Useful VLC Tricks

[publius]

I want to share, via this thread, a variety of simple methods to accomplish common tasks using VLC which I have discovered. Anyone else with similar tips might post them also, and then we would have a nice reference thread.

I have a large collection of LaserDiscs, and sometimes I want to encode a .mp3 audio file from one of them. The technique I use is probably applicable to most line-in recording tasks, but I can only describe my particular situation.
My first step is to definitively locate the "in" and "out" points of the the audio segment I wish to record; with the LD player I can preset "repeat" points at these locations. Then, as a precaution, I disable Video under Preferences, which may ot be necessary. Working under the GUI, I "Open Network Stream" and select my PVR card as the source device, producing a MRL such as:

Code: Select all

dshow:// :dshow-vdev="ATI eHomeWonder Capture" :dshow-adev="" :dshow-size="" :dshow-config :no-dshow-tuner

Selecting "Stream Output", I choose "Stream to File" with an appropriate path and filename, "Encapsulate: Raw", and "Transcode: Audio: MP3, 192 kbps, 2 ch". The resulting sout string resembles:

Code: Select all

:sout=#transcode{acodec=mp3,ab=192,channels=2}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=raw,url="C:\Documents and Settings\publius\My Documents\My Music\spool\dummy.mp3"}}

I then press "OK" enough times to get through all but the last of the repetitive Option displays which pop up with the setting I have; I start the LDP playing from the selected spot more-or-less simultaneously pressing the last "OK" and starting the stream, and when I come to the "out" point I press "Stop" in the VLC GUI. This procedure yields an acceptable .mp3 file, although I would be happier if the VLC .mp3 transcode operation supported ordinary [non-joint] stereo.
The final step is to validate the file. Since VLC will find a way to play all manner of degenerate formats, a more "finicky" player is indicated; I use WinAmp because it costs me nothing and makes editing the track tags easy. If the file plays properly, I move on.

[dionoea]

this could be usefull in the wiki http://wiki.videolan.org

[publius]

And I may put it there eventually, but I want to float it in the Forum first for comments.

With the same equipment and procedure for setting up the edit points as before, I select the PVR card:

Code: Select all

dshow:// :dshow-vdev="ATI eHomeWonder Capture" :dshow-adev="" :dshow-size="" :dshow-config :no-dshow-tuner

Since I want to capture the MPEG-II stream from the card in such a way as to be able to use it in another programme, I dump it to a file after encapsulating to Programme Stream format but with no other alterations:

Code: Select all

:sout=#duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=ps,url="C:\Documents and Settings\publius\My Documents\My Videos\spool\dummy.mpeg"}}

This type of file I also validate using WinAmp; it is suitable for opening in a video editor application as well as playing "as-is".