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DVD to Divx/VCD Decoder Software Evaluation
by: KaRaR (dvd@karar.mailshell.com)
reviewed on: April 05, 2004

Disclaimer: If any feature of the software was not discovered by the reviewer, or any feature was accidently put wrong, then reviewer has no responsibility. To err is to human.

Legend:

Yes (1 Point)
No (0 Point)
Somewhat (0.5 Point)
RED Criteria marked in red are important (2 Point)

Comparison Chart:

Criteria
Dr. DivX
Dvd 2 Avi
Dvd 2 Divx Vcd
Gaurdian Knot
Dvd-to-Avi
Flask Mpeg
Yasoft Dvd to Vcd Avi
Max Dvd 2 Avi
Super Dvd Ripper
Video Edit converter pro
Virtual Dub
XMpeg
Version Evaluated 1.0.4 1.77.3 3.00 0.28.7 2.0 0.78.39 3.2 4.0 2.10 ? 1.5 5.0.3
Homepage Go Go Go Go Go Go Go Go ? Go Go Go

General

FreeWare
Active / Updated
Help / Forum

GUI

English
Modern Interface
Easyness / Wizard

Video

All codec Support (avi format)
VCD/SVCD format
Resize / Resolution
Crop / Black bar removal
Aspect Ratio Changing
Avi spliting (multi cds etc.)
Time / Frames based marking
Color Correction

Audio

All codec Support
Resampling
Volume Enhancer
Normalizing
Dynamic Volume Control
Seperate Audio Source

Misc.

DVD Ripping
CD Burning
Subtiltes
Job Enquing
Bitrate Calculator

Overall

Special Score
+4
(good support & profiles)
+2.5
(demuxing & for d2v format)
-1
(too simplistic for use)
-1.5
(a little hard to get hold on)
-2
(no advanced features)
0
(overall balanced diet)
-1
(Missing audio tools)
-0.5
(should have been freeware)
-0.5
(Some bugs are irritation)
+3
(nice multi
purpose encoder)
-4.5
(no direct vob/ac3 encoding)
+3
(great wizard & easiness)
Score
22
15
14
23.5
7
23
15
14.5
13
17
21.5
25

TOP 5 Softwares:

  1. XMPEG (25 points) - A modification of FlaskMpeg but gives you much more control over DVD that it should be your top choice.
  2. GAURDIAN KNOT (23.5 points) - A mixture of many freeware uilities do make it second priorty but its hard to learn due to non-interlinked softwares.
  3. FLASKMPEG (23 points) - Although xmpeg is derived from this but this one still is famous in DVD ripper community.
  4. DR. DVD (22 points) - The certified software of DivX Network. Easy to use with unparallel help and tutorials available.
  5. Virtual Dub (21.5 points) - Although for avi editing, but maybe in future when it supports VOB/AC3 opening and direct de/encoding, this will become one of top three software.

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