problems joining AVIs

[DaMunk]

I'm having problems joining three AVI files that are parts of a whole. I've poked around the forums and found threads on D-Vision, ffmpegX and even Unix commands.

I've tried D-Vision3 several times. The first try put all three together, but resulted in jumpy playback. The second time, I tried joining parts one and two first. Worked fine. Smooth playback. However, when I tried to add part three to the two joined files, the result was a file whose size indicated it was all three parts together, but when cheking it in a player, only has a runtime of files 1 & 2.

I've used ffmpegx with the same results of D-Vision. Joined files 1 & 2, playback was jumpy.

I've also tried using the cat sommand in the terminal window with similar results. I get file sizes of joined files, but when I check the info in QT, the runtime and file size is that of the first file.

I'm new to all this and a point in the right direction/explanation/any help is appreciated.

[live4ever]

How big is the resulting combined avi file?

2GB is the limit IIRC maybe try the Matroska (mkv) container.

[DaMunk]

The resulting file is 2.05GB so that may be the problem.

On a hunch, I played the combined file all the way to the end...or where both QT and MPlayer said was the end, but it kept playing through to the end of the combined file. So the files are joined, but the players do not recognize the combined runtime.

Another issue I have is the resolution 960x544 will not play in my stand alone while other, slightly smaller resolutions play fine. Would reencoding to a smaller resolution result in a smaller files?

Thanks for the mkv suggestion. I've seen it in posts, but know little about it. I've got some research to do.

[jpschuck]

The resulting file is 2.05GB so that may be the problem.

On a hunch, I played the combined file all the way to the end...or where both QT and MPlayer said was the end, but it kept playing through to the end of the combined file. So the files are joined, but the players do not recognize the combined runtime.

Did you try the "repair" tool of D-Vision on the output file ? Did you try both mencoder and avimerge method when joining the files with D-Vision ?

Another issue I have is the resolution 960x544 will not play in my stand alone while other, slightly smaller resolutions play fine. Would reencoding to a smaller resolution result in a smaller files?

Some standalone players have limitations regarding the maximum resolution of divx files.
Yes, smaller resolution usually means smaller filesize although the actual result can vary depending on your re-encoding settings.

[DaMunk]

Did you try the "repair" tool of D-Vision on the output file ? Did you try both mencoder and avimerge method when joining the files with D-Vision ?

I used mencoder. I'm a newbie so, if I havent' read it here, I don't know about it. I'll definitely give avimerge as well. Thanks.

Some standalone players have limitations regarding the maximum resolution of divx files.
Yes, smaller resolution usually means smaller filesize although the actual result can vary depending on your re-encoding settings.

Yeah, I sent an email to product support when I first tried the 960x544 file. Their response was to send a link to DL the flash upgrade, which I did, but did not solve my problem. There is no packaged documentation about compatible resolutions, nor could I find any in the online product info. Any suggestions where I can find detailed specs for what seem to be secondary or even terciary features of my player?

BTW, phone support for Philips is not great, but adequate. They can read the product info that they're given, but have a hard time when they have to go 'off script'.

[AeroQ]

Hi,

You could also try to join the avi movies with SimpleMovieX.
Just open the 2 files, cut and paste then save in avi format.
This should work provided the 2 avis have the same codecs, size and bitrate.

http://www.aeroquartet.com/SimpleMovieX

(Note that I'm the developer of this app.)

Regards, BJ