VideoNow Color (and Jr) Video Conversions

[ontheteam]

I didn't see any way to make VideoNowToGo automatically seperate at 1 min intervals. Could this be why my disc's aren't working? I have 1 VDN Track file, listed as 48 mins long (Big Sister Dora episode. I have 2 girls with VN color's, and thier baby brother due any day now......). I'm at my wit's end on how to get this to work.....

Which method are you using? VideoNowDude's method using virtualdub 1.5.10 or trevlac's vidNowEnc encoder that uses Avisynth?

VideoNowDude's lets you select at which frames you want to break your movie, while trevlac's sets an interval for breaks (ex 1080 frames = 1 min)

[todd3835]

I'm using VideoNowDude's method. I'm going to try something out. I rip'd the "wave" files for a disc I made with the Media wizard, I'm going to re-burn them using nero, see if I get the no-disc icon....

-Todd

[Shadocat]

I believe VideoNowDude's method requires that you create at least one or two breaks in the movie, minimum.

500 mb? I thought these discs were limited to about 400 megs?

[Faustus]

You have to cut the disk? OUCH!

[todd3835]

Well, I guess I'll try Trevlac's method. I went so far as to rip the tracks off a disc I know works, and re-burn them. That didn't even work..... So at this point I don't know what to do. Problem with trevlac's is that you need an AVI right? Everything I'm working with is MPEG1 =[

-Todd

[ontheteam]

You have to cut the disk? OUCH!

Some folks here have been able to get them laser cut.

I live about 20 minutes south of Boston, and have found no one that can (or is willing to try to) cut them down for me. So, I am using the Xacto to score the reflective layer and using scissors to cut. Tedious, but it works.

[ontheteam]

Well, I guess I'll try Trevlac's method. I went so far as to rip the tracks off a disc I know works, and re-burn them. That didn't even work..... So at this point I don't know what to do. Problem with trevlac's is that you need an AVI right? Everything I'm working with is MPEG1 =[

-Todd

trevlac's "expert" mode shows his work with mpeg format. Haven't used it myself, tho.

[ontheteam]

I'm using VideoNowDude's method. I'm going to try something out. I rip'd the "wave" files for a disc I made with the Media wizard, I'm going to re-burn them using nero, see if I get the no-disc icon....

I have only had success using CDRWin as the burning app. Nero gave me the No Disc icon.

I didn't see any way to make VideoNowToGo automatically seperate at 1 min intervals. Could this be why my disc's aren't working? I have 1 VDN Track file, listed as 48 mins long (Big Sister Dora episode. I have 2 girls with VN color's, and thier baby brother due any day now......). I'm at my wit's end on how to get this to work.....

When you say you have 1 VDN Track file, you DO mean that you are burning it between VDN Track 00.wav and VDN Track 99.wav, right? The "book end" tracks are required.

[andyp2k5]

After reading (and re-reading, re-re-reading, etc) I registered here so that I could come in and post: I've done everything everyone suggested and nothing works! All I get is a no-disc icon!

Well, two minutes ago I tried burning the disc through Windows Media player and it finally works! Hooray!

I couldn't use CDRwin as it doesn't support my drive, and I made 5 or 6 discs through NERO with no success. Strangely, WMPlayer actually wrote the disc through some express function of Nero...so who knows...must be version dependent. I'm using 7 normally.

Thanks so much! Now I can put all those Dr. Seuss videos, Spongebob, everything on discs for my son! Merci, tout le monde!

[VideonowDude]

Getting the "no disc" icon can be caused by one (or more) of:
Using a mini-CDR
Not having the "magic" first track set
Not have at least 22 minutes of video content
Using a CD-RW
Burning something other than a music CD (e.g. a data cd)

If you are using my tool, please be sure to use the 1.1 version (docs updated as well as the bits) along with VDub 1.5.1 (the newer version isn't compatible apparently and I haven't had time to figure out why).

Although I am naturally biased, I haven't had a bad disc since I released the original version of the software. Of course before that I generated a huge amount of coasters while I figured out the video/audio format...

[andyp2k5]

Yes, I had mistakenly used a later version of VDub before...but for me the obstacle was Nero 7 Ultra Edition. Burning with it gave me the no disc icon. Although the Nero Express plugin used with Windows Media Player worked...so who knows. Must be a version thing.

Anyway, I can't thank all of you enough...my son is so excited and has already placed orders with me for more.

Thanks especially Videonowdude. I can't imagine how many discs you went through to figure all this out.

[TheROAR]

I just got my daughter the xp and i wrote a 10 min spongebob video and it worked now i did the exact same thing with the other 20 coasters i now have it keeps giving me the no cd symbol please help me out somebody. what is the best way to do this and what format should my videos start out as. im using videonowdudes software and im still having problems?

[VideonowDude]

TheRoar, not sure how you managed to get a 10 minute video to work - see my post a few up for reasons why a no disc error occurs, esp the minimum 22 minute rule.

So long as VDub can read your video file, it doesn't matter what format it is in originally in.

FYI everyone: I have verified that VDub 1.6 does NOT work with my software and I cannot yet figure out why. For now stick with the recommended (older) version.

[TheROAR]

ya not sure why its the only one that works

ill walk you thru my steps

changed a spongebob episode 88 MB, 1070 Kbps, 29.970 fps, 512*384 (4:3), DX50 = DivXNetworks Divx v5, Supported (tested with avicodec) used video cleaner pro to change it to: mjpeg compressor, 432x 160, 29.97 fps - NTSC audio settings PCM, 48 khz - DVD Quality Stereo.

checked with avicodec after changing it: 958 MB, 11909 Kbps, 29.970 fps, 432*160 (2.70:1), MJPG = Motion JPEG, Supported

then i used videonowtogo version 1.1
followed your instructions to a T. making them 144x80

Burned with
Nero 7.0.5.4

then trimmed down to size.

any ideas why they wont work? and i have been making them 22 min or longer.

i think the first one worked because i burnt the audio file with it.

[VideonowDude]

TheRoar: please post the EXACT filenames your burned to the disc in the burn order. I am guessing you screwed up the start file(s).

[TheROAR]

ok

VDN Track 00 (First).wav
VDN Track 01.wav
VDN Track 02.wav
VDN Track 03.wav
VDN Track 99 (Blank).wav


burnt just like so

[VideonowDude]

TheROAR: looks a reasonable list (my sp eculationwas wrong), can you add the file sizes for me? I'll try and give Nero 7 a go myself to see if there are any new required options.

[TheROAR]

ok ill have to see i think i deleted them im almost ready to give up hehe

[singasl]

Can anyone give me a quick A-Z rundown of VideoNowDude's process?

[skelex]

hasbrotoyshop.com has videonow xp plus 6 free discs for $29.99. I think the death of the videonow player is in sight.

[impmon2]

The death of Videonow player are here. I spotted the color player at clearance for $25 at Walmart with the larger kid friendly version for $30. The older black and white version are still around in closeout shops like Big Lots for $10 or less.

It was a good idea while it lasted but the high cost vs the portable players proved too much. Nowday you can find a decent 5" or 6" portable DVD player for under $100 and the disc are standard format not some weird propierty format using weird non standard sized disc.

[Lacher2006]

HI I need a little help i recently got 2 videonow jrs and a videonow on sale at walmart and I am wondering what i am doing wrong I bought the media wizard software but when i put a downloaded cartoon off my computer on to them it doesnt work. Please let me know can i only burn from other pvds? The pvd's are kinda expensive i was looking for a cheaper way out. thanks
Dana

danal6998@hotmail.com

[Excelsior]

I have used Both methods videonowtogo via videonowdude and the avisynth via trevlac and both worked fine i burn ( although some avi's will crap out without converting, i assume it's because of an incompatable variable bit rate audio, dunno for sure yet) .Nero 6.6.0.8 8x burn to keep the noise down. putting a 0 in the track breakes make 1 minute tracks, upping to vilume to over 400% when doing the wav save in videonowdudes method use AmplifydB(40) in avi synth to get a louder audio form the player, i suppose it all depends on the source volume, i went the modded player route then epoxy'd covers over exposed bits, looks/works great!
I want to thank both for their work, great job guys

Excelsior

[Excelsior]

Can anyone give me a quick A-Z rundown of VideoNowDude's process?

Just dload the zip, it's all in there, instruction and all! tough part is finding virtualdub 1.5.10 but google for it!

[jimski]

Hello i have a video now jr tryed all the above solutions still dosnt play thou am i doing anything wrong here . i converted over the movie clip 6 min long and oly get 1 file to put on diskalong with other tracks provided by the site nothing working

[Excelsior]

first of all you need over 22 mins of video for the cd to work, i assume you have modded your player also to work with full size cd's,. I have had great success with both method's to make the movies!

[coondog1234]

Does anyone have another copy of the VDN audio.wav file i try to put the one i got with i think videonowtogo and when i put it into my cd burning software (im using nero express) it says the format is not supported but its a .wav file the file size is 44 bytes in windows explorer and 1kb in nero im thinking thats why i am not getting sound on my viva la bam vid i dunno, lemmie try creating the file again in virtualdub and ill see what happens

[pcgarage]

I had always been interested in creating discs for video now (color) and searching the net I stumbled across this site. Good forum and info. Greg's videothen is brilliant, well done Greg. Now I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but there is an easier way.

I purchased the VideoNow media wizard at Target for $4.99 and installed it. Of course you only get 4 blank PVDs and it seems pricy to continue to purchase another wizard kit for the blanks. So I wondered if I could just use a standard CD-R with this program. I put my blank CD in, launched the program added a few videos and tried to create the disc. However when you click on "create disc" you recieve an error stating that the disc inserted in NOT a blank PVD. Obviously the program is coded to verify the type of disc in the CD writer drive.

Here is my brilliant idea. Insert your blank PVD as per the media wizard instructions. Create your project as you would normally, then click on create disc then you will be prompted to name your disc and verify the CD writer to be used. Click create disc again, the program will verify that the blank inserted is a PVD and then it will begin preparing data. At this point simply eject the blank PVD and insert your standard blank CD and when the data is prepared it will record to the cd no problem. I've made several this way. Perfect for Three Stooges shorts.

And it sure beats all the steps involved with Videothen. Sorry Greg.

Of course you need a modded player for the full size cd. I modded ours in about an hour using just a razor blade and the stove. I cut away plastic inside the player to give the cd room the I used the stove to heat the plastic of the lid to soften it and bent it out and away where the Cd woul get pinched on closing. I find the one time mod of the player beats cutting down discs everytime.

One other downside is time limitation. You can get a longer run time with Videothen.

But hey, swapping out a Cd midway thru the program is really easy and beats

[VideonowDude]

pcgarage, sorry to rain on your parade but what you said has already been covered in this thread, long ago.

VideoThen never worked on the color player: only my VideoNowToGo and someone else's AviSynth filter work on that.

My problem with the Hasbro software is its complete inability to handle clips >21 mins: not even an option to truncate. I also liked to remove the ads from the clip too.

I personally use the Hasbro blanks, and my software. You prefer the exact opposite: go right ahead.

[pcgarage]

I am all wet!! I reviewed the thread again and found where "my" idea was already discussed. Somehow I missed it before.

The discs I have made with videothen work in my color player, but then again I was only using Black and white source films. Stooges.

After reviewing the thread it seems many are not willing or have concerns about modding the standard color ( not jr) player. Concern seems to be about the cd sticking out on the sides. I did not cut away any material from the lid but rather heated up and used pliers to "bend" the sides up and away just enough to keep the disc from being pinched by the lid when closed. The full size cd is still fairly covered, you can not touch the spinning cd unless you intentionally stick something up under the "umbrella"