Command Line Tools

Command Line Tools

Debian Packages: mpegtools, cpdvd, cpvts.

Obtain some information about the contents of title 1 of a DVD:

 $ tcprobe -i /dev/dvd -T 1

Here's a recipe for generating an SVCD backup copy of your own DVD - DVDs are expensive and a backup can save the heartache of a bad scratch.

The first step is to copy the video data from the DVD. You can use either cpdvd:

  $ mkdir xyz
  $ cd xyz
  $ cpdvd .

or dvdbackup:

  $ dvdbackup -F -i/dev/dvd -o.

Then generate the SVCD:

  $ ripmake ../xyz svcd                      (-s 650 to set CD-R size)
  $ make -f xyz-svcd.mak                     (generates a sample)
  $ xine xyz-svcd-SAMPLE.mpg                 (view the sample)
  $ make -f xyz-svcd.mak rip                 (generates disks)
  $ cdrdao write --speed 16 xyz-svcd-CD1.cue (burn a CD-R)
  $ cdrdao write --speed 16 xyz-svcd-CD2.cue
  $ ...

Set the target for ripmake to be avi (generally thought to be a better format and okay if you only view on computer, but there aren't many, if any, DVD players that can play an AVI file, although for backup you could regenerate the DVD and thus if you lose or damage your original at least there is some hope):

  $ mkdir xyz
  $ cd xyz
  $ cpdvd .
  $ ripmake [-s 650] ../xyz avi     (-s to set CD-R size)
  $ make -f xyz-avi.mak             (generates a sample)
  $ make -f xyz-avi.mak rip         (generates avi collection)

To convert an AVI to an SVCD:

  $ ripmake xyz.avi svcd
  $ make -f xyz-svcd.mak
  $ xine xyz-svcd-SAMPLE.mpg
  $ make -f xyz-svcd.mak rip

To merge multiple AVI files into one big AVI file:

  $ avimerge -i a1.avi a2.avi a3.avi -o a.avi

To split an AVI file up into smaller chunks (a-0000, a-0001, etc):

  $ avisplit -i a.avi -s 700

To extract a particular section of the AVI file:

  $ avisplit -i a.avi -t 0:7:20.0-0:8:20.0

To adjust the synchronisation of the adio, where the video appears to lag behind the audio:

  $ avisync -i a.avi -o a-sync.avi -n -5

Note that the size of a CD is usually quoted as the size of a CD in data mode (whitch uses 2048 bytes/sector). When mastering a VCD/SVCD we are usually talking in terms of raw mode (2324 bytes/sector). Note that ripmake uses the common data mode size and internally converts to raw mode so that 700MB is usually the correct size for a 800MB VCD/SVCD (in raw mode).