SCAM ALERT!

[xed]

Hands-on experience shows that the following software which *claims* to generate VCD-usable MPEG1 and MPEG-2 (for SVCD) encoded files from .AVI streams DO NOT WORK:

[1] Ulead Media Studio Pro. This one is a classic scam. You pay $350 for this junkware, and it does indeed encode your source .AVI file into a VCD-compliant MPEG-1 file..but the output is unusable, since it's choppy and jerky and full of audio and video pauses and stutters. (And no, this has nothing to do with my codec and nothing to with defragging my hard disk -- VCDs burned using Ulead's jukware play back with the same choppy jerky garbled video & audio on the DVD player, and since I degraf my hard disk before each MPEG encode, it canont be disk fragmentation).
Other users have reported that Ulead produces garbage output, so all users should beware of paying money for Ulead's junkware. It simply doesn't work.

[2] TMPEGENC A classic "bait and switch" scam. TMPGENC does not run and cannot be made to run on Wintel machines. The error "can't load p3packag.dll" constantly ops up and THIS ERROR CANNOT BE MADE TO GO AWAY except by paying $50.
Please don't try to tell me that changing my path to include the directory where p3packag.dll resides will solve the problem. That does not solve the problem, since I have tried it.
Also please don't try to tell me that copying p3packag.dll to the SYSTEM and SYSTEM32 directories will solve the problem. Again, that will NOT solve the problem, since I have tried it.
TMPGENC appears to be classic junkware -- doesn't work and cannot be made to work when you download it, then you get hit with a deamnd for cash. Of course, after you pay the cash, guess what? The junkware still probably doesn't work.
No different from all those "love pounds overnight" and "make millions working at home" spam scams you get in your email inbox every day.

[3] Adobe Premiere .AVIs created with Adobe Premiere cannot be converted to MPEG-1 files. Another classic scam. You pay megabucks for hte software, but then it doesn't work. Due to the outlandish shrinkwrap license, you're outa luck. Another "bait and switch."

[4] Ligos MPEG encoder. This junkware is the exact same code used in the guts of Ulead Media Studio Pro -- which, as I have mentioned from hands-on experience, produces unsuable garbled choppy jerky MPEG-1 output. Therefore the LIgos junkware is also worthless -- don't waste your $179 on it, it won't produce usable output.

EXIT QUESTION:

Since hands-on experience shows that all available MPEG-1 VCD encoding software either doesn't run at all and cannot be made to run in any way, shape or form (viz., TMPGENC), or produces garbled unusable MPEG-1 VCD-compliant output (Ulead Media Studio Pro, Ligos MPEG encoder, AVI files produced by Adobe Premiere)...what's left?

According to hands-on personal experience, this list seems to show that NO AVAILABLE SOFTWARE anywhere on the planet will produce a usable VCD-compliant MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 output.
Moreover, the release notes for TMPGENC 2.55 confirm this conclusion. Notice that one of the bugs fixed in TMPGENC 2.55 is an error which hung the program when MPEG-2 files whose resolution is not an integer multiple of 32 were encoded. Notice that the 720 x 480 MPEG-2 standard has a resolution (720) which is NOT a multiple of 32 (22.5 x 32 = 720).
Therefore if you read the release notes for TMPGENC 2.55 carefully, you will discover from the testimony of the software developer that the claim that earlier versions of TMPGENC could generate MPEG-2 output is a lie.
If TMPGENC versions prior to 2.55 claimed to output MPEG-2 but the bug fix list for v. 2.55 now admits that claim was a lie, what other claims made about TMPGENC are lies?

This is a remarkable situation, isn't it? No available software anywhere on the planet appears to be able to encode uncorrupted MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 output from .AVI files. Coincidence?
Or is there something more going on here than mere coincidence?

[Helpy Fairy]

hi sir,

thank you for the wonderful look out tips.

you are correct.

god bless.


la la la

bless you all!

[kitty]

Well - all those VCDs and SVCDs I have created on my PC with most of the software you mention... I must have been dreaming. So must most people visiting this site. We all have problems at times but...

Are your conclusions drawn while consuming large amounts of alcohol or in a room with open paint or glue?

[markums2k]

Surely you jest...

I owe my *life* to TMPEGenc and Adobe Premiere. Outstanding programs.

Really, could you be any more of a dolt?

[Spicuzza]

Someone once said, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and have people "think" you're an idiot than it is to open your mouth and remove ALL doubt!"

Almost all computer problems are directly linked to the computer user.

However, this comment is not directed at xed, I for one am quite impressed that he has mastered ALL of these programs and found them all to be inferior.

Thank goodness I use Ulead VideoStudio 6.0

[mpb]

Go figure.

All of the programs you list above work perfectly on my system. Ulead needed a patch, but that was free. Adobe Premiere is how I'm working my way through college, doing video production and DVDs.

TMPGENC (Tsunami MPEG Encoder) is possibly the best freeware ever written. I have an entire collection of compliant VCDs, SVCDs, and DVDs on my wall that play in a wide variety of devices without trouble, and I encoded each and every one of them in TMPGENC, off of AVI captures made by Virtualdub, ATI VCR, and other captureware.

I'd say the problem is likely user system incompatibilities. You don't mention what sort of system you're running, so we're left to just assume you're doing it wrong. I CAN say this: your problems sound an awful lot like those that are encountered on a Wintel machine that is NOT running Win2K or WinXP.

-Mike

[tgpo]

Adobe Premire a scam? Hardly. I do find it interesting though that all the software mentioned is the software listed in user guides, tutorials, and numerous other places. I guess we only thought they were working. I've had no problems with Premire and think it IS is best Video editer for my mac....that doesn't cost a vast amount.

[vitualis]

Well, some people do have screwed up PCs and like to blame everyone but themselves.

All those mentioned programs work on my PC.

Regards.

[cheftaz]

The only real prob with tmpg is the user doesn't know how to use it and doesn't care to learn after 1 "coaster"

[Digitizer]

I can agree on Ligos - the quality is not good. But calling FREE TMPEG a "classic junkware" and a scam is a bit too much. First of all, get a version that has no limitations somewheres, like here (old beta 12)
http://www.moon1000.com/software/download/freeware/index.shtml

The author, as I understand, was asked to remove MPEG-2 support and has to pay for licence.

Before you download, use the handy FORMAT C /s command to wipe your non-functioning PC clean. Good luck.

[bolta]

(*caveman-like grunt - UGH*) Me thinks Xed has been typing with his forehead and using a blowtorch for a mouse.

Instead of whinging about the software, Xed, if you're having probs then ask for help - this is what the bl*&dy forums are here for.

Each and every one of those software packages have worked fine - I stay away from Premiere these days only because of performance issues - TmpgEnc does everything I need and does it well.

Cheers to the rest of the forum . . .

B.

(*another UGH as hordes of VCDs drag Xed off into the shadows and an eternity in the hell of badly synced DiVx movies and BSOD when trying to encode with Divx 5.02*)

[AmeliaK]

Well since all the above applications don't work I think we should all stop encoding and remove this site, because its obvious everyone here is actually wrong and you must be correct . . . . or could the problem be you ?

[YngwieJM]

Xed- if you don't like any of the software that many of us use everyday would you please bless us by writing your own software and sharing it with us for us to scrutinize. Maybe you can get your buddy that invented the internet to help you. Wasn't his name Al or something?

[aguillon]

Friend, I have to agree with the above replies.

I have personally produced near-commercial quality VCDs with these softs, and have 2 remarks for you.

1- Garbage in - Garbage out
Try to convert some crappy SVCD grabbed off the net and you get an ever more crappy VCD as an output. Softwares are not miracle workers. Use a DVD or a good DIVX as an input and you can produce lovely VCDs.

2- Hardware
I build my own pc. The reasons? being both a gamer and a video enthusiast, systems that are pre-assembled do not suit me. I need a good Video/audio card, a stable motherboard, big/fast hard disks and lots of RAM. At any point in time, my pc can be downloading thru edonkey, converting thru TMPGEnc, running FlaskMPEG on a DVD rip, burning VCDs while I surf. And all goes on without a hitch.
My point: if you fancy yourself a power user, build a power rig.

Cheers

[banjazzer]

As someone once said, most PC problems are caused by a loose nut next to the keyboard. 8)

[Big_Jit]

[Big_Jit]

I can't believe that all my software wasn't working this whole time...(sarcasm...)

[smokingweed3000]

just because u cant get those programs to work doesnt mean they all suck, what really sucks is yr comp. all of those programs are probably the best programs most of the people here ever used.

[banjazzer]

I can't believe that all my software wasn't working this whole time...(sarcasm...)

In case 1, the Ulead software may be over-priced, and very poor value for money. Often such programs, for all their cost, are quite inflexible, but generally will produce a good result most of the time for most people. Where they fall down is not having the the flexibility to cope with non-average material. BTW I am thinking specifically of Roxio's bloatware rather than Ulead's here.

In case 2 TMPGEnc must be one of the best value encoders around on the planet, capable of high-quality results in most circumstances. I have never had the slightest problem with any version of it.

In case 3, I have used Adobe Premiere, but found it rather complicated, and certainly overkill for my needs. However, it is the choice of many professionals, which is why it commands a high price-tag.

I know nothing of case 4, but I would suggest from the many thousands of posts both here in this forum and in other forums, the problems you have are to do with you and your computer. 8)

[MagmaManno]

I use Premiere with NO problem ALL the time...I even use Windows Movie Maker sometimes when I am really lazy....go figure. I use Nero Burning Software with a Lite-On 32X12X40X drive and I have yet to run into any problems.

Perhaps it could be a compatibility issue if everyone here is saying fine on their system, hmmmmmmmmm? (Yoda voice)

Magma

[TheInformer]

xed:

Trying to use a 486 DX33 + DOS 5.0 to do your encoding with really isn't a good idea....

lol

[Freshman]

Moreover, the release notes for TMPGENC 2.55 confirm this conclusion. Notice that one of the bugs fixed in TMPGENC 2.55 is an error which hung the program when MPEG-2 files whose resolution is not an integer multiple of 32 were encoded. Notice that the 720 x 480 MPEG-2 standard has a resolution (720) which is NOT a multiple of 32 (22.5 x 32 = 720).

In addition to the numerous other points made here, there is no such thing as a standard MPEG-2 resolution.

You're confusing the DVD standard with the standard resolutions used for SVCDs, namely 480x480 (NTSC) and 480x576 (PAL), both of which can be divided by 32. Consequently the bug you're referring to doesn't restrict TMPGEnc's capability of producing compliant SVCDs in any way.

[resnullius]

Hi xed this is your friendly computer tech, i've got good and bad news about your comp.
Good News! your computer works
Bad news, in dos

[sparky12]

It's unfortunate, nut every discussion board has it's share of trolls like
Xed. He just joinded the board Saturday so he could start crap with everyone here because he is mad that the little 4 year old neighbor kid can run a computer better than he can.

Sparky

[Speed72]

Is this guy for real???

hahahahahahhahahaha........

Were all a bunch of as##oles that are here for nothing.... by the way why is this site here???

Read the several helps in the site before you start say this nonsence...

Speed72

[LanceSteel]

XED also forgot to mention that MPEG2 encoding is a hoax, the Loch Ness monster is real and that leprechauns live in his bedroom closet.

[dmonty]

XED also forgot to mention that MPEG2 encoding is a hoax, the Loch Ness monster is real and that leprechauns live in his bedroom closet.

He has leprechauns in his closet??? So why don't he steal their pot of gold and buy himself a PC that does not have generic parts?



D

[TheSeven7hSon]

From TMPGenc 2.56 released today:

"An AVI file which was outputted by TMPGEnc Plus was not sometime played in WMP properly with an error "Invalid file". "

Do you folks think this was part of Mr. Hori's "bait and switch" scam?

Seven