Questions about TMPGEnc and VFAPI.

[Brad1140]

Where does TMPGEnc "find" its VFAPI (and what does that mean) plugins.
I have 8 or so listed and I was wondering where it finds these.
Also I am tryin to install an AC3 plugin and I am not sure how to do this.I opened the file in the TMP directory but I dont know where to go from here.
Also what plugins should I have listed and which ones should I get rid of.
I am doing avi conversions to svcd.
I guess I just want to to learn more about this program since I have been able to make my first successful svcds and I am have great fun with this.
Thanks
Brad

[petesimon]

I'm glad you are having fun wit'it.

Where does TMPGEnc "find" its VFAPI (and what does that mean) plugins.

I think VFAPI stands for Video Filter Application Programming Interface, which allows a non-standard media file to be represented as an AVI file or at least some kind of compatible/readable format. TMPGEnc has some functionality builtin, such as TMPGEnc's ability to read standard AVI files, but any external plugins extend the functionality of TMPGEnc, and some plugins are and some plugins are not VFAPI type. The plugins that are VFAPI type usually have the three letter extension "vfp" in the filename, but sometimes "dll" or other letters makeup the extension. TMPGEnc usually includes "tmpgenc.vfp", which is the same directory as TMPGEnc. Most other VFAPI plugins are in their own directory, along with the corresponding program.

For example: If you installed the DVD2AVI program then your TMPGEnc should show a VFAPI plugin (filename is "dvd2avi.vfp", but this file is in the DVD2AVI program folder) for that program. This plugin allows TMPGEnc to directly read ".d2v" files.

Also I am tryin to install an AC3 plugin and I am not sure how to do this.

I do not know of any AC3 audio plugins for TMPGEnc, but TMPGEnc (2.57+) can read AC3 audio data (a file, or in a VOB) utilizing DVD audio/video DirectShow decoder filters that are installed into Windows. For instance: if WinDVD, PowerDVD, or similar DVD player software is already installed then the necessary DVD DirectShow filters are already installed too. If TMPGEnc can not read AC3 then you can try to download and install some DVD DirectShow filters; on the Doom9 site they are called "Fraunhofer video and audio codecs". In this download, you will find two files named "dvdaudio.ax" and "dvdvideo.ax" so you need to go to the command prompt of Windows, change to the directory where those files are, and type regsvr32 dvdaudio.ax dvdvideo.ax to setup the filters. After that re-run TMPGEnc and try to open some AC3 stuff.

Also what plugins should I have listed and which ones should I get rid of.

Well, for your stated purpose of opening/reading AC3 data I think the "Cyberlink MPEG-2" needs be listed, and all the others could stay in the list.

Have I gone too boo far?

DVD2AVI VFAPI information
http://arbor.ee.ntu.edu.tw/~jackei/dvd2avi/setup

VFAPI reader codec/converter information
http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/vfapi_reader_codec.htm

Doom9.org software download page
http://www.doom9.org/software2.htm

Have fun,
-Peter

[Brad1140]

Pete,
Thanks for the post.
Lots of good info.
Brad