Auto Gordian Knot (AutoGK)
Auto Gordian Knot (AutoGK) was a free video conversion tool built to simplify DVD-to-AVI encoding. It wrapped the complex Gordian Knot toolkit into a straightforward interface where you picked a source file, set your target size, and hit Start. The program handled codec selection, resolution, and audio extraction automatically.
What it did
AutoGK accepted DVD files (VOB, IFO) and other video formats (MPG, MPEG, AVI, TS) as input and converted them to compact AVI files using DivX or XviD codecs. You could set a target file size - 700 MB for a single CD or 1400 MB for two - and the program calculated the right bitrate. Audio tracks and subtitle streams from the DVD could be selected individually before encoding.
Batch processing let you queue multiple jobs with different settings and leave the computer to encode overnight. The program auto-detected video standards (PAL, NTSC, FILM) and adjusted frame rates accordingly.
Advantages
- Dead simple interface for a complex task
- Bundled all required codecs and tools (AviSynth, VobSub, XviD)
- Target file size feature produced predictable output
- Completely free with no limitations
Drawbacks
- No longer maintained - last update around 2010
- Only outputs AVI with DivX/XviD - no H.264 or MP4 support
- Cannot handle copy-protected DVDs without separate tools
- HandBrake is the modern alternative with better codec support
Who it was for
AutoGK was the go-to tool during the DivX era for anyone who wanted to back up DVDs to hard drive without learning video encoding. If you needed a DVD converted to a file that fit on a CD, this did it in two clicks. Today HandBrake does the same job with modern codecs like H.264 and H.265.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DVD to AVI conversion | Select a VOB/IFO file as Input › Set Output to AVI › Click Add Job › Start. |
| 2 | Video compression to DivX | Input file › Output size or Target quality › Select DivX codec › Add Job › Start. |
| 3 | Video compression to XviD | Input file › Output size or Target quality › Select XviD codec › Add Job › Start. |
| 4 | Target file size setting | Output size › Enter size in MB (e.g. 700 for CD or 1400 for 2xCD). |
| 5 | Batch processing 4 | Add multiple jobs via Add Job › Each with different settings › Start processes the queue. |
| 6 | DVD subtitle selection | Input file › Subtitle dropdown › Select subtitles to embed in the output file. |
| 7 | DVD audio track selection | Input file › Audio track dropdown › Select the language/audio track. |
| 8 | Automatic video standard detection | The program auto-detects PAL/NTSC/FILM from the source file and adjusts settings accordingly. |
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