Hi guys,

I'm pretty much a newbie here (but mainly only in terms of how many posts I've made, because I've been following all the exciting developments for quite awhile). Now that things seem to be calming down, I'm looking forward to getting started and giving the latest-greatest kvcd process a try. However, I'd prefer not to start until some of the oft-requested new-and-improved how-to guides are available (R-Man's guide certainly seems helpful in some regards, but even being the relative newbie I am, I can tell that it's a tad outdated....also, only about half of the screenshots will ever show up, no matter what I try or how long I wait for them to load--even jorel's method described in another post doesn't work for me---maybe my 56k dialup connection is just too slow??? I dunno).

Anyways, in the meantime, while I'm eagerly waiting for some good new guides to pop up (preferrably straight from "the kvcd gurus"...you all know who you are ), I've started downloading the necessary programs so I'll be ready.

I'm a bit hesitant as to which version of TMPGEnc I should get. Are there any major bugfixes or new advantages in the latest 2.59 Plus version that would make it the best overall choice? I've already read the 2.59 release notes, but I mean in terms of kvcd creation, is 2.59 any better/quicker/etc? I know that many people reported having problems with incorrect file-sizes with 2.59, but was it ever determined whether this problem existed in both the Free and Plus versions? Or just in the Free version? I know Kwag said he had no problems with overbloated filesizes with 2.59 Plus. But has anyone else with 2.59 Plus? Are the people getting the bloated files just using a wrong setting or something, or all using 2.59Free? Is there any way to avoid having to do this "fix" in versions of 2.59, since it's just another added step to the process? Any thoughts Kwag

A few threads on the bulletin board at tmpgenc.net regarding this problem say that 2.59(didn't seem to say which version/s) has a bug in its muxer, and that all MPEG1 files, no matter how low you set the bitrate, will have padding added to be the same size as standard VCD. It also says that 2.58 doesn't have this problem. A recommended "fix" for files created with 2.59 says to run the simple multiplexer with the 'Non standard VCD' setting on the incorrectly-sized file, and it'll strip the padding and reduce the file size.

Can anyone confirm that this suggested 2.59 "fix" will result in the exact same file size and quality as you'd normally get when using the non-buggy version 2.58 or 2.58 Plus? If so, I may just buy 2.59 Plus (I'd like unlimited MPEG2 support) and live with the extra step.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to download and try out TMPG 2.58 Plus first since it seems to be more stable and cause less headaches, but it doesn't seem to be available at www.pegasys-inc.com any longer. Could someone please post a link or direct me to somewhere I could download the legit 14-day trial version of TMPGEnc 2.58 Plus, instead of 2.58Free?. Thanks in advance for any answers/help.

-dazed(but slightly less confused)

Personally I use 2.58-free and have never had a problem with it. I'm not sure what benefits there are to upgrading, but you know what they say about something not being broke .

See this thread for a 2.58 download link.

Hey Sansgip, I hear ya! (don't fix what ain't broke to begin with! )...and thanks for the link for 2.58Free, but I've already downloaded it and put it in the "vault" for safe keeping (now that I've learned my lesson not to procrastinate when it comes to saving versions of potentially handy proggies that might disappear).

I was just hoping that maybe someone would be able to upload or give me a link or something to the original trial 2.58Plus downloadable file from www.pagasys-inc.com, because when I do finally jump in headfirst and try making my first kvcd (probably whenever some new docs/guides surface ), I know that I'll want to do a LOT of testing, monkeying, learning (as well as a bit of hair-pulling and crying I imagine! ), so I figured that the online Help/FAQ features that are only found in the Plus versions might come in handy for me. And also being a newbie already, I figured that the 2.58Plus version (with no known issues), would be a much better place to start and learn than the 2.59Plus version (with known overbloated filesize issues). One less thing to worry about that way.

Thanks again,
-Dazed

The only reason to use the plus version is if you want to encode MPEG-2. Every MPEG-1 KVCD template can be encoded with the free version just as well (and at the same speed) as the plus version.

You don't really need the help file, either. Read that link above wrt best settings and simply ask in here if you have any questions .

Yep, I do want to be able to encode to MPEG-2, in addition to mpeg-1, which is why I'm planning on purchasing a Plus version of TMPG eventually (probably once some new dvd>kvcd guides emerge--"he said anxiously"-- ). Black Prince's new avi>kvcd guide seems great, but I'm the kind of person who likes idiot-proof screenshots and the whole nine yards! Plus I'm really more interested in dvd>kvcd than avi>kvcd. So I'm sort of biding my time with fingers crossed 'til then.

Sansgrip, would you (or anyone else?...anyone, anyone?...Bueller? ) happen to know if it is even possible to register an outdated version of TMPG Plus? I mean, if by some chance some kind soul (----see previous Ferris Bueller reference--- ) who still has the original unregistered 2.58+ downloaded file sitting on their 'puter happens to read this and they're kind enough to offer it up to me in some way (by link, email, whatever).....would I even be able to purchase a registration from Pegasys-Inc for this older version, or no??? If not, then I guess I'll just hafta buy the 2.59+ version and hope I "luck-out"(seemingly) like Kwag and have no bloated filesize issues like everyone else seems to be having. Then again, maybe a bug-free 2.60+ version will be out soon!

Mainly, I just was hoping to be able to familiarize myself with the best non-buggy version(seemingly 2.58+) when I get my start, to make things a bit easier on me as a newbie (actually, I have used an old version of tmpg a couple times long ago on a friend's computer so I could encode a new splash-screen for my dvd player...so I guess I'm not a TOTAL tmpg newbie...although this was with idiot-proof guides sitting in front of me! ).

Anyways, this is why I want the unlimited MPEG-2 (splash-screen requires it), and why I'm trying to track down and figure out if I should (or even COULD) buy the 2.58+ version. I also want unlimited MPEG-2 functionality because unfortunately , judging from all the great samples I've downloaded here, my player seems to choke on anything other than mpeg1 @ 352x240, and mpeg2 @ 352x480 or 480x480 (though I'm hopeful this might change once I do some testing/tinkering with resolutions and bitrates). So since I'm gonna be "stuck"(but still overwhelmingly happy ) using mainly the LBR and SKVCD templates, I'll probably want to make use of MPEG-2 for some conversions.

Gosh, I'm a windbag Sorry! Thanks again.
-d&c

Then don't wait
Go here: http://www.kvcd.net/guides/kguide/kvcdguide.htm

-kwag

Just PM me. Can give you sort of solution.


Gaudi

@ Kwag:

Yeah, I know about R-Man's Guide, but as I mentioned somewhere in the "vastness" of my first post up at the top, I have never been able to get the darn thing to fully load in for some reason, no matter what I try or how long I wait, so sadly, it's not of much use to me. I remember reading another post by someone in one of the other forums who was having the same problem. I believe Jorel offered him a solution of sending the page in html form to himself. But I tried this, that and the other, and it still only loads up about half of the screenshots before timing out. So I'm still a-waitin' for some great new updated guides to materialize (wink, wink..nudge, nudge....say no more squire! ).
-d&c

Have you tried accesing the page via an external proxy? Like www.webwarper.net
Like this: http://webwarper.net/ww/~GZ/www.kvcd...vcdguide.htm?*

-kwag

Thanks for tryin' Kwag, but the same thing happens using the link you suggested. The best I've ever managed to get Red M's guide to load up (after numerous refreshes and long waits) is with about 8 of the various screenshots still missing, randomly throughout the page. I don't know if it's due to my slow connection, or some sort of settings on IE 6.0 or what.

I had a friend with a cable modem go to the page, and it all loaded in fine for them. They sent me the page as htm, but when I try to open it, I still only get to see about half the screenshots. I wonder how many other frustrated dialup users are experiencing this problem? I know at least one other poster mentioned it somewhere semi-recently.

Anyways, that's why I'm SOOO excited for those new guides that are coming our way, so no biggie!

Thanks again!
-d&c

I have the same problems. I have a pretty fast dsl connection and the page loads fine with Netscape 7 but the arrows and boxes are misaligned and in some cases cover up the guide text. On my other computer I'm running Opera and it hangs when I load the page.

Don't worry though, Kwag and SansGrip are working on a universal guide (I read this thread somewhere in here)

I think the problem is that the guide may be using some IE specif implementation of CSS (cascade style sheets - that's what he uses to draw that arrow lines over the snapshots )