labDV newsletter

Topics:

DVDx 2.3 released
DVD Shrink 3.2 released
Review: Mediachance's DVD-LAB
Guide: TMPGenc DVD Author
Guide: DrDivX DVD movie to DivX (modified)
labDV roadmap (simplified)

August 18th, 2004

1. DVDx 2.3 released

The newest DVDx 2.3 version has been released, thanks to Dragongodz efforts.

This new 2.3 release brings very helpful changes:

some GUI changes
multi-angle DVDs are supported
optimized support to benefit from dual processors and Pentium4 Hyper-Threading
fix video codec setting issues (MS-WMV9 VCM, Huffyuv and FFvfw)
much less internal MPEG encoder overflows
small speed increase
added Danish and Polish language files
installer is now multi-lingual
authentication from hard-drive now fixed
added output text file for debug purpose

labDV has increased its efforts on DVDx development and support, many thanks to Dragongodz, and Jim has planned more efforts on software development in the new labDV roadmap (see below).

The new version is available from DVDx web site download page.

2. DVD Shrink 3.2 released

The newest DVD Shrink 3.2.0.14 has been released in labDV software downloads:

Added Quality Settings tab in the backup dialog, with option to enable AEC "adaptive error compensation" algorithms.
Updated to NeroSDK 1.05, which includes support for burning DVD-9 dual-layer media. Added DVD-9 target size in preferences window.
Removed "burn with DVD Decrypter" checkbox and replaced with a selectable backup target.
Added burn with CopyToDVD as a backup target, this appears if CopyToDVD is installed.
Added automatic support for splitting ISO files if they are saved to a FAT32 partition.
Added support for replacing a title with a custom image. A default image from Guy Incognito is installed.
Added "InstallPath", "InstallApp" and "InstallHelp" keys to the DVD Shrink registry.
Added "March by ZeF69" toolbar.
Fixed bug where Panscan and Letterbox subpicture streams could be erroneously discarded in some circumstances.
Fixed bug if volume label exceeded 32 characters.

Current labDV guide for DVD Shrink isn't obsolete yet but we'll update it soon.

3. Review: Mediachance's DVD-LAB

Today there are a lot of different tools available that allow you to create DVD's from video or photo material.All of them offer a common set of functions that allow you to create a DVD.

Most of these tools are so simple to operate a baby can do it. Problem is that those programs are limited to a baby's level , and that's where the problem starts. If you want to make something original, or want to avoid having 20 DVD's that look all the same menu-wise these programs max out very quickly.

Sure there are tools out there that allow you access to the full potential but they come with a hefty pricetag. DVD-Lab breaks that habit by being low-cost and powerful.Read all about there.

4. Guide: TMPGenc DVD Author

Pegasys, well known for their MPEG encoding software TmpgEnc, tries now DVD authoring with TMPGenc DVD Author v 1.5 (TDA).

DVD Authoring is very easy with TMPGEnc DVD Author.

Create your own DVD's with motion menus in only a few minutes following our guide, in french.

5. Guide: DrDivX DVD movie to DivX (modified)

Set-top DVD players supporting DivX are very popular now, and some nice products are available at very low rates ($60 to $150). Philips ships DVD737 with very nice picture for both DVD and DivX movies and other brands ships DVD players supporting DivX multi-channel audio as well as subtitles.

DrDivx is now disappointing because it hasn't change since 1 year, still not supporting subtitles and crashing more and more frequently while encoding.

So we added a chapter in our DrDivX guide, encouraging user to move to DVD Decrypter (rather than old Smart Ripper) and to AutoGK (very easy to use, supporting AC3 and subtitles).

We're preparing a new DVD to DivX guide, based on DVD Decrypter and AutoGK. Read our complete advice.

One might keep one's DrDivX license in case a new version is released with subtitle support as well as better audio support.

6. labDV roadmap (simplified)

I launched labDV.com in march 2001 with Ton then a dozen of video enthusiasts joined me to build a benevolent team and we've worked hard to build the labDV as you know now.

In year 2002, moving from a free model to a subscription model has helped us to stay independent from brands so we can publish true and pertinent reviews.

Year 2004 is a transition period, we have prepared a new labDV era with the 7th release of the web site which I should migrate to in September.

labDV web site code is completely re-written from scratch to take benefit from my 4-year-experience in web site technology. I will also publish this web site code as an Open Source Project (under Artistic License) to benefit from the community experience and to provide a valuable code library for web developers.

I've also decided to put much more efforts on software:

the download service will be improved (more software, high rate updating, more freeware oriented)
thanks to Dragongodz, DVDx will be released more frequently
I'm investigating to offer a new DVD to DivX software and I'll be personally involved in digital video coding as of September
user feedback will be facilitated

And I'll share more labDV roadmap and plans with you soon,

Jim, Founder of labDV.com

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