Overview

• What we need
  
  Definitely needed:
  - D.I.K.O.
  
  Optional:
  - CCE
  - D.I.K.O. Menu Maker
  - New FreeEnc
  - Individual codecs
  - FFDShow
  
  
• Configuring D.I.K.O.
  - Configure Paths, Audio, Video, Encoder settings, DVD Authoring, etc.
  
  
• Preparing Menu Images
  - Only required if you have D.I.K.O. author the DVD. We need these images before conversion starts.
  
  
• Converting movies
  - Adding a movies (one or 2 part movies), adding more movies, start conversion.
  
  
• Trouble shooting
  - Missing DLL: MSVCP60.DLL
  - Canceling conversions
  - Jerky movie playback
  - Menus are not there or do not seem to work
  - v0.78/1.48Gold: Missing MSVCR70.DLL or "LoadPlugin: unable to load RemoveGrain.dll"

What we need

Actually we do not need much, as D.I.K.O. comes pretty complete.

Definitely needed:
(I recommend starting with this before trying the optional items)

• D.I.K.O.
  Download it from the D.I.K.O. homepage or from our downloads page.
  Install it by executing the file you downloaded.
  D.I.K.O. comes with XviD, make sure that option is checked during installation.
  XviD can also be downloaded from the XviD Movies website or from our downloads page.
  
  Note: If you decide to get the Gold version, the this version will be emailed to you with instructions how to install it.
  Basically it's extracting the archive you received and copy them over the existing setup of the free version.
  

Optional:

• Cinema Craft Encoder (CCE)
  D.I.K.O. standard works with a free MPEG encoder (FreeEnc).
  This encoder performs very well. However CCE seems to perform a little better as for quality.
  Using CCE requires ECLCCE, a little tool which makes interfacing between D.I.K.O. and CCE possible.
  You can download it from our downloads page.
  
  You will need CCE SP 2.66 or 2.67, and ECLCCE.
  Note that CCE is a COMMERCIAL application, and it doesn't come cheap!
  
  So buy CCE and install it according the instructions.
  
  HOW TO INSTALL:
  Once you installed CCE and downloaded the ECLCCE file, go to the directory where CCE is installed. Extract the files from the ECLCCE archive into this directory.
  Commonly this is the directory "C:\Program Files\Custom Technology\CCE SP" (where the encoder executable can be found - the trail version is called CCTSPT.EXE - I don't own the full version so the name might be different).
  So make sure both executables (CCTSPT.EXE and EclCCE.EXE) are in the same directory.
  
  
• To have D.I.K.O. Author the DVD: D.I.K.O. Menu Maker
  M. van Rijnen created a little tool that can assist you in creating the required files for D.I.K.O. to author the DVD.
  This tool can be downloaded from VanRijnen.nl, or from our downloads page.
  Read the DVD Authoring section below for more details.
  
  HOW TO INSTALL:
  Simply execute the downloaded setup file.
  
• Update FreeEnc
  D.I.K.O. comes with FreeEnc - a freeware MPEG1/2 encoder.
  It can be that the FreeEnc version that comes with D.I.K.O. is older than the newly available one.
  A newer version of FreeEnc - if available - can also be downloaded from the D.I.K.O. homepage.
  
  HOW TO INSTALL:
  Extract the files into the FreeEnc folder in the DIKO folder (commonly: "C:\Program Files\DIKO\FreeEnc").
  Once you have done that: delete the file called "Default.ini", copy the file "Incredible_KDVD.ini" and rename it to "Default.ini".
  This way the new FreeEnc will always use the KDVD format.
  
  
• FFDShow
  I'd like to recommend FFDShow on any PC that is being used for video playback or editing.
  It's not really required for D.I.K.O. to work properly, recommended anyway ...
  
  
• Individual Codecs
  For each codec type (depends on the codec used for your AVI), you will need a coded.
  Optionally you could install DivX 3.11 (see our downloads page), DivX 5.x (see DivX.com), etc.
  FFDShow already takes care of most of these, but some people prefer to overload their PC with codecs.
  Also; if you use for example DV AVI's (from a camcorder) then you will need to have a DV-codec installed.
  

Configuring D.I.K.O.

The first time we start D.I.K.O., we will need to very the configuration.

Note: screen shots are based on the 1.47 Gold version (yes I really purchased this awesome tool!). Screens for the free version are similar.

D.I.K.O.: Start screen of DIKO

Now click the "CONFIGURATION" button. The following screen will appear:

D.I.K.O. Configuration - Working folder

In the first screen (tab called "Path") we set our working directory.
Make sure this points to a directory where you have a couple of Gbytes free. I always make sure I have about 8 Gb free in that folder.

Now go to the next tab (called "Parameters"). Copy the settings as shown in the image below:

D.I.K.O. Configuration - Generic Parameters

Details:

• MODE
  Select if you want to make a DVD (KDVD) or a Super VCD (KSVCD).
  
• SYSTEM
  Select your TV System here. PAL is commonly used in Europe, NTSC in the USA.
  More details can be found on the Video Formats page (look at the bottom).
  Note from Riez: mixing PAL and NTSC movies might cause issues!
  
• VIDEO ENCODER
  Select FreeEnc to begin with (I'm pretty pleased with it).
  If you want to use CCE, then after selecting this, go back to the "Path" tab and set the "ECLCCE" path to you CCE directory.
  
• AUDIO ENCODER
  I use BeSweet since Soft Encode seems to be a commercial application (it is discontinued however).
  
• MEDIA SIZE
  I have set mine to 4490 Mb with 180 Mb overhead. Slightly more than the default. Either will work just fine.
  However, when using DVD-R (since this media type does not support overbunring) you're stuck with the maximum (default) value of 4482 Mb.
  
• OTHER SETTINGS
  I have checked "Ignore Pulldown failure" and "remove Temp files".
  Optionally, if you do the encoding during the night, you can check "Shutdown when finished processing".
  The option "Use AviSynth Monitor" can be practical - if you're an expert - to monitor problems (never had a use for it).
  Also note that there have been reports that AviSynth Monitor may actually cause problems!
  Naturally you can set the interface language to your language, however in this guide we stick with English.

Now we go to the next tab: "Authoring".

We have 2 options here:

1) We author our DVD ourselves using DVDLab, TMPGEnc DVD Author or another DVD authoring tool.

In this window uncheck everything, including the "Author Disc" option.
Authoring your DVD's yourself gives you more freedom in designing my own layout, chapters, and functionality you would like.
But it will also take more time ...

2) We have D.I.K.O. Auhtor our DVD

If you want to use this option (definitly less work), then make sure "Author Disc" is checked.
This option will create a directory called "author" holding two folders: "AUDIO_TS" and "VIDEO_TS" with the complete DVD in it.

The other settings are the default languages you wish to use for Audio (Sound Language) and subtitles (Subs language).

The chapter option is default set to 5 minutes. Which means that D.I.K.O. will generate a chapter every 5 minutes.
You can change this value to 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes, or "Don't add chapters".
Personally I would recommend keeping it a 5 minutes.

You can check "Create DVD Image" (if you use Nero then this is not required), which will create an ISO file which most burning software can burn. I usually have Nero handle this problem, so I leave it unchecked.

You can also check the option "Burn using DVD Decrypter". This will burn the DVD right away once D.I.K.O. finished creating the image. Again: I prefer to have Nero do the burning. So I leave it unchecked. Leaving this unchecked also offers you the option to do a quality check before burning your conversion to a DVD.

The next tab "Video" is used for setting encoder specific settings, here we assume that we use FreeEnc:

D.I.K.O. Configuration - Video Settings

For best quality:compression ratio I always select "Multipass VBR".
For top speed conversion select "1 Pass VBR".

The option overscan should be set to zero.

"Resolution" depends on your TV system: PAL uses 704x576, NTSC uses 704x480.
For some movies it might make sense to use a lower resolution. However so far I have not had any movie where the default value didn't work properly. See also the the Video Formats page.

The next tab is "Audio". The default settings are just fine.
Default 2.0 audio (stereo) is set to 160 kbps. If you selected "Soft Encode" on "Parameters" tab, then 5.1 audio is set to 384 kbps.

The last tab is "SubTitles" and allows you to define the kind of subtitles you want: DVD (selectable during playback) or Fixed (always there). I highly recommend setting this to DVD, even if you do not use subtitles (it will not affect your movies at all).

So now we configured D.I.K.O. click the "OK" button - we're ready to roll!

Preparing the Menu

If we let D.I.K.O. author our DVD, then we must prepare the DVD menu images first.
So if you disabled DVD Authoring, then you can skip this step.

First a little explanation on how D.I.K.O. does its DVD authoring.

First it requires a JPG image.
This is basically the background, but including all clickable components (ie. the menu items) in the same picture.

Next we need a PNG image.
To determine where the "buttons" (or menu items) are, we need to create a PNG image which masks the buttons.
With masking I mean, a box indicating where exactly the buttons are. Only the border of the box should be in the image. The rest ogf the image is transparent.

To give you an idea how this will work:

D.I.K.O. - Masking for the DVD Authoring menu

Here we see the JPG image holding 3 buttons (images based on examples provided with D.I.K.O.), and the PNG file which is completely transparent, with 3 rectangles in it. If we lay these images over each other, we see that these rectangles indicate the borders of the images - ie. the buttons or menu items. The area inside such a rectangle is considered a button / menu item.

The black rectangles will light up later when selecting an item during DVD playback.

Now we can make these two files in two ways.

The simple way: using DIKO MenuMaker.

Download the D.I.K.O. Menu Maker from our downloadspage, or from VanRijnen.nl to get the most recent version, and install it.

Now start the application.

D.I.K.O. Menu Maker by M. VanRijnen helps you create the JPG and PNG file for the menu

The process is pretty straight forward:

1) Select the TV system you're using (PAL or NTSC) in the "DVD Format" field.
2) Select the number of movies.
3) Set overscan (I recommend leaving the standard to 40). Overscan is the space in the picture that might not appear on your TV.
4) Select the Border Width - this is the width of the selection border when an item is active (during DVD playback).
5) Make sure aspect ratio is checked
6) Optionally you can play with Images Width.

Finally: load your Background image (can be a BMP, JPG, or PNG), and the images which will identify the movies (use the same order later when adding the AVI files for conversion!).

The button images can for example be cover images, which for example can be found on CDCover.CC, MoviePosters.com or DVDTown.com. You can modify them, if needed, with Photoshop or another drawing program.

You can see the result right away by clicking the "Preview" button. If you're happy with what you're seeing: click "Save".
The application will ask you where to save the JPG file, it will automatically save the required PNG file with the JPG file using the same file (just another extension). Remember where you saved this!

The hard way: Drawing it yourself.

You can use Photoshop, The GiMP, PaintShop pro, or any other drawing program that supporst JPG and PNG to create these files yourself. Applications that support layers are recommended (just easier to work with).

The big advantage is that you can make the images a lot more fancy.

Remember:

- you need to create a new image of one of these sizes: PAL: 720x576, NTSC: 720x480.
- The black rectangle is the highlight around the buttons
- Save an image as a JPG (without the rectangles, but with background and button images).
- Save an image as a PNG (without background - this is transparent, without button images, but with the rectangles).

Tip: take a good look at what DIKO MenuMaker generates, or the example files that come with D.I.K.O., it will give you a good indication how to do it.

Converting Movies

So now we're back at the start window. Click the "New Conversion" button:

D.I.K.O. - Start a new AVI to DVD/SVCD Conversion

A new window opens allowing you to select the AVI files you wish to convert:

D.I.K.O. - Selecting AVI's for your new DVD/SVCD

In this window we select our AVI files, D2V files (DVD2AVI project files), or a regular DVD (might not work very well with the free version).
In this guide we will not dig into the advanced D2V project files or DVDs, and stick with AVI files only!

Note: The DVD option is not available in the free version!

I found that on average you can store between 4 and 7 hours of movie on a DVD with still a good quality.
So that is about 2 to 4 movies, or about 11 episodes of your favorite show (right click an AVI, and select properties. This will show you the playback time of each individual AVI).

Adding a movie

Note: If you use the DVD Auhtoring feature; make sure you add the movies in the same order as you have set the buttons in the JPG image!

Click the "..." button next o the field "Movie File 1:".

Movies that consist out of 2 parts can be added

A file dialog will open allowing to select your AVI file.

If your movie is split in two parts (not uncommon, for example CD1 and CD2), the use the "Movie File 2:" to select the second part.
Note that this should be the second part of THE SAME MOVIE!

Note: Optionally you can drag the AVI file into the "Movie File 1:" or "Movie File 2:" field.

Adding the next movie

If you want to add another movie, then click "Add Another Movie" and repeat the steps as described for adding a movie/avi.
Only use this button if this is NOT your last movie!!!

Start Conversion

Once you have added all your AVI's you can click the button "Start Conversion".

If you have "DVD Authoring" enabled, then D.I.K.O. will ask you for the menu image files (forgot what this is? Read the preparing menu images section):

DIKO - Where are the menu image files?

The "Menu Background" file is the JPG file. The "Menu Subpicture" is the PNG file. Click "OK" and conversion will start.

Conversion can take some time. My Athlon 64 (3400) works about 6 hours before it's done (Multipass VBR).

If you enabled DVD Authoring, Create DVD Image, and Burn using DVD Decrypter, then at the end of the process you will have a DVD burned and ready to play (don't forget tp put an empty DVD in your DVD burner).

If you enabled DVD Authoring, and Create DVD Image, but not Burn using DVD Decrypter, then you will now have an ISO file ready to be burned with for example Nero (it could also be a BIN/CUE, I'm not sure anymore).

If you only enabled DVD Authoring, the you now will have a couple of files like VOB's, BUP's, and IFO's in the "author/VIDEO_TS" folder. You can burn these with Nero (use DVD-Video and move the files from the "author/VIDEO_TS" into the VIDEO_TS folder of Nero).

If you disabled DVD Authoring, you will need to use a DVD Authoring tool to create a DVD. You will find a MPV (Video) and MP2 (Audio) for each movie you converted. Use DVDLab, or the TMPGEnc DVD Author page for authoring a DVD.

Trouble Shooting

MISSING DLL: MSVCP60.DLL

D.I.K.O. installs and runs just fine on most computers. However; sometimes it complains that it is missing a specific DLL: MSVCP60.DLL. You can download it from our downloads page in case your computer needs it.

HOW TO INSTALL:
Extract the DLL and copy it into the "C:\Windows\System32" or "C:\Winnt\System32" folder.

CANCELLING CONVERSIONS

Due to the way D.I.K.O. is setup, aborting a conversion can take a little bit more effort than just clicking "Cancel".

• If you haven't clicked "Start Conversion", you can simply click the "Cancel" button.
  
  
• FreeEnc: If conversion has started, you can click "STOP".
  Next look in the taskbar of windows (the horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen), you might notice that FreeEnc is still running.
  
  
  Click this once, so FreeEnc opens:
  
  
  Click the "X" to close it.
  
• CCE: For CCE you will encounter a similar problem. Maximize CCE and close the application.

JERKY MOVIE PLAYBACK

There can be several reason why a resulting DVD playsback rather jerky:

1) The quality of your DVD's is poor. I had this experience with Memorex printable DVD's.

2) The source AVI is jerky by itself. (Garbage in = Garbage out)

3) Some people claim that framerate conversion can cause this as well (for example 25 fps to 23 fps). I have not had this experience.

4) You squized too much on a DVD, the bitrates can become to low for a smooth playback. Try to stick to 3 movies or 11 episodes per DVD.

5) Your DVD player does not support KDVD or KSVCD (see compatibilty page and KDVD/KSVCD intro)

MENU's DO NOT APPEAR OR DO NOT SEEM TO WORK

Menus do not seem to work as they should in DIKO 0.77 and 1.47 Gold so you will have to apply a little workaround.
Do the following:

- Open the file "diko.ini" (can be found in the folder where you installed D.I.K.O.)
- Find the section "[DVDAuthor]"
- In this section you will find:

main_menu_jpeg=
main_menu_subpictures=

Change this to something like:

main_menu_jpeg=X:\XYZ\menu.jpg
main_menu_subpictures=X:\XYZ\menu.png

Where "C:\XYZ\" is the folder where you will always save the menu image files (menu.jpg and menu.png).
Now DIKO will always get those pictures, so it would be handy if you say to the menu maker to save your pictures to this folder.

MISSING MSVCR70.DLL or "LOADPLUGIN: UNABLE TO LOAD REMOVEGRAIN.DLL

I have seen this problem with v0.78 (free) and 1.48 (Gold) and is both caused by the midding DLL.
Download MSVCD70.DLL from our downloads page and after extraction copy the DLL to "C:\Windows\System32" of "C:\Winnt\System32".