problems with all converters

[odd]

I have a number of Divx and Xvid AVIs that I want to convert and burn to DVD. I'm about to rip my hair out trying to do this. I've tried all of the "all-in-one" converters that I can get my hands on but none of them work with the exception of VSO DivxtoDVD. It works but I'm not happy with the lack of settings and the quality.

All of the other ones crash or spit out garbage. Most recently, I tried to use TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 and Xpress 3.0. Xpress keeps giving me an error: "VFAPIFrameServe.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. Blah, blah, blah..."

I got TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 to run one time but ever since I get an error box: "TMPGEnc.exe has generated errors and will be closed....." and it won't even start. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling both programs but the same thing happens.

I've used Gspot to check the AVIs and I have all of the required codecs and the DirectShow render at the bottom comes out fine. The funny thing is, when I try to play the file in Windows Media Player it gives me the "Wmplayer.exe has generated errors and will be shut down..." error but I can play the file just fine in the preview player in windows explorer. Well, it did play just fine. I tried it again just now and it crashed explorer.exe. Even the player that comes with the Divx bundle is all jerky and there is no audio.

Am I missing something or doing something wrong?

Someone please help as I am about to give up for good.

Thanks

[jimmalenko]

Maybe try opening the file in virtualdub, using both Video and Audio on Direct Stream Copy and saving out to a new AVI ?

For everything to keep crashing like that, it's gotta be either the source file(s) or your codecs are scewed.

[guns1inger]

You can use Virtualdub to scan for bad or corrupt frames. You might also consider the payware version of VSO DivxtoDVD, which does give you a degree of control over your output. However, if you control and the best quality you can get is your target, no one-click-wonder is going to meet your needs.

[odd]

I thought about it being the source files but I have over 50 files and they all do it.

I forgot to mention that I tried VirtualdubMod too. It gives me this:

"Crash reason: Illegal instruction

Crash context:
An integer SSE (Pentium III/Athlon) instruction not supported by the CPU was executed in module 'DivX'...

...while decompressing video frame 0 with "DivX® 6.0 YV12 Codec" [biCompression=58564944] (VideoSource.cpp:1832)."


I was trying to get away from the "one-click-wonders" by using TMPGEnc but haven't had any luck so far. I can't even run TMPGEnc Plus 2.5, much less open any of my files.

I've also tried uninstalling and reinstalling my codecs but that doesn't solve anything either.

[jimmalenko]

I did a google on that error message and it seems to point to your PC, and more specifically, your processor not being able to handle the newer codecs:

http://www.virtualdub.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=30
http://www.xvid.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1656

[guns1inger]

It is a pretty old box you have there. Even if it could do the work, it would take forever.

[odd]

jimmalenko,
Thanks for the links. I was thinking along the same lines and it looks like that's the problem. I started to suspect when CCE would not even install on my machine.

Yes, my box is an old one. It looks like it's finally time to put her out of her misery. I think socket 7 died a long time ago.


If anyone has any spare Athlon 64s laying around I'm accepting donations. He, he...

[TBoneit]

If you are going to work with converting video, time to give that AMD a decent burial or hand down to kids or donate to charity.

I'm happy with a 3Ghz P4 HT for speed. Something in that class should be reasonable in price.

If working with video encoding I myself prefer Intel.

Good Luck

[lordsmurf]

I would not get an Athlon64 or any 64 system for video. Stick to what works mainstream, and that's an Intel or AMD+ box. Preferably Intel.

[rumplestiltskin]

If you combine DivxToDVD's conversion with TMPG DVD Author's menu creation, you might have what you're looking for. I use DivxToDVD and then combine a number of movies into one "authored with menus" DVD using DVD Author. If you don't need menus, you may combine multiple movies onto one DVD "compilation" with DivxToDVD.

[rumplestiltskin]

Try VLC to play the AVI's.

[lenti_75]

I would buy a new computer first....

[lordsmurf]

I would buy a new computer first....

Indeed. 8)

[odd]

One more question:

I'm getting a bit of noise in the picture after conversion with DivxtoDVD, mostly during scenes with lots of fast moving and/or bright objects. Is this a problem with the program of my slow processor bogging down?

Thanks for all of the suggestions...

[lordsmurf]

Bad bitrate, flaw of using "all in one" junk.

[odd]

Oh yes,
I've been an AMD guy for a long time. As for the Intel vs AMD debate , at least as far as video goes, Check out the links below:


http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050509/index.html

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3524426

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2484


Pay special attention to the sections on video encoding...

I'm really liking the Athlon 64 X2 3800+

[Nelson37]

Your CPU does not support the SSE instruction set. That is problem one, in addition to being very slow.

You mention the "Divx bundle". Did you by any chance download a codec pack? These are known to cause many, many problems.

When you get the new machine, be careful to ONLY install the codecs you need, and individually, not in packs.

[odd]

For all of those out there who are wondering, I'm encoding with DivxtoDVD right now and here are the numbers:

2.4 fps (0.08x) average video bitrate 2950 kbits/s +/-
looks like it will take 15 hours or so to encode three 30 min episodes into one DVD.

That is with registered ver. 1.99.12.27

Oddly enough, last night I did the first three episodes with the free version and it only took about 8 hrs. hmmmmmmmm....

[odd]

You mention the "Divx bundle". Did you by any chance download a codec pack? These are known to cause many, many problems.

No I didn't get a codec pack. The "bundle" included a player and Divx Pro codec from Divx.com.

Thanks, I'll be sure to watch what codecs I install.