Ya, I ended up using it until later last night and didnt put it up. Sometimes dvda burning can be finicky and I didnt want to create a coaster, especially with Dual layer discs being so expensive.

I will put it up tonight though, aorund 6pm pst for a few days.

I have 5 slots open. that gives each person about 20kbs up speed since my upstream is 1mb.

I may try and put a timer on each account too so I dont have 5 people on for 12 hours.

Try again tonight.

I may server up the multichannel waves as well.

 

And what would be wrong with trying to leverage our car's built-in DVD-A support SOLELY for DVD-A's much higher capacity (and not for its quality)? As the OEM audio system does not natively support MP3 or WMA, I for one, want only to burn my large collection of MP3s and WMAs to DVD-A -- knowing full-well that is a technological step backward from an audiophile's point of view.

 

terpnut,
I can't disagree with you on your point. But.... us sound quality zealots are always looking to get better results. 44.1Khz wasn't good enough so we all freaked when we heard 48K DTS. Now there is 96K/24bit stuff that just makes us really happy.

So, the whole "lossy compressed" music thing for portable player never sits well with us sound junkies. For example, 128K Lame encoded mp3s may be good for mp3 but man do they sound bad compared to the originals. I can just about stomach 256K on computer speakers. I realize DTS is a lossy compression but but at 448K it sounds pretty good even when compared to CDs. Lossless MLP...oh man !

My put is since you are going to have to re-encode your mp3s to wav they will take up equal space per minute as much higher quality direct CD rips. I just rip CDs and fit lots of them on a DVD. I also rip multi-channel DVD-V to DVD-A and that sounds tremendous.

But alas since I never favored mp3 I didn't collect many so I isn't a big deal to me as it is to you. If it was I would just get a good ipod, or other portable, and use a good RF transmitter. No time lost to converting and burning plus the RF transmitter is more than capable preserving the sound quality (er, or lack of)

Sorry, but if I had an ipod and a lot of songs I really be pissed about the 06 TL ipod interface and how we don't have one in the o4/05. Seriously, I'd even give in for that but would probably still encode at 320K.

 

amarpawar is it possible for you to upload an image of an indian music dvd?

 

Dudes, enough of the hijacking of the thread. I've been guilty of it too but it really should stop. This is about free DVD-A creation, not file swapping or anything else. Sriteja, I don't mean to pick on you (nothing personal), you are just the latest post in the off track topic.

So please let's get back on track: Free programs to create DVD-A. If the thread dies because other alternatives, like DVD Audio Solo are more practical, then so be it.

Sorry to be the party pooper....but hey, I started all of this so I feel justified.

(Let my pelting with rotten tomatoes begin )

 

Mr. Adobeman I am going to contribute to the Free DVD-A creation thread and in the same response also answer Sriteja's query so I hope I won't be completely pooping the party .

For those (like me) who have a huge mp3 collection, I tried this free mp3 to wav convertor tool and it worked; and then like a charm the wavs were recognized in DVD Audio Solo and I was able to burn a DVD-A. Now I understand this won't be completely free since eventually I am going to have to buy the DVD Solo. But I'd figure if people were going to buy it for their 5.1 DVD's and might as well use it for this purpose too; plus I was never really able to figure out the way outlined in this thread; I am pretty sure if I had read it the third time I might have but this just seemed easier. If someone tries this could you please let me know if it's any different/easier.

Sriteja the DVD-A I burnt was from an actual DVD of Hindi songs so I don't really have an image as such . I used DVD Audio extractor to extract 6 ch wavs from the DVD and then burn it using Solo. You can PM me if you want for any more info.

 

Hi Adobeman,
I just thought I'd throw in my 0.02. ;-) I've done a little testing - totally subjective and unscientific of course - into the quality achieved when starting with different sources that go onto the DVD-A. In one case I used wav files ripped from the CD - of course they sounded great. In another case - I used 320Kbps mp3 files that I had to convert to wav files (using a free program called MusicMatch). I don't believe that anyone could tell the difference between a 320Kbps mp3 file and the original CD/wav file.

BTW, I've done a bit of scouring over the internet - and the reliable sources that I've found (like wikipedia) seem to suggest that even an average person can be trained to be able to hear the difference between a 128Kbps mp3 file and the original CD. I think that it is unfortunate that the download services are willing to go right to the edge of accepability so that they can get a little smaller file. I've seen listening tests in other places that suggest bit rates of between 192Kbps and 224Kbps made it very hard for almost everyone to tell the difference between the original and the CD.

Actually, I don't really consider myself and audiofile - but I find the lossless compression formats appealing - like FLAC and MLP. Too bad they are not as widespread and therfore there are not quite as many free tools available to work with them. I feel like... five years from now you won't care that you saved a few bytes of space with 128Kbps files - but once you hear how much better some of the newer formats sound you may wish you could have some of those bits back. ;-)

BTW, I think that once you compare the wav/audio that you have on your DVD-A you won't find the mp3/FM transmitter solution very satisfying. The quality obviously can't be better than FM - even if the source MP3 files are recorded at a high bit rate.

One final thought... it has amazed me the difference in recording quality on various CDs. For example, whether or not one likes something like Dave Mathews - the DDD (all digital recording, mastering, mixing) that they used sounds tremendously better than some of the old CDs that had analog for 1 or more of the 3 stages. Lots of variables....

Kevin

 

amarpawar ,
I understand. I was trying to nudge the thread back on track. You raise a very valid point about DVD Audio Solo. If fact I use it instead of my script. My scripts had a good run at over 11,000 hits but the truth is DVD Audio Solo has appeared and is just a better tool, it works well and is reasonably priced. When I started this thread there were basically very expensive or really crappy programs that still cost $99. Back then there was incentive to use my crude scripts. With the release of Solo at $35, I just don;t see "Project Free" making a whole lot of sense anymore.

klkitts,
your 0.02 cents is good stuff. You hit my "beef" right on the head when you say "I think that it is unfortunate that the download services are willing to go right to the edge of acceptability so that they can get a little smaller file." It really irks me that for the first time in my life, quality went down and price actually went up. I know some vinyl lovers still say vinyl is better than CD but CD had other advantages and generally sounds great. I can easily hear the difference at 128K. Even at 192 and 224 things may sound good, for example, if you compare one channel at a time. But in stereo, a high quality recording that "images" well and presents a well defined sound stage just wont do the same as an mp3. But then again I'm an audio/video snob ...

 

i am having problems with this. I am using mp3's and i convert them to wav files. Then i put them all in the 1st categorie cd 1 and when i run make dvda it runs the first pass and says processing the first song on the list. The dos screen then never changes, it stays processing for hours on hours with the same song. How do i do this? I first start with mp3 files and they convert no problem. What next?

 

Hey, Adobeman, i ripped a dts soundtrack into a 6 channel wave. from a demo dvd i had for my theater in my house. i tried to burn it with your program, but was unable to. Any suggestions as to how i can burn it?

 

That script is good for 2 channel streams only. I have not found any free programs to burn 6 channel. The purchase, or free trial period programs, are dvd-audio solo, diskwelder, and ulead.

Check the other thread in this group for related discussions.

 

Thanks Bplayer... appreciate it.

 

Just another success story, but with a new twist.

My first attempt, and I managed to successfully rip 7 of my CDs to one DVD-A. But here's the twist. I burned it on a +RW, and it worked. I suspect it worked because I changed the booktype to DVD-ROM. So no wasted discs in my future.

So if you have a need for +R or +RW, and of course your burner can do it, I suggest changing the booktype to DVD-ROM.

 

What burner software are you using? I have Nero 6.6 and the only option is DVD-ROM (ISO) and previous attempts with DVD+R media were not successful. The Disc Info reports Book Type of DVD+R.

 

IIRC, I'm using Nero 5.5.10.64 but that doesn't really matter. I'm using a hacked firmware for my burner that automatically forces the booktype to DVD-ROM for all +R/+RW media.

If the booktype is showing up as DVD+R after you burn it, then (obviously) it's not changing the booktype. Either your burner doesn't support it (very likely) or you missed an option setting somewhere (less likely).

 

I just created my first DVD-A with Adobeman's excellent instructions. (Rev 2)

1. I installed on a different drive and ended up modifying the setenv.bat file so the environment variables were correct.

2. Ran as instructed and no problems.

3. I used NERO 6.0 for the burn on a +R disk (no brandname).

4. The resulting DVD-A worked awesome with 94 tracks. (I couldn't fit anymore due to the length of the tracks)

Couple of notes:

I tried out the uLEAD Burn 1.5 but the site is unsecured and I'm not risking my credit card being hijacked. The download version offered won't burn the DVD-A format unless you apply the patch but you have to buy the software in order for the patch to work. So buyer beware !

The SOLO package isn't really good at converting the CD Audio to WAV files. The package seems to get lost and repeats work. Add the fact it can't remember where was when the project was saved. Save yourself the $34.95 they're asking.


Adobeman, the package is great and I want to thank you for the work. Plus you saved me $39.00 which lets me buy lots of DVD's or better yet, another external hard drive.

For Rev 3, may I suggest the following:

a) Ability to provide the source directory and the destination directories from a command line. For example: MAKEDVDA fromdir todir

b) Channel the output to a log file for backtracking. Windows will only save a small number of bytes so the session information is easily lost

Keep up the good work.

 

Have been merrily creating DVD-A's without a hitch. Oh how I long for the days when programs were as simple as this, without the need for .msi packages and a million dlls.

Forever grateful !!!

 

I am still having problems.

 

I tried every program out there. This free tool from Adobeman works but when it gets to about track 16 on the tl, nothing happens. No sound ... nothing.

i used dvd - r and followed every step exactly. The MP3s were converted into wav with nero 6 and the iso creation was fine. I burned the iso at 2x and every dvd i created only plays a little more than 10 tracks.


Please help. Thanks

 

Have you tried Cirlinca DVD Audio Solo ? www.cirlinca.com

If not, then try it. It has a generous trial period.

 

I think maybe it is the DVDs i am using. I finaly got it to work.

DVD + R doesnt work for me. i tried dual layer discs and they don't work either . neither does imation DVD - .

I tried ULead movie macker and ulead burn now. Doesn't work.

After wasting about 20 DVDs, I finally got it working in my TL using this program.

Thanks for all you help.

 

Ulead = Coaster
DVD Audio Solo = Coaster x 3!!!

Free DVD-A = DVD-R is Money, DVD+R = Coaster

Used Nero to RIP/Convert to WAV and to burn ISO.

Thanks for you hard work!

 

If "Free DVD-A = DVD-R is Money" means my scripts worked then that's cool. But if "Free DVD-A = DVD-R is Money" then DVD Audio Solo and DVD-R should work as well.

Don't waste your $ on DVD+R. Compatibility with the TL is very limited with +R. Stick with -R and you will be happier all around even with other players

 

Does anyone know how to sort through the DVD-A groups on the disc? I know that by hold RPT and SCAN (if i remember correctly) it will take you to the next group. However, is there are way to quickly scroll (up and down) through the groups without having to hold those two buttons for 3 seconds each time?

 

Maxell DVD+R X8 doesn't work =(
guess i will try DVD-R tomorrow

 

I just wanted to say thanks to Adobeman and everyone who contributed to this specific thread.

I created my first DVD-A about two weeks ago (72 songs by the Verve), and it worked perfectly. Since then I've burned several more (Peter Murphy, Chameleons, etc.) and haven't generated a single plastic coaster. Not one. Awesome!

I'm using the free tools you provided, Memorex 8x DVD-R media, Audiograbber 1.83 (to rip wav's), Roxio Creator Classic (for the iso image), and a Plextor PX-716SA drive.

 

I want to give my thanks to adobeman and all those who participated in helping us "newbies" in creating DVD-A's for our TLs. This thread is so helpful. I was hoping that we could use DVD+Rs instead of the recommended DVD-Rs but they did not work at all. However, I just bought some Sony DVD-Rs tonight and tried it out and worked perfectly. I used the linked converter on the DVD-A website that adobeman created and Alcohol 120% to burn the image. Thanks everyone!!

 

Adobeman, since you are so good with the scripts, will it be possible for you to modify them to work with mp3 files? I think it could be done by checking the extension of each file, and if it is .mp3, invoke an external lame.exe to convert the file to wav. I am not a programmer, but it doesn't seem to be very difficult (well nothing does if I am not the one to do it ).

 

Sounds like it could work in principle as long as
- As long as LAME is fully controllable from the command line (which I bet it is)
- Users are OK with not really knowing how many mp3s will fit since they won't know the total size of all the wav files until they are all converted.. I guess it could be predicted by how long each song is but that would take more work that I would want to do in batch programs.

I might rather attempt to write a separate script to batch convert mp3->wav. Then the wavs could be used in my process. The whole task of estimating sizes is is a pain in batch programs. That's why my directions tell you to use file explorer to get the total size of all your wave files.

I'll look at LAME in the next few days and see what I think.

 

I forgot about disk space evaluation... Would be nice to have another script, which will check a bitrate of each .mp3 file, calculate estimated .wav size and display a total size estimate for all files. I have no idea how it may be done. LAME doesn't seem to have a command line option to return the bitrate.

 

Hi,

The site is not working. Did it get updated? If so, what is the new FTP address? Also know any places to d/l dvd audio or samples to play them in the Acura TL?


Gammah

 

I have released version 3 of the scripts. you can use mp3s directly now.

Get it at http://home.comcast.net/~adobeman/DVDA/
Version 3 Changes:

• Decoding of mp3 files to wav using BeSweet. Put your mp3 files in the same place you put your wav files and the program will decode them to wav. Default settings are to normalize the mp3s to 100%.
  
• Size checking (sort of). The program will try and check to make sure that you don't have to much material for one disk. The standard setting is MAXDVDSIZE=4650000000 in setenv.bat. Change as required for DVD DL.

Let me know how it goes.

 

The post with Schrady: ftp://69.181.212.230 Login: dts Password: music <- that login and password do not work. Anybody have the new login and password? I want to see what kind of music files he has.

BTW, do any of you know where we can d/l free DTS and/or Dolby Digital Audio files? Preferably in English.

Thanks.


Gammah

 

Downloaded your scripts for the first time (version 3) and the scripts were able to convert from .mp3 to .wav and then compute the estimated DVD size, but after that nothing else happens. No image is created, nor any error messages. Any ideas?

Sample Output:
The files will now be made into a DVD-A structure and then an image
will be created. This will take a long time if you have a full DVDs
worth of songs.
Press any key to continue . . .

J:\DVDA>REM remove or change the "-ota( -g max )" seting for other normalizaiton


J:\DVDA>FOR %f IN (J:\DVDA\WAVs\CD_GRP1\*.mp3) DO J:\DVDA\CODE\BeSweet.exe -core
( -input "%f" -output "%f.wav" -2ch ) -ota( -g max )

J:\DVDA>J:\DVDA\CODE\BeSweet.exe -core( -input "J:\DVDA\WAVs\CD_GRP1\ASOT_217_10
-06-05.mp3" -output "J:\DVDA\WAVs\CD_GRP1\ASOT_217_10-06-05.mp3.wav" -2ch ) -ota
( -g max )
BeSweet v1.5b31 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using hip.dll v1.19 by Myers Carpenter <myers@users.sf.net>

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : J:\DVDA\WAVs\CD_GRP1\ASOT_217_10-06-05.mp3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: J:\DVDA\WAVs\CD_GRP1\ASOT_217_10-06-05.mp3.wav
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 44.1KHz
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[04:08:24:038] Conversion Completed !\
[04:08:24:038] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 132kbps
[00:01:27:000] <-- Transcoding Duration


Visit DSPguru's Homepage at :
http://DSPguru.doom9.net/
************************************************** **********************
* *
* SIZE WARNING *
* *
************************************************** **********************
*
* Current estimated size of all wavs is 3919283844
* Maximum allowed on disk 4650000000
*
*
* Change variable "MAXDVDSIZE" in Setenv.bat if you are using DVD DL
*
************************************************** **********************
Press any key to continue . . .
Press any key to continue . . .
J:\DVDA>

 

I just burned a disk, and the new script worked- almost. After it converted the mp3, all wav files took about 6GB on the disk, but script went on creating a 6GB image without giving me a warning. Did it have to delete the original mp3s? It did not.

 

Ugh ! the file size thing...
When did you last download the script ? I made some changes the other night (2/11) to the size checking thing.

Inside the file MakeDVDA.bat are the lines 48 and 49

If not then download again and re-extract all the files since their are changes.

And no, you don't need to remove the mp3s. The dvda creation only cares about wave files.

Please let me know if you were up-to-date. This size checking thing is turning out to be my nemesis.

 

hi adobe. first off thanks a lot for your scripts..
im getting an error when playing the dvd on my computer (winxp pro using power dvd)
it says "CPPM must be activated before playign CPPM-protected content. Please connect to the Internet and press OK when ready."

when i click 'ok' the same nag screen pops up over and over. if i click cnacel it says "CPPM is not activated. You cannot play CPPM-protected content. Please activate CPPM later." but after i clikc ok on that..the music starts playing.

when attempting to play the disc using WMP all i get is a buzzing noise. with extremly faint music in the background.

when playing it in the TL, i get an error, if i choose the DVD-a disc and choose track, it just sits there on that track forever without moving, no sound.

i guess my question is..any ideas where i went wrong, or what could be causing the problem? oooh. and i did use dvd-r discs to burn it, and the information is already burned on it properly cuz i CAN play the music using powerdvd, despite all the error msgs it gives mme.

 

is there any way to make the tl read and play mp3 cd/dvds? for instance, a software change or something?

 

I've been looking for some DVD-R DL discs to burn but don't seem to be able to find any - only the +R discs. Anyone know a reliable source for these illusive creatures?

 

Try Meritline