Not sure if its worth it this... what do you reckon?

I am currently in the process of turning a shedload of dvd images into smaller 700mb xvids. I hate blimmin having disks everywhere, and this way it means I dont have to clutter up my bookshelves with dvd cases for my movies.

Soooo trying to encode it, its taking AAAGGEEESS and locking my pc up so that its insanely slow to do anything. lol.

Sooo was thinking... buying a cheapy old pc from ebay or similar, getting the parts together, and using it as a fileserver and laborious task thing.

What you reckon? Worth it? or just carry on stumbling along with the one pc I have.

Grrrrrr!!!!

This is also why...

Quote[20/01/2007 00:08:51] Speed was: 137.51 fps.
*************************************
EXCEPTION: Number of frames is very different from expected. Found 55669 frames.
*************************************
[20/01/2007 00:08:51] Job finished. Total time: 58 minutes 52 seconds
====================================================

Got half way through then died.

Does it on every bloody dvd I have stored.

If you are really doing a lot then use the fastest encoding software you can find on the best computer. Using an old one will take *FOREVER*

*YES FOR ONCE I AM SUGGESTING SPENDING REAL MONEY*

Copy over a load of disks and then set up the software to convert them all. Write them out to disk. Start with some more disks. As an alternative burn several DVDs onto a single disk, that will save you room, you should get about six on each if you are lucky and it should work out cheaper too.

Id get a new bookshelf and save the hassle.

Lol dont mind em taking forever thats the point, can set up a batch job, leave the compy running and just check back after a week. Bookshelf would be an idea but im out of space as it is.

If you go down the old PC route, get something with twin CPUs

DivX loves SMP

dunno how much you are looking to spend but a dual AthlonMP would fit in nicely. I used to get roughly real time encoding with my twin 1900.

this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dual-AMD-Athlon-MP-2600-2GB-RAM-Tyan-Thunder-K7_W0QQitemZ280069015603QQihZ018QQcategoryZ131513QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

would do the job if youve got a case big enough to put it in.

Id love a dual processor setup.

Except I cant afford to spend that amount of dosh.

Looking for cheapy cheapy bargain bucket or donations lol. So for instance a cheap Slot 1 pentium 3 dual board would probably be good I have a full tower case at home going to waste, may have a computer in it actually hmmmm!!! I wonder.

(calls parents)

They think theyve seen one, and will try and bring it down lol may have another compy here anyways!

I used to do the exact same thing.... and had a TV box with a 1800XP in it.....

Id copy a load of DVDs over to image files using my pc, then id have the tvbox read them from my pc over the network and write them to its own HD... but they used to take forever, and I mean forever... some could dake 18 hours :s (best settings)

whats your pc like ?

if you copy a load of DVDs to image files so you can set a big long batch file going... and set it to lowest priority you should be able to leave it going and not really notice it ?

thats what I do, a few extra MHZ makes a big difference, my old 4200x2 could do one in under 40 min

Quote from: M3ta7h3adLol dont mind em taking forever thats the point, can set up a batch job, leave the compy running and just check back after a week. Bookshelf would be an idea but im out of space as it is.

If it crunches though you may end up spending a week with it doing nothing worthwhile except keeping your place a little warmer, you have to check it regularly.

The problem is no video encoding software wants to work properly without my computer crashing.

Be it overheating or not, ive no idea. My idea was to remove the hard drives I have except one smaller one in the pc, and to use everything else via a network in the other computer in an attempt to improve airflow within the case.

probably is overheating then

when did you last look inside ? try leaveing the case side off for a bit, blowing the dust out etc...

might sort it all for you

Ive used boxes like that before over the network.... and its always been a pain in the arse and not worth it in the end


(might be better if you ran a non-MS os?)

Quote from: M3ta7h3adThe problem is no video encoding software wants to work properly without my computer crashing.

Ive had surprising luck with Avidemux under Linux recently. Theres a dows port I think. However, if your computer is crashing, Id make sure its staying cool, fans are working, redo thermal paste, etc.

Computer is running without a case side on. Has the CPU fan, the PSU fan, and a rear 80mm exhaust fan.

The cpu temp is normally about 40c tops... but the hard drives get so hot that it hurts to hold your hand against them (kinda central heating radiator temperatures)