Stubborn .avi files

[Viceroy]

Hey Everyone,

I have recently downloaded a few .avi files....100+ megs in size. Whenever I try to open them up in tmpeg to covert to .mpeg it gives me the error that the file is not corrupted or not supported. I don't see how all of these files could be corrupted....is there anything else that I can try here? I have also just tried the lsx-mpeg encoder and it told me that the audio stream is not supported....does this offer any clues as to what I can do to get around this problem? Thanks in advance.

Peace,
Steve

[scouse]

Hey mate

This is a common query so maybe someone can post a guide . Anyway this is what I do , and I have had no problems ;

You need to download a program called avi2vcd , as well as virtualdub.

Avi2vcd has a program called decompress , which you should use on the avi file to decompress the files audio to a format that tmpg encoder will accept. The resulting file will be considerably larger than your initial downloaded file. (the new file will have a _pcm tag added to its name).

I also run the decompressed file through virtual dub as well , direct stream copy for audio and video , save avi , so any bad frames are fixed.

You should find that the newly saved file from virtual dub opens fine in tmpg.
Dont forget to check the properties of the initial downloaded file to find the frame rate. Often to save space these files are 1/2 of the standard frame rates , ie 12.5 would then need the VCD PAL template. This is why on conversion to vcd these files can be a bit jerky , but often still watchable. Remember the often used motto of Garbage in Garbage out!

Good Luck

Cheers

Scouse

[Tommyknocker]

You should look for a Nimo codec pack to install into Virtual Dub. Your problem is pretty common.

[Viceroy]

Thanks for the reply guys. I have a question about the first post. When I use Avi2vcd I am only concnered with the audio stream when using that right? And then virtual dub is used to make sure there is nothing wrong with the initial .avi file....right?

Then when I have run the file through both Avi2vcd and virtual dub I can then run it through tmpeg. Am I correct in saying this?

Also, where can I get Avi2vcd.

Thank you so much for helping a moron out!

Peace,
Steve

[scouse]

do a google search for avi2vcd.

yes in avi2vcd all I use it for is too decompress the audio, the video is unaffected.

virtualdub merely corrects any potential stream errors.

This method hasnt failed me for any of the films I have downloaded.

The other post may well work , this is just the way that works for me.

Cheers

Scouse