What is Auto Padding? What did I do wrong? Please Respond.

[BrindA17-Kevin]

The Problem:
---------------------
I have created an MPEG-1 and whenever I try to create a CD image from it using VCD Easy, as well as other programs, it tells me that the file will require "auto padding". And then when I try to just add the file anyway, the CD image doesn't create.

What I need to know is whether it's a problem with my audio file (AC3/WAV) or my video file (mv1). Can anyone help me out?
-----------------------

The Procedure:
-----------------------
I extracted a d2v file and WAV from a DVD with DVD2AVI.

Then I used VFAPI to create a dummy avi that I could encode into a mv1.

Then, I used BeSweet to turn my WAV into a AC3 at 44.1 hz and 192kbps.

I encoded the dummy AVI to mv1 with Procoder and tried to multiplex it with the AC3 using bbMPEG and I got the auto padding error. I got the same error when I loaded the original d2v and the wav into TMPGEnc and tried to convert them into an MPEG.

Note: I also tried multiplexing using bbMPEG with my AC3 and mv1 as a "VCD" instead of just "MPEG-1". While it was scanning my AC3, it displayed a series of errors about "ms" or "sectors" (Sorry, I don't recall exactly what it said, but it was definitely about the audio file).
------------------------

My Analysis:
------------------------
The similar errors but with different video encoders leads me to believe that it's a problem with my audio file. Am I right? What can I do about this? Are there any settings I should look out for in DVD2AVI?
------------------------

Can someone PLEASE help me. I made a post about DVD to MPEG with ProCoder and no one responded. I thought I had it all figured out by myself, then I run into this problem. Please respond.

[Psycho_Dad_Rules]

Hi,

If you're trying to create a (s)vcd, then the problem is the AC3 track. Neither VCD nor SVCD support AC3 audio. You require a Mpeg-1 Layer 2 audiostream.

Greetz,

pSyChO dAd

[BrindA17-Kevin]

Thanks for replying. You are referring to an mp2, right?

I tried it with an mp2 previously and got the same error. Any more ideas?

[edsmith77]

BrindA17-Kevin,
Not exactly sure what your final goal is but with the programs that you listed it seems like you are trying to do what I am doing.
Basically, I back up DVDs to either VCD or SVCD or CVD. First let me walk you through the steps to get to some files that can then be authored into either VCD/SVCD/CVD then burned to disc with VCDEasy.
First, I use CLADVDXP to extract the VOB files from the DVD. I then open up DVD2AVI load up the just extracted VOB files, then within DVD2AVI, I just do "save project as" and give what ever name I want. When DVD2AVI finishes, I have 2 files. A ".d2v" file and a ".wav" file.
At this point you have to choose your final target format. VCD, SVCD or CVD. You can pick your authoring program of choice. But for now lets assume you want VCD. A good free program to author with would be Tmpgenc. So fire up Tmpgenc and start the wizard, if it doesnt automatically start. Chose one of the appropriate VCD templates (if in the USA, most likely you would want VCD - NTSC or VCD-PAL if located in one of those countries that support that format). Then under the video button load up the .d2v file and under the audio button load up the .wav file and make any parameter changes you want or leave as is for VCD standard and hit NEXTuntil encoding starts. Sit back and wait. When Tmpgenc finishes (depends upon the length of the movie), you will have a VCD (Mpeg-1) file which VCDEasy will then burn to disc as a VCD. If the length of the movie very long, most likely you will have to split the file into two parts so that it will fit onto CD-Rs. This can be done in tmpgenc, too. Select under Files, MPEG TOOLS, then Merge & Cut. Locate the just created MPG file, then EDIT the start and end points. Give it a different file name like something -1 for the first part. Then repeate the process for the second half only renaming to -2 for the second part. Once this has finished you now have two files to burn to two discs with VCDEasy.
SVCD is just as simple. This time instead of picking a VCD template within Tmpgenc chose an SVCD one and the rest is the same. Even with VCDEasy. However, I presumed that you know that in VCDEasy you have to pick the SVCD radio button vice the VCD 2.0 button.
CVD is just a bit more complex. There in one additional step after selecting the SVCD template. Instead of hitting NEXT you have to choose SETTINGS, then select the VIDEO Tab, then under resoluton change from 480x480 to 352x480. Select Ok the NEXT your way to the encoding button. Sit back and wait.

If you want more details which are explained much more elegantly, please look in the guides. These guides can be found in the left most column of this screen (5th topic from the TOP).

This is a very straight forward process and will 99% of the time present perfectly usable discs. Your personal tastes may not like the quality of the results. But at least you are now armed with knowledge of how to basically do the conversion. Playing with the parameters will most generally yield better results.
You do not have to fiddle around with conversions, multiplexing, etc. DVD2AVI, Tmpegnc and VCDEasy are all that is needed for VCDs. If you want SVCD/CVD and even DVDs and you stay with Tmpgenc you will need to purchase the MPEG-2 license for Tmpgenc. Currently, the cost is around $50. USD.

[BrindA17-Kevin]

I did the same thing you did and got the error, I don't understand it. I loaded the d2v and wav from DVD2AVI into TMPGEnc and encoded a short part of the movie. I loaded the new MPEG-1 into VCD Easy, only to get the damn auto padding error.

If it helps at all, the movie I am backing up is Lord Of The Rings. I am splitting it into 2 discs at 1110 kbps video and 192kbps audio.

The only thing that I can think of is that I am missing something from DVD2AVI. I DID NOT put on "Force Film", only because I already know it's at NTSC frame rates. Maybe this was a mistake? Please let me know.

[m204310]

Your problem could be fixed in bbMPEG. When multiplexing go to the "Program Stream Settings" Tab and select the "Pad VCD audio" checkbox. You won't get the VCDEasy messages anymore.

[Archie]

My experience with vcdeasy 1.1.5 is that even if it cries out that the file requires autopadding, you can still add this file to the project. And it will be "autopadded" during the creation of the CD image file.

I'm not a guru of any kind, so I maybe totally wrong, but my understanding is that padding is just some additional zero bytes that are added to the mpeg stream, so that the minimum required bitrate per second is achieved. All the VCDs that have been padded "on the fly" by VCDEasy, are playing just fine on my standalone.

With Tmpgenc, if I choose system stream/VCD or non-standard VCD (encoding or multiplexing), such padding is added automatically. Alternatively, it seems that VCDGear adds any necessary padding to a mpeg file (convert mpeg-mpeg and check "fix errors".)

[BrindA17-Kevin]

My experience with vcdeasy 1.1.5 is that even if it cries out that the file requires autopadding, you can still add this file to the project. And it will be "autopadded" during the creation of the CD image file.

I'm not a guru of any kind, so I maybe totally wrong, but my understanding is that padding is just some additional zero bytes that are added to the mpeg stream, so that the minimum required bitrate per second is achieved. All the VCDs that have been padded "on the fly" by VCDEasy, are playing just fine on my standalone.

With Tmpgenc, if I choose system stream/VCD or non-standard VCD (encoding or multiplexing), such padding is added automatically. Alternatively, it seems that VCDGear adds any necessary padding to a mpeg file (convert mpeg-mpeg and check "fix errors".)

The problem is that it will go through it and just finish with some sort of error and not even create my CD images.

[BrindA17-Kevin]

I tried that padding option in bbMPEG and I get messages like these through the whole multiplexing process:

"video PTS (2380421.30ms) underflow at pack 154213 by 30925.37ms"

Some say video DTS instead, but you get the idea.

Anyway, VCD Easy accepted the new file, but it is HORRIBLY out of sync. I ask, what now?

And once again, is "Forced Film" necessary in DVD2AVI?

[Archie]

Sorry, I don't know about DVD2AVI details. But I'm surprised that VCDEasy autopadding does not work for you. Maybe the file wou're working on has some other errors in it? Have you tried it with several mpeg files?

I have had problems with some mpeg files that have bad packets. Sometimes re-multiplexing helps, sometimes VCDGear fixes them and sometimes nothing i can think of does anything. Maybe you should try install vcdgear and try padding/fixing your files with it. My experience is unfortunately that mpeg files fixed with vcdgear often are not accepted by vcdeasy (error message says simply "Analyze failed"), and then I have to use vcdgear also to generate bin/cue images. The VCD-s created this way have played fine, but the downside is, I cannot have still menus/chapters as VCDGear does not support them.

[BrindA17-Kevin]

Thanks for your suggestions. After all of my experimenting, I'm just going to take it further by using "Force Film" on DVD2AVI (which means I must do everything over again, for a 2nd time). I've gone this far right? lol. Oh well, I'll keep you updated if I come up with any success.

And about the packet errors, I've had that with a previous MPEG and it still creates the image and stuff. This situation I'm in now is different.

Thanks again to everyone who responded.

[BrindA17-Kevin]

Eureeka! I multiplexed the MPEG-1 files that failed CD image creation as VCD non-standard with TMPGEnc and I was able to create images with the new files! Phew, I almost started all over too!

Thanks for the idea Archie!

[edsmith77]

BrindA17-Kevin,
The autopadding error message from VCDEasy can simply be fixed by remultiplexing the file within Tmpgenc. Nothing else is required. Just load the mpg file open mpeg tools then select multiplex add the mpg file pick a new file name and go. VCDEasy should not complain again.
I often have to do this when I encode with something other than Tmpgenc such as CCE. So it takes about 15 more seconds to remultiplex with Tmpgenc. You could also turn off mpeg compliancy check in VCDEasy as well.
Hope that fixes your problem. Holler back if it didnot.


Ed

[BrindA17-Kevin]

^ Read above your post ed ^

Thanks for responding, it worked great