MPEG-2 HD to MPEG-4 Conversion has flashing/flickering

[Ansuer]

I've been converting my DVD movies/shows to my media center for several years now.

In general I use XviD at static quant rate of 3 or 4 with VirtualDub. My process works like a charm. However, I've recently gotten several HD files from my tivo which are in interlaced MPEG-2.

Everything is still working fine, with one exception. The converted HD files have a flickering or flashing problem during fast motion. This is most apparent when the part of the video in question has some kind of repetitive structure. A good example is a moon going by the screen. Where there are lots of craters close together on the moon it tends to flicker really bad. Also, if there are bars or symmetric lines on the hull of a ship that part of the ship will flicker badly.

I'm well versed in and have tried XviD, x264, DivX Pro, and 3ivX so feel free to answer as complex as possible. I've also left the file interlaced for a test and the flickering is still there.

EDIT: Resolution
I've updated to the latest version of VirtualDub MPEG-2, it looks like I was two .x.x versions behind.

Also, the flickering was eliminated by checking the "Interlaced" check box on the Resize filter. I'm guessing this is important since my source file is very much interlaced. I have been doing my de-interlace after the resize.

[rumplestiltskin]

Try MPEG Streamclip and de-interlace.

I'm assuming that the original file displays none of this "flashing", right?

[Ansuer]

Correct, the original file does not have the issue. I'll give that program a shot.

[Ansuer]

No dice on that program either, plus it's asking me to buy the MPEG-2 component.

Any other ideas?

[rumplestiltskin]

If it's possible to split off a minute of the original file and post it somewhere I can download it, I'd be glad to try some of the tools I normally use and report back. You can PM me a link if you wish.

[Baldrick]

Maybe try AutoGK on a clip and see how it works?
Are you using any filters? to what frame size are you converting to?
Are you using Virtualdubmod? or virtualdubmpeg2?

[Ansuer]

@rumplestiltskin

I must apologize, my k-lite codec pack wasn't installed correctly. I did a first pass with the Streamclip and it looked great but the file was enormous. I went through and changed most of the settings and I'm trying it again in a few minutes

[rumplestiltskin]

H.264 (the iPod settings) work great. I use the "640x480" setting MPEG Streamclip has (4:3 or 16:9) for the iPod and tweak from there. If you'd like some suggestions for this route, let me know.

[Ansuer]

Maybe try AutoGK on a clip and see how it works?
Are you using any filters? to what frame size are you converting to?
Are you using Virtualdubmod? or virtualdubmpeg2?

I use VirtualDub MPEG-2 with Graft's de-interlace and resize. For some reason I've never been able to get VirtualDubMod to work correctly with MPEG-2 streams.

I'll head back to AutoGK. I used to use it but it was a little 'too simple' for what I was doing. : )

[Ansuer]

H.264 (the iPod settings) work great. I use the "640x480" setting MPEG Streamclip has (4:3 or 16:9) for the iPod and tweak from there. If you'd like some suggestions for this route, let me know.

Do you have any guidance for exporting to AVI using the H.264 Encoder?

It seems to be ok when exporting to MP4 but I'd like to stick with AVI format. When the export to AVI completes I can't play it with anything, even Streamclip.

Thanks

[rumplestiltskin]

AVI's are like that. I convert all AVI's over to H264 (MP4), drop 'em into my iPod and connect to my TV. Sorta like what Apple is trying to sell as "AppleTV" but my method is more flexible.

[Ansuer]

Looks like AutoGK has the problem as well.

I've also verified that mencoder does not have the issue so it must be something with VirtualDub.

[Ansuer]

I managed to figure this out finally. I'll edit my first post with the resolution.

thank you again to everyone for your responses and help!