Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

This is a guide to using VirtualDub to pre-process your video files before converting them to AMV. It will give you some knowledge of how to select and set various filters to adjust your video. By changing color saturation, resizing, cropping, de-interlacing etc. you can improve the quality and size of your AMV video files. VirtualDub can be used on a limited number of file formats so I find it easier to convert DVD's, rmbv, mp4 etc to AVI format prior to using VirtualDub.

You can download VirtualDub from HERE
You will need about 10GB free space on your PC for a full lenght movie.

Load your AVI into VirtualDub.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9...titled24nn.jpg

Press CTRL-F to open the Filters window or select filters from the Video menu.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/1...titled32fp.jpg

Pressing the ADD button will present you with the filters available.


http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9...titled41dh.jpg

Firstly select the Resize filter,and enter your players screen size.
I use 160x120 for full screen 1.8 LC, 128x128 or 128x96 for 1.5 LCD.
Select "Precise bicubic (A=-1.00) Filter Mode.Then OK.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9...titled56xm.jpg

Press the Cropping button you can now remove unwanted areas like the black lines from the top and bottom of movies. In most cases what ever I crop from top and bottom I also crop the same amount from the sides so as to keep roughly a 4x3 aspect ratio. If the picture is to wide it will be compressed and everything will appear stretched and thin. For this example no top and bottom cropping is needed but I will still crop the sides by 40PX. press Ok and exit.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4...titled60md.jpg

Now ADD the De-interlace filter and select the "Blend fields together" option.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4...titled77jx.jpg

ADD the Brightness and Contrast filter, I adjust Brightness down one increment and Contrast up one increment. You may need to adjust depending on your players Brightness setting.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6...titled81lr.jpg

ADD the HSV Adjust filter and adjust Saturation 10-15 percent. This will make the colours a little more vivid on the small screen.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3...titled90jc.jpg

Finally ADD the sharpness filter, a setting of 15 works for me and makes the picture crisper and more defined.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4...itled101ec.jpg

That is all the filters I use but if you want to flip or rotate etc just add the filters you want.
If you press the output preview button the video will play and you can see the adjustments you have made.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7...itled114ot.jpg

Now to reduce the size of your video you can set the start and finish points and remove credits and branding from the video.

Move the slider to the where you want the video to start and press the (Mark In) arrow

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7...itled121ij.jpg

Move the slider to where you want the video to finish and press the (Mark Out) arrow. You will now see your selection highlighted

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3...itled138qa.jpg

Select Video>Full Processing Mode (To use all the filters you have selected) and Audio>Full Processing Mode (To keep audio\video syncronized)

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/148/untitled153gq.jpg

Finally select File>Save As AVI or Save As>Segmented AVI ( I use this when saving full lenght movies and split it into 4 or 5 pieces. Then if I want to resume viewing say in the middle of the movie I can just select the 3rd piece rather than have to Fast Forward the the first half of the movie).

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6...itled161nl.jpg

This example is about 45 minutes of Video , will take just over 8 minute to process and the output file will be almost 4GB

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3...itled178oa.jpg

You can then convert the finished file to AMV.

SAMPLE: The image on the left is a direct to AMV conversion

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8336/sample1or6.png

Enlarged 2X

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7262/samplefk2.png



The settings can then be saved to file and loaded again for your next project.
The settings I have used here work for me but do not cover all that are available. Experiment with the settings till you find the ones that work best for you.

28-7-06 If your AMV conversions are skipping every few seconds you can fix this by setting the frame rate in VirtualDub to the same as your AMV conversions. To find out what speed your AMV are running at play one on your PC with the AMVPlayer. While it is running right click on the picture and select properties which will show you the FPS. To set the same Frames Per Second in VirtualDub pressing CTRL+R will open the frame rate setting. In the Frame Rate Conversion box select Convert to fps and then enter your desired frame rate 10, 12 ,16 what ever your AMV were running at.

If you find your sound is out of sync on your AMV conversions you can adjust that in VirtualDub as well. Press CTRL+I to bring up the Audio Interleaving settings and set Audio Scew Correction to + settings if your audio is early or - settings if your audio is late. (eg. +300 or -300) Settings are in milliseconds and you will have to experiment to find the right settings for you.

i have written a batch file that will automate cropping or letterboxing videos, so you can simply right click on the vid and open with the batch file.

i haven't added any brightness/contrast or other fancy adjustments, but you can do that yourself if you feel.

http://forum.s1mp3.org/viewtopic.php?p=14408#14408

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Thank you tadad1 and dazonic,

I´m using your settings to convert my videos,
let me see the output file....

thanks again

guivarrichio

Did I read it right?

The output 160x128 tiny little 45 miutes video will have 4 GB?!?!?! :roll:

Gosh, after running it through AMV Converter, how big will it be?

Victor1980, After conversion to AMV (16fps) it was only 127MB

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

hi tadad1, I converted a 2.5 MB avi file using virtual dub as u have illustrated the resulting file had a size of 82.5MB.
I was wondering what will happen if I convert a 700 MB

The strange thing is: The files keep coming out too large! My AMV converter4.0 has de quality options disabled. Even so, I just converted:

a 5 minutes long 20MB video, turned it into a 450MB 160x128 AVI file, and converted it into a 28MB AMV file. :(

The same 20MB file, converted to AMV also goes up to 28! :roll: Most of the files I convert goes to 40% the original size...

By the way, is there a way to increase volume through VirtualDub? EDIT: Found it! only "problem" now is still the filesize. you mentioned a 45 minutes, high quality file for less then 150MB

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Victor1980 & prasanna,

The process I have outlined in the guide is to provide the best quality AMV I have been able to obtain. When I worked on this process I was not concerned with file size or drive usage so no compression is used in the pre-process which is why the end .avi is so large. So I did a comparison experiment with and without compression and here are my findings.


Examples 1

Original file: Size 512x384 23.98fps
Lenght 42:15 min\sec
File size 345MB

After VirtualDub all settings as above + set output frame rate to 16fps

Processed file: Size 160x120 16fps
Length 42:15 min\sec
File size 2.21GB

AMV Conversion 3.57:
Size 160x120 16fps
Length 42:16 min\sec
File size 127MB

Example 2

Original file: Size 512x384 23.98fps
Lenght 42:15 min\sec
File size 345MB

After VirtualDub all settings as above + set output frame rate to 16fps + Compression Xvid MPEG-4 Codec


Processed file: Size 160x120 16fps
Length 42:15 min\sec
File size 56.35MB

AMV Conversion 3.57:
Size 160x120 16fps
Length 42:16 min\sec
File size 142MB

Sample: Example 2 using compression is on the left

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2857/sample1nd7.png

Enlarged 2X

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8924/sample2rk6.png

As you can see using compression during the VirtualDub process reduces the output file from 2.21GB to 56.35MB however the end result produces a poorer quality AMV file but also to my suprise increases the file size by 15MB.

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Hi,
My player LCd is about 1.8inch. I ever tried using version 3.57
to convert into amv file but I can only choose up to 128x96 which is very small not full screen.
Dont understand how come you all can choose full screen?


I tried using virtualdub to resize to 160x120(1.8inch LCD)and save the video file into avi format. After that use amv convertion tool v3.57 to convert into amv file , the video is still very small not full screen.
How Can I increase it to full screen?
Can anyone help?


thanks!

sharonx87, You need to edit transformsetup.ini, this post will give you details
http://www.mympxplayer.com/viewtopic.php?t=449

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Hi tadad1, thanks for posting the results.In my opinion if u have atlest 10GB disk space we can convert without any compression.Since I dont have so much free disk space I have to compromise with the quality of the video by going for Xvid AVI compression.
By the way how much time did it take for the coversion of ur file?

prasanna

prasanna, You should also try some of the other compression codecs that still reduce the output size I later tried Huffyuv and Indeo Video codecs and they about halved the size of the output and the final AMV was better quality.

It seems the time it takes depends on the compression codec used with the example the longest took about 14 minutes the shortest about 8 minutes. I can do a full lenght movie with no compression in between 17 to 20 minutes depending on the lenght of the movie.

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Hi tadad1,
I have a doubt....does virtual dub converts VOB files or we need to first convert them to AVI and then use Virtual dub.
B'coz I have lot of DVDs i want them to convert them.
Presently I use DVD decrypter to copy the files in to the drive and then use pocketdivxencoder or other to convert them to AVI and them convert them to AMV.

prasanna

prasanna, no VirtualDub does not convert .vob files.
I finally bought a copy of Slysoft CloneDVDMobile and DVD43 which rips a full movie to avi in about 30 minutes. Was well worth the 40 US dollars.

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Tadad1, Can u post the steps u follow in ripping the DVD using the software mentioned by u.So that will be helpful for ppl like us.
Thanks in advance

Prasanna

I use a program called xmpeg to convert my vob file(s) into a 128x128 avi file, which I can then use amv convertor on....i get pretty good audio and video quality with it.....can actually get watchable dvds on my chi-pod now

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Have I to change the options for 1,5" LCD (iPod Nano Clone)?
Please let me know in what way.

This thread is really helpful :D

k.r.i.s.s.i,
For 1.5 LCD you need to change the Resize Filter setting to 128x96 for widescreen or 128x128 for full screen.
If you are going to use 128x128 you need to crop more of the sides as well otherwise the picture will become to compressed and the image will be tall and thin.
Here are some settings I use for 128x128. Copy them into notepad and save. Then rename the file 128x128.vcf. then you can load the settings into VirtualDub by pressing CTRL+L on your keyboard


VirtualDub.audio.SetSource(1);
VirtualDub.audio.SetMode(1);
VirtualDub.audio.SetInterleave(1,500,1,0,0);
VirtualDub.audio.SetClipMode(1,1);
VirtualDub.audio.SetConversion(0,0,0,0,0);
VirtualDub.audio.SetVolume();
VirtualDub.audio.SetCompression();
VirtualDub.audio.EnableFilterGraph(0);
VirtualDub.video.SetInputFormat(0);
VirtualDub.video.SetOutputFormat(7);
VirtualDub.video.SetMode(3);
VirtualDub.video.SetFrameRate(0,1);
VirtualDub.video.SetTargetFrameRate(100000,10000);
VirtualDub.video.SetIVTC(0,0,-1,0);
VirtualDub.video.SetCompression();
VirtualDub.video.filters.Clear();
VirtualDub.video.filters.Add("resize");
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[0].SetClipping(35,0,35,0);
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[0].Config(128,128,6);
VirtualDub.video.filters.Add("deinterlace");
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[1].Config(0);
VirtualDub.video.filters.Add("HSV adjust");
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[2].Config(0,91776,0);
VirtualDub.video.filters.Add("brightness/contrast");
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[3].Config(0,20);
VirtualDub.video.filters.Add("sharpen");
VirtualDub.video.filters.instance[4].Config(15);
VirtualDub.audio.filters.Clear();


You may need to adjust the cropping as this is set for a wide screen movie with black bands top and bottom but notice how much I have cropped from the sides.

Hope this helps.

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

If you set it to compress the video with XviD at maximum quality, the filesize will be vastly decreased with no visible quality loss :)

The AMV format is very inefficient. Compressing with .rar reduces file size by about 30%. By comparison, an xvid is reduced by less than .1%

Thanks Man

i would like to add the following.

for people who experience skipping problems in videos, try the following -

1. For avi files with 29 fps, use medium fps setting in amv converter.

2. For avi files with 25 fps, use high/low fps setting in amv converter

hope this helps :D

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Virtual Dub is AWESOME! So is the how to guide! The overall video quality has improved 100%. No more black bars on the top and bottom and the image is a lot clearer. Thanks!

8)

booboo773, It may take a little longer but I think the effort is well worth it, glad you found it helpful :)

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

Tada1, hey man, how are you doing?...

I'm back after 1 year....

best regards

Hi mate,

can you make those settings for smoother video on glacier 2", 220*176, id be thankful.

Read this: http://www.mympxplayer.org/howto-the...mv-vt6858.html

Hopefully tadad1 will help me update the sticky as well. ;)

Re: Using VirtualDub to improve your AMV conversions.
 

With all due respect, I think my method is much easier and faster. With ffdshow, you can apply all these filters on-the-fly (while converting), without the need for pre-processing; and obtaining the same quality:
http://www.mympxplayer.org/howto-mak...ng-vt7156.html

Tadad1.
in virtual dub you prefer to deinterlace anything that NEEDS deinterlacing prior to a resize of any sort, as resizing will have already blended the feilds together.
this could be dependant on other settings.

ORDER of the filters Can be important, depending on what your trying to accomplish, the move-up move down will order things.

FFdshow to improve your AMV conversions.
 

It's true, no need to get the huge avi file and also a super cool bonus is the perfect sync of Mpeg2 sat streams converting.
I'm talking after a week of various tryouts to get in sync audio of converted mpeg2 sat streams, none of the glorious apps, including Vdub in doing this conversion properly, except for Mpeg Streamclip or Alive Video Convertor, the last one you can rebuild the Mpeg2 stream with no more errors in it and you can use Vdub after to reconvert with no more sync issues.

But why pass thru 2-3 conversions and get the same result when ffdshow and AMV converting tool can do directly from the mpeg2 stream!!!

Super great, someone should try to make a guide and also this method should be sticky.

@tadad1:
I am using ancient (and free) tools such as DVD2AVI to make extremely good DVD rips into 700 MB AVI. I use Xvid 2-pass encode, which takes longer but is more than worth the wait.

I'm amazed that you're using VirtualDub like this, so much is unnecessary when the target is such a tiny screen. I make Xvid movies for my Pocket PC that are typically 70-75 MB for 2-hour movie. The picture is no good on a big screen, but quite watchable on the tiny one. And the PPC has a much bigger screen than those on our Chipods.

I would never encourage anyone to make uncompressed AVIs, it just makes no sense. There are many low-loss codecs you can use.

Also, in your example, the aspect of the output picture looks wrong, and I seriously doubt the wisdom of using so many filters. Especially the sharpen one, which is going to have the main effect of increasing noise. This just makes more work for the final encoder, and also increases the filesize. You don't need sharpening for such a tiny screen; you would never see the difference.

i am having error when i played in my mp4,always says format error, can some1 help me??

i already fixed the problem

Hi

I downloaded virtual dub from the link you provided. followed the instructions but when i try to save avi it says

No audio decompressor could be found to decompress the source audio format. (source format tag:0055)

any suggestions please??

This is probably coming a bit late but that error is because you don't have the right codecs. I use the K-Lite Codec Pack, it should take care of all your video needs.

I'll be honest with you, I'm not an expert on VDM. I'm writing this brief tutorial just to show you how I've used it. If you want a more complete (and knowledgeable) guide on using VirtualDubMod, and in particular, in using VDM in conjunction with the powerful scripting tool Avisynth, trot yourself over to animemusicvideos.org and read their "Guide". It's a little more demanding, but you'll learn a lot more about VDM than you will from me. Or, you can join the FoolishPassion forums