Help with Cinema Craft Encoder SP

[foggief]

I have been using Cinema Craft Encoder SP and following the conversion , divX to SVCD in the guides on this site. My problem is that when I get to the part where I open the vdr file in CCE, CCe will not recognise or load this type of file. I just get an error informing me that it cannot load file.
Could someone please advise as to a solution OR walk me through a conversion to MPEG 1 or 2.
Thanks

[ToeCutter]

I've been struggling with CCE as well. Files that work just fine in TMPGEnc simply won't encode using CCE. I'm beginning to develop a pretty negative attitude towards CCE. I can't believe they're charging $2000 for this.

I've read quite a few posts regarding frame serving to CCE. I think this is the only work around for files that don't fit the strict requirements of CCE.

I'm going to try the frame serving method. If it works, I'll reply here.

[foggief]

Thanks.... I had a go with the frame serving, let me know how you get on.

[therick]

what version are you guys using? only 2.5 lets you frameserve-

[ToeCutter]

I'm using 2.5 now.

[foggief]

Version 2.64.01.00, any idea where 2.5 is available??
Does Version 2.64.01.00 allow file serving?

[foggief]

Frame serving!!!! Doh

[ToeCutter]

You can get it here:

http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Encoders/MPEG2/cspte250.exe

[therick]

make sure there is an audio file-even though you never let CCE do audio-sometimes CCE will hang if there is no anudio input.

[foggief]

I'm using CCE 2.5 with WindowsXP but everytime I try to encode CCE just closes down! Any ideas?? Anyone got a walkthrough on how to convert DivX to MPEG1 or 2 with this program?
Thanks

[PimpInDaHouse]

Load the avi file in CCE and then save the project as whatever.ecl. Then open the .ecl file with notepad and edit the file switch the avi text with the .avs there are two one at the top and one at the bottom. then edit the resolution to whatever the .avs's is that is some where in the middle. Then open CCE and load your .ecl file and there you go you can use your .avs file. If you are using Windows 2000 or XP you have to do this work around. But if your using something else try reinstalling CCE that worked for me or you can use the work around.

[bacardi/avt]

foggief!

read what therick say about an audio file present...if you do not have one when frame serving from virtualdub, CCE will close....

By the way....I use these steps to convert DivX to SVCD...

1. Open DivX file in Virtualdub.
2. Extract audio to seperate file (AC3 or convert MP3 to Wav)
3. Apply the videofilters I whant to use (normally resize and Vobsub)
4. Load a wav file into virtualdub (any file will do) *IMPORTANT*
5. Start frameserving, giving the frameserver file an .avi extension (when saving, not a .vdr)
6. Add frameserver file to CCE 2.5
7. Have some coffe and wait until it is finnished
8. Encode audio with TooLame or Headac3he
9 Multiplex video and audio with BBMPEG (using it to cut the file into 795 MB bits)
10. Create ISO with VCDEasy (to be able to create entrypoints (fake chapters) so I can jump forward using the next button)
11. Burn with CDRwin

I forgot to mention that I use SVCD calc to determin the avrage video bitrate to fit it onto as many CDRs as I choose.

the bitrates I use are:
Video
min: 500
avg: between 1350 and 2300 depending on the movie length
max:2300

Audio:192

...and yes I do know that the max bitrate is a low, but I had a lot of problems with the first SVCDs I made, but since I lowered the bitrate I haven't had any problems at all. The SVCD I mad (about 50 films or so) have worked on all my friends machines and some of those players are 3-4years old and have never gotten new firmware. I have yet to se a player that won't accept my SVCDs....

[foggief]

bacardi/avt
Thanks for the info... I'll get my head round it and give it a go.
By the way I've just used CCE 2.5 to encode a DivX avi by just loading the avi straight into CCE and using a seperate audio file created in virtual dub. Only took 45 mins for a 700mb avi.... the problem is the mpeg1 produced by CCE ended up being 3.95GB!!!!!! for a 1 and half hour film.
Obviously I must have done something wrong. The voice sync in slightly out but the film quality was bloody brilliant. All I have to do now is sort out how to reduce the size and get the sync right. Thats all!!!

[offline]

bacardi/avt
700mb avi.... the problem is the mpeg1 produced by CCE ended up being 3.95GB!!!!!! for a 1 and half hour film.

You need to adjust the bitrate from the default 6000 to
whatever you need. BTW cce is best for multi pass MPEG-2
and not VCD mpeg 1.

The voice sync in slightly

You need to either frameserve with avisynth and
use the AssumeFPS command, and adjust the avi
as per the guides.

how to reduce the size

You need to either frameserve with avisynth
and use the Resize command or adjust via
Virtual Dub.

[foggief]

One question... might sound stupid... but how do you load a wav file into virtualdub???

[bacardi/avt]

Under the Audio tab in the menu it says Wav audio.....

just select that and Vdub will ask you wich file you want to open....

[foggief]

bacardi/avt
Thanks.... simple if you know how... which I obviously don't!!!
Still struggling with this whole CCE to SVCD thing... please PM or E-mail me as much info as possible
Cheers

[PimpInDaHouse]

Kid you can't be helped.

[Arnnie]

You can frameserve to CCE 2.62 and 2.64.

However you cannot use avisynth. Use the AVIWRAPPER codec available at www.videotools.net. This allows you to frameserver to everything.

Arnnie

[foggief]

Thanks for all the help.... have at last sorted this out and converted divx to svcd with superb results. Thanks to all of you who were patient and those of you that were not.

[ToeCutter]

Thanks for all the help.... have at last sorted this out and converted divx to svcd with superb results. Thanks to all of you who were patient and those of you that were not.

What was the fix, foggie? I'm STILL having the same problem. Even converting the file to a .dv won't work.

Share the goods, foggief !

[ToeCutter]

FINALLY got CCE 2.64 to encode some DV to DVD-spec MPEG2. I used DVconverter to convert my AVIs to the MainConcept .dv file type before sending them to CCE.

I've noticed what I suspect to be scan line distortion in all of the converted mpegs, especially during camera movement. Is this normal? I haven't yet burned them to DVD to try on the big Sony. I hope the interlacing of the TV will "correct" them.

Any thoughts?? Anyone? Bueller?

[foggief]

Have you tried www.doom9.net and join the forums. Look under CCE when you are there. Got loads of useful info... good look