labDV newsletter

Topics:

DVD to DVD copy: DVDShrink 2.0 released
Software downloads: new labDV forum added
Technique: MPEG-2 Transcoding
Hardware: The DV Dream Machine 2003
Hardware: Video Editing with Laptops

June 7th, 2003

1. DVD to DVD copy: DVDShrink 2.0 released

The newest version DVDShrink, 2.0, has been released. Members of the labDV team have worked close together with the developer of this very versatile tool to backup DVD's to DVD. The new version has a complete redesigned User Interface enabling the user to tweak the backup completely according to personal preference.

labDV continues its support to DVDShrink by releasing a complete and detailed manual to be published on the labDV site soon. The new version can be downloaded from our download page.

2. Software downloads: new labDV forum added

We have introduced a new section in our forums: Software News and Updates. In this forum announcements of new software releases and updates can be published and our members can also post messages about new software, updates and their experience with them.

First message that were posted are about cladDVD , Nero 5.5.10.28 , TMPGEnc 2.5.11 and VirtualDub 1.5.2. If you really looking for up-to-date information and want detailed information about what's new in the best DV software programs? Visit this labDV Software News and Updates Software News and Updates forum

3. Technique: MPEG-2 Transcoding

Creating a backup from your DVD on a writable DVD? If you have read our series about DVD to DVD copying, you know that one of the real problems is that most DVD's will not fit on a single writable DVD. Even after removing unwanted material like audio tracks, subtitles or extra's the main movie may be to big. Maybe you don't want to remove items. In these cases there is no alternative than to take the original MPEG-2 and turn it into another, smaller MPEG-2. Decoding and then encode it again to another bitrate is an option, but it is slow and the result might not be what you want.

Another technique that can be used is Compressed Domain Transcoding. The original MPEG-2 is compressed further without first being decompressed. New DVD backup software is arriving on the market that use this technique making it possible to create a backup of any DVD in less than an hour. In this article we show you how it's done and when to use which technique.

4. Hardware: The DV Dream Machine 2003

A year has passed since we first published our article The DV Dream Machine. But technology progresses with an ever increasing speed. Pentium IV 2GHz and 2.4 GHz are common cpu's now, 120 Gbyte disks are starting to be the norm and Windows XP is commonplace.

labDV stays on top of new development in the DV world so it was time to look at the state of the art technology and its application in the ultimate DV dream machine 2003 style. Our hardware guru Vincent looks at CPU's, types of memory, motherboards, disks, video editing cards and much, much more. Everything you want to know if you are serious about video and if it is time to replace your old PC with a brand new one.

Read all about it here.

5. Hardware: Portable Editing Power

Not too long ago, video editing on a laptop was almost impossible or at the least very impractical. It just took too much processing power and storage memory to do on a laptop. But current hi-end laptops often equal and sometimes even surpass the capabilities of the desktop and are therefore absolutely suitable for video editing enabling you to continue your work while on the road. Our article Portable Editing Power attempts to give an overview of today's technology , and what to look for when buying a laptop to do video editing.

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