Video Splitting Issue

[Sacrifice]

Hello all,

I am trying to split 40 minute video files into smaller scenes (2 to 4 minutes long). I am able to split most scenes without issue, but a few scenes refuse to split correctly. It will keep 1-2 seconds of video that I don't want. I even try to re-split the split video. The software goes through the motions of splitting the file, yet those extra seconds still remain when I watch the video.

I've tried quite a few freeware video editing software packages, and the same problem occurs in all of them. So I think the problem is either with the video files or the video codecs on my computer. I primarily use FFDShow, but I do have DivX install as well. I also have an AC3 decoder installed.

They are AVI files encoded in XVID with AC-3 audio.

Any ideas on how to fix the problem? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sacrifice

[redwudz]

Xvid or most highly compressed formats have keyframes spaced far apart. That makes frame accurate editing very difficult. Xvid, by default, has a keyframe every 300 frames.

Most editors will only let you split or cut on a keyframe. Anywhere else and the cuts will have to be re-encoded. That's one reason that highly compressed codecs are a poor choice for editing. DV AVI uses a keyframe as every frame. That makes it easy to edit.

You might try the latest VirtualDub as it has a 'smart' feature to make it usable for editing where you want, irregardless of the keyframe position. You have probably noticed without this feature that your cuts jump to the next keyframe, adding video you didn't want.

[Sacrifice]

Thanks for the response redwudz. I will give the latest VirtualDub a try.

What is the best program to use to re-encode a video?

[Sacrifice]

I am using the experimental VirtualDub and enabled smart rendering. Unfortunately when it re-compresses the file it messes up part way through the video clip. You can watch the first few seconds of the video, but then there is an error while the sound keeps on playing. I've tried changing the compression method from FFDshow to Xvid. No luck.