later use / Open projects previously saved.
- Allow you to pick a normalization factor (for mp3->wav decoding)
Here is the home page http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/ Download version 1 and install. System requirements are below in this post.
Please don't expect things to be any faster. Unfortunately the same 2 passes are required as they always were. You still only get an ISO file that you burn with your burning software. Two HDD mode is still supported as well. If you are comfortable with the batch programs you may want to stay with them. It is up to you. It is all still free. For payware I still really like Cirlinca's DVD Audio Solo.
The system requirements are
- Windows 2000 or Windows XP
- Microsoft .Net Framework V1.1 or greater. If you have XP and have been keeping up with Windows Update then you have this. Windows 2000 users will also most likely have it.
- Plenty of hard disc space. You will need 2 to 3 times the size of the DVDA you intend to make. About 2X if you are using all wav file and about 3x if you are using all mp3 files. So for a 4.32 GB (full) DVD single layer disc made from all mp3s you could need up to about 13 GB free space.
- A computer with 2 separate hard disk drives is recommended. This way you can spread the disk requirements across 2 disks as well as greatly increase performance. Check out the “Options” section for how to set this.
Here is a screen shot http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDAGUI/image002.jpg
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
#16
Originally Posted by Adobeman
Hold SCAN and RPT in at the same time. BTW I don't ever use more than group1 because the head unit in the TL goes to the next disc, not group, when a group finishes. So if you forget, or space out, and don't do the scan-rpt thing it is off to the next disk. I just throw everything in group one and rarely get to 99 tracks before the 4.3G is eaten up. If I do get to 99 tracks and still have left over space I just don't worry about it. 99 tracks is enough and media is cheap.
To all the other replies:
I really appreciate your compliments. Now I guess the program better live up to them (gulp). Please post back with any success, failures, or other experiences with the GUI. I tested this thing out a bunch on XP and 2000 machines. Hawhyen51 was also kind enough to help test prior to my releasing it (Thanks again "H"51). But sometimes things are unique to other people's computers and don't come out until many people use it.
To all the other replies:
I really appreciate your compliments. Now I guess the program better live up to them (gulp). Please post back with any success, failures, or other experiences with the GUI. I tested this thing out a bunch on XP and 2000 machines. Hawhyen51 was also kind enough to help test prior to my releasing it (Thanks again "H"51). But sometimes things are unique to other people's computers and don't come out until many people use it.
#17
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Klutch
so i was wondering....if i put the songs in different groups would i have to hold SCAN and RPT to go to the next group?
#18
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Is there any program that can easily convert stereo to 5.1? I found a program once but it took like 30 min just to convert 1 song and MANY MANY steps!!! Not very user friendly. Anyone have any ideas.
#21
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by TLXLR8S
sound like a great program. ill have to try it out, thanx.
btw how long should i expect it to take for a 4.3GB iso?
btw how long should i expect it to take for a 4.3GB iso?
The process
- The GUI still uses the same underlying programs as my scripts did. Namely DVD Audio Tools, CDR Tools and BeSweet
- The method used isn't fast. Especially since 2 passes are required to make the ISO.
- If you can use the 2HDD mode it will always be faster. This allows either the original scripts or the GUI to read from different HDD than it is writing to.
- The original scripts will always be faster than the GUI since the GUI saps some processor power. The GUI adds ease of use but that comes at some speed loss. I am not sure what % loss it is.
- The GUI WILL catch errors better than the scripts (size limits, track limits, etc). This is especially true with mp3 decoding. The scripts won't catch those errors very well at all. If you plan to use lots of mp3s then I recommend the GUI or using CDEx to convert your mp3s before using the old scripts.
It should be no secret to anyone that I dislike mp3s. I've bored others enough with why. But everone else seems to love them so I tried to build in a way to use then directly in the process.
- BeSweet was chosen to be the decoder. I looked at using LAME to decode but it was more picky about mp3 files than BeSweet. (Odd since I think BeSweet's decoding is LAME based or a derivative)
- BeSweet will often fail to decode an mp3. The GUI catches this. Additionally I had to limit mp3 files to 44.1K sample rate because BeSweet had problems with other sample rates.
- My findings are that mp3 file integrity is all over the place. All the mp3s I made with CDEx/LAME to test the GUI decode perfectly. Many other mp3s acquired via "otherwise" did not. In all cases internal synch errors were noted in the files.
- If you run into problems with the GUI decoding mp3 then I really recommend you get CDEx. It even decoded the bad mp3s although there were, as to be expected, skips in the wav files. In fact, even if you don't run into problems I still recommend you get CDEx. It is an awesome freeware tool. It will even easily decode mp3s not at 44.1K to wave files at 44.1K...just an incredible tool.
- If anyone is familiar with any other better free mp3->wav decoders that can be used from the command line (or have an API for my C# code) then let me know about them and I might be able to make that an option for the GUI
#23
TLover
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Originally Posted by Adobeman
Good questions and gives me an opportunity to add some extra points. Since I usually run the scripts and come back later I can only estimate. I use 2 HDD mode and think it takes about 30 minutes to generate an ISO for a full 4.3 disc. Single HDD mode takes quite a bit more. Burn takes about 15 minutes for me since I can only go 4x.
The process
It should be no secret to anyone that I dislike mp3s. I've bored others enough with why. But everone else seems to love them so I tried to build in a way to use then directly in the process.
The process
- The GUI still uses the same underlying programs as my scripts did. Namely DVD Audio Tools, CDR Tools and BeSweet
- The method used isn't fast. Especially since 2 passes are required to make the ISO.
- If you can use the 2HDD mode it will always be faster. This allows either the original scripts or the GUI to read from different HDD than it is writing to.
- The original scripts will always be faster than the GUI since the GUI saps some processor power. The GUI adds ease of use but that comes at some speed loss. I am not sure what % loss it is.
- The GUI WILL catch errors better than the scripts (size limits, track limits, etc). This is especially true with mp3 decoding. The scripts won't catch those errors very well at all. If you plan to use lots of mp3s then I recommend the GUI or using CDEx to convert your mp3s before using the old scripts.
It should be no secret to anyone that I dislike mp3s. I've bored others enough with why. But everone else seems to love them so I tried to build in a way to use then directly in the process.
- BeSweet was chosen to be the decoder. I looked at using LAME to decode but it was more picky about mp3 files than BeSweet. (Odd since I think BeSweet's decoding is LAME based or a derivative)
- BeSweet will often fail to decode an mp3. The GUI catches this. Additionally I had to limit mp3 files to 44.1K sample rate because BeSweet had problems with other sample rates.
- My findings are that mp3 file integrity is all over the place. All the mp3s I made with CDEx/LAME to test the GUI decode perfectly. Many other mp3s acquired via "otherwise" did not. In all cases internal synch errors were noted in the files.
- If you run into problems with the GUI decoding mp3 then I really recommend you get CDEx. It even decoded the bad mp3s although there were, as to be expected, skips in the wav files. In fact, even if you don't run into problems I still recommend you get CDEx. It is an awesome freeware tool. It will even easily decode mp3s not at 44.1K to wave files at 44.1K...just an incredible tool.
- If anyone is familiar with any other better free mp3->wav decoders that can be used from the command line (or have an API for my C# code) then let me know about them and I might be able to make that an option for the GUI
i have 2 HDD. but iam not sure i understand you. in the options tab, i select the music from one HDD and have the program make an iso to the other HDD? i think thats what your talking about, am i right?
#24
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by TLXLR8S
thanx for all that.
i have 2 HDD. but iam not sure i understand you. in the options tab, i select the music from one HDD and have the program make an iso to the other HDD? i think thats what your talking about, am i right?
i have 2 HDD. but iam not sure i understand you. in the options tab, i select the music from one HDD and have the program make an iso to the other HDD? i think thats what your talking about, am i right?
So, if the program is installed on your C:\ drive then put the "DVD Structure Directory" on the other drive.
For example my computer has a C: and an F: HDD. The program is installed at "C:\Program Files\Adobeman's DVDA GUI". I created a directory called "F:\GUItemp" and used it for my "DVD Structure Directory".
The "Temporary Wav File Directory" only comes in to play if you are converting mp3 files with the GUI. In my case I leave it on the C: drive since it is faster if it is a different drive from the "DVD Structure Directory".
#26
TLover
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Originally Posted by Adobeman
In the options page you want the location of the "DVD Structure Directory" to be on a different drive than the one the program is installed on.
So, if the program is installed on your C:\ drive then put the "DVD Structure Directory" on the other drive.
For example my computer has a C: and an F: HDD. The program is installed at "C:\Program Files\Adobeman's DVDA GUI". I created a directory called "F:\GUItemp" and used it for my "DVD Structure Directory".
The "Temporary Wav File Directory" only comes in to play if you are converting mp3 files with the GUI. In my case I leave it on the C: drive since it is faster if it is a different drive from the "DVD Structure Directory".
So, if the program is installed on your C:\ drive then put the "DVD Structure Directory" on the other drive.
For example my computer has a C: and an F: HDD. The program is installed at "C:\Program Files\Adobeman's DVDA GUI". I created a directory called "F:\GUItemp" and used it for my "DVD Structure Directory".
The "Temporary Wav File Directory" only comes in to play if you are converting mp3 files with the GUI. In my case I leave it on the C: drive since it is faster if it is a different drive from the "DVD Structure Directory".
#27
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by TLWay
When you have 99 tracks under one group can you say "DVD play track 99" for example or do you have to click the next track button 99 times?
With the +/- track buttons on the wheel you are never more than about 49 clicks maximum from the song you want to hear. I know that sounds bad but it really isn't. Groups would require you to hold scan-rpt together and then you would still probably use the track +/- to get to the actual song you want. Also keep in mind that 99 songs is usually tough to get on a 4.3G disk unless they are all relatively short. In reality you will get 75 to 85 songs on it. That gets you about 35 to 45 clicks from the song you want max.
#29
Lt. Dangle
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Originally Posted by TLWay
When you have 99 tracks under one group can you say "DVD play track 99" for example or do you have to click the next track button 99 times?
Not to sound like a "me too" n00b, but just wanted to add my thanks to Adobeman here. I never could get Cirlinca's software to work on my multimedia machine, but your GUI program worked first time out of the gate. I was sorely missing the ability to play MP3 CDs in my last vehicle, but making my own DVD-As from uncompressed WAV files is even better!
#30
Kudos to Adobeman
Originally Posted by Adobeman
I've just finished version 1.0 of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for my free scripts that many of you are using to create DVD-A discs for the car. No more having to use special directories and run batch programs. The objective was to make the process much easier to run (and for me to learn more about .Net programming).
...
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
...
I hope this works out for any of you that try it, especially those who have found the previous scripts a bit too complicated.
#31
I may of missed it but does this also convert 2 channel to 5.1? Or is the result just a DVD with bunches of 2 channel audio?
This is definitely a great piece of work. Thanks!
EDIT:
Oh yeah, this is also a definite sticky IMHO.
This is definitely a great piece of work. Thanks!
EDIT:
Oh yeah, this is also a definite sticky IMHO.
#33
Originally Posted by TL Dude
I may of missed it but does this also convert 2 channel to 5.1? Or is the result just a DVD with bunches of 2 channel audio?
This is definitely a great piece of work. Thanks!
EDIT:
Oh yeah, this is also a definite sticky IMHO.
This is definitely a great piece of work. Thanks!
EDIT:
Oh yeah, this is also a definite sticky IMHO.
#34
I just got two raptors on my computer (C and D) and so excited.
WD raptor:
10000RPM / 16MB Cache
2.9ms average seek (that's twice faster than typical 7200rpm drives)
This hard drive saves my ass working on anything. Either video,audio or photoshop. Program load in a blink.
I'm going to time how long it takes to do 99 songs using this program.
WD raptor:
10000RPM / 16MB Cache
2.9ms average seek (that's twice faster than typical 7200rpm drives)
This hard drive saves my ass working on anything. Either video,audio or photoshop. Program load in a blink.
I'm going to time how long it takes to do 99 songs using this program.
#35
For 25 songs
Pass1-Making DVD Structure - 43 seconds
Pass1-Making ISO Image - 1:57 seconds
Pass2-Making DVD Structure - 44 seconds
Pass2-Making ISO Image - 1:33 seconds
Total: under 5 minutes
BTW, you must have D.Net 1.1, I had 2.0 and it wouldnt install.
Pass1-Making DVD Structure - 43 seconds
Pass1-Making ISO Image - 1:57 seconds
Pass2-Making DVD Structure - 44 seconds
Pass2-Making ISO Image - 1:33 seconds
Total: under 5 minutes
BTW, you must have D.Net 1.1, I had 2.0 and it wouldnt install.
#36
The DVD-A Script Guy
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Actuary
For 25 songs
Pass1-Making DVD Structure - 43 seconds
Pass1-Making ISO Image - 1:57 seconds
Pass2-Making DVD Structure - 44 seconds
Pass2-Making ISO Image - 1:33 seconds
Total: under 5 minutes
BTW, you must have D.Net 1.1, I had 2.0 and it wouldn't install.
Pass1-Making DVD Structure - 43 seconds
Pass1-Making ISO Image - 1:57 seconds
Pass2-Making DVD Structure - 44 seconds
Pass2-Making ISO Image - 1:33 seconds
Total: under 5 minutes
BTW, you must have D.Net 1.1, I had 2.0 and it wouldn't install.
Also, curious about the fact that .Net 2.0 wasn't OK. I would figure it is backward compatible with 1.1 But, this project was a .Net learning project for me so I guess there is more to learn. Perhaps I need to redo the installer.
For the rest of us with either 5400 or 7200 RPM IDE ATA drives it's probably going to take more than 5 minutes. a, er... lots more.
Thanks for the report Actuary. BTW, do you do a lot of software MPEG encoding on that rig ?
#38
Forced Induction
Awsome work man, as usual, I think like 99% of the site uses your scripts, thanks man, and the GUI version is even so much easier........
btw, there is a spelling error, under "HELP" --> "About" you spelled Music MISIC, I'm sure it's a typo, just something to touch up for the next release...
btw, there is a spelling error, under "HELP" --> "About" you spelled Music MISIC, I'm sure it's a typo, just something to touch up for the next release...
#39
Originally Posted by Adobeman
Holy Crap Batman ! Are those times for real and did it work in the car ? Are those SATA II drives ??
Burning time not included in those figures and yeah it works in the car - I mean creating image fast does not affect quality (except burning fast)
Originally Posted by Adobeman
For the rest of us with either 5400 or 7200 RPM IDE ATA drives it's probably going to take more than 5 minutes. a, er... lots more.
Originally Posted by Adobeman
Thanks for the report Actuary. BTW, do you do a lot of software MPEG encoding on that rig ?
Last word: I actually moved from 300G 7200RPM drive to 150G 10,000RPM drive. Half the size, but speed beats size in every aspect. 150G is biggest size available today for 10,000RPM drive. One of reason big enterprise hard drives aren't big at all.