Updating AMVapp Mini-guide

nmaster64 · Post by **nmaster64** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:34 pm

So, it's been a while since AMVapp's been updated, so I thought I'd throw together a small little step-by-step guide on how to update the AMVapp with the newest versions of many of the tools used in the program.

What's AMVapp?
For the few that don't know, AMVapp is essentially just a collection of programs and plugins that work together to make AMV editing and creation as efficient and easy as possible. Made by the loveable AbsoluteDestiny...

Why Update?
Honestly, it's completely unecessary. AMVapp's current version is very stable and actually updating certain components runs the risk of some plugins becoming unstable, so there are possible drawbacks. However, many people, like me, just have to have that newest version of everything, and in some cases there are significant upgrades to some programs. You'll have to go through the changelog's of each program to see for yourself just what your getting out of updating.

Downloading

First, let's get all our files together. I'm only gonna focus on the easy-to-update programs here, and not delve into replacing files and updating plugins and stuff. If you wanna see if there's a new version of something in AMVapp that's not included here, you can almost always find it by using Google or the Wikipedia.

I'll keep the links general and not direct so that this guide doesn't go out-of-date. Use beta and alpha versions of programs at your own risk!

AMVapp - Duh! This is the base of everything!
DVDDecrypter - This was unfortunately discontinued, but there's a final update newer than the one in AMVapp 2.1.
FFDSHOW - Get the latest version of the .exe file.
Xvid - We want the .exe installer for the Xvid codec.

AMVapp_Patch | Mirror (FlatFileHost) | Mirror (RapidShare)
I created this pretty much the same way AD made AMVapp itself. The .exe should automatically overwrite some files in the AMVapp installation, updating them. This version updates BeSweet/BeSweetGUI/TooLame, LameACM, DGMPEGDec, HuffYUV, and Lagarith to their newest versions as of 09/08/06.

Upgrading/Installing

1) Install the newest Xvid

2) Install the newest DVDDecrypter

3) Install AMVapp w/ all desired options EXCEPT DVDDecrypter and Xvid

4) Install the newest FFDShow (should just overwrite AMVapp's version)

FAQ
Will you release new versions of AMVapp_patch?
The patch is really just a temp solution I made. I'm hoping we'll see an actually update to AMVapp itself soon and then you won't have to worry about all this. If someone sees some MAJOR updates release and want them included, please just message me and I'll get on it. Otherwise, no, it will not be regularly updated, I feel most version upgrades are so minor it isn't worth the time.

What features does this add for me?
Changes vary across versions, you'll have to hunt the ChangeLogs down for specifics. Most of the time it's simply a matter of some bugfixes.

I'm working on an AMV now, should I update?
Personally, I would say no. Don't risk hard work for minor updates. Unless there's something in the new version of a program that you know you want to use, avoid updating until your in-between projects.

Why can't I update other parts of AMVapp as well?
Well, it's a bit complicated since I don't have the original files AMVapp was created from nor do I know where they come from. Easy updates that I left out are AVISynth and YUVCodecs. These at time of writing are in the same versions they are in AMVapp. If a new version DOES release for these, you can update these as well by just running the installs, similar to how you updated FFDShow. Make sure you install to the same directory...

Hope that works out for you all, and hope it helps. Tell me if I totally screwed something up (although my testing hasn't turned up any problems yet), 'cause I am rather absent minded. Let me know if anyone has any problems!

Kalium · Post by **Kalium** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:46 pm

Moved and stickied.

Qyot27 · Post by **Qyot27** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:10 pm

For DVD Decrypter and XviD, wouldn't it be better to link to more reputable sites (i.e. ones that don't advocate downloading movies on P2P networks or give hacking tips)? The link to XviD is for Koepi's 1.1.0 release, which can be downloaded directly from Koepi's site, and the last version of DVD Decrypter is hosted on doom9. Likewise with ffdshow. The version on Sourceforge is horrendously outdated. New versions of ffdshow are available from http://x264.nl/

nmaster64 · Post by **nmaster64** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:13 pm

I agree Qyot27, thanks for throwing those links up...

nmaster64 · Post by **nmaster64** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:24 pm

hmmmm...I've completely forgotten, can someone outline which version of FFDShow people should download if they go to the x264 site, SSE or SSE2? I believe it depends on your processor...

Qyot27 · Post by **Qyot27** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:35 pm

Yeah, it depends on the processor. In general, SSE2 would be the option for newer computers, SSE would be the option for older computers. My 5 year old desktop, for example, needs the SSE version, whereas I think my grandfather's 1 or 2-year-old setup can use SSE2. In general, if one doesn't work, uninstall it and install the other one. The uninstall process leaves nothing behind that I'm aware of so there's no harm in trial and error.

Going for foolproof, though, the regular SSE edition should work regardless.

nmaster64 · Post by **nmaster64** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:54 pm

If I recall correctly, if you have a Pentium 4, AMD64, or newer, SSE2 is what you want. Anything older you'll want to stick with SSE.

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:49 pm

Actually, an updated version of AMVApp is currently in the works (and by currently, i mean yes it is being actively worked on).

Also I think there needs to be a major warning here, if people update their DGIndex, I am pretty sure it will make all of their current dgindex projects UNUSABLE!

madbunny · Post by **madbunny** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:05 pm

if the app is being totally redone, it might be nice to see a section on .mkv in it. Complicated? Sure, but it seems to be the way things are headed for a while.

Zero1 · Post by **Zero1** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:32 pm

MKV isn't hard, there is a drag and drop GUI for it, but expect the guides to focus more on MP4 (with H.264+AAC). MP4 is a standard format (think of it as the successor to .mpg) that will fit most peoples needs. For special causes such as softsubs or keeping AC3 audio (which isn't too common), it would be assumed that if you can softsub, you can sure as hell drop some files into a GUI and hit mux

Softsubs are supported in MP4, but the support isn't widespread what with MKV and public domain solutions, people are like "well format X exists, why should we spend time on this other format?" Also if you are doing karaoke, it's best to hardsub it (since it can be a CPU killer), but for basic text softsubs are fine.

Of course I can't speak for the org on the whole, but at least my part of the guides focus on MP4, and others do too.