>> Possibly, except for the smart compression algorithm. > >Is this from experience with the new Toast? Are you saying it >doesn't have compression or that the algorithm isn't smart? > >The product blurb does say "NEW! Compress and copy an entire 9 GB >dual-layer DVD video to a standard 4.7 GB recordable DVD disc" so it >appears to do some compression - but it's not clear if there's any >flexibility in what it will do, and I'm curious about that. > >(For example, how about when I have a movie, grabbed from TCM by my >ReplayTV & I want to burn it, but it's an "epic" & 4.8GB? Is it >possible to smoosh that down just a bit? Would Popcorn have done >that? Will Toast 7?)
Popcorn is specifically designed to handle: 1) manufactured (commercial) or authored (personal) DVDs, and to make DVD copies of these, 2) DVD images, and to make DVDs of these, and 3) "ripped" folders, and to make DVDs from these. For unprotected DVDs, (1) is most useful. The result will be functionally identical to the original as it didn't have any protection, anyway. Third or fourth generation copies appear to be identical to the original. For Macrovision-protected or region-protected DVDs, (3) is most useful. The result could be functionally identical to the original, or you could select to copy only the "main program" (i.e., the movie itself). For this, you will need Mac The Ripper (usable up to 10.3.9; for 10.4 there may be an alternative, but maybe not). In the second case, enough of the menu system will be retained in order that you can navigate the chapters and select among the various languages, if any, however the DVD will automatically start with the first chapter of the main program (movie) upon insertion into your player. Compression is smart, and all of the 4.8 GB will be utilized, with a bar chart being provided showing how much compression will be performed, and the expected "quality" of the resulting copy. A 3 hour and 45 minute program consisting of two medium length features and several shorts was reduced to 4.8 GB with what Popcorn characterized as "Good" quality, but which I would characterize as "Very Good to Excellent" quality, given that the source materials were nearly seventy-year-old 35mm nitrate negatives or prints. A 2 hour and 40 minute fully restored CinemaScope feature (Eastmancolor) was reduced to 4.8 GB with what Popcorn characterized as "Excellent" quality, but which I would characterize as "Very Good" quality, given that the movie was fully restored, and was transferred from the restored camera negative and not a duplicate negative. In the latter case, I ultimately elected to burn a dual-layer DVD, in order to retain every bit of quality of the original, but to drop the Macrovision crapola, region protection, and some UOPs. I do indeed have the then new, to me, Toast, this being Toast 6, but I haven't found a use for it, for DVDs, that is, that Popcorn (with the able assistance of Mac The Ripper), couldn't do either better or easier. I am running 10.3.9, and if you run 10.4 you may indeed find Toast 7 offers you improved functionality. I can't say as I don't run 10.4, and I don't have Toast 7. -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Check our web site for refurbished PowerBooks | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-Books list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-books.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-books%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
