Problems authoring. First try.

[Capt. Archer]

I downloaded a Divx4 file from eDonkey. It plays fine.

I went to the how to section here, to see what to do next. I read the "convert Divx to MPG" article since it said I could not play a divx file on my DVD player.

I used TMPGEnc as described in the article to convert to mpg.

I went to Nero to Burn it, and followed the instructions for burning to VCD. I get an error message that says the file is the wrong format and I have the choice of skipping the message and continuing (Which I tried, and DVD player did not recognize the disc) or re-encoding file, which apparently takes several hours.

I have latest Nero and MPG2 plugin.

Don't understand what went wrong and why the divx file won't burn, then I have to convert to mpg taking many many hours, only to have to re-encode it yet again by Nero.

Anyone?

I just don't think it should take 3 days to make a VCD.

thanks.

[cycletron]

I have converted many divx files w/ tmpgenc w/ only a few problems. Don't get me wrong it does have some flaws. Anyway... When you converted the divx to mpeg did you check the frame rates of the movie and the graphics resolution. I can only guess that you are maybe using the wrong VCD template when encoding w/ tmpgenc??? Just a thought. This one is kind of new to me. If you do figure it out I would be interested in knowing the problems solution for my own information. Good Luck!

[Capt. Archer]

I used the NTSC template, 720x480, 29. whatever frame rate.

Turns out that even after Nero "re-converted" the files, my DVD player, a SOny which IS VCD compatible, just say insert disc.

[Vejita-sama]

Assuming you used the "NTSC VCD template" (vs. say the SVCD). Then your MPEG should work. I would try to burn it again this time:

1) Run nero, choose the make VCD
2) UNCHECK "CDI" and "Create Standard compliant CD" also make sure encoder resolution is set to NTSC.
3) Drag/drop your MPG file. Nero will 'scan' it, this it'll take a few minutes. You shouldn't get the error message this time.
4) Burn it.

[Capt. Archer]

That unfortunately is EXACTLY what I did.

It did a scan which took a minute, then "pop". Error.

[cycletron]

If you used the NTSC video template the resolution should NOT be 740 x 480. It should be around 352 x 240. I know 740 x 480 is NOT correct resolution for a VCD.

[Beavis]

<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>
I used the NTSC template, 720x480, 29. whatever frame rate.

Turns out that even after Nero "re-converted" the files, my DVD player, a SOny which IS VCD compatible, just say insert disc.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I may be stating something you already know- but your Sony might be VCD compatible but NOT CD-R compatible. Most aren't.

[Darkbird]

Quite a few Sony's that will not read a CD-R are capable of reading CD-RW's.

[corwin1]

First, like others have said, check to make sure that your DVD player can play VCD, SVCD etc and the types of CD-R like green layer, black layer etc. Some Sony's boast they are compatible, but in fact aren't. Check the DVD player list on this site and see if your make and model are listed. it may give you an indication of what it is or isn't compatible with. You may also try a different type of CD-R like Maxell or Fujifilm. I have gotten the same error message from Nero on occasion and I have chosen to ignore it and my DVD player (pioneer DV343) still plays the VCD/SVCD no problem. This may indicate that in fact your whole problem lies with the DVD player.
Another issue is the frame rate. when you create "new project" in TMPGEnc and it asks "Browse" for the file, look in the bottom left corner. When the file you want encode is found, it displays the source file information in the lower left corner . This information, such as the frame rate(25fps, 23.97fps, 29.97fps etc.)is what you use to determine which template to Load. Different frame rates use different templates. You have to be sure you look at the source file info BEFORE you load the template otherwise you will confuse the template specs with the source file specs.
Re-Read the "Convert" section on this web site. chances are you made a minor mistake that is easily corrected.

[vitualis]

VCD compatibility does not equal CD-R/W compatibility.

Many DVD players that are "VCD compatible" ARE NOT designed for CD-R/W media so it is not surprising that they do not play CD-R/W media well or at all.

"VCD Compatibility" means that the player contains all the software to play a professionally created "pressed" VCD (these are not on CD-R/W media).

"CD-R/W Compatibility" means that the player is designed to read CD-R/W media (e.g., home burnt audio CDs, home burnt VCDs) and will read most media types without problems.

Regards.