Dreamcast 4XM video testing

[SMiTH]

updated selfboot script to v3
removed matrix.4xm
removed playvid.bin (since it is for sfd/truemotion)
updated script (from moefoh rockridge and joliet)
updated .cfg files based on katana 4xmplay.bin info
updated readme with credits to ian michael/moefoh

once we get the methods down, then we can add the 4xm tools and a tutorial to the script..
maybe a small sample 4xm video file could be added as well.

[SMiTH]

Ok so I finally started 4xm_comp of a full movie tonight. (@800000 data rate)

Ripped a DVD, used xilisoft to convert to DIVX5-640x368, 25fps, 9000 bitrate (although media info always shows close to 2000 total bitrate?? who the hell knows?) audio: 128kbps, 41khz, stereo MP3.

It seems that 4xm_comp will not convert a full 130min movie. It will try to convert, then the app will close. It looks like there is a limit as to how large of a file that can be converted.

So instead I split the movie into 4-23min clips.

Running 4 instances of 4xm_comp and using almost all resources.

Start time of 4xm_comp 8:23pm...we shall see how long it takes lol

[Ian Micheal]

all this video encoding my pc was over heating had to install this hehe

[SMiTH]

nice setup ian.

update it looks like only 3 instances of 4xm_comp will work for me...

one just crashed..

currently a bit over a minute encoded.

1hr = 1min

[Ian Micheal]

nice setup ian.

update it looks like only 3 instances of 4xm_comp will work for me...

one just crashed..

currently a bit over a minute encoded.

1hr = 1min

Yes it tends to crashing using them on the same pc i found Thou works in vm like 2 i can get to run proper on normal other in the vm

[SMiTH]

so its down to only one 4xm_comp running..
18min encoded, 22hrs total time spent..
i'm not giving up.

[SMiTH]

got one 23min 4xm encoded.
26 hours to encode.
931mb filesize.
on emulators nulldc/demul plays first minute and boots back to dreamON menu.
will test on hardware sometime tomorrow.

any ideas as to why 4xm player stops after 1min?

4xm filesize too large?
video bitrate too high?
video runtime too long?
audio sample rate too high?

?

[SMiTH]

another test.
decreased video bitrate to 2000.
decreased audio to 128kbps 32khz stereo.
15min 4xm is 600mb. (13 hours to encode)
4xm player on real hardware plays full video but freezes on first frame. (player unfreezes about 1/4 way through)
some audio stutters.

the video quality does look really good though..
and all 15min of video plays..

if any1 can give me some ideas of what to try next?
different codec other than divx?
different settings?

[Ian Micheal]

Wish i recorded what i used for f9 tralier as it plays fully no audio stutter and does not mess up it's frustrating tried to re do the same trailer cant get the setting i used..

[-drez01-]

So it is possible to have a stand alone 4x movie without Dreamon. Using GINSU to play the vid the same way Sega smashpack plays a game after loading the emu.

Code: Select all

[GINSU]
Ginsu.FirstApp                  = VID

Ginsu.DefaultApp                = GINRESET
#Ginsu.DefaultApp                = GINRESET
Ginsu.XferExecutable            = \GINXFER.BIN

[GINBOOT]
Ginsu.Path                      = \
Ginsu.Command                   = \1ST_READ.BIN

[GINRESET]
Ginsu.Path                      = \
Ginsu.Command                   = \GINRESET.BIN

[VID]
Ginsu.Path                      = \
Ginsu.Command                   = "\4XMPLAY.BIN VID.4Xm"

If you change Ginsu.DefaultApp from GINRESET to VID it will loop the movie forever.

This method also works with PLAYVID and SFD’s.

The only dependencies 4XMPLAY.BIN needs is 4XLOGO.PVR and AUDIO64.DRV

I found for the best quality video keep the source vid encoding as close to the original as possible and let the 4x encoder stomp on it after.

You guys are Rockstars! Glad I finally got to check this out! Very cool tech!

Here is a small vid for proof of concept:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L2cgSU ... sp=sharing

Tested on GDEMU