MPEG2 cut/join/playback/etc crashes system!

[lordsmurf]

Seeming to be without reason, MPEG2 files began to crash my computer. I notice the issue mainly by trying to cut/join them in anything, including TMPGenc PLUS, M2edit, MPEG2VCR, MPEG2cut, and a few others. Nothing will cut them or read them without problems. It happens on all drives on all MPEG2 files, no matter the encoder used on the original MPEG2 file.

It will playback from the start, but if you drag to another position, especially anything over 10 minutes, it will lock up, playing back only the audio, then the video will jump back in, but a bit out of sync. If you jumpo ahead to 45 minutes or so, the video will halt, the audio plays for about 10 seconds, then the computer locks down.

In an attempt to fix the problem, I just updated my video card drivers to ATI's newest, added the new MMC 8.1 (8.5 refused to install), installing DirectX9 and Windows Media Player 9, upgrading to PowerDVD 4XP (Cyberlink MPEG2 codec), and reinstalling the LSX MPEG Suite. That's all I could think of. The hardware should be fine. Nothing has changed. Now I'm updated, but the problem persists.

In the past, video would playback interlaced, and I could see the interlacing. Now I cannot. FYI: I want to see the interlace, as I work with interlaced video. I watch the final product on tv, not my computer. And yes, the video source is still interlaced. In fact, some of the files are the same ones that have been on the HD for months, so I know they are fine.

A similar post was asked some time back. His went unanswered:
http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154362

If anybody has an answer or a good suggestion, please let me know. This is annoying. I can still function for now, but not as easily as I used to. I'd really like to get this problem fixed.

Something changed, and I do not know where or how.

[lordsmurf]

Well, after a bit more testing, I managed to use GSPOT to test out my DirectShow filters on an MPEG2 file. It somehow turns out that the ELECARD MPEG2 codec got on my system. How? I don't know. I never installed anything that should ahve installed Elecard. And on top of that, it was inside of an InstantCD/DVD directory, although the burning app was not present, and furthermore, I've never had that application on my system. Weird, huh?

Alright, so after removing the Elecard infestation, it jumped back to some God-awful free codec, one that most likley came with something else. So I zipped up that directory (just in case) and then deleted the files so Windows could not find them. The the system reverted back to using LIGOS MPEG2 codecs, however they were corrupted. So I uninstalled Ligos (and as of now, have not reinstalled it, as I honestly don't use it since MainConcept came out with the Premiere 6.5 upgrade).

Somehow, the LIGOS MPEG2 codec remained on the system (?). I'm assuming it found them from another LIGOS codec installation, maybe from one of my ATI or CANOPUS products.

Then TMPGenc would not open, nor would Windows Media Player, nor would Premiere import MPEG files.

I recieved an error that CPUINF32.dll and MPLVPX.dll and MPLAPX.dll were missing. Norton WinDoctor did not find/fix the error, so I went to Google. I ran across this site that described a similar issue. I went to this site as suggested and downloaded the missing files into the Windows\System folder.

I've also raised the LIGOS codec to the highest priority in TMPGenc to avoid some other potential MPEG2 conflicts from DirectShow that I read up on.

Everything now works the way it once did. GSPOT shows LIGOS to maintain complete control of the MPEG2 from source to final playback.

I just cut a file that previously crashed the system 10 times in a row.

So ELECARD MPEG2 CODEC is a great big HUNK OF CRAP.

Anybody having issues, go get GPSOT, and test your system for offending MPEG codecs.

I don't have a clue how this happened to me. I monitor my system with care and have a no-upgrade/no-update attitude for the most part.

[thewitster]

Lordsmurf,

I've been experiencing these same troubles for the last 3 months without an answer. Thank you , thank you, thank you for not only figuring this one out, but taking the time to post the answer.

You are a true asset/resource to this site. You're my hero; can I have your autograph? LOL

[karris56]

I posted a problem in another forum and the answer turned out to be uninstalling Elecard.It works well for a couple weeks and then when the trial expires it does all kinds of weird stuff to files.Problem is now the merge and cut in Tmpgenc freezes my computer.I played with all the settings and it does not matter.I uninstalled Elecard before because of problems but then reinstalled because of the merge and cut in Tmpgenc not working.Dont want to keep installing and uninstalling Elecard.Any ideas besides purchasing it?