Beginner's Guide: Coding Video For The Gp2x (win)

[Rayek]

This is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to coding videos on your Windows PC for playback on the GP2X.

There is also a DVD rip guide for Linux, created by forumgoer oneandoneis2.
View the gide.

If you are having trouble finding things, I've made images. Just click on the image links to get some hints.

Chapters:

0. What you need to know.
1. Getting Started
2. How to Convert between Formats
3. DVD to GP2X
4. Creating a .sub File from a Ripped DVD

0. What you need to know.
The gp2x supports these different video encoders out of the box:

-MPEG 3 and 4 (not yet )
-DivX 3.11, 4.x, 5.x
-XviD

Each of these different encoders has their benefits and their drawbacks.
MPEG (sometimes MPG) was the first of its kind to be widely used to distribute hard video media over networks and the internet. It offered a good compression rate and a fast decompression rate during playback, with good video quality.
DivX was the first MPEG mod that was widely used. It was used mainly do distribute illegal copies of full length videos over the internet via peer-to-peer file sharing software.
XviD is an open source version of DivX.

Choosing an encoder:
Most short videos that are downloaded via the internet are already encoded with MPEG, so no transcoding between formats is necessary. For full length movies the choice is between DivX and XviD, because the rate of compression is much higher. I have had more success encoding with XviD, so I recommend using that to start out with.

1. Getting Started

In order to encode files and view them on your PC, you must download what’s called a codec. A codec tells media players how to show the files as videos. The easiest ways of getting all the codecs you need is to download a codec pack.

Gordian Knot Codec Pack
K-Lite Codec Pack

Next, we need to know what your goals are.

There are different programs that:
a. Convert between video formats
b. Rip DVDs from a DVD disc onto your PC.
c. Convert the DVDs VOB file to a useable format

Each of these different tasks involves different programs.

To convert between many different video formats, I suggest downloading

GX Transcoder

To rip DVDs to your PC for transcoding, I suggest downloading

DVD Decrypter

To convert a DVDs VOB and IFO files into a useable format, I suggest downloading

Auto GK

2. How to Convert Between Formats

After downloading a codec pack and installing GX Transcoder:

1. Start GX Transcoder

2. Under the Function menu, select Video Converter.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/231/11dv1.jpg

3. Click the first “Select” button and choose the source file, the file you’re converting.
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4. On the Outputfile tab, click the “select” button to select the destination on your hard drive that the new file will be written to.

5. Choose a type of output. Unfortunately, the GP2X cannot recognize WMV files (yet, ) so you will choose between AVI (for DivX and XviD) and MPEG.
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6.a. If you choose MPEG, it is safe to leave the rest up to the program. Skip to step 7.

6.b. If you choose AVI, Select your video encoder under “Video Compression Codecs”. If you desire, you can also choose to compress the audio of the video file as well.

7. Select the “Output Parameters” tab and if you desire, you can change the video width and height. To save space, and if you plan on not using the GP2X’s tv-out function, you might want to make the “Output Width” 320 and the “Output Height” 240.
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/7880/48aj.jpg

8. Click “Start Conversion”, and don’t be alarmed if the preview video is stretched and has a really slow framerate. The resulting video will not look as bad.

3. DVD to GP2X

NOTE: ONLY use this method on DVDs you OWN yourself. Doing otherwise is ILLEGAL.
NOTE: you will need about 4 gigs or more of free space on your hard drive in order to do this.

Have you downloaded and installed a Codec Pack, the DVD Decrypter and Auto GK? Good.

To rip the DVD to your PC:

1. Run the DVD Decrypter.

2. The program will auto-detect the DVD in the drive, and if the DVD has a copy protection (which it most likely will), the program will ask you what region the DVD is coded for.
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/1107/50my.jpg

3. The program will also, by default, select all the files on the DVD. Do not deselect any of the files, as some may be needed for encoding, or may contain subtitles.

4. Click the button at the bottom of the program with the DVD icon and the hard drive icon.
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5. Once the files are completely ripped onto your hard drive, you can find them in the root directory of your hard drive. For instance, if I ripped Hero, the directory of the files should be in the folder. C:\HERO\VIDEO_TS

These files are a myriad of .VOB, .BUP, .IFO, and .SRM files. They can sometimes be played by a media player as if they were a DVD, and include menus, special features, etc. Usually, the file labeled VIDEO_TS.IFO is the file that compiles them all together as the DVD.
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3427/76mr.jpg


To convert the myriad of files into one XviD file:

1. Open Auto GK.

2. For the Input File, Select the main video file, usually named VTS_01_0.IFO. This is the file that compiles all of the chapters and the audio files together into one video. Find this in the directory mentioned above, C:\HERO\VIDEO_TS\VTS_01_0.IFO.
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1507/87zm.jpg

3. For the output file, simply name your file, and choose where Auto GK should write the file to.

4. Select the audio track that Auto GK should use in the drop-down menu labeled “Audio Track(s)”. These are usually labeled by language.
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5. Choose a subtitle. This step is optional, and will write the subtitles to the frames of the video. There is another method for extracting subtitles I will go over later. So if you don’t want your video file crowded with subtitles, but still want them, choose “No Subtitles”.

6. For output size, select what you desire, but remember that the lower the size, the poorer the quality of video! I generally choose “1 CD (700 MB)” as it yields the best quality and it is a relatively small file size. But if you plan on viewing the video only on your GP2X screen, and don’t plan on using the tv out to view the film, you can choose a smaller size.
http://img491.imageshack.us/img491/8176/102bs.jpg

7. Click on the “Advanced Options” button. This is where you can set the fixed width of the end video to 320 if you desire a small file, for viewing on the GP2X screen. Also, choose which codec you want to use. I suggest XviD, only because I have had more success with it than DivX. For the Audio Type, I would suggest “Auto” for beginners, as I have found that there have been problems with audio synching when using CBR and VBR. To display the subtitles you chose earlier, if you did, check the box labeled “Display only forced subtitles.” They will be written onto the video.
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5861/118zx.jpg

8. Click “Add Job”

9. Click “Start”

The process will take around 1 hour or so. Several other programs will pop up when encoding... It's all fine, just let it do what it does. Check the destination folder of your file, and make sure the audio is synched, and the subtitles are displayed how you want them. If you don’t want to create a .sub file for external subtitles, the folder with all of the unprocessed DVD files in it can be deleted.

4. Creating a .sub File from a Ripped DVD:

The benefit of having separate subtitle files for your file instead of burning them onto the movie is that many movie players can change the font, the color, and the location of the subtitle, so you can see the subtitle better and possibly the movie.

Download SubRip.

1. Open SubRip.

2. Under “File” select “Open VOB(S)” A new window pops up.
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5571/127hd.jpg

3. Click “Open IFO”. Select the folder that your DVD is ripped to, and select the “VTS_01_0.IFO” file, the same file you encoded earlier. Click “Open”.
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A window will pop up saying “Closed Captions Found”.
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4. Select which language to use from the drop down menu, and make sure all of the Vob(Sub) files are selected. Then click “Start”.
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5. It might take a while to load the subtitle file, so be patient.

6. SubRip will ask you to identify the characters that it is highlighting. This is a mighty task for the first few minutes, but after a while, it will recognize all of the characters used.
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5659/165gq.jpg

For additions, questions, problems, etc. reply here.

I’m also looking for people who know how to do this on a Mac using ffMpegX, and on Linux, and if they could add a few words.

An audio encoding tutorial is Next!!!

-Rayek

Updates: Dec 03, 2005 - Updated GP2X compatibility list... as of yet no mpeg 1 and 2 support

Updates: Dec 06, 2005 - Added a link to a Linux DVD to GP2X webpage by oneandoneis2. If you would like me to remove this link, send me a PM and I'll promptly get rid of it.

 

[Drak]

Or u could use WinConvert or w/e its called for formats that dont run on the gp2x.. Saves alot of time and effort. Otherwise u just put normal Avi/Divx straight onto the beast..

The only use for this is making files smaller

BTW winconvert im pretty sure thats not the name of it.. but the thing lets ya change ogm. and other types of media into whatever kind of media format ya want in like 2mins

The DVD to Gp2x is pretty handy though, but most people just download everything. Can i get some hands raised? Ya u know wut im talking bout bittorent and mirc :rolleyes:

 

[no_skill]

Before this gets lost in the forums, could you add it to the wiki?

http://wiki.gp2x.org.

Just register and you can edit and add new pages.

 

[hando]

Moving it to proper section

 

[Rayek]

Before this gets lost in the forums, could you add it to the wiki?

http://wiki.gp2x.org.

Just register and you can edit and add new pages.

​

sure, i was planning on it, but wasn't sure how the wiki works. i'm taking a break from it, as i've spent all day making screens.. lol

 

[no_skill]

the wiki is pretty easy.

you need to register there and can then edit any page and create new pages at your will.


The easiest way to add a new page is to edit an existing one and add a link to the new page. ie:

[[How to do something very cool]]

The link will be red and after clicking it you can edit the new page.


Basic syntax:

[[Link to another wiki site]]
[[link to another wiki site|alternative text]]
[http://linktosomewhereelese the dipsplayed text]

'i'm italic'
'i'm bold'

== Heading 1 ==
=== Heading 2 ===
==== Heading 3 ===

* list 1
* list 2
** list 2.1
*** list 2.1.1

 i'm code (blank in front of me)
 i'm more code

alternatively you can use html tags when required.

the best way probably is to take a look at an (easy) existing page. ie the faq.

 

[reaper79]

Rayek, nice guide, great work.

 

[Rayek]

i added the page to the wiki, in the video faq section.
i'll get to the hard part after thanksgiving

 

[shinneri]

Great job.

Would you mind if I added this guide to my site, Gamepark Newbie? You'd be credited fully, of course.

 

[no_skill]

add the wiki and you have an updated guide too

 

[Rayek]

sure, put it anywhere. the problem is, this guide is nowhere near being complete, and i'll be updating it quite often, so i'd link the wiki, or even this thread here.

 

[no_skill]

hmm... what about putting the guide in the wiki and editing it there? this way users can correct mistakes and add missing information.

 

[Rayek]

man, i'll get to it.... i'm incredibly busy right at this moment... it could be three weeks or so before i get to it.... don't worry, it'll happen soon

 

[sam fisher]

I was a sort of gp32 video encoding guru. If he doesnt do it soon I will h34r:

 

[kcar181]

Rayak kudos on the guide. Encoding has always put me off you've made it alot simpler Anyone got Divx/Xvid Config tips? Xvid seems to have a nice wizard but still a bit unsure of some stuff. Example I reencoded a vid from a little bit bigger than 320 to 320 and it was 200mb bigger Currently trying a DVD to 1/4 CD (175mb) Curious if its tolerable. Thanks guys

 

[no_skill]

man, i'll get to it.... i'm incredibly busy right at this moment... it could be three weeks or so before i get to it.... don't worry, it'll happen soon

​

k
Just want to asure the wiki is used

 

[Rayek]

Rayak kudos on the guide. Encoding has always put me off you've made it alot simpler Anyone got Divx/Xvid Config tips? Xvid seems to have a nice wizard but still a bit unsure of some stuff. Example I reencoded a vid from a little bit bigger than 320 to 320 and it was 200mb bigger Currently trying a DVD to 1/4 CD (175mb) Curious if its tolerable. Thanks guys

​

if the gx transcoder doesn't work for you (there's some sync problems when i encode to xvid) you could try some other programs that other users are suggesting:
Other thread
but i definitely suggest the auto gk for converting from the .vobs to a recognizeable .avi file, and the dvd decrypter for the ripping...

the reason i chose the gx transcoder is that it has a lot of options, and is easy to use for beginners. plus, it's one of the many out there that's freeware (because i didn't want to suggest something awesome that you have to pay a but-load of money for). if anyone knows how to use a different converter, or knows how to rip/convert on linux or macintosh, please post your guides here, and i'll make them part of the guide...

 

[Rayek]

i'm working on iriverter Iriverter Webpage right now, and am going to add that to the guide if all works well... this is cross-platform, so hopefully a guide will work for all platforms... now my question is, does anyone have linux or a mac they're willing to try out this program on and tell the results? this would cut the gude down considerably.

thanks

edit- this program will not work, as it doesn't encode to divx or xvid avi files, which probably are going to be the most used.

 

[Rayek]

gp32x.de forumgoer oneandoneis2 has actually made a dvd decoding guide for linux!

with his permission, i'll update the guide and give credit. view the original post here:
Thread

or view the guide here:
linux.oneandoneis2.org

 

[woogal]

The gp2x supports these different video encoders out of the box:

-MPEG 1, 2, 3 and 4

​

The GP2X does not support MPEG 1 or 2 out of the box, and I'm not sure that MPEG 3 really exists.