CDROM with MPEG-2

watson wrote on 9/15/2002, 12:01 PM
I'm using Multimedia builder.
I have run into some obstacles getting MPEG-2 video to play on computers from CD-ROM.
Can anyone recommend the latest and greatest codec that will play at a decent screen size and look good. If I use .WMV I am stuck with MCI commands that don't offer a lot of flexibility script wise.
Any suggestions? VCD help seems to be very- 'CDROM to play on DVD desk top oriented'. I just want to be able to run MPEG-2 and have it play on most computers from the CD.
Is there a download that might be included on my CD to get MPEG-2 to play that is legal freeware?
Thanks for any help.
W
*I posted this in the stream anywhere forum too. Not sure which is the better forum to ask this questions. Please excuse.

Comments

shaunn wrote on 9/15/2002, 12:19 PM
I am not sure what you asking for but do you mean a freeware mpeg2 decoder?

Elecard use to have a freeware Mpeg2 decoder in their site...i just been there but i am not sure anymore if they still offer it:
http://www.elecard.com/download/#mpeg2decoder

the player is not free but the deocder use to be.

The interesting part is their old decoder had an EULA that stated that you could distribute it for free for commercial purposes and non-commercial purposes.

If you want it, just leave your e-mail address and I will send it to you. (it's 182kb only)
shaunn wrote on 9/15/2002, 12:31 PM
Just downloaded the new decoder version at:
http://www.moonlight.co.il/download/EMpgDec20beta.zip

At the license agreement,it is stated:
You may make and distribute unlimited copies of the Software, including

The decoder looks the same as the old one...why don't you try and download it and see for yourself. :)

Hope this is what you are looking for

Shaun
watson wrote on 9/15/2002, 1:47 PM
Sorry for confusion.
What I was saying is; can I get the MPEG-2 file to play on most Computers.
If this decoder will work great I'll give it a go. It was not clear to me if I needed to have a player software as well to accomplish this end.
Thank you.
The codec question was - Is there a better alternative that has decent quality and can play of CD ROM at reasonable screen size. Trying to avoid windows media because I am limited to MCI commands for scripting in MMB.
shaunn wrote on 9/15/2002, 3:04 PM
If you don't like wmv, the only alternative IMHO that can give good output quality is the quicktime 4 codec (I heard is as good as the windows media 9 codec)
I think you can distribute the quicktime player with the CD(but not sure,you'll have to check first) but you'll need to buy quicktime pro to encode the files.

As for the elecard codec: after the installation of that codec any player can view MPEG2 files after that...media player 6.4 for example, which is installed on most PC.


Shaun
watson wrote on 9/15/2002, 3:33 PM
Thank you Shaunn,
This is great information. Now I've got lots of scripting to do to see if I can make this all work together.


Paul_Holmes wrote on 9/15/2002, 5:52 PM
It's sounds like you're basically trying to make a DVD on a CD. If you have a DVD program like Prassi Primo DVD, or another like it, and your DVD program will create an AUDIO_TS and a VIDEO_TS folder, just burn that to your CD and it should play in any computer that has DVD player software in it. Sorry if that's not what you're looking for.
vonhosen wrote on 9/15/2002, 6:32 PM
With DVDit you can make a cDVD(otherwise known as miniDVD) . With these you create DVD content for burning to CD & so that it will play on most computers it allows you to include MPEG-2 decoding software on the disc.
A player for installing is included in the software & you are allowed to distribute this royalty free.

It is not suitable or meant to play on set top DVD players however.
shaunn wrote on 9/15/2002, 6:50 PM
[I'm using Multimedia builder.

He is trying to make a multimedia CD with the "Multimedia builder" software with scripting that launch a player with the designated mpeg2 file....I think :)
I use a similar software but called OPUS Illuminatus pro. An multimedia autoring tool similar as macromedia authorware but much cheaper.

Actually it's a good idea to use the built in DVDit player and burn the MB script as data information next to the DVD folders....but unfortunately DVDit isn't a freeware...
mikkie wrote on 9/16/2002, 12:15 PM
A couple of alternatives, there's a product called Autoplay Menu Studio that in some ways might be more capable of scripting &/or controling winmedia files. Staying with winmedia has the advantage of offering much better compression then anything I've seen mpg2 at the lower bitrates needed when working with CDs, plus you've got quite a few control options with winmedia itself - you can control a lot through the xml-based asx files that start the wmv files, control the interface with skins, put the wmv player control on an html page, & scripting is possible.

Quicktime 6 or Real should work of coarse, both having free players -- none of which you have to worry about supporting. The problems I've seen with mpg1 or 2, vcd, svcd, & DVD on CD formats has to do with an easy way to integrate the player app. & installation when necessary. Spruceup was cool when it was available, including a memory resident DVD player, but I'm unaware of anything similar. Maybe the Zoom player or something like that would help, but you'd still have to build in some way to install it, maybe checking to see if a player was already installed?