Feature suggestion *DVD rip+compress*

[dmidtbo]

Currently, I have to drop out of SageTV for this stuff and I'd prefer to be able to do it from inside SageTV since my windows dekstop is fuzzy and hard to read (no monitor, TV only).

A built in DVD ripper - I'd like to be able to put a DVD in and copy it straight to the video library through the SageTV interface. i.e. call DVDShrink or a similar program.

Video compressor - I'd like to be able to select any MPEG2 video file in my recordings or video library and schedule it to be compressed to MPEG4 (XVID or DIVX). Similar functionality as AutoGK but through SageTV menus.

These improvements would be possible using studio, right? Do any of the studio beta testers have plans for something like this?

[laurenglenn]

Originally posted by dmidtbo
Currently, I have to drop out of SageTV for this stuff and I'd prefer to be able to do it from inside SageTV since my windows dekstop is fuzzy and hard to read (no monitor, TV only).

A built in DVD ripper - I'd like to be able to put a DVD in and copy it straight to the video library through the SageTV interface. i.e. call DVDShrink or a similar program.

Video compressor - I'd like to be able to select any MPEG2 video file in my recordings or video library and schedule it to be compressed to MPEG4 (XVID or DIVX). Similar functionality as AutoGK but through SageTV menus.

These improvements would be possible using studio, right? Do any of the studio beta testers have plans for something like this?

DVD-Ripper: Sounds great, but with the militant DMCA law in the US, it probably would cause Sage legal trouble.

Video Compressor: That I would definitely love to see! ShowShifter did this with AVI files and I wished I could do this with Sage. Maybe have it convert some, or even run a background program like Gordon Knot does, while SageTV is asleep. Now, if only PVR-350 could play Divx....

Lauren

[Brett]

Originally posted by laurenglenn
DVD-Ripper: Sounds great, but with the militant DMCA law in the US, it probably would cause Sage legal trouble.

Actually... it wouldn't get Sage in legal trouble. I think the idea is that using Studio you could make Sage "integrate" and work with some random third-party DVD-Ripping package. In this sense it would not be Freys Technology Software that would be doing the DVD Ripping but actually the third-party software. Furthermore, DVD-Ripping is ok if all your doing is backing up your DVDs, which is what most users would do.

I have to admit that would be pretty nice feature...so bring on the ripping...

That Random Guy

[laurenglenn]

Originally posted by ThatGuy
Actually... it wouldn't get Sage in legal trouble. I think the idea is that using Studio you could make Sage "integrate" and work with some random third-party DVD-Ripping package. In this sense it would not be Freys Technology Software that would be doing the DVD Ripping but actually the third-party software. Furthermore, DVD-Ripping is ok if all your doing is backing up your DVDs, which is what most users would do.

I have to admit that would be pretty nice feature...so bring on the ripping...

That Random Guy

I agree about the fair-use aspect. That is legal, but the MPAA and RIAA don't care. They want to use the DMCA to circumvent fair-use and other copy methods.

There was a story once of a company that had a contest to prove that there systems were hacker proof. They offered a large cash amount to anyone who could crack their system. When a professor came along and did it, the company didn't pay him and sued him under the DMCA.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that all you need is one person to come along and interpret the DMCA a certain way, and then Sage gets in a legal battle. If Sage were made in a different country, I'd say to go for it. But I'd rather use programs like DVD-Decoder to convert my DVD's to Divx for personal use only. (but then again, I'm entitled to my opinion just as you're entitled to yours -- it's good to disagree sometimes, otherwise conversations become boring if everyone agrees)....


Lauren

[cgrey]

Once studio is available to the masses, all you'd need to do is add a menu option that triggers something link HGrip for a single-click ripping solution.

Doing it yourself, and not distributing it, would keep it totally out of Frey's hands, and nobody would even have to know you added it to your own STV..

The little I've heard of Studio at this point, it seems like triggering an external app from a button should be a snap.

[laurenglenn]

Originally posted by cgrey
Once studio is available to the masses, all you'd need to do is add a menu option that triggers something link HGrip for a single-click ripping solution.

Doing it yourself, and not distributing it, would keep it totally out of Frey's hands, and nobody would even have to know you added it to your own STV..

The little I've heard of Studio at this point, it seems like triggering an external app from a button should be a snap.

Sounds great! If someone can do it, I'd like to see how it works....

Lauren

[Brett]

That was kinda of the idea I was implying... You would trigger a thirdparty app to do the rip, then access the data info from one of those internet sites to compile all the information and place it correctly in the ui. The actual ripping would be done by a thirdparty and not the responsibilty of Frey.

That Random Guy

[justme]

I too would love to see this. Still to be safe, this should wait until Studio is out in the public's hands. Right now the Studio is only in the hands of private beta testers. The RIAA/MPAA could argue that Frey could control their own beta test group and what it realeased. Just my personal opinion.

I feel these groups are overly militant and are stiffling technilogical advances for perfectly legal personal use. But what I believe and what the MPAA/RIAA do are 2 very different things. Once Studio is in the publics hands then there is really nothing that can be said, but then again I'm not a lawyer. Once Studio's public I'm sure it'll be one of the first things done, as all the pieces are there.

/justme

[Brett]

Originally posted by justme
Once Studio is in the publics hands then there is really nothing that can be said, ... it'll be one of the first things done, as all the pieces are there.

Exactly, I just want it now instead of later .

That Random Guy