Converting and Playing Movies on DSTWO

This guide will walk you through the process of converting modern video files to (.AVI) files for usage with the DSTWO iPlayer plugin using modern methods that don't require bloated conversion tools or websites. The iPlayer accepts a variety of video files, with the exception of newer video formats such as (.MP4) and (.MKV). This guide only applies to DSTWO (Original) and DSTWO+ (Plus) users!

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Prerequisites

• a Windows or Linux-based machine
• FFmpeg installed - this is required for the conversion process
• Any supported video file format (AVI, RM, RMVB, MP4) (link)
• 8GB or larger microSD memory card
• SuperCard DSTWO (original or plus model)
• DSTWO iPlayer Plugin

Converting Video Files

• Download the latest version of FFmpeg (https://ffmpeg.org/download.html)
  • If you are using Windows, download the Windows build, and unzip everything to a new folder on the root of your hard disk. Then, configure the %PATH% variable and add the path containing the FFmpeg binaries (link).
  • For Linux users, download the correct Linux package. Once installed, FFmpeg will be set-up and no extra steps are required.
• Copy the video files that you want to convert into a new folder. Ensure that it is named appropriately to avoid confusion (i.e., "input videos" or "dstwo videos").
• Next, open the directory containing your input video files, and launch a Command Prompt/Terminal window.
• Enter the following commands in the window: ffmpeg -i "input.mp4" -c:v mpeg4 -vtag xvid -filter:v fps=30 -vf scale="256:192" "output.avi"
  • NOTE: (change "input.mp4" to the file you want to convert, change the "output" filename but keep the extension of (.AVI) in-tact).
• After the conversion is complete, an AVI file will be processed. Do this process repeatedly if you have multiple video files.

Transferring Video Files

• Download the DSTWO iPlayer Plugin (link).
• Insert your DSTWO's microSD memory card using a memory card reader.
• Open the iPlayer archive and unzip its contents to the root of the microSD card.
• Create a new folder on the root of the microSD card called "MOVIES" or something similar (without quotations).
• Drag-and-drop your converted AVI files into the movies directory on your microSD card.
• Once everything has finished transferring, safely eject the USB card reader, then insert your microSD card into the DSTWO.

Viewing Movies

• Launch the 'movie' application from the DSTWO Plugin menu.
• Navigate to the folder where your movies are located.
• Using the D-PAD, select the movie and press (A) to play.

Recommended Links:

The SuperCard DSTWO Beginners Guide: https://gbatemp.net/threads/the-supercard-dstwo-beginners-guide-how-to-setup-the-dstwo.290190/

 

[Trevor_2012]

DPG has better quality using ezbuilder, and there is DSM too, the videos in dstwo have low quality.

 

[SylverReZ]

DPG has better quality using ezbuilder, and there is DSM too, the videos in dstwo have low quality.

Despite the fact that it is displayed in 256x192 pixels, you can't really tell the difference. I've used MoonShell's (.DPG) format previously, and it always looked the same, although the quality was slightly better.

 

[Technicmaster0]

DSTWO can play AVI files with up to 640x480p. Not sure about the difference, but it's possible that it looks better (because the pixel color can be determined by multiple pixels instead of one). I also wonder if the DSTWO would be able to play uncompressed AVI files.
Regarding MKV support: did you test it with codecs supported by the DSTWO? I'm relatively sure that both EX4i and DSTWO support mkv if the video stream is in the correct codec. Both of them also play DVD rips (but not in full speed because they are too large)