OK, here's the setup: I'm using a win2k machine, using TMPGEnc to convert divx/avi's to MPEG1 format, then burning to VCD via Nero. Playback is via an Apex AD-5131 DVD player. If I need to I use Sasami2K for playback on my computer.

The issue: audio goes out of sync with video, gradually over the duration of (some but not all) of these. I estimate about 1-2 seconds prior by the end of a 90 minute show. In my observation this is a "logarithmic" (or at least non-linear) function, as it is not so bad about 2 minutes to the end, but it is *really* bad about 1 minute to the end. [My girlfriend notices it more than I during, but that is because she lipreads.]

I have seen some problem descriptions that state that Pausing then Playing again resets the problem; or that Fwding or Reving resets it etc. In my testing, it doesn't seem to matter - the end is out of sync no matter what you do.

I have tried experimenting with switching any setting I can in TMPGEnc and Nero (along lines indicated by various "how-to" guides), as well as playing around with VirtualDub, all to no avail - the problem persists.

So I finally decided to investigate this "correctly":
a) the original avi has no lip-sync problems when I play the end on the computer;
b) the converted mpg file has no lip-sync problems at the end playing on the computer;
c) after burning to VCD, there are still no sync problems at the end when playing on the computer.

As far as I can reason, that means the problem component is the DVD player, right? The optimum test would be to have a second (different model) DVD player, but I don't.

However, I finally got clever enough in my searching to find a post in the nerd-out.com forums where somebody else had the identical problem with the identical model; they did have another (different model) DVD player and confirmed that the VCDs do work on the 2nd unit! [Of course, there's no fix for it except to use another DVD player...]

So I'm hoping that might throw some light on this for people still having problems, at least insofar as "how to troubleshoot" the problem. For example, if the sync is off in the original file before conversion, then you need to attack the original. If the original looks/sounds ok, but it is losing sync or out of sync after conversion to mpg, then look at the TMPGEnc settings. If the mpg looks good, but the VCD is bad, then Nero is suspect. Etc. (Substitute whatever applications you are actually using.)

I think it might be a good idea to combine all the "how to guides" and forum posts into something more "flow-chart-like", ala Windows Troubleshooting Wizards. I'd do it but I'm about to become homeless for a little bit. If it hasn't been done when I get a roof over my head & internet access back, then I'll give it a crack... Just hope this might help a little (I was getting bad headaches attacking all the settings in all the apps, until I came up with my "rational troubleshooting" model.) --- rex
[PS - hope this is the right forum for this...]