Software DVD player w/ bit rate meter?

Josh Z · 11-10-04, 08:02 AM

I rarely use my computer to play DVDs, and when I do I've just been using the freebie InterActual player.

Do any of the major DVD programs (WinDVD, PowerDVD, etc.) offer a bit rate meter, preferably one that specifies both video and audio bit rates separately?

X · 11-10-04, 11:09 AM

I tried out all I have and didn't find a real-time bit rate meter, just a report of what bit rate (I assume maximum) the DVD was recorded at for both audio and video).

Josh Z · 11-10-04, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by X
I tried out all I have and didn't find a real-time bit rate meter, just a report of what bit rate (I assume maximum) the DVD was recorded at for both audio and video).

Which program gave you that much?

X · 11-10-04, 01:09 PM

PowerDVD gives this:

Quote:

PowerVideo Attribute :
Video compression mode : MPEG-2
TV system : 525/60 (NTSC)
Aspect Ratio : 4:3
Display Mode : reserved
Source picture resolution : 720x480 (525/60)
Frame Rate : 29.97
Source picture letterboxed : Not letterboxed
Bitrate : 8.00Mbps

Audio Attribute :
Audio Coding mode : Dolby Digital
Sampling Rate : 48kHz
Audio application mode : Not specified
Number of Audio channels : 2
Bitrate : 192 Kbps
Number of Audio streams : 1

Subpicture Attribute :
Number of Subtitles : 1

and WinDVD gives this:

Quote:

Video:
Hardware:
Vendor: Nvidia
Stream:
Type: Interlaced MPEG2
Bitrate: 8.000 Mbps
Framerate: 29.970 Hz
Resolution: 720x480
Aspect ratio: 4x3
Audio:
Hardware:
Audio Device: directsound
S/PDIF: Present
Number of speakers: 2
Stream:
Type: Dolby Digital (AC3)
Bitrate: 192 Kbps
Number of main channels: 2
LFE Channel: None
Sampling Frequency: 48khz
Bits Per Sample: 16
Output:
Sample Rate: 48 KHz
Bits per Sample: 16

Josh Z · 11-11-04, 12:28 PM

OK, thanks. What I'm really most concerned about is the audio bit rate (telling half-rate from full-rate DTS, etc.), and it looks like both will do that.

X · 11-11-04, 01:28 PM

It appears so.

Dances With Wolves DTS:

Quote:

Video:
Hardware:
Vendor: Nvidia
Stream:
Type: Encrypted and Interlaced MPEG2
Bitrate: 7.500 Mbps
Framerate: 29.970 Hz
Resolution: 720x480
Aspect ratio: 16x9
Audio:
Hardware:
Audio Device: directsound
S/PDIF: Present
Number of speakers: 2
Stream:
Type: DTS
Bitrate: 1536 Kbps
Number of main channels: 5
LFE Channel: Present
Sampling Frequency: 48khz
Bits Per Sample: 16
Output:
Sample Rate: 48 KHz
Bits per Sample: 16

The Fifth Element SB

Quote:

Video:
Hardware:
Vendor: Nvidia
Stream:
Type: Interlaced MPEG2
Bitrate: 9.800 Mbps
Framerate: 29.970 Hz
Resolution: 720x480
Aspect ratio: 16x9
Audio:
Hardware:
Audio Device: directsound
S/PDIF: Present
Number of speakers: 2
Stream:
Type: DTS
Bitrate: 768 Kbps
Number of main channels: 5
LFE Channel: Present
Sampling Frequency: 48khz
Bits Per Sample: 16
Output:
Sample Rate: 48 KHz
Bits per Sample: 16

Interesting that the DTS demo on TFE was 1536 Kbps though.

abintra · 11-11-04, 01:35 PM

Doesn't PowerDVD list this when turning on 'stat info' or something like that (can't recall the exact term off hand)?

X · 11-11-04, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by abintra
Doesn't PowerDVD list this when turning on 'stat info' or something like that (can't recall the exact term off hand)?

I've never seen that function, but I'm a couple of versions behind on PowerDVD.

Green Jello · 11-11-04, 01:42 PM

I've been using this info for years now from these two programs. Two days ago I came across something I've never seen before.

When looking at the Anchor Bay release of Monty Python's Life of Brian, WinDVD gave me an Audio bit rate of 256 for the Dolby Digital 2.0 track. Has anyone ever seen this?

Generally for Dolby, the results will be:

5.0 / 5.1 / 5.1ex : 384 or 448 bps
1.0 / 2.0 (Pro Logic) : 192 bps

abintra · 11-11-04, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by X
I've never seen that function, but I'm a couple of versions behind on PowerDVD.

I just checked. I have version 4.0 and one can access the real time video bit rate and seperate audio bit rate in it by playing a dvd and choosing "show information". Not sure if it didn't start until version 4 or not though (I think I had version 3 at some point and it was there also but can't be certain).

X · 11-11-04, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by abintra
I just checked. I have version 4.0 and one can access the real time video bit rate and seperate audio bit rate in it by playing a dvd and choosing "show information". Not sure if it didn't start until version 4 or not though (I think I had version 3 at some point and it was there also but can't be certain).

You're right!

I also have version 4 and I had "show information" checked, but until I also turned on OSD I didn't see it. That's a very nice feature.

I've been considering getting the latest PowerDVD as I hear its picture quality is very good. Up until now I've preferred WinDVD's.

11-10-04, 08:02 AM	#1
Josh Z DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 9,763	Software DVD player w/ bit rate meter? I rarely use my computer to play DVDs, and when I do I've just been using the freebie InterActual player. Do any of the major DVD programs (WinDVD, PowerDVD, etc.) offer a bit rate meter, preferably one that specifies both video and audio bit rates separately? __________________ Josh Z Critic, High-Def Digest (Blog updated daily!) Contributor, Home Theater Magazine Curator, Laserdisc Forever \| Cinema Zyberdiso My opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employers.

11-11-04, 12:28 PM	#5
Josh Z DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 9,763	OK, thanks. What I'm really most concerned about is the audio bit rate (telling half-rate from full-rate DTS, etc.), and it looks like both will do that. __________________ Josh Z Critic, High-Def Digest (Blog updated daily!) Contributor, Home Theater Magazine Curator, Laserdisc Forever \| Cinema Zyberdiso My opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employers.

11-10-04, 11:09 AM	#2
X Administrator Join Date: Oct 1987 Location: AA- Posts: 10,138	I tried out all I have and didn't find a real-time bit rate meter, just a report of what bit rate (I assume maximum) the DVD was recorded at for both audio and video).

11-11-04, 01:35 PM	#7
abintra DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,926	Doesn't PowerDVD list this when turning on 'stat info' or something like that (can't recall the exact term off hand)?

11-11-04, 01:42 PM	#9
Green Jello Banned Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,893	I've been using this info for years now from these two programs. Two days ago I came across something I've never seen before. When looking at the Anchor Bay release of Monty Python's Life of Brian, WinDVD gave me an Audio bit rate of 256 for the Dolby Digital 2.0 track. Has anyone ever seen this? Generally for Dolby, the results will be: 5.0 / 5.1 / 5.1ex : 384 or 448 bps 1.0 / 2.0 (Pro Logic) : 192 bps