1. File names and structure:
- syntax Original.title.Source.1080p/720p.Video.Audio-DarduS
- Blu-ray & HD.DVD instead of incorrect, widely used "BluRay" & "HDDVD"
+ for example Zwartboek.2006.Blu-ray.1080p.x264.DTS-DarduS
- 100MB sample included in a main folder is obligatory (short films are an exception);
syntax - Original.title.Source.1080p/720p.Video.Audio-DarduS-sample
- NFO always has to be created by following the established pattern
- DTS 1536 kb/s track always when possible; in other cases AC3 with highest possible bitrate;
if good quality track can be found on other sources (e.g. DTS from DVD) it can be used after consultation with the rest of the group;
2. File sizes:
- fixed and traditional - DVD5 and its multiple, DVD9, 3/2 DVD5; other sizes must be consulted with the rest of the group
- tolerant error range is 0.1 - 0.2%
3. Subtitles:
- assume that they're not an integral part of a movie, therefore do not include/mux them
- do not straddle yourself into searching an unofficial sources;
subtitles ripped from source should be published on external site such as opensubtitles.org and linked in description
4. Audio tracks:
- NO dubbings or tracks with voice-over allowed!
- AC3 & DTS are considered as the only valid audio formats, where AC3 is mostly referred to commentary tracks
- the only commentary tracks allowed are those with the same language as main movie;
commentary tracks can be muxed in mkv or included as a separate files in a torrent; it should be determined by
5. mkv/avs encoding settings:
- DGIndex as obligatory decoder for MPEG2 sources;
- DGAVCIndex as obligatory decoder for AVC sources;
- --me tesa (--me umh in 1. pass), --ref 9, --bframes 4 or --bframes 5 (adequately for low motion or high motion sources), --merange 32, --trellis 2
- level 4.1 can be used if there is no quality gain with level 5.1 (has to be proven to other members)
- used parameters for psy-rd/psy-trellis & aq-strength must be consulted (every time) with the rest of the group
- Spline64Resize/Spline36Resize/BlackmanResize; proper cropping is mandatory in every case - no black bars can be present in encode
- other used scripts must be consulted with the rest of the group
+ especially using filters which add artificial grain and other effects onto source image
6. Final words:
- end product has to be introduced (screens, sample or other way if necessary) to other members of DarduS at least 24h BEFORE release
- in description include at least two screenshot comparisons with competitive release and try to pick ones where improvement can be clearly seen
- screenshot comparisons with the source are optional, but if you make them, try to choose frames that shows improvement compared to the source