DVDx VCD/SVCD Guide

DVDx is another of these all-in one programs that have begin to appear lately, but in contrast to most it's not just a few programs glued together, but it's really one single program. The only external software used is the authentication dll but that's included in the package. DVDx is also fully open source and still in heavy development so we may see improvements in the future (better resize and crop for avi output anyone?).

You'll need the following software for this guide:

DVDx
Nero - NOTE: Demo version, you can buy the full version online. Homepage

Step 1 - Setting up the source

DVDx has included DVD ripping abilities. Unless traditional tools to encode a DVD directly off the disc DVDx buffers the data and the buffer size is adjustable so it shouldn't be too bad for your drive. However, if you have any doubts about this mechanisms you should use DVD Decrypter to first rip the WHOLE! DVD to your harddisk and select the IFO file on the hardisk instead.

In this step you'll configure important source parameters for your rip.

Step 2 - setting up the output format

In this step you'll set the desired output format for your rip. You'll also be able to set chapters, do a custom pan&scan for 16:9 titles and adjust the bitrates for an SVCD. Of course you'll also make the selection whether to make a VCD or SVCD.

Step 3 - encode

All you need to do now is press the Select Output button at the bottom right of the main screen of DVDx, select a drive and filename, then press the encode button on the right side right above the preview picture.

Step 4 - burn

The last step is burning the video in Nero or a cue/bin capable burning tool.

This document was last updated on November 13, 2003