mediacoder!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rok-star]

media coder is a FREE conversion tool that converts a ton of different formats including avi and mp4
to wmv...or any other format you want it to.
go to mediacoder.sourceforge.net
ENJOY!

[cammocraig]

is it just a trial version and does it convert the whole file

[rok-star]

its not a trial version its completely free
and yes it does convert the whole file

[beatlehead84]

This looks great...how do you set it up to make a Zune ready file?

[Nathan]

why dont you just use Encode360...it works just fine

[beatlehead84]

Yeah if you want to wait 3 hours to encode a movie. I just converted Saw III to mp4 with mediacoder in 25 minutes with high quality. Now if I can figure out how to make a Zune ready WMV we're set. This is 100 times better than Encode360 if it can make Zune ready files which it seems it can, but I can't figure out how.

[Nathan]

what is the zune ready files? nver heard of it

BTW: i put in a vid..the illusionist.. and i clicked start...will it auto go to zune format?

[blackboxconspirator]

zune ready file is simply a .wmv file.  Thats the only official format the zune plays at this time.  My zune software is 34% converting Boondock Saints after using MediaCoder.  So, if all works out after the conversion is done.  I will personally be giving this my seal of "solid free convertors" lol.  Lets hope

EDIT: Just checked the movie and it worked flawlessly

[beatlehead84]

What settings did you use?

[rok-star]

ok i know im the one who started the thread but can someone give me directions on how to convert with mediacoder?
im having issues.
lol   

[blackboxconspirator]

lol, maybe i'll make a tut

1. you just take the file your have ready (such as a .vob through dvd decrypter) and open it in Mediacoder

2. You then go to the top right and click the pic of the PSP that says Devices

3. Then click on Plugins

4. Then click on DIGITAL MEDIA DEVICES

5. Set your ouput file to where you want it

6. Press Start and enjoy

[beatlehead84]

The only thing is it is going to be converted again by the Zune and it will lose a bunch of quality...I know there has to be a way to get a Zune Ready WMV since it uses WME to encode WMV files. I can't figure out how though because there are so many settings and it is confusing...Anybody good with these things that can figure it out?

[skaterbum90]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[beatlehead84]

I think I'm so close to getting a Zune ready file. I get everything transcoded and at the end of everything I get an error. Unfortunately, it doesn't output a file until the encoding is complete so I don't know what it looks like or if it truly is Zune ready. But, I think I'm missing just one or two things. Anybody see what it might be?

Here are my settings (in expert mode)

Left Box

Audio: Source- MPlayer Encoder-Window Media Audio  Resample- 24000 Hz Downmix- Disabled Gain- 0b Language- english

Video: Backend- MEncoder Source- Default Codec- WM8 Format-Windows Media Rate Mode- Bitrate Based

Muxer: Multiplexer- Mp4box

Picture: Resize- 320X240 Frame Rate- 25.000 Crop- 40:0:640:464 Aspect Ratio- 4:3 Rotation- Unchecked

Right Box

WMA: Windows Media Audio 9.2 CBR 192 kbps,44khz, stero CBR



The audio transcode, the video completes but I get an error right at the end and I can't figure out why that is. I'm guessing it has to do with the casing or the output file but I'm not seeing how to fix that. Anybody want to try these settings and see if they can't get it to work? This has the potential to be the best free encoder out there if we can make it output Zune ready files. So close....

[blackboxconspirator]

yeah, zm converts again, but it only took about 30 min per video which isn't bad for me, I just do everything at night while sleeping.  But as far as quality goes, I didn't see anything degrading.  I just finished watching old school on it and everything was great for a 3" screen

But, in the end this software works great.  Its free and has been the easiest software to use as far as im concerned.

[beatlehead84]

Do you think there is a way with WMV to get it to look good on a TV screen?

I've kind of given up hope that unless MS gives mp4 support there really isn't going to be a converter that will give you quality and speed. My dad owns an Ipod and I've seen a rip he made on a TV screen and it was near DVD quality. He uses Handbrake for Mac and it takes him about 30-45 minutes to get a movie done. I'm not saying I'm going to take my Zune back and get an Ipod because I normally watch videos right on the Zune and that is so much better than an Ipod. But I can't watch them on my TV because the quality is so poor.

The one redeeming factor is that I've heard that Ipod PC users don't have all that great of conversion options either. I really hope Encode360 becomes a program like Handbrake for Mac, and I think it might when it gets open sourced....

That said, has anybody taken a look yet at Mediacoder and screwed around with the WMV settings? I'm 99 percent sure it can make Zune ready files, I just can't figure out that last step. I tried making the backend WME but WME crashes at the 1 minute mark. I think WME should be the frontend anyway, so I don't think that is the problem and probably why it crashed. I really hope somebody with a little more computer knowledge takes a look at this program because it's about 2X faster than Encode360 (and a lot faster than Super) and from looking at the Mp4 file I made seems to have pretty good quality.

[blackboxconspirator]

ill look into the settinging tonight.  I just found something on wmv8/9 compressed formats, but I dont have time before class to screw around with it.  I'll let you know when I have more time tonight!

[beatlehead84]

Any luck?