Freezing freezing freezing, how come ?

[90blackcrx]

Here's the deal, every time I try to burn a dvd using nero there is usually an error some where on the disc when its done. Lets say the dvd is 6 chapters long, usually the error will be around the 5th or 6th chapter. How come ? I do not use the full disc, I remember someone saying if you burn the disc to the full amount that could be the problem. Well that did not fix it. I am using nero to convert the files, basically the file is an mpeg file and I put it in nero and it does its thing. If I converted them myself would this help ? I don't have the time to really convert the files, that's why I let nero do it. Any suggestions would be great. Also if this helps, the chapters will freeze on my stand alone dvd player but if I pop the dvd in my computer and open up the specific chapter if will play fine.

[90blackcrx]

Ok I'm gonna try to encode the mpegs myself, do I still need to author them though ? Anyone want to point me to a guide, I am searching as I type this but still a little confused as always.

[redwudz]

Yes, you need to author them. I like TMPGEnc encoder and TMPGEnc DVD author. I believe you can still get trial versions. Nero doesn't always do well with encoding and authoring. The author program can also burn the DVDs. You might give them a try before making other changes.

Of course the freezing could be due to a number of things. Have you tried different media or a different settop player? A computer will play about anything with the proper codecs, not really a good test of a finished DVD.

[90blackcrx]

Ok well I'm using tmpgen right now, thats encodes it I guess then I'll use the other program to author it.

Yes I have tried different media but 3 of the 4 times the dvd comes up freezing either way.

Why would the dvd's keep freezing up near the end, would this be where nero is having trouble because its doing so much ?

[90blackcrx]

Ok so let me get this clear, I just need to encode it and then author it, and it will be ready to burn, correct ?

[daamon]

Correct.

When you encode using TMPGEnc, what's your bitrate (max if you're doing VBR)? I ask coz I had problems with freezing when the footage was hitting (what I later found out to be) too high a bitrate - even though it was within specs...

I had max = 8,500 and PCM audio which is 1,536kbps. The total being less than the combined max of 10.08Mbps.

I reduced the bitrate to about 8,000, re-encoded and all was OK.

Of course, as you don't mention which media you've tried it could well be that it's all crappy media still...

Good luck.

[90blackcrx]

I'll look into the bite rate, I am using fuji dvd-r's, and pro disc.

Also anyone know simple program that can author, because TMPGEnc_DVD_Author requires you to sign up

Nevermind I downloaded spruceUP, I'll see how that works.

[daamon]

I got these freeware apps from the "DVD Author" category in the "Tools" section...

DVDAuthorgui
GUI for dvdauthor
IfoEdit (though doesn't do menus)

I picked 'em coz they're regularly recommended.

[90blackcrx]

Thank you, I will try dvd author gui because spruce up is only a trial version. Also does this sound right, after encoding the files with tmpge it turned the files into an mv2 file ? Just wanted to make sure I was going in the right direction.

[daamon]

No problem.

Depends on exactly what you want from it. But, in general, "yes".

A file.m2v is the video only - if this is only what you want, then fine. The separate video.m2v and audio.mp2/ac3/wav are called "elementary streams" and are identified by their extensions.

"System Streams" are of the form file.mpg - they can contain video only, or video and audio together.

The settings to choose this are in the bottom right corner of TMPGEnc.

[90blackcrx]

Well dvd author is being a pain because I need a audio file and tmge only made a video file unless its some where else.

[daamon]

Well dvd author is being a pain because I need a audio file and tmge only made a video file unless its some where else.

Change your radio button in TMPGEnc in the bottom left of the main window to "System Stream (audio and video)".

That'll give you a file.mpg with audio and video, as long as audio is present in your source file, and it's of an acceptable format for TMPGEnc to encode to MP2.

Or, it'll be in the directory you told it to encode to...

Use AVICodec or GSpot to get details of your source file and post them here...

[90blackcrx]

Will burning video and audio seperately do anything, will audio be in synch ?

[daamon]

Will burning video and audio seperately do anything, will audio be in synch ?

No, all will (should) be fine.

The authoring process just combines the inputs and the produces the file structure used by DVD - VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, and all the VOB, IFO and BUP files in the VIDEO_TS folder. It's during authoring too that you can create menus and chapter points for inclusion in the output files.

Also, I'd suggest that you burn to a re-writeable DVD until you're confident with your process.

[90blackcrx]

Well I got tmpgenc dvd author so I'm gonna see if this can handle it.

[90blackcrx]

Well I think I did it, I'm gonna burn them onto a dvd and see how it plays out. One question is, how come tmpge dvd author makes a video and a audio file, yet nothing is in the audio folder ? Also I can just use dvd shrink to burn these ?

Also I'd really like to thank you daamon and redwudz, I know how dealing with newbs is, but its people like you two guys that make a site strong. Thanks and I'll report back tomorrow on how things went.

[daamon]

Hi 90blackcrx,

Good news... Well done.

If you want to check them before burning, you can play them on your PC with somethin like WinDVD or PowerDVD.

The AUDIO_TS folder is (usually) blank - it's there for audio DVDs. It's best to burn it, even though it's empty, coz some DVD players look for both folders (as opposed to just the VIDEO_TS folder) to identify the disc as a DVD. Without the AUDIO_TS folder, some players will not play a perfectly OK DVD disc.

You could use DVDShrink to burn, but TDA has a burning facility that I've never had a problem with.

Hey - No problem. We were all noobs once, so it's only fair to give back what we've gained... But thanks for the acknowledgement - it's nice to hear every now and again... Comments like yours make it all worthwhile.

And, for the record, you're one of the bette noobs I've seen in these forums...

[90blackcrx]

Kind of off topic but more of a thing that was bugging me, how come after I encoded these files myself, when I put the file to burn in dvd shrink, it says its encoding ? Is this normal ?

[daamon]

Coz that's the normal functionality of DVDShrink - it's main purpose is to shrink, which requires transcoding (it says it's encoding - semantics).

And it always does this before it burns.

So, to burn your files it'll encode at 100% (i.e. no shrink) then burn - the encdoing step can't be skipped.

You're far and away better to use the burning tool in TDA. It's a logical step in the app, doesn't involve you pointing to any directories, certianly doesn't encode and (from my experience) is trouble free and reliable.

[90blackcrx]

What is TDA ? Sorry if this has been talked about, its late here and sleep is taking a toll

[daamon]

Sorry - TDA is commonly used for TMPGEnc DVD Author. Jargonese...

[90blackcrx]

AAww ok, will TDA shrink the file if its to big, does it have that option ?

[daamon]

No.

You can do this one of 2 ways:

1. Use DVDShrink if you realise (after encoding / authoring) that the output is too big.

2. Use the VideoHelp Bitrate Calculator to figure out the highest bitrate without getting too big a finished product. Note: This bitrate does not allow for subs or menus etc. - you shold reduce the calculated figure to allow a few 100Mb of space for these.

The second is the better way. But you've already encoded now... Future reference.

[jimmalenko]

DVDShrink uses either Nero or DVDDecrypter to burn, so you must have one or both of these on your system if you are able to burn with DVDShrink.

BTW, a job well done lads ...



Working together, we can all make the world a better place

[90blackcrx]

Can any point be to the guide to encode using tmpge, I could not find it I searched but it seemed to skip encode and went to edit. Also I have 6 movie files that need to be encoded and made to fit on 1 disk, should I shrink the bite rate down with tmpge or should I let dvd shrink handle that ? And if I shrink it down using tmpge, should I divide the 6 movie files onto a disc, example a regular dvd-r disc is 4.0 gb, so is I had 2 files would I shrink them down to 2.0 each. I kind of feel more comfortable if dvd shrink does it, but I really want the best quality. So any opinions ?

[daamon]

Hi 90blackcrx,

Guide: When I first started out, I found this guide really helpful for configuring TMPGEnc. Don't forget to rate it when you're done...

Ignore the stuff about not using it to do the audio - that was when it's MP2 encoder wasn't that good. It's improved now, but better still install tooLame and have TMPGEnc use that as a plugin.

6 movie files: It depends how long they are and what resolution / quality. You could always sacrifice a bit of quality and encode at 1/2 D1 (352 x 480 / 576 - Pal / NTSC). The picture won't be as sharp, but it'll allow you to use a much lower bitrate and so get more footage on.

Be sure to use compressed audio - AC3 (OK in PAL & NTSC lands) or MP2 (OK in PAL land, probably OK in NTSC land though not in the specs).

Extract the audio from the source as a WAV using VirtualDub, and then encode using ffmpeggui.

I'd say pick the right bitrate for TMPGEnc rather than using DVDShrink.

Don't think in terms of equal Gb per file - it all depends on the length of time and the bitrate. Two AVIs could run for the same time, but the resultant encoded MPEGs could be different sizes if they require different bitrates.

For full D1 - do a 2-pass VBR (min = 500, average = XXX, max = 8,500). The XXX is what's calculated in the VideoHelp Bitrate Calculator. Depending on the quality of the source, I'd say to go no lower than about 5,000kbps.


For 1/2 D1, 2-pass VBR but with min = 500, average = 1/2 XXX, max = 5,000kbps.

Go no more than around 192 - 224kbps on the audio. Lower if the source isn't too hot.

Hope that helps...

[90blackcrx]

Thank you, I'll look at the guide and rate it. I'm gonna try burning a full dvd right now and I'll come back with the results, hopefully it does not freeze. I'm just gonna use dvd shrink for now because I kind of need this done quick. Thanks for the help and I'll be reporting back to tell you how it went.

Also I know this is off topic, but when I author these files together, do I still have to add chapters, or will a chapter be created for each file ?

[90blackcrx]

Well I made the files way to big, because dvd shrink can't even shrink them enough to fit on a disc, is there anything I can do now or do I have to re-encode them all over again and shrink the bite rate size ? It takes about 10 hours to re-encode all 6 files so I hate to do that but I guess I might have to.

[daamon]

I guess you didn't use the bitrate calculator then? Lesson learned...

Use the calculator and then re-encode with the value it gives you. Read again my comments on D1 vs. 1/2 D1 and how that affects the bitrate... Also, for files that big, VBR is the way to go.

[90blackcrx]

Well you posted that and I got that in the afternoon, I went to bed and let them encode. I'm not to sure on how to compress the audio files but I'll look into that more. Also you said

Extract the audio from the source as a WAV using VirtualDub, and then encode using ffmpeggui.

So am I encoding them twice ?

I'm gonna download the bitrate calculator right now and see what happens.