DVDFab 4.0.3.6 Beta

i downloaded 4036 beat and it says the evaluation period has expired.

I am confused about the verify function. I have clicked 'Verify when done', but at the end of the burn, a dialog comes up saying 'Please close the CD tray'.

I was hoping it would just automatically start the verify phase once burn is complete - am I doing something wrong?

Just tried twice using the default Zune configuration with High School Musical 2 and all the following happen: Conversion gets to 100% but never indicates completion of the task. The fps just keeps counting as well as the time and it never stops even though 100% is indicated? I can cancel and then play the created file but the color is very poor and the voice is out of sync - both times? Did another Zune copy prior to this version and it worked fine? Any thoughts?

Thank you Fengtao and Ting Happy New Year

Has anyone else noticed this with the new beta????

When encoding using generic.xvid.audiocopy profile, I was pretty sure that previous versions made a pretty good guess at what resolution that the video should be encoded at.

For example, In my scenario, most PAL 16:9 DVD's suggested 720 x 400 and PAL 4:3 DVD's suggested 720 x 576. It nearly always seemed to be correct.

With 4.0.3.6 Beta it seems to a bit of a lucky dip or gamble. I have had 16:9 movies suggesting 720 x 576 & 4:3 movies suggesting 720 x 400 and also suggesting the correct dimensions.

Can someone else please do a couple of trials?

Maybe I'm just being stoopid or sumfink !!!!

I've kept my old DVD Fab Gold 2.92 for simple splitting. 100% bug free.

I do use Platinum 3.2.1.0 & Occasionally one of the early 4.x builds for custom backups. I'm hoping that eventually you all will report a 4.x release that's bug free. I've been hesitant to play with 4.x much based on what I've read here.

ThanksDow: No I am in Canada so I am not using Pal.
I had changed "Writing Packet" to SAO. I am using NERO to burn with and my copies are now working on the Panasonic. Hope this helps.
Teddyruxpin

The evaluation period started from when you first installed or tried the software, not from when you do a new download.

Have you had a trial version of DVD Fab installed previously?

Pannys are funny players - very finicky. You need to match your media to them - use Verbs or TYs only.

One thing I noticed with a recent beta of Fab Decrypter was that it mixed PAL and NTSC content for tiny cells - this wouldn't usually produce a coaster, just the tiny cell would play erratically and given its time (less than 0.5 seconds) and content (black frame), it might not even be noticed. Dunno if this has been fixed, yet, but I assume it has. However, you never know, the Panny might burp at something like this (different frame size and rate).

Regards

"I've kept my old DVD Fab Gold 2.92 for simple splitting. 100% bug free.

I do use Platinum 3.2.1.0 & Occasionally one of the early 4.x builds for custom backups. I'm hoping that eventually you all will report a 4.x release that's bug free. I've been hesitant to play with 4.x much based on what I've read here."

I'm the same. The 4x is going to lose its reputation as reliable software unless the makers concentrate on eradicatimg bugs.

Are you by any chance using a slimline notebook drive? Cycling the tray is a normal procedure before beginning the verify phase. Generally on a full-sized drive the tray will open then close by itself. A slimline drive can only be closed manually, not by software control.

If this is the case, you are not doing anything wrong. Just close the tray and wait for the verify to complete.

@MooMooMooMoo & thehatman

Keeping older versions "just in case" is a good policy. However, if you are ripping new releases on an ongoing basis, updates are essential to handle new copy protections.

Fengtao is making a tremendous effort to both fix bugs and to keep up with the latest copy protection schemes. As with any software, bugs may creep in from time to time. Generally, the bugs are promptly fixed.

While I understand your concern, consider the alternative: Extensive testing before public release, no betas, and wait a month for a version that will rip the brand new DVD you just bought.

Personally, I may grimace occasionally, but I appreciate Fengtao's efforts, and I generally use the latest beta unless a bug pops up in the particular functions I use. If that happens, I either temporarily roll back, or use different software for that specific task.

If you choose not to use a particular release, fine. But on balance, Fengtao is doing a great job responding to the needs of his customers.

For bug free splitting and a free way, I prefer using VobBlanker to split and keep the menus. Plus it works on Linux which I prefer to run

Thank you Fengtao, you´r fast don´t you?: cheers! Happy New Year from Uruguay .Daniel Pereira."perecop06"

Remember, the 720x576 is incompatible with standalones. Maximum is 720x480. Please don't ask me why, I know no answer...

Nearest to 16:9 ratio is 704x400, no matter if PAL/NTSC. 720x480 res. needs more space, without a better watch feeling on normal TV. The new versions gives out a 100% 4:3 picture with 640x480. This worked very well for me without black sides. But it's on you, what you like.
(Take a calculator and then: 480:3=160x4=640, this means 4:3 ratio (640x480) with best compatibly to standalones and others)

Hi Amiga,

I'm not wanting to start an argument with you here but I regard your statements above as totally incorrect....

The NATIVE resolutions of most DVD's are (or should be) as follows:-
PAL - 4:3 = 720 x 576 16:9 = 720 x 400
NTSC- 4:3 = 704 x 528 16:9 = 704 x 396

If you note, these PAL 16:9 dimensions are not mathematically correct (720 x 405) but the dimensions MUST be divisible by 8.

I do not know what STANDALONES you are referring to but I have 4 Network Media Players in my media setup mix, a Ziova CS505, 2 x Zensonic Z500 (www.ziova.com) & a D-Link DSM 320 and all play media encoded to these standard fine with a full screen. I also run iPaq & Dopod PDA's wirelessly on the network to view videos encoded at a standard suitable for them.

As a general rule in encoding, you will achieve better results by staying with the original resolution as the encoding software does not have to use translation algorithms to resize the images which can result in less than optimal video quality.

In fact, I have been doing this using DVD Decrypter (Not FAB)/AutoGK/FFDShow for over 5 years with outstanding results so I think I may have some idea what I am talking about and have been an alpha and beta tester for Ziova for some time.

Thanks for your comments but that was not what I was asking.

What I was asking was has anyone noticed that the closest size to what should be selected is now not being selected automatically?

My take on Dvdfab platinum is simple the author is trying very hard to give everyone what they want however everytime one thing gets fixed another bug or two pops up....I know I am going to get beaten to death for this post but it is the truth.


I think Dvdfab is on the right track but these betas are just temporary fixes for a very buggy AIO program if fengtao can ever pull it off he will be #1period!!


I use and support fengtao's software.....

@GregiBoy,

Although I am willing to allow your math to be correct, you are not correct in respect of DVD resolution. Please see sections 3.4 and 3.5 here.

In short - PAL is usually 720 x 576 (irrespective of whether it's 4:3 or 16:9) and similarly, NTSC is usually 720 x 480. Other resolutions are possible as set out in the link but only these ones.

Now, native 4:3 PAL is still 720 x 576, just that it has black bars on each side. Ditto for NTSC but 720 x 480.

Regards

Les,

No arguments regarding standards at all but what I am talking about is when you are encoding any DVD to either XVid or MP4 for either playback on a PC or and Network Media Player....

A true PAL 4:3 video needs to be encoded at 720 x 576 resolution. This will show up as full screen on a 4:3 television. On a widescreen TV this can be handled a variety of ways by the TV but the usual way is for the TV to display it with vertical black bars down the side.

A true PAL 16:9 needs to be encoded at 720 x 400 resolution which will show up as full screen on a widescreen TV, whilst on a 4:3 TV, it will usuall show up as letterboxed (black horizontal lines)

Really this is again getting away from my question that I asked in my post and I'll reiterate:-

When setting up a DVD to encode to generic.xvid.audiocopy file, previous versions of DVD Fab would make a pretty good attempt at guessing the resolution that the file should be encoded at whilst this Beta does not seem to do that. Can anyone confirm?

Regards,
Greg

ok im still having trouble fengtao and ting tying to convert a psp file i still get the crash log i hate this i send you emails but no respones from either of you

I choose to run Any DVD in the background for the copy protection features, & dvd fab for splitting/customizing. I've found that ANY DVD seems to pick up the new protections faster & I also like that it stops malware on music cd's from running.

I still use shrink for simple dvd5 rips; while I no longer use it for anything but ripping, shrink is the simplest ripper I know of; & the only one that will always interface with Nero for burns without error on my system. If I rip with ANYTHING other then Shrink, I've found I must save the files to my hd & then open Nero to burn.

Don't get me wrong, I really like DVD Fab Gold 2.92 & Platinum 3.x; I don't at all regret my purchases of first Gold & then Platinum.

I've only used DVD Fab 4.x once or twice & haven't had any issues. My concern is with the issues that many other users are reporting here.

Quick bug report for 4.0.3.6:

When doing a full disc rip of The Simpsons Movie (US, Widescreen) with Pathfinder enabled, and setting to Start Main Movie, the ripped image starts the main movie with the Commentary Track enabled. It is possible to turn it off in the Language Settings area of the main DVD menu, but Pathfinder defaults it to on.

Has anyone tested the Split Mode with this new update, & did it work for you on standalone players?

(Sorry - I haven't yet, as I need to go to someone else's house to test on their standalone - it's been near zero here the last 2 days with a windchill of minus 20F, so I've been staying in! lol)

@millercentral

I saw this on another forum. This is not actually a bug. There are 2 titles for the movie - the real movie is about 1h 20m and the commentary title is about 15 mins longer (and fades to black & white a few times when they want to hold a thought). Obviously, FAB thinks the longer title is the "main movie" (this is entirely usual but in this case, incorrect). The fix would be to start at main menu.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Hi millercentral, thanks for your report, I'll check this issue asap.

Hi Janine R, the problem in "Split" mode will be fixed finally.

Hi blutach, with PathPlayer's help, I think DVDFab can know the real main title, even if it's not the longest.

Please wait for next beta, it will be out very soon.