DVD-RB FAQ

This FAQ is currently a work in progress. If you want to make suggestions regarding what should be included feel free to start a new thread. I'll be dividing my time this weekend between completing my guide for v1.0 and getting this FAQ semi-complete.


1. What Is DVD-RB?

2. What's the difference between DVD-RB and Other 1 Click programs?

3. What program(s) do I need and where do I get them?

4. What's the latest version of DVD-RB?

 

1. What Is DVD-RB?

DVD-RB, or DVD Rebuilder, is a tool that uses an MPEG encoder to compress DVD-9 discs to fit on a DVD-5 recordable.

 

2. What's the difference between DVD-RB and Other 1 Click programs?

Most 1 click tools are compressed domain transcoders. What this means in English is that they simply remove enough information from the video on a DVD to make it small enough to fit on a blank disc. Instead of using that approach, DVD-RB re-encodes the video from scratch. The advantage to this approach is that a good MPEG encoder will do a better job of distributing the bitrate, both between frames and between different pixels in the same frame, in a way that maintains as much quality as possible from the original.

 

3. What program(s) do I need and where do I get them?

At the very least you need DVD-RB and whatever MPEG encoder you plan to use. There are 2 different versions of DVD-RB; Free and Pro. The Pro version includes a few features the free version doesn't, like removing unwanted extras while retaining functional menus and making movie-only backups. No new features are expected for the free version (bugs will still be fixed) while development continue on DVD-RB Pro. In order to get the Pro version you need to make a donation of at least $29.95 to the developer, so it's a good idea to start with the free version to get an idea of how it works. The free encoders (HC and QuEnc) DVD-RB supports are included and automatically installed when you run the installer.

You can download an installer for DVD-RB Free here:
http://dvd-rb.dvd2go.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=77
If you're just updating the program and don't want the installer use this link:
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd-rebuilder.cfm

To get DVD-RB Pro you need to donate (use the Donate option on the Help menu) at least $29.95 to jdobbs. You'll receive an email with a link to download the latest version and a key to make it work.

If you're going to use either CCE Basic or CCE SP to encode you can find more information in our software section.
CCE Basic: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/cinema_craft_encoder_basic.cfm
CCE SP 2.50 (Recommended for PIII/Athlon/Athlon XP Processors): http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/cinema_craft_encoder_250.cfm
CCE SP 2.7x (Recommended for P4/Athlon64 Processors): http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/cinema_craft_encoder.cfm

Note: The trial version of CCE Basic is restricted to encoding 3 minutes of video at a time with a watermark over the video, and is therefore unsuitable for testing DVD-RB's output. The trial versions of CCE SP can encode an unlimited length of video but still put a watermark over the encoded video.

If you're going to use Canopus ProCoder or ProCoder Express to encode you can get them from the Canopus website. The following links are for the US. If you live in another country you should go to http://www.canopus.com/Index.asp and select the appropriate country.
ProCoder: http://www.canopus.us/US/products/ProCoder2/pm_procoder2.asp
ProCoder Express: http://www.canopus.us/US/products/procoder_express/pm_procoder_express.asp

Additional support utilities for DVD-RB can be found at the DVD-RB homepage:
http://dvd-rb.dvd2go.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=24

If you use the installer for DVD-RB none of these helper programs are necessary.

 

4. What's the latest version of DVD-RB?

DVD-RB Free: 0.95
DVD-RB Pro: 1.28.2

edited by creaky to update the version number for DVD-RB Pro