Can't get TMPGEnc to read MPEG-2's

[kelemvor]

Howdy,

OK, I'm brand new to this but I've tried everything I can find. I recently got a video capture card so I can make some VCD/DVDs or old home movies. The capture card works just fine.

I saw some ideas that to make the best VCDs I should capture in MPEG-2, then use TMPGEnd to convert to MPeg-1, and then burn it from there. My problems is when I load up TMPGEnc and try to read the mPEG-2 file it says it can't read it.

I did look at their site which said I have to install some DVD player software before TMPGEnd will read MPEG-2 file but I did install a bunch of DVD playing software but it still doesn't work.

I also tried the priority setting thing I saw and downloading some codecs but still no luck.

I can view the file in some other programs like Media Player but just can't get TMPGEnd to recognize it.

Any hep would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[bugster]

I saw some ideas that to make the best VCDs I should capture in MPEG-2, then use TMPGEnd to convert to MPeg-1, and then burn it from there

I am sure plenty of people would actually disagree with this and say capture using a loosless avi format (like huffy) or a low loss avi codec (like Mjpeg), but I digress.

If you really can't get Tmpgenc to open your mpeg-2 files, the try frameserving them from virtualdub_mod or avisynth. There are guides on this in the convert section.

[oldfart13]

Did you try loading the mpeg into DVD2AVI and using the resulting files from that? Works like a charm on my system...

[kelemvor]

I'm brand new to this so I haven't tried anything. All I did so far was capture the video in Mpeg-1 and Mpeg-2 just to see what would happen.

Any advice on how to get the best quality VCDs and DVDs would be great.

[nellie]

I had the same problem.Eventually I opened TMPGenc's MPEG tools section and used Demultiplex to extract the video, then opened that in DVD2AVI and saved as project (it makes DV) then go back to TMPG and open the DV as the video source.You can use the original MPEG as the Audio source. Then just carry on as usual.
In TMPG you cannot read the MPEG2 in the Wizard section.You have to close this first.
I am using TMPGenc plus.
My MPEG2's are captured with AVERDVDEZMaker
Anyway it works for me

[txpharoah]

You must have the TMPGENC PLUS version, not the free one, to work with MPEG2.

As far as "lossless" AVI, that would probably be a waste of time and space for a newbie using mere VHS source and making mere VCDs. Especially since he's just converting and not editing. I think he made a good move capturing MPEG, although he may as well just capture 1856k max-bitrate MPEG1 from the start and save himself the extra step. I'd avoid the min-bitrate of 1150k. Only if he decides to do lots of editing (i.e., more than just cutting out some footage or tv commercials) would I suggest an AVI and all the added steps that comes with it.

Anyway, the VHS->DVD guide below may also be able to help you. Just know that you'll make MPEG1 instead of MPEG2, interlace rules don't apply, and will use Nero or something else to make a VCD instead of DVDit!.

And welcome to the world of digital video, kelemvor!

[bugster]

You must have the TMPGENC PLUS version, not the free one, to work with MPEG2.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know you only need the registered version of Tmpgenc plu to encode mpeg-2 after the trial period expires. Any version of Tmpgenc can READ/OPEN mpeg-2 and encode to mpeg-1.

Admittedley, persuading Tmpgenc to open mpeg-2 files can be a pain in the a***!, but the PLUS version and the free version are the same in this respect.

[txpharoah]

Forgot that part, yeah.

TMPGenc PLUS for making MPEG2. Both should read, though I found the free version more stubborn the times I tried it on a friend's computer.

Be sure to have a MPEG2 codec installed, maybe the CyberLink one that comes with PowerDVD, and there are others too. That should let you open it.

[LanEvo7]

I had the same problem. For some reason, Tmpgenc wouldn't open mpeg2 files even though I had two dvd players installed on my computer. It worked after I installed PowerVCR. Strange