convert avi to dvd with ffmpeg doesn't work-why?

[lilly333]

Hello,

I'm trying to convert an avi file into dvd, using ffmpeg.
I've followed the instructions, dropped the file and than I've choosen "mpeg2enc" and clicked the encode button. The progress bar moves very fast and tells me within 15sec (it's a 90min movie!) that the job is finished. However, it's not.

There isn't even a file that I could find... I did save with a testname, just to make sure and searched for it everywhere - nothing

What can I do to make this work?? Thanks a lot! Your help is very much appreciated

oh I just downloaded tha latest version of ffmpeg, and I'm working on a Mac, in case that matters... thanks!

[Baldrick]

I guess you mean ffmpegX so moving you to our ffmpegX section.

[lilly333]

yes! of course... sorry about that
thanks

[Case]

Try to encode again the exact same way. After it says "Finished", press the blue "i" in the ffmpegX Progress window. This will show you the Process Information log. Please post that content here for analyzation.

[lilly333]

Hello Case,

thanks for offering your help! So here it is:

/bin/sh: line 1: /Library/Application Support/ffmpegX/mpeg2enc: Malformed Mach-o file
Sun Mar 8 09:10:04 CET 2009
INFO: [yuvscaler] yuvscaler 1.9.0 (15-02-2004) is a general scaling utility for yuv frames
INFO: [yuvscaler] (C) 2001-2004 Xavier Biquard <xbiquard@free.fr>, yuvscaler -h for help, or man yuvscaler
movtoy4m
Copyright 2002-2006 Johan Lindström
All rights reserved..
INFO: [yuvscaler] input: frame size: 720x576 pixels (622080 bytes)
INFO: [yuvscaler] input: chroma: 4:2:0 JPEG/MPEG-1 (interstitial)
INFO: [yuvscaler] input: frame rate: 25/1 fps (~25.000000)
INFO: [yuvscaler] input: interlace: none/progressive
INFO: [yuvscaler] input: sample aspect ratio: 1:1
INFO: [yuvscaler] from 720x576, take 720x576+0+0, NOT_INTERLACED/PROGRESSIVE
INFO: [yuvscaler] scale to 720x576, 720x576 being displayed
INFO: [yuvscaler] Scaling uses the RESAMPLE algorithm,
INFO: [yuvscaler] frame rate: 25.000 fps
INFO: [yuvscaler] Scaling ratio for width is 1 to 1
INFO: [yuvscaler] and is 1 to 1 for height
INFO: [yuvscaler] Specific downscaling routing number 4

Looks like it might be because of the "Malformed Mach-o file" - but what the hell does that mean, besides that it sound very funny

[Case]

/bin/sh: line 1: /Library/Application Support/ffmpegX/mpeg2enc: Malformed Mach-o file

Looks like it might be because of the "Malformed Mach-o file" - but what the hell does that mean, besides that it sound very funny

Well spotted! A Mach-o file is a file that conforms to the Mach Object file format standard, so that the operating system (Mac OS X) can read and/or execute it.

This error says your mpeg2enc file is no good (malformed). Try downloading (Alt-click) and installing that binary again.
Alternatively, try this zipped copy, as .zip files cause less confusion (for both browsers and users) when downloading.

[lilly333]

Just to make sure I'm doing the right thing here... by installing, you mean: throwing away the old "mpeg2enc" file that is next to the ffmpegX program in my application folder and copying the new one to the same place? Because that's what I just did and I get the very same outcome again "Malformed Mach-o file" - or should I do something else with it? Put it in some other place? Sorry for these dumb questions but I'm not sure wether I got it right in the first place

thanks again, Case!

[Case]

The first time you ran ffmpegX, an installer-window popped up, and you were asked to download and install 3 binaries: mpeg2enc, mencoder, and mplayer.

Now do that for just mpeg2enc: From the ffmpegX menu, choose Install binaries (screenshot 1). This brings the installer window back.
Set the checkbox for mpeg2enc. Locate a your newly downloaded mpeg2enc. Enter password. Install. (screenshot 2)

There is no need to put the downloaded binaries in your /Applications folder. ffmpegX won't look for them there. They were installed (copied) to a different location. After installation, the downloaded file(s) may be deleted.

[lilly333]

It looks like it's working

For the first time a file popped up in the destination location and it's showing 2% after 1min - seems like the right speed for a 90min film

I'll post another reply once it's done. Thanks Case

[lilly333]

Hey Case, it worked fine, only... for some strange reason I don't have sound...

the original file already gives me this problem if I view it with any other viewer than vlc
after the conversion I got a quicktime, as well as a m2v file (all w/o sound), same goes for the video_ts...

I do get an ac3 audio file, but when I open it with vlc it's mute

???

now that it works, it would be so good to have as well sound
thanks!!

[Case]

What did ffmpegX say about the audio of the source file in the Summary? Perhaps it is an audio format that ffmpegX doesn't understand (e.g. DTS).

[lilly333]

It says mp3...

[lilly333]

I'm still looking for help reg. my audio issue (when I convert it, it's mute)...

anybody an idea what I can do about it? Thanks! Your help is very much appreciated

[Case]

the original file already gives me this problem if I view it with any other viewer than vlc

Most movie players and converters have no problem with AVIs with mpeg-4 video (DivX, XviD or similar) and mp3 audio. So perhaps there is something strange going on with the audio in the source file. Hard to say exactly what and how to fix it, without having a look at the source file. Can you cut a small segment from the AVI and upload it somewhere for us to have a look?

I don't know where you got that file, but telesync cams can have a phase shift between the left and right channel, canceling out each other mostly, except when listening on ear plugs. It takes a bit of work in an audio editor to fix such. But this would be just one possibility.

[lilly333]

ok... here's a small snippet of the file: http://www.4shared.com/file/93093747/9fbf087e/snippet.html

when I play the little snippet in vlc it works fine. but as a quicktime ie, there's no sound

thanks for your help Case!

[Case]

I don't know... the audio is the same (fine) for me in VLC and QuickTime Player.

[lilly333]

thanks for your help!! can you convert it to dvd with ffmpegx? do you have sound? or is it mute? because i've converted it and burnt it and it stays mute

[tomlee59]

It's unlikely, but possible, that your audio is fine, but that your DVD player is defaulting to a non-existent audio track. Try selecting a different language track, if you are given more than one option. Maybe your audio is actually there, but not where you had expected it to be.

It's worth a try.

[Case]

The .mov snippet file converts fine on my side with normal playback. (Converted snippet)

[lilly333]

This is so strange
@Case: your converted snippet plays just fine with sound and everything

@ tomlee59: I've looked at the file in Quicktime - but I can see only one audio track, no choices reg. a different language track... I don't know where I could look that up on my DVD-player to which audio track it defaults?? Also, when I burn the converted file and play it on my stand-alone DVD player+TVset it's mute as well

I do have other files though, that play back on any device without a problem, so it's not a general thing -

I'm grateful for any suggestions... if anybody out there has an idea what I could take a look at or try...??
Otherwise it looks like this is going to remain a mystery

[Case]

Just guessing, but maybe the audio in the AVI isn't tagged in a way that is expected by default QuickTime Player, but perhaps the Perian plugin helped QuickTime understand it anyway. You could try installing Perian and see if conversion works better after that. Or perhaps my version is QuickTime (7.6.0) is different than yours? I think the real reason has to be some software difference that made it work for me.

[lilly333]

YES!!!!!!! IT WORKS NOW!!!!!!! Thank you so much Case