Advice to newbie

[zimmo]

I have been through the site searching to locate what my problem could be, and need advice as how to fix it as nothing been said that could help me fully.

I have several AVI files, and I do not know if it is the framerate that is causing the problem.

Example:
File 1.avi

Video
Codec: XVID
Frame Rate: 23.976000

Audio
Codec: mpga
Channels: 2
Sample Rate: 48000 Hz
Bitrate: 135 kb/s

I used WINAVI to convert this for DVD. It all went well, no errors or nothing. But when I play this in the DVD player, on around 3 occassions, the pixels go all over the place and the sound repeats itself, then it corrects itself and plays as normal.

I know people say WINAVI causes problems in the conversion, but is this because of the frame rate?

Pretty new to converting, so learning all the time. I did read something that you need a frame rate of: 25 or 29. something? Is this why.

The reason I ask, is that another of my AVI files done exactly the same as above but this had the following spec:

Video
Codec: XVID
Frame Rate: 25.000000

Audio
Codec: mpga
Channels: 2
Sample Rate: 44100 Hz
Bitrate: 123 kb/s

It is really causing me lots of problems, and any help would be greatly appreciated. If it is the software then I will use an alternate, but please let me know as I dont know why this is happening.

Thanks
Zimmo

[Baldrick]

convertxtodvd and choose ntsc.

[zimmo]

Hi Baldrick,

Thank you for the quick reply. Is the old version of that software okay to use? and would this solve the problem, is the frame rate okay.

What about if you have a file with 25 fps, would it still convert fine.

All the best
Zimmo

[jtoolman2000]

convertxtodvd and choose ntsc.

Or VSO DivxToDVD

[guns1inger]

For NTSC you have two choices of framerate. 29.976 is the framerate that is displayed by your TV, and is the standard framerate for NTSC video. 23.976 is also a valid framerate, and uses a method called pulldown to create the missing frames required to achieve 29.976 fps playback. The pattern of creation of the missing frames is determined by the type of pulldown - 2:3 or 3:2.

Similarly, DVDs can be encoded using either of these framerates. If the disc is encoded at 23.976, then pulldown flags are included to tell the playback device how to present the video for playback.

Some encoders can encode at 23.976 and include the pulldown flags. Many one-click-wonders, including DivxtoDVD and WinAVI, do not. They add duplicate frames while encoding to bring the framerate up to 29.976. This can have a number of side effects, including jerkiness during pans and zooms, and is generally undesirable. (Note : The latest version of ConvertXtoDVD encodes 23.976 source material as 23.976 with 2:3 pulldown)

PAL uses a framerate of 25 fps, and does not require the use of pulldown flags. Conversion of PAL to NTSC can be difficult, and again, is not the best solution.

However, the framerate does not cause the type of problems you are describing. They have come from either corruption in the original file (corruption which might not be obvious during playback), or the fact that WinAVI is a second rate product with poor support, sold by a company that uses dubious marketing practices to steal your money.

[zimmo]

Thanks for that, really helpful.

So really if I have a dvd with 25fps, I should choose to convert to pal format? Would you advise that.

Then if I have one at 23.976 fps I should convert to NTSC.

I am using the old version of DivxtoDVD is that not recommended?

I understand the process from your comments, and really am new to this, so learning from others is a great help.

Basically, I have to types of files, and just trying to learn the best way to convert each one for best smooth playback and not have the pixel problem.

Just curious also, that when I play the avi file, you do not see the problem you get when converting?

[guns1inger]

The old DivxtoDVD is fine for what it does. If you convert a low of NTSC 23.976 material, then the upgrade to ConvertXtoDVD is worth it, as the pulldown ability increase quality sunstantially.

Personally, I do most of mine the manual way, and use ConvertXtoDVD for when I'm in a hurry, or for stuff for my kids.