User manual DATEL MAX MEDIA MANAGER PRO

Max Media Manager PRO Please refer to the paper manual for a more sections including podcasts and later information. Contents Max Media Manager PRO ............................................................................................. 1 2. Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 2 2.a. Product Contents ................................................................................................. 2 2.b. General Introduction ........................................................................................... 2 2.c. Installation and Connection................................................................................. 2 2.d. General Overview ............................................................................................... 4 VIEW TABS .................................................................................................................. 4 RIP DVD .................................................................................................................... 4 IMAGES Transfer images to your SD card for viewing on you Wii. ....................... 4 VIDEO Encode and transfer video. ........................................................................... 4 RIP CD Create MP3's directly from an audio CD and transfer them to your SD card. ............................................................................................................................ 4 SAVES ­ WII ............................................................................................................ 4 AUDIO Transfer MP3s to your SD card for listening on the move. ......................... 4 3. Working with Video .............................................................................................. 5 3.b. Simple Mode ....................................................................................................... 6 3.b.i.Choosing the right settings ............................................................................ 6 3.b.ii. Encoding and copying to your SD ............................................................... 7 3.c. Expert Mode ........................................................................................................ 7 3.c.i. Quality Settings Tab (QUALITY) ................................................................ 8 3.c.ii. Dimensions Tab (DIMS).............................................................................. 8 3.c.iii. File size Tab (FILESIZE) ........................................................................... 8 3.c.iv. Time Tab (TIME)........................................................................................ 9 3.d. DVD Ripping Specific Information .................................................................... 9 3.e. Suitable Source Media ........................................................................................ 9 3.f. Batch List Encoding .......................................................................................... 10 Technical Information .................................................................................................. 10 Why are videos split into 20 minute files?............................................................... 10 Video Conversion ­ Making Small Files ................................................................. 10 Wii Game Saves ....................................................................................................... 11 CodeJunkies Powersaves and Community .......................................................... 11 Backup Saves From your Wii to your PC ............................................................ 11 Saves From Internet Websites ............................................................................. 11 Playing MP3's on your Wii ..................................................................................... 12 Technical Support .................................................................................................... 12 1. General Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of Max Media Manager PRO. Max Media Manager PRO is the most fully featured media management solution for Wii on the market. Using Max Media Manager PRO you can create Wii friendly audio and video directly from CDs, DVDs* and video clips from the internet, control every detail of video, audio and image transcoding and even enjoy all the Wii gamesave management features. 2. Getting Started Error! Reference source not found.. Product Contents Your Max Media Manager PRO product should include the following; check the box to make sure everything is there: · · · · 1 1 1 1 x x x x SD Card USB adaptor SD Card "Max Media Manager PRO" PC software disc User manual Error! Reference source not found.. Error! Reference source not found. To get maximum functionality out of your Max Media Manager PRO pack you need a set-up that meets the following minimum requirements: MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Computer / Processor Communication 1GHz+ processor Internet connection (for CDDB lookup, gamesave downloading, product activation, podcast downloading) USB Port (USB 2.0 highly recommended) Windows® XP, Vista or 2000. 512Mb RAM Install size: 10MB of free hard-disk space for program installation plus additional hard drive space for storing media (Up to 2GB recommended for larger video files) 800X600 SVGA or higher, True Colour CD-ROM drive (for installation and CD ripping) Operating System Memory Display Drive Error! Reference source not found.. Installation and Connection Insert the CD-ROM titled "Max Media Manager PRO" into your PC CD-ROM drive and wait a couple of seconds (if you have auto-run enabled) for the installation to start. If you don't have auto-run enabled find the SETUP.EXE program on the CD and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions. Place the SD card in the SD card readers slot firmly. Put the SD card reader into a USB port on you PC. When you first run your PC application you will be asked whether you would like to look online for an upgraded version of the software. It is highly recommended that you do this as new features and improved support for different file formats are being added all the time. NOTE: Because Max Media Manager PRO can be improved and revised through this online update, you may find in the future that functionality described in this manual becomes out of date. If this is ever the case, the new functionality will be covered in the `readme' file included with the new release. Error! Reference source not found.. General Overview VIEW TABS The main functions of the application are controlled by the various tabs along the top of the Max Media Manager PRO software screen. The different tabs perform the following functions: RIP DVD Create Wii friendly video directly from an unprotected DVD IMAGES Transfer images to your SD card for viewing on you Wii. VIDEO Encode and transfer video. SAVES PC List the gamesaves stored on your PC's hard-drive. RIP CD Create MP3's directly from an audio CD and transfer them to your SD card. SAVES ­ WII List the gamesaves stored on your SD Card (you can transfer them in the Wii's memory manager via the "Wii" menu). AUDIO Transfer MP3s to your SD card for listening on the move. SAVES - WEB Connect to the Codejunkies.com server to download new gamesaves or view gamesaves you have uploaded. SUB TABS When on the video encoding tab, use the sub tabs to determine whether you are copying directly to the SD Card or to a `Batch List' for encoding more than one video at a time. MAIN WINDOW Depending upon which main view tab you are on you will see different content displayed in the main window. PC MEDIA CONTROLS These buttons vary depending upon which view tab you are currently on. Use the media controls for such functions as EDIT, DELETE, DOWNLOAD etc. APPLICATION CONTROLS Use the application controls to CLOSE, MINIMISE and MAXIMISE the Max Media Manager PRO software, including accessing the program's many options. 3. Working with Video a. Introduction and Overview The Wii will only allow playback of video files encoded to the MJPEG specification, MAX Media Manager PRO takes care of this process for you. MAX Media Manager PRO has two ways for you to create perfect Wii ready video, either from a file already on your system (use the VIDEO tab) or directly from an unprotected DVD (use the DVD VIDEO tab). Since the video encoding options for creating a Wii video from a file or DVD are the same, we will use the VIDEO tab as an example in this section. To create a video from a DVD, use the information in the section along with the additional information specific to DVD ripping discussed in section 3.d. ADD MEDIA TO LIBRARY Click to browse for video content to prepare for playback. (Note: if you wish to use a DVD disc as the source for your video conversion, use the DVD VIDEO tab). PC MEDIA VIEW Adding a file or files to your PC MEDIA LIBRARY does not move or duplicate the original file(s), the PC Media Library simply lists links to files you add so that you can easily encode and copy them. PC MEDIA CONTROLS These controls affect the media items that have been added to your `Media Library' list. Choosing to delete an item will remove it from your list only, the file you added to the list will remain in its original location. MEDIA CONTROLS These controls affect the video files. Choosing to delete a file will permanently delete it from your SD memory card. When on the Batch List tab, use the EXCECUTE button to encode all jobs in the batch queue. ENCODING OPTIONS Changing the quality setting of the video encoder will affect the size and look of your videos when played back. Lower quality settings result in smaller file sizes (allowing you to fit more video on your memory sticks) but lower visual / audio clarity. Experiment with different settings to see which suit your needs best. ENCODE / COPY Press this button after selecting a source video file and choosing your encoding settings using either the Expert Mode or Simple Mode options. EXPERT MODE TABS When in `Expert Mode' (click the MODE button to toggle between modes) use these tabs to control different aspects of your video encoding. SUB TABS Select Wii to encode immediately onto your SD Card or select Batch Mode to add jobs to a batch queue pending execution of the batch list. Wii (or Batch) CONTENTS When on the Wii tab (SD Card), this window shows you the contents of the Video specific folder on your SD Card. When on the Batch tab, this window will display the list of encoding job waiting to run when you click `Execute'. SD CAPACITY METER This bar shows the amount of space you have left on your SD's storage device (memory card or hard drive) for storing video. ENCODE / COPY BUTTON Use to convert video (using quality set in VIDEO QUALITY SETTINGS) without transferring to your SD card. The encoded video is output to the same folder as the source video. SIMPLE / EXPERT MODE SWITCH Press the MODE button to switch between simple mode and expert mode encoding options. In simple mode you will see a reduced set of encoding options, in expert mode you will have access to MAX Media Manager PRO's full set of encoding options. ENCODING PROGRESS (not shown) Encoding progress is displayed along the bottom of the screen after you have selected a source file and clicked the CONVERT or COPY buttons. Video encoding could take several minutes on large video files. 3.b. Simple Mode A quick and easy way to get perfectly good video onto your SD Card is to use MAX Media Manager PRO's video encoding capabilities in `Simple Mode'. In this mode you will still have access to basic encoding options such as compression quality, screen aspect and encoding type, sufficient for many encoding jobs. To understand the encoding options, see the section below on choosing the right settings, then, when you are ready, follow the steps in 3.b.ii. to create your Wii video. 3.b.i.Choosing the right settings QUALITY The quality settings affect the amount of compression MAX Media Manager PRO uses when it encodes the selected video files. Higher settings (to the right) mean sharper, smoother video but larger file sizes. Lower settings (to the left) mean less sharp, lower quality videos but smaller file sizes. Using a setting of MEDIUM or HIGH will usually produce an output file of good quality for a reasonable file size. Results will vary from video to video based on the amount and type of movement in the source video so experiment with different settings to find ones that work best. 3.b.ii. Encoding and copying to your SD To create your first Wii ready video file from a video file you already have on your PC, follow these steps (see section 3.e. for information on what types of video make suitable source files): 1. Click the ADD MEDIA button to browse for a video file to add. You can only add videos file formats listed in section Error! Reference source not found.. 2. Click on the video file in the PC Media Library window and then choose a Quality Setting. 3. To encode the video and transfer it directly to the SD, click the "COPY & CONVERT" button. If you would like to encode the video but not transfer it immediately to the SD click the "CONVERT ONLY" button (this will create a copy in the same folder as the source movie and list the new outputted file in your PC Media Library). Videos that have already been converted can be transferred to the SD at any time without needing further encoding: Simply select that file and then use the "COPY ONLY" button to transfer it (the "COPY ONLY" button only appears if you select a pre-converted MJPEG AVI file). Once a video has been transferred to your SD, view it by exiting placing your SD card in your Wii SD card slot. On your Wii: · Enter the "Photo Channel", · Click the Start button, · Click the "Digital Camera/Cell Phone" button, · Click "View", · Click a video icon to play it. 3.c. Expert Mode When you click the MODE button on the VIDEO or DVD VIDEO tab you switch between Simple Mode and Expert Mode. When in Expert Mode you will see a new set of sub-tabs appear in the middle of the screen with additional encoding settings available. Here you can customize the: 3.c.i. Quality Settings Tab (QUALITY) Resolution: Smaller resolutions make smaller files, so you can fit more on your SD card. Video Quality: Lower settings make poor images but make smaller files. Framerate: Lower the frame rate to make smaller files. For best results use either the "Keep source" frame rate option or "half of source" option.. Sound: Reduce the sound quality (Hz) to save space, and you can make it mono sound to save space. 3.c.ii. Dimensions Tab (DIMS) Use the dimensions tab to take total control of the aspect ratio, alignment, cropping and zoom of your output video. Keep an eye on the Wii screen on the control too see how your changes will affect the output. POSITION Use the control arrows to change the position of the source file with relation to the output file. This can be useful for correcting an off centre source file or for eliminating sub-titles or channel logos. Use the reset button in the centre to restore to default settings. ZOOM (middle) Use the zoom in and zoom out controls to magnify or shrink the source file with relation to the output file whilst maintaining the aspect ratio. Use the reset button in the centre to restore to default settings. STRETCH / SHRINK Use the stretch and shrink controls to manually change the dimensions of the outputted file without linking those dimensions to the aspect ration of the source file. This can be useful for correcting files that have been encoded to a different video size (widescreen, cinema screen etc) and have had their aspect ratio distorted. 3.c.iii. File size Tab (FILESIZE) MAX Media Manager PRO features two ingenious ways to help you determine settings based on a desired size for your output file (currently only for video clips in the Video tab ­ look out for an update for DVD). ESTIMATE VIDEO SIZE Once you have selected a source movie (in the Media Library window), use the Estimate Video Size button to have MAX Media Manager PRO calculate an estimated file size for your output video based on the settings you have made in the other tabs. This eliminates the need for you to keep changing your settings and then re-encoding until you produce a file of the desired size. When you click the button, Max Media Manager PRO will use a real sample of the source file you have selected and perform a sample encode. Once this is complete, it will report back with an estimate for the entire file given your current settings. 3.c.iv. Time Tab (TIME) Use the Time tab if you would like to encode only part of the source movie, for instance if you would like to crop the credits from the start or end. Use the up and down arrows for Start Time and End Time to control Hours, Minutes, Seconds and even Frames. MAX Media Manager PRO will show you the total length of your output file after your changes. 3.d. DVD Ripping Specific Information If you would like to generate a Wii compatible video directly from a DVD, first ensure that the DVD is not CSS protected (the law prevents us from allowing you to RIP DVD video to a file, even if you own the DVD, if it is protected using CSS). If the DVD isn't protected then insert it into your DVD drive and click on the `RIP DVD' tab. On the tab, you might find that the DVD has been automatically detected (you will see the files listed in the left hand window), otherwise, click the browse button above the window to choose your DVD drive manually. After doing this, you may need to click refresh for the DVD contents to be displayed. 3.d.i. Choosing the right files When DVD has been read in, you will see a list of the video files on the disc displayed in the left hand window. MAX Media Manager PRO will try to understand the disc and automatically select the parts of the disc containing the actual feature film (not the menus) however, you can also select which files to encode manually. Alongside the filenames (Video1, Video 2 etc) you will see the durations of the videos on the disc displayed. Use these to identify the sections of the DVD you wish to convert. For example, most DVDs will include a number of menu files (which will appear in the list as very short videos), typically, you would choose to not convert those, leaving you with 1-4 large files selected. When you have made you section of source files, use the Simple Mode or Expert Mode encoding options to create the perfect Wii video file for your needs (see earlier in this chapter). NOTE: When MAX Media Manager PRO encounters multiple files for encoding from a DVD it will automatically `stitch' the movie files back together to create one continuous output file. 3.e. Suitable Source Media The following types of video file are accepted source media for the Max Media Manager software: · · · · · · · · AVI MPG / MPEG VOB (DVD) WMV MOV MPE 3GP MP4 We are always looking to expand our support for new file types, ensure you have the latest version of the software for the maximum support. 3.f. Batch List Encoding If you have a large number of files that you would like encode and copy to your SD Card then MAX Media Manage PRO includes a `Batch List' mode where you can add encoding jobs to a list (rather than encode immediately) ready for you to execute when you are ready (like when you are not using your PC). To create batch jobs, use MAX Media Manager PRO in the normal way but set the sub tab on the VIDEO or DVD VIDEO tab to BATCH LIST rather than SD Card. In this mode, when you click the COPY / ENCODE button, the job, with all its parameters will be added to the batch list window awaiting execution. When you have built up your batch list and would like to begin encoding, click the EXECUTE button below the batch list. MAX Media Manager PRO will now encode all the jobs in the list, using the individual settings specified. NOTE: Batch list encoding is only available for VIDEO encoding. Technical Information Why are videos split into 20 minute files? The Wii can only play videos which are around 20 minutes long ­ any longer and the Wii can't play them (technically this is due to bitrates but it's simpler to say 20 minutes). This is of course slightly inconvenient as there are a lot of video clips, Podcasts, TV shows and movies that are over this limit! Luckily Wii Max Media Manager Pro will split the output file into 20 minute parts for you automatically. For example, if your video is 54 minutes long and has the name "My Video.mov", after conversion you will end up with three files which include "My Video Wii 1.avi", "My Video Wii 2.avi" and "My Video_Wii 3.avi". The first two files will both be 20 minutes long and the last file will be the remaining 14 minutes. Video Conversion ­ Making Small Files The Wii only supports a video type called "motion jpeg" with uncompressed sound. Hence after you convert a video clip you get off the internet you will probably find it will increase in size drastically is you have quality settings set high. This is because most videos from the internet and other sources are in a format known as MPEG4 ­ much more advanced than the Wii's motion jpeg. To make your converted videos smaller in size ­ so you can fit more on your SD memory card; Max Media Manager Pro allows you to control both the video image quality and sound quality with ease. Max Media Manager Pro also automatically uses special encoding techniques so your videos still look good when viewed on the TV. You can control the exact quality of your video image and sound with the simple "quality" setting in easy mode. All you have to do is set it from "maximum" (same quality as source) down to "very low", then click the convert button. The estimated file size of your video is displayed so you can see how much space you will need on your SD memory card at each setting. In advanced mode you have full control of video screen quality and sound quality settings. You can control the screen resolution (number of pixels on the screen), the quality of the encoding (from exact as the source down to a low blocky space saving quality), the frame rate (you can halve the number of frames in the video to save space), convert the sound to mono (mono sound uses half the space of stereo sound and will save over 10% of the space needed), convert the sound from a usual 44,100hz down to an almost unnoticeable in difference 22,050hz. Wii Game Saves CodeJunkies Powersaves and Community You can download saves from the CodeJunkies server via the "SAVES - WEB" tab. This is the easiest way to get other peoples saves and special "powersaves" with extra enhancements. Backup Saves From your Wii to your PC You can also backup your saves from your Wii to your PC. 1. In the Wii desktop, click the "Wii" icon bottom left of the screen, 2. Go into the memory management (big icon on left) 3. View your Wii game saves 4. Click a save and select "copy to SD". 5. Now put your SD card in your SD card reader on your PC and load up Wii Media Manager Pro. 6. Go to the "SAVES ­ WII" tab. 7. Select a save you want to copy to your PC. 8. Click the "TO PC" button. Saves From Internet Websites You can also get saves from websites like "www.wiisave.com". These will usually be in a zip file. Unzip them to your SD card using windows explorer. They need to be put into the "Private\Wii\Title" folder. Only the saves sub folder and its data files should be put in here. For example, the save for "Legend of Zelda ­ Twighlight Princes" should be in a folder called "RZDE" and have its files inside that (in this case just a "Data.bin" file). This may seem a little confusing as each games has its own fuor letter folder name which is pretty meaningless, just another reason for using the Wii Media Manager software as it gives them names for you! Playing MP3's on your Wii In order to play the MP3's stored on your Wii SD card, you will need to do the following: · Copy the MP3's to your memory card using Max Media Manager or file explorer. · As the Wii only plays MP3's when viewing photos or videos, you will need to copy at least one photo or video to the SD card too. Do this using the Max Media Manager software to ensure it is compatible with the Wii. Insert the SD card into the Wii and boot to the channels main screen. Select the "Photo Channel". Select start. Select the "Digital Camera/Cell Phone" button to view the contents of your SD card. The Wii should tell you there is at least one photo or video on the SD card. Click the view button. Click the "Slide Show" button at the bottom right of the screen. · · · · · · The slide show will start. We now need to change the sound settings to play an MP3. · Whilst the slide show is going, press the A button on your Wii remote, the slide show settings screen will appear. · · · Click the "change song" button. At the top of the screen you will see your MP3's listed. Select one to play it. You can now return to the slide show and the music will still play by pressing the back button. Technical Support If you are experiencing difficulties any aspect of your Max Media Manager PRO product please ensure that you have read and understood the contents of this user manual before contacting Datel's technical support department. When you contact Datel customer services or technical support department, please have ready the version number of the software you are using (normally found on the inner ring on the underside of the software disc) along with when and where you purchased the product. If you are having difficulties with the PS2TM software please have ready the PS2TM revision number (SCPH#) found on a sticker on the reverse of your PS2 console. DATEL CUSTOMER SERVICES EUROPE: Customers Services, Datel Ltd, Stafford Road, Stone, STAFFS ST15 0DG UNITED KINGDOM Email: support@datel.co.uk Web: www.codejunkies.com DATEL CUSTOMER SERVICES USA: ATTN: Customer Services, Datel Design & Development 15500 Lightwave Drive, Suite 101, ClearwaterFL 33760 Email: support@dateldesign.com Web: www.codejunkies.com © 2005 Datel Design & Development Ltd. Action Replay is a trademark of Datel Design & Development Ltd. Action Replay Codes ©1996-2007 Datel Design & Development Ltd and/or its suppliers. Nintendo and Nintendo Wii are registered trademarks of Nintendo and Nintendo of America. Max Media Manager PRO is a 100% unofficial product and is NOT sponsored, endorsed or approved by Nintendo, nor any games developer or publisher.