Burning empty Video_TS folder with DIKO

[Hensd]

I am really new to this but am trying my hardest to do as much research as possible before asking questions, but here it goes. I am having problems using DIKO to convert and burn some AVI files. I captured a movie from my DV camcorder and went through the user guide for DIKO to burn a DVD for home use. No matter what I try, the process seems to go smooth but my result is a DVD with an empty Audio and Video_TS foders.


When I look at the temp files that are created with DIKO I see an Author folder with about 5 files in it, in addition to an empty audio and video ts folder. The files that are created include the orignial mpg, .m2v, a .txt, html and the disk image.

Can some one pleas point me in the right direction?

[reboot]

Just use diko to make the mpeg (if you must, there are much easier/better ways).
Author it with tmpgenc dvd author, or dvdlab.
This guide is probably the best for a beginner: http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/AVI2DVD.htm

[Hensd]

Thanks for the response, however, as I don't anticipate doing a lot of dvd authoring in the future, I really would like to get around having to pay for an authorware for now.

Maybe someone can correct me, but I thought that DIKO was an all in one kind of application. I realize that it is not an end to all wants and that it does not allow you to place menus upfront but rather it does the basics.

Thanks again for the response, but without moving to a different sofware, my problem still remains the same.

[mats.hogberg]

and the disk image.

What if you burn this image to disc? If it really is a DVD image, this would be the final step.

/Mats

[Hensd]

That's what I thought but when I load that into DVD decrypter the files that burn are an empty audio_ts and video_ts folder and that's it.

Does anyone know if I have to add the menu image creator for DIKO for it to work?

[reboot]

DVDLab is free for 30 days.
Is not tmpgenc also a demo?
You might want to try DVD2SVCD, which will allow an avi input and DVD output. I've had much better results with it than diko.

[Hensd]

Thanks for the response again, however, one of the most appealing aspects of DIKO is it's price. I realize that given the trial period I could probably get at least this one project done. However, I would hate to be tempted to spend money if not absolutly necessary.

Thanks again.

I don't know if this helps but I just looked at files that DIKO generated: The original mpg at 0kb, an MPV file about 1.5 GB, easy CD creater image (this is the one that I tried burning and only gave the blank audio and video ts folders),an XML doc, an LST file, a text log, and an AVS 2KB.


Any assistance would be appreciated.

[jimmalenko]

FWIW, TMPGEnc DVD Author has a 30 day fully functional free trial

[reboot]

dvd2svcd is free too. Use it with CCE, tmpgenc, or Canopus.

[tmh]

I'm missing something here.... I've used DIKO and it simply a matter of setting up the "configuration" settings rt takthe roject as far along as you'd like. In the "Authoring" tab you need to tell DIKO if you want the DVD files set up and if you want them to be burned automatically. I always use Nero for the burn but I've read here that DVD Decripter is fine for this also, which is what DIKO uses.

Here's an idea, make absolutely sure you know where DIKO is putting the finished DVD files. Do a search for any .vob files on your system and I'll bet you find they are there somewhere OR you did not check the box in DIKO to have it create these.

Good luck.

ps. Sorry for all the typos, my wireless keyboard is dying, it seems.

[Hensd]

I followed the guide to the letter. What box are you referring to? Thanks

[tmh]

Well lets see........in DIKO click on "configuration" button. First, double-check your "path" so you are sure where it's being saved. Next, look at "parameters" - what do you have checked? Now, the "Authoring" tab. What is checked there? I use "create DVD image" I can't remember if I've used it to author also or not. Anyways, the "create DVD image" should be what tells DIKO to set up and populate the Video and Audio_TS files. The Audio one is always empty for me which is OK but I don't know why it's always there if noy needed.

Good luck

[freebird73717]

I second the idea of dvd2svcd. You can even set it up with the free quenc encoder so the app is totaly free.

[Hensd]

Ok, I searched for the .vbo files and found none. These are my settings under the configuration tabs in DIKO:

Path - Working folder = C:\Program Files\DIKO\Temp

Parameter - Mode = KDVD value = true, System - NTSC value = true, Video Encoder - FreeEnc (built in) value = true, Audio Encoder - BeSweet (MP2) value = true, Media Size value = 4482 MB, Overhead value = 180MB, Ingnore Pulldown failure value = true, Remove Temp. Files value = true, Use Avisynth Monitor value = false, Interface Language value = English

Authoring tab - Author Disk value = true, Sound language value = EN, Subs Language value = EN, Chapters every minutes value = 5, Create DVD Image value = true, Burn using DVD Decrypter value = true

Video - Encoding mode value = 1 Pass VBR, Overscan value = 0, Resolution value = 704X480, Widescreen material Letterbox and Encoded at 4:3

Audio Bitrate for 2.0 audio value = 160kbps, always reencode if bitrate is different than chosen value = true, Delete soft endocde registry key HKLM to avoid the Dying Bug value = true, Delete soft encode registry key HKCU to avoid the Dying Bug value = true

Subtitles - Subitiles DVD value = true, Margins: Left 25, Right 25, Top 50, Bottom 50

If I can't get this figured out, I guess I will go with the other options listed in the replies.


By the way, you guys are really great helping out.

[tmh]

I would say it's probably time to try one of the other products. I must say though that this is very hard to understand. Most of your settings are the same as I use except for the burn with DVDDecrypter part.

Your post did say you checked for VBO files when it should me .vob files. I figure this may have been a typo but if not, then re-do the search with .vob (the "." is needed I think. Do a "search all files and folders" type search and make sure its the entire hard drive.

If you want to give it one more try I'd suggest these config changes:

1. Change the working folder to one you create yourself so you know exactly where it is, like c:/DIKO TEST or whatever.

2. Remove Temp Files : NO you want to see if it's done anything.

3. Burn with DVD Decrypter : NO lets see if it makes the DVD compliant files first.

4. Use a short cip to test. Watch to see what opens up in your toolbar at the bottom of windows. Mine shows the encoder and if I click on it I see the progress and the bitrate it is using.

After DIKO finishes it will tell you that "if all went well" the files should be in the temp directory you wrote them to. There should be an mpeg file and audio file and some oher stuff. If you have this then your conversion worked fine.

Now, if the authoring worked you should have some a Video_TS file somewhere as well as Audio_TS. I don't use DIKE for any authoring so i can't say where it puts them.

Let me know how it goes if you try it. it should only take a few min with a short clip (I just did a conversion as I typed so i could go step by step).

[Hensd]

OK some success has been achieved...

First, yes that was a typo on the search for the file, but just to make sure I redid the search for *.vob and found nothing.

However, on the upside, I did unmark the suggested options and tried a very small clip and it was a complete success. With great enthusiasm I proceeded to upload the all of the clips that I am interested in getting onto DVD and once again, I am back to empty folders. The 5 movies are in the folder as mpv files at about 1 GB per movie for 4, and .3GB for one.

As before, thanks for all the replies and any help is appreciated.
Thanks

[mats.hogberg]

You might be out of disc space? I suppose at least 2* DVD-R capacity is needed free (like 10 GB).

/Mats

[Hensd]

I don't think that I am out of HD space, I have apx 60GB free space. However, it doesn't look like all of the files would fit on on DVD and I wonder if this is the problem. But then again, I thought DIKO automatically set the size such that it would compress the files to fit.

Needless to say, I am at a loss.

By the way, Sweden is playing Mexico here in San Diego on the 26th of Jan and I got my tickets....Heja Sverge (from one Svensk to another)

Thanks.

[tmh]

Ok, Ok, I think you're almost there ....... but then again.......

Very confusing. It appears that DIKO IS encoding (did you see the encoder running in the bottom taskbar?). Looks like it is NOT authoring - unless it authored to another spot on your HD (again, check for .VOB files). Did you check the box to "author disk" and "create DVD image". They should be checked (yes) - just leave "burn using DVD Decrypter" unchecked.

Delete all the temp files before trying again and watch to see what the computer does. DIKO shows each step "minimized" on the computer so you can open it and watch.

I actually may have never authored with DIKO so I guess I can't vouch for how well it does this. I use TMPGenc DVD Author after the encoding step. I haven't heard any major complaints like your issues about DIKO however, so I'd be surprised if it can't set up th _TS files properly and write the VOBs to that file. Burning properly is a whole nother issue.

Good luck. Your efforts will pay off .......eventually.

[fritzi93]

I think TMH may have suggested a possible solution, the authoring suggestion has jogged my memory. :P When DIKO came out, I played with it some and had problems similar to yours the first couple attempts. Then I decided to author separately in DVDauthorGUI and had no further difficulty. Perhaps you should try that.

Good luck.

[Hensd]

Yes I can see the encoder in the task bar and when maximized it shows the progress. In addition when I did the small file I also noticed that the mkiso process worked. However, when I did the larger files, I went to bed and hence don't know what happened.

I did the search and again no .vob files found.

Needless to say, maybe I should give up and try something else, but I am a little stubborn and really would like for this to work.

Thanks again

[Hensd]

Ok more trouble...

I downloaded DVDauthorGUI and added one 5GB .avi file to DIKO and let it run. However, when I went to author I was asked (as the guide indicates) to add both the video and audio files. DIKO did not put out an audio file, only the video. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

[tmh]

Please list (or screenshot) the files/ext that DIKO made for you. When I've used it, it made both Video and audio files - .mpv and .mp2 .

Do you see these anywhere? I put them into TMPGenc DVD Author (trial) and it worked fine.

btw, I was NOT overly excited about the video quality from the DIKO built-in free encoder (quenc or another free one, I can't remember) so I may try DIKO later on with one of the other encoder options it offers (pay for). If you ever do get this to work, let me know how the quality turned out.

[Hensd]

I am currently at work but will post a screen shot(s) of the various aspects of what the configurations are and what the output files are when I get home. However, I did get the process to work once with a very small (.5GB) avi file and the results were certainly acceptable. They may actually have been superb, but given I don't have anything to compare it to, I would not be able to tell you. On the short end though, I think the quality was comprable to if I hooked up my DV cam to the TV for direct viewing.

Once again, you guys are great. It is really a testament to the individuals on this forum to provide this level of assistance to us who are trying to learn.

Thanks

[tmh]

One last thought before you go any further. Is your HD formatted for FAT32 or NTFS? The FAT32 file size limitation (about 4 gb) could cause the problems you're seeing. Also, make sure to defrag the HD VERY often when doing this video stuff. Are you using the same HD for capture and output? Nothing wrong with this, just making sure there are no differences that are not obvious.

btw, I'm glad to see you had good quality results. I am planning on doing some more encoder tests this weekend before my next project and I'll give the free encoder another shot. Maybe I didn't set something right when I last used DIKO or maybe it was my DV quality. No one would have said mine had even "good" results so yours must have been much better.

As far as folks helping you here, I can't believe how much help I've rec'd! I've found that as long as you make an effort to TRY things on your own, folks here will really make an effort to help you.

[Hensd]

For a second there I got excited and went home to check my HD config. It was already NTSF but I also thought maybe my paging file was giving me problems so I increased it 15GB and tried one of the clips that is about 5GB and again, the results are the same...blank Video_ts and audio-ts folders.

I posted a screenshot of the DIKO output. In the author folder there is a blank Audio_TS and Video_TS folder.




Thanks again.

[freebird73717]

Not related to topic but if you press the alt key while pressing print screen you capture only the window that is open and not your whole computer screen.

[mats.hogberg]

...and one more thing (also unrelated): Turn off that Windows "feature" - "Hide extension of known file types" or whatever it reads in English version. Then you can see what kind of files you're dealing with...

/Mats

[tmh]

In DIKO configuration, what are your settings for the "Parameters" tab? Why is there an "easy cd creator" file in your output files?

[Hensd]

Thanks for the suggested off topic replies and I will be more conservative when doing a screen shot next time. However, as to why there is the "easy cd creator" file, I have no idea. Here are the settings on the parameter tab:


Parameter - Mode = KDVD value = true, System - NTSC value = true, Video Encoder - FreeEnc (built in) value = true, Audio Encoder - BeSweet (MP2) value = true, Media Size value = 4482 MB, Overhead value = 180MB, Ingnore Pulldown failure value = true, Remove Temp. Files value = false, Use Avisynth Monitor value = false, Interface Language value = English

Thanks