My computer seems unable/unwilling to convert media :(

[Skoorb]

I've got some .avis and .mpegs that all run on my comp. I'm trying to convert them to a format compatible with a DVD (ie. DVD video, or even a DV video and then I know from experience that I can convert that accordingly, so that I can burn it and run it on my DVD player).

The problem is that whether it's with Nero, Winavi, or DVDsanta I can't convert these files. What happens is the movie might get 1/3 converted (they are several hundred megs) and then the program will simply stop converting. My CPU use is at 99% from the prog, and it doesn't freeze; it simply stops converting. I've tried converting these to mpeg2, dvd.

While I'm at it, and possibly related, I was backing up a DVD with decryptor/shrink. Decrypting worked, but 1% into the encoding job with shrink I got a program error.

I'm running windows server 2003 BTW (I didn't have XP on hand at the time), which I'm wondering is the cause of these issues. If it is is there something i need to implement to circumvent these problems?

Thanks!

[chicola]

Maybe you have a background process(es) that is affecting the behaviour of the machine.

Try Starter ( http://members.lycos.co.uk/codestuff ) to begin with.

If that doesn't help, investigate all running services.

[deckard8]

Could be dodgy/corrupt mpeg codecs. Run Showshifter, trial version will do. It should detect any codec problems and disable the offending item.

[chicola]

Could be dodgy/corrupt mpeg codecs. Run Showshifter, trial version will do. It should detect any codec problems and disable the offending item.

That wouldn't produce an error in shrinking.

[Skoorb]

Well so far the problem is still here. I've killed everything apparently running, though I may have some background processes that are to blame. Any idea on which one in particular could do it? I think that recklessly stopping services may not be helpful to me, but I'll do it anyway (I have a reset button ). Thanks for the ideas so far! I tried updating all video drivers and all that nonsense too. If I run dvd shrink with the advanced error box checked, I get no error with it, but the couple of frames it's trying to encode just flash back and forth and it never does anything else (besides take up 99% cpu).

FWIW I've got a Barton 2500+ and Abit NF7-S.

*UPDATE* For some reason that first movie I tried to encode screwed up and another one I'm trying now is encoding fine. I've still got all of the other encoding problems though, so this is just a unique case.

[monzie]

Give up on the AT forums eh ?

Back to your original problem (the avi/mpg>dvd conversion), have you checked the files for errors before encoding (Vdub)?

[deckard8]

Chicola > Aren't installed codecs accessed by your system when you shrink a dvd when the preview function is used?

[Skoorb]

Chicola > Aren't installed codecs accessed by your system when you shrink a dvd when the preview function is used?

Shouldn't decryptor be taking care of that stuff...?

[jyn999]

My computer seems unable/unwilling to convert media

Never mind the side issues. Where did you buy a computer with free will or did you have to install Artificial Intelligence software?

[chicola]

Chicola > Aren't installed codecs accessed by your system when you shrink a dvd when the preview function is used?

I was only referring to the part where he was only doing DVDShrink -ing...

Not the avi/mpg conversions. For these you need codecs.

[Skoorb]

Chicola > Aren't installed codecs accessed by your system when you shrink a dvd when the preview function is used?

I was only referring to the part where he was only doing DVDShrink -ing...

Not the avi/mpg conversions. For these you need codecs.

Would the fact that these files play fine be indicative of functioning and error-free codecs? I did download showshifter, but I didn't find anywhere within it to handle scanning the system for codec issues or anything like that...

[chicola]

I don't know of any tool that could show you the correct functioning of a codec. If there was one, it would be used by the developers to check for errors.

Back to thread: there are some good guides in the web about the all the windows services, explaining which can be disabled, etc. Check for one.

Are you sure you don't have any spyware, virus, etc running? The disk is error free?

[Skoorb]

I don't know of any tool that could show you the correct functioning of a codec. If there was one, it would be used by the developers to check for errors.

Back to thread: there are some good guides in the web about the all the windows services, explaining which can be disabled, etc. Check for one.

Are you sure you don't have any spyware, virus, etc running? The disk is error free?

The disk is good. Spyware I've checked recently with an updated adaware. It's possible i have a virus, though I should note that I've not had one in over a decade that I've been aware of (even though I go raw and never use a virus scanner). I'll keep fiddling though I'm somewhat inclined to put a vanilla XP on my comp. I know that 2003 and xp are similarly capable, but if nothing else a fresh install would put on a new path to this...

[Skoorb]

The problem with encoding eternal has been solved - or at least identified. I found another thread elsewhere about it. What happens is shortly after the burning begins, you see a loop between a screen and a kid playing soccer or something. This isn't the only movie to do it. It's some sort of copy protection that supposedly can be dealt with with a different encoding program. DVD2One I believe was the program mentioned.

The original issue of encoding I'm going to try and subvert with installing XP. Chances are good that 2003 is not the probleml necessarily and I merely need to turn some program off or install something or rather correctly, but I'm slightly tired of 2003 anyway.