TMPGEnc Problems?

[Methos]

Hi,

First of all, I'm a newbie..okay?

Anyways, I'm using TMPGEnc 12h to encode .avi divx codec files into mpeg2 for burning onto vcd. The problem is, the program always crashes part way through the encoding process. It never crashes at the same frame either. Sometimes, it crashes when the encoding is about 3% done, others when it's about 78% done..so I have no idea what the problem is.

Wehn TMPGEnc crashes, my hdd actually emits a high-pitched squeal..that most certainly can't be good..

Any help will be appreciated,
Methos

[Braindrain]

The only time I've find TMPG to crash is for corrupted frames. With what you're describing, it sounds like a hardware problem. (my guess) What are your specs (including power supply?)

[Mdanner423]

If you are tying to make a VCD you need to be converting to MPEG-1.. Go to the convert section of the HOW TOs...

Matthew

[Methos]

Here are my specs:
AMD Athlon @ 1.2Ghz
256mb DDR RAM
300W power supply
Asus A7A266 m/b
Quantum 40Gb 7200RPM hdd

Do you think it might be the hdd?

[Methos]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-08-12 10:15:25, Mdanner423 wrote:
If you are tying to make a VCD you need to be converting to MPEG-1.. Go to the convert section of the HOW TOs...

Matthew
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry, I should have said SVCD..

Methos

[Methos]

So I take it that nobody will be able to help me?

[Martí]

Hi,

I've got problems very similar to yours since I moved to Win2K, and nobody can explain to me why. It crashes when I try to encode DV source material. Under win98 there was no problem, but now...
I don't know, maybe Tsunami makes his encoder optimized for Intel processors, and the combination of it with Win2k gives some kind of trouble. I'm not an expert, but still surprised...

Give a try to Cinema Craft Encoder. It's perfect for SVCD.
You can find it in http://www.vcdsp.com

Good Luck!

[Diablo2011]

TMPGE has gone through many revisions and for obvious reasons. The programmer has included many flaws in this program and many conversions failed to be recognized or to render. The newest version 'I' should have corrected his latest programming errors.

I gave up on TMPGE. The 1st version 12a seemed to be the best.

[dancoe]

i have an athlon 1gig and my crash probs were solve with experimenting with different bios versions for the mobo.

i've known of a few other people who also solved crash probs with tmpgenc (regardless of version) who have athlons by trying different bios versions for the mobo.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dancoe on 2001-08-12 18:46:27 ]</font>

[karhooi]

Yes, if you hear abnormal sound, it should be the hardware failure. Software crashes won't make harddisk create abnormal sound, rite?

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-08-12 10:13:01, Braindrain wrote:
The only time I've find TMPG to crash is for corrupted frames. With what you're describing, it sounds like a hardware problem. (my guess) What are your specs (including power supply?)
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

[Methos]

hmm..first of all, thanks everyone.

dancoe: I don't know how to get a new bios for my motherboard..the auto-update only goes for the newest one, which I already have..

Diablo2011: Since you gave up on TMPGEnc, what do you use instead? Also, which is the "best" encoder to use?

Marti: Oh..I might try CCE..but I think I'll mess around with TMPGEnc for awhile longer. Actually, on the TMPGEnc webpage, Hori-san recommends
"Multi-CPU (under Windows NT/2000)"
Does this mean he recommends dual-processing?

Methos

[Methos]

[quote]
On 2001-08-12 19:22:27, karhooi wrote:
Yes, if you hear abnormal sound, it should be the hardware failure. Software crashes won't make harddisk create abnormal sound, rite?

[quote]

Yeah, that's true, karhooi.
I dunno what to do though.. >_<

[wildcatfan]

Also CHECK THE MEMORY. I had problems with my athlon whenever I stressed it very hard and had one stick of memory that just didn't jive with it. Newer computers are more sensitive to memory errors IMO. Try removing one stick at a time (if you have multiple ones installed) and try it. Worked for me.

And btw if was a hard disk I imagine you would be noticing many more probs than just TMPGenc however.... Windows giving erros on startup etc. But run scandisk (chkdsk if win2k) and see if you have any files crosslinked, corrupted, lost chains, etc...Maybe one of TMPGenc's files is messed up (longshot however as it probably would crash immediately if this was the case)

Michael

[Methos]

Thanks everyone..

Okay, I tried using CCE, but I couldn't get it working since I needed to use Virtualdub to frameserver. The problem was with Virtualdub, I think, since CCE didn't recognize the video.vdr.avi file as an avi.

I can't try any other memory, as I only have the one stick.

I might just give up..ah well..

Methos

[willem]

It's not uncommon that bad memory is the cause of system crashes. Try memtest86:

http://www.teresaudio.com/memtest86/

This memory tester runs straight from floppy (OS independent). Leave it running overnight and see what the results are. You say that your harddisk makes a funny noise. Maybe it's a good idea to disconnect your harddisk completely (ribbon cable and power) before doing the memory test. Usually you can find tools for harddisk tests on the sites of harddisk manufacturers. Try them to see if you have a faulty harddisk.
Another reason for crashing systems is IRQ sharing. On most modern motherboards two PCI devices share an IRQ line. That means that whatever IRQ is assigned to one of these devices, the other gets it as well. So for example it's possible that your onboard IDE controller (a PCI device) is sharing it's IRQ with your sound card, network adapter, capture card etc. This is fine as long as the respective drivers support this feature properly. Not all drivers do. The only solution is to check your mobo manual and see if you can fit your PCI cards in in such a way that they don't have to share IRQs or when sharing is inevitable that you choose a PCI card that is using a driver that is capable of IRQ sharing. This may mean that you have to swap PCI cards arround until you find a combination that doesn't bite each other or have to update drivers.
This can also be the reason why people suddenly have problems when they change to a different operating system because the operating system uses drivers that don't do IRQ sharing properly.
Another reason for crashing is overheating of chipset or processor (or harddisk! (there was a funny sound after the crash???) 7200 rpm may need cooling -> if you can fry an egg on it it's too hot and needs cooling). The fact that it's happening when running TMPGEnc may be because your PC is kept constantly busy for several hours.

Quite a big post now, but maybe it gives you some pointers to check.

[Nelson37]

Bet money its your HD, I had similar problems with vdub but no squeels. Try a defrag, temp replacement with other drive, or take it out, slam it on a table, put it back in and see if it's better. (do this only if drive is otherwise failing)

[Braindrain]

Your components are all pretty good. I would also guess it's the BIOS. For my Abit mobo, it kept crashing until I updated the BIOS to the 3rd release.

Do you have ALL the latest BIOS/drivers on your system?

[Methos]

I'm not sure...how do I check if I have ALL of the latest BIOS/drivers?

For IRQ sharing, the hdd isn't in conflict with anything..
It probably is the hdd though..what other program would you recommend besides tmpgenc?

Methos

[wildcatfan]

try using LSX if you can get it. It has always been stable for me and see if you like the quality (I do, more banding, but less blockies than TMPGenc a tradeoff I actually like). Make sure you use version 3.5 if possible, it is way better than 3.0 IMO.

Michael