MPEG2 Codec Issues in DVDit! PE

[Hedge]

Hi there, Using the manuals on your site, Ive ripped a DVD using Smartripper to get the VOB files and then extracted the Sound from these using DVD2AVI to get a WAV file. I then used TMPGEnc Pro (new version) and selected DVD (Pal) format as the file type (CBR 4000 Kbps) and selected the D2V file and WAV file to be used to make an MPEG2 file. The problem I have is that when I import this file into DVDit! PE to begin making a DVD the progam tells me I dont have the correct software to play the MPEG2. I have installed the Nimo Codec Pack (and the ACE Mega codecs pack) before doing all this but to no avail. Can somebody tell me why the MPEG2 that TMPGEnc creates wont play.....Ive also noticed that the WAV Kbps after extracting with DVD2AVI is 384 Kbps and not 224 or less (which I thought was the max for MPEG2). Any help would be appreciated as im going bald quickly.

[bugster]

Maybe a stupid question but do you have an mpeg-2 codec installed? If you have DVD player software installed the answer will be yes, if not, you can install Power DVD that comes with (most versions of ) MyDvd or you can get a freeware decoder from the Tools section.

(one hint, when using the PAL DVD template in TmpGenc, ensure the max bitrate is 8000 or less, otherwise MyDVD will complain!)

[Hedge]

Hi Bugster,

Thanks for the reply, i've got PowerDVD 4 installed on the PC and as far as I know it should have installed an MPEG2 codec also. I have tried encoding the film using the template in TMPGEnc for 3000kbps and 4000kbps but get the same error message. Could it be something to do with the audio bitrate ?. Im going to go looking for other MPEG2 codecs to see if I can solve the issue.

Thanks again

[bugster]

with Power DVD installed you certainly have got an mpeg-2 codec, so that should not be the problem. I doubt a different codec would help as your setup sounds like mine but I dont have your problem!
You mention Audio, have you ensured that it is at 48Khz sample rate! (Its ripped from a DVD so it should be)

When encoding in TmpGenc, did you select the standard DVD PAL template or set it up via the wizard or what? Personally I never use the wizard, just the supplied templates which I then tweak according to my needs at the time.

[Hedge]

Hi Bugster,
I used the templates that came with TMPGEnc, I havent modified them in any way so dont understand the problem. Do you think a re-install of Power DVD would do any good.....could be the original codecs have been over written with some buggy ones.
As for the audio, I used DVD2AVI to rip the audio track from the movies VOB files. The format its saving it to is WAV file (AC3 T01 3_1ch 32Kbps 48KHz.wav) to be exact. It encodes fine in TMPGEnc as far as I can tell, when I import it into DVDit! I can see the icon showing the first frame of the movie, but when I drag it over to the First View slot I get the message telling me my software doesnt support this format of file and it refuses to let me play it.

Im encouraged by the fact that you are using the same software and are managing to make DVD's in DVDit! though....at least I now know it can be done.

Thanks

[bugster]

just found this in anothet thread

I occasionally get the error:

"DVDIt! could not find a suitable decoder for <filename.> Please ensure that you have a valid encoder installed" (TMPGenc-encoded files)

I have found that opening the MPG file in Windows Media player, playing it for a second or two, then pausing but not stopping or exiting causes DVDit to recognize the file.

I sometimes have to save the project, exit and relaunch DVDit. I believe it has something to do with DVDit not finding the right decoder, but with the file 'playing' under Media Player, it finds it. It may have to do with the priority of the codec (specified control panel codec properties).

Seems pretty wierd but try it, you might get lucky!

[Hedge]

Hi Bugster,
Thanks, I actually re-installed PowerDVD4 after our last discussion and hey presto...I can now view MPEG2 files in DVDit! PE. I can only think that either one of the codec packs or perhaps one of the programs I got with the DVD Recorder has corrupted the original Codec somehow.

At least now I can begin to experiment with the software a bit and try burning my first DVD.

Thanks again for taking the time to help out, it always pays to have a fresh pair of eyes look at a problem.

Keep up the good work.

Hedge