Can't cut size file down in MF3

[randytsuch]

I am using Movie Factory 3 to author my DVD’s.

First use tmpgenc to render the AVI files to MPG2.

MF3 was set up so it would not render again, I checked do not convert compliant MPG2 files, and set it up so my MPG2 file were just like the settings in MF3, 704 x 480, 29.97 fps, (DVD-NTSC), 4:3, Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)

My mpg2 file was too long, so I used MF3 to cut it down to where it should fit on a DVD.

I don’t use MF3 to burn DVD’s, so I have MF3 output to DVD folders.

But, the output to the DVD folders is too big, over 5.25G, So, I cut it down some more, and it’s the same size output, and all the VOB files are the same size. Then I tried to not cut anything out of the file, and it is about 250 KB larger, over 5.5G.

So, wondering if anybody else has run into this?

With it like this, the only way I can use it is to edit down my MPG2 files down to size first, which would be a pain.

Randy

[MrMungus]

How about creating the DVD then shrinking it with DVD Shrink?

[randytsuch]

How about creating the DVD then shrinking it with DVD Shrink?

Thanks for the idea, but what would that do to the quality of the dvd? If I go to the trouble of encoding with tmpgenc to get a better video, I don't want to lose that quality with dvd shrink.

Also, this is something mf3 should do correctly. It thinks it is making a video that will fit on a DVD, but it is not. I am going to call ulead today, and see if they have any suggestions. If they can't help me, I will return it, and play with dvd-lab.

Randy

[mmasw]

How about creating the DVD then shrinking it with DVD Shrink?

Thanks for the idea, but what would that do to the quality of the dvd? If I go to the trouble of encoding with tmpgenc to get a better video, I don't want to lose that quality with dvd shrink.
Randy

with a 5.2GB dvd folder you'd have around an 84% compression ratio in DVDShrink [ (X%)(5.2)= 4.4 ___4.4/5.2 = .846 ], and if you used the 'deep analysis' function you'd be hard pressed to determine any reduction in quality.

as a rule of thumb....my thumb at least.....I don't believe you'll find any readily discernible reduction in quality using DVDShrink (deep analysis) down to 75% compression. So 4.4GB/.75 = 5.86GB

In other words, you can use a bitrate calculator to determine the time/bitrate ratio with a 6GB target size and then transcode using DVDShrink.

[MrMungus]

How about creating the DVD then shrinking it with DVD Shrink?

Thanks for the idea, but what would that do to the quality of the dvd? If I go to the trouble of encoding with tmpgenc to get a better video, I don't want to lose that quality with dvd shrink.

Also, this is something mf3 should do correctly. It thinks it is making a video that will fit on a DVD, but it is not. I am going to call ulead today, and see if they have any suggestions. If they can't help me, I will return it, and play with dvd-lab.

Randy

How would you reduce the file to fit on a DVD without either chopping out some video or decreasing the bitrate?

[Specialist]

UN-check the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES check box.

Then try again.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I am using Movie Factory 3 to author my DVD’s.

First use tmpgenc to render the AVI files to MPG2.

MF3 was set up so it would not render again, I checked do not convert compliant MPG2 files, and set it up so my MPG2 file were just like the settings in MF3, 704 x 480, 29.97 fps, (DVD-NTSC), 4:3, Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)

My mpg2 file was too long, so I used MF3 to cut it down to where it should fit on a DVD.

I don’t use MF3 to burn DVD’s, so I have MF3 output to DVD folders.

But, the output to the DVD folders is too big, over 5.25G, So, I cut it down some more, and it’s the same size output, and all the VOB files are the same size. Then I tried to not cut anything out of the file, and it is about 250 KB larger, over 5.5G.

So, wondering if anybody else has run into this?

With it like this, the only way I can use it is to edit down my MPG2 files down to size first, which would be a pain.

Randy

[randytsuch]

How would you reduce the file to fit on a DVD without either chopping out some video or decreasing the bitrate?

I am trying to chop out some video, that's what I can't do with MF3. And that's why I will return it if I can't get past this, it's a basic function, but it is not working when I use MPG2 files.

Specialists,
I will try unchecking the box tonight, but that kind of defeats one of the reasons I was going to use MF3. I do not want MF3 to re-render the movie, I was using TMPENGC to render, because I think it does a better job, and do not want to lose that.

Randy

[MrMungus]

How would you reduce the file to fit on a DVD without either chopping out some video or decreasing the bitrate?

I am trying to chop out some video, that's what I can't do with MF3. And that's why I will return it if I can't get past this, it's a basic function, but it is not working when I use MPG2 files.

Specialists,
I will try unchecking the box tonight, but that kind of defeats one of the reasons I was going to use MF3. I do not want MF3 to re-render the movie, I was using TMPENGC to render, because I think it does a better job, and do not want to lose that.

Randy

Then try TMPGEnc DVD Author. With it, you can choose parts of the video you don't want to be burned to DVD while maintaining the original file (in other words, you don't have to sit around waiting for the program to create a new video file with your cuts).

[randytsuch]

then try TMPGEnc DVD Author. With it, you can choose parts of the video you don't want to be burned to DVD while maintaining the original file (in other words, you don't have to sit around waiting for the program to create a new video file with your cuts).

I have tried dvd author. Every program has some flaws, and I thought I could live with the MF3 flaws, until I found this last one.

In DVD author, I did not like how it highlights the clips. You can't see a clip when it is highlighted in yellow. I also could not find an easy way to add music to a menu.

I plan to play with dvd-lab some more, and see if I can get it to do everything I want. It does the yellow highlights too, but dvd-lab has enough options that there must be another way to select clips.

Randy

[MrMungus]

then try TMPGEnc DVD Author. With it, you can choose parts of the video you don't want to be burned to DVD while maintaining the original file (in other words, you don't have to sit around waiting for the program to create a new video file with your cuts).

I have tried dvd author. Every program has some flaws, and I thought I could live with the MF3 flaws, until I found this last one.

In DVD author, I did not like how it highlights the clips. You can't see a clip when it is highlighted in yellow. I also could not find an easy way to add music to a menu.

I plan to play with dvd-lab some more, and see if I can get it to do everything I want. It does the yellow highlights too, but dvd-lab has enough options that there must be another way to select clips.

Randy

Yeah, I feel your pain. I tried out DVDLab because I wanted to change the menu "framing" too but opted to buy Author because DVDLab had no audio in the video preview (which I need sometimes to figure out where chapter points should be).

[randytsuch]

UN-check the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES check box.

Then try again.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I tried unchecking the box, and recompiling, and still have the same problem. File size was over 5.5 gig. Submitted a problem to Ulead of Friday AM, no response yet.

Probably going to return MF3, figured out dvd-lab, and I think I can get it to do what I want.

Randy

[Specialist]

That doesn't sound right.

Whenever the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES check box is DE-selected, one can toggle back and forth among the various encoding templates and there should be a very VISUAL change in the length of the blue file size bar at the bottom of the screen.

This happens after one clicks the OK button to accept each new set of encode parameters.

Try it.

Does the blue bar *not* change?

If so, then something is wrong with the installation because I observe that this feature works correctly on three workstations.

By the way, telephone support is available from Ulead's Los Angeles technical support team:

1 (310) 896-6391, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I tried unchecking the box, and recompiling, and still have the same problem. File size was over 5.5 gig.

[randytsuch]

OK, not sure what happened before, but I went back, and tryed unchecking the box again, and then it made the file the right size.

But, I verified if the box is checked, it made a too big file again.

Tech support said to try multi trim, but that did not make any difference. Before, I trimmed from the main page.

Randy

[Specialist]

Yes - this is why DE-selecting the check box is correct procedure for re-encoding files that are too large.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

But, I verified if the box is checked, it made a too big file again.

[tonx]

i had very similar probs & some more with mf3,also with mf2,
but get them working & they're magic.i have 120gb hdd split in two.
one half for progs/all the other crap & the other for video files/captures.
when i install mf3 on the same part as all other stuff i get lots of probs (must be conflicting with other progs or somthing,i'm no techo), but installed on a clean partition with no other similar software it works a dream.still minor probs but MUCH better.if this is possible for you to do
i would give it a whirl & i'm sure you would get a result.i've had to do this
lots of times with different editing/authoring s/ware & it's always improved the situation.good look 'cos it's a great & fast program.