AutoGK hangs when importing an AC-3...

[takearushfan]

Hi all,
I only first started having this problem today. I went to convert a file to an AVI, specifying to use the original audio. When it reached the point of importing the AC-3, it just hangs there, 'til I have to abort it. I've never had this issue before. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Justin

[guns1inger]

First step is work out what has changed. Obviously something has, so think back. No matter how small or innocuous the change may seem - an update to a program, a new codec. Once you know that, you can start working on how it caused this problem, and how to undo it.

[takearushfan]

Yeah... basically retracing my steps, so-to-speak. Unfortunately, when I think back, nothing comes to mind. Here's what I'll do: Try to convert the file and keep notes of each and every step. Then, I can report back with full details of exactly what I did. Therefore, I should be posting again rather soon.

[takearushfan]

Go figure... it worked fine. Nonetheless, I'm going to post my general steps, for future reference.

1. Open the film in DVD Shrink.
2. Cut/specify the exact clip range I want.
3. Export the data to new VOBs.
4. Load the new VOBs into AutoGK.
5. Set "Advanced Options" to "Auto width", original audio and XviD.
6. Set target quality percentage to 100%.
7. Add job and start the process.

If something about my process doesn't make sense, is hard to understand, isn't recommended, etc., please let me know.

[guns1inger]

If you have a full video_ts structure then you should load the IFO file, not the VOBs. This will ensure that AutoGK understands what it is working with.

Setting the quality target to 100% could potentially get you files that are larger (perhaps substantially larger) than the source video, especially with noisy source. If you want 100% quality, why convert ?

[takearushfan]

Hm. I used to load the IFOs, then I was told to load the VOBs instead. Now you're saying the opposite.
The reason for converting is so that I have a reference video to use when working on the clip's audio. Once I'm done with the audio work, I'll use the actual MPEG-2 data when creating the DVD.

[guns1inger]

Why not just VOB2MPG and use the mpg file for reference - less work, quicker result ?