Split CD no go and other ffmpegX questions.

[gesplus]

Some questions about ffmpegx, lastest download. I'm new to the app so I don't know if they are bugs or it's me, I'll guess the latter.

Something I'm assuming is that it doesn't matter which tab, Video, Audio, Filters etc you're on when you click Encode. Meaning you don't miss any post processing etc if you click Encode when Tools is not up. The reason I ask that is it never produces bin or cue files even though I have it checked. I was wondering if I had to click Encode when in that window or do I need to browse to the file in the Video Tools sections even though I have already chosen the file in the Video window

Also I'm trying to convert an avi movie to VCD, an 88 min movie. A 604MB file. But when it's done it's always around 870MB so it's too big for Toast to put on 1 CD and of course VCD builder makes a .bin that's too big too. Do I need to lower the bitrate for it to fit? It seems ffmpegX turns the lower bitrate to red saying it's too low if I calculate it to fit on a 700M CD.

And I can't seem to make a split CD either. My settings in Bitrate calculator are bitrate of 1137, 90 min, keep in 2 CD's of 80m mode-1 700MB, it always generates one file too big for a CD. I choose either VCD or KVCD as presets.

An answer to any part will be appreciated greatly.

Thanks

[major]

The reason I ask that is it never produces bin or cue files even though I have it checked. I was wondering if I had to click Encode when in that window

No, it should produce those files, though normally they are built after the encoding process has reached 100% (you should wait for the bell to ring). If after the bell sound there are no authored files, then please email me at major4@mac.com with more detail as it could be a bug (I hope not).

Also I'm trying to convert an avi movie to VCD, an 88 min movie. A 604MB file. But when it's done it's always around 870MB so it's too big for Toast to put on 1 CD and of course VCD builder makes a .bin that's too big too. Do I need to lower the bitrate for it to fit? It seems ffmpegX turns the lower bitrate to red saying it's too low if I calculate it to fit on a 700M CD.

A VCD will not fit more than 80 minutes of video in an 80 minutes CD, conforming to the standard. If you want to fit more, use the KVCD preset. You can also lower the bitrate, but if you do, image quality will be affected.

And I can't seem to make a split CD either. My settings in Bitrate calculator are bitrate of 1137, 90 min, keep in 2 CD's of 80m mode-1 700MB, it always generates one file too big for a CD. I choose either VCD or KVCD as presets.

Prefer the split in "Auto" CDs setting. Prior to encoding, set the media type (in the video tab) to "80 min Mode 2" (VCD does not use mode 1).

[gesplus]

Thanks for the reply.

Prior to encoding, set the media type (in the video tab) to "80 min Mode 2" (VCD does not use mode 1).

Oh my goodness, I might see where the problem is.

If making a VCD or KVCD the setting should *always* be 80 min Mode 2? I relied on the vcd and kvcd presets which set it to 80 min Mode 1.

I just tried and but I noticed when I switch it to 80 min Mode 2 from 80 min Mode 1 the default 700 MB in the CD size in Bitrate Calculator changes to 780 MB. Is that right or should I change that back to 700 to match my CD size. I have read the online instructions but what I'm confused on is is the MB # the size of the media or the final output size of the file? It appears to be final file output size. Also should I tell it 2 CD's in the Video/Bitrate Calculator window or does Auto chunks in Tools take care of that?

I did finally realize that there was still some encoding going on in the background, after progress said it was finished, my computer was running slow so I brought up top to see what was eating cycles and realized what was going on.

Thanks from a computer literate but video stupid guy. Hopefully this is why I haven't been able to generate a usable file. Besides no bin or cue files, when I try to play the mpg that comes out, in QT or VLC, there is no video and the sound is very choppy.

I'm going to toss the ffmpeg plist and try with mode 2 and see if some of my above quesions don't go away. I'll try with 700 and 780 in MB and see what happens.

Thanks a bunch.

[gesplus]

I just read your reply to karipu a few posts down on the difference in 80 min modes 1 and 2 so that cleared up why the preset doesn't set it.

[major]

If making a VCD or KVCD the setting should *always* be 80 min Mode 2? I relied on the vcd and kvcd presets which set it to 80 min Mode 1.

Yes, unless you use 74 min media (in that case you should set to 74 min mode 2). I will add in the next version a default setting for media size when selecting a quick preset.

I just tried and but I noticed when I switch it to 80 min Mode 2 from 80 min Mode 1 the default 700 MB in the CD size in Bitrate Calculator changes to 780 MB. Is that right

Yes, it is right. Mode 2 has more room for data than mode 1.

is the MB # the size of the media or the final output size of the file?

It's both the size of the media and the final output wanted file size. When you set split in "Auto" chunks, the file will be split in chunks equal to media size. You don't need to specify how many chunks, as it is "auto".