XML file error after remuxing in GUI for DVDauthor

[Skarr11]

Greetings!

I've spent some time trying to learn how to use GUI for DVDauthor and have come across an annoying problem that I can't seem to solve.

I record TV programs using a Hauppauge PVR-350 card, then edit those mpegs in VideoRedo. I used to use ULEAD Movie Factory but I have lost the install disc so I decided to give GUI for DVDauthor a try.

I have played around with settings in VDR relating to the output streams:

I've done the "save as VOB then change the extension to MPG" method
I've done the "save as elementary streams" method

I've also played around with the omit null packets option in VDR (the default is toggled on so I tried both on and off).

Each time I start a project in GUI, drag the video file into the background screen, select Create DVD, and I get this error message and a zero file size VOB file in the Video_TS folder:

ERR: Unable to open XML file C:\Program Files\GUI for dvdauthor\OutDir\Temp\Author.xml

What does this mean? Any ideas on how to resolve this?

Thanks in advance!

[borax]

That's a funny error... I've never heard about such a problem so far. But... we will try to solve it.
1. Can you find the file: Author.xml in the folder: C:\Program Files\GUI for dvdauthor\OutDir\Temp?
2. If yes, try to open it with a text editor. If no, try to use another path for your project (Output directory - may be changed in the Def. Settings) and use something simple (without spaces) like c:\test or c:\gfd\test.

BTW: This problem has nothing to do with the VRD settings.

[Skarr11]

Borax--

I found the author.xml file in C:\Program Files\GUI for dvdauthor\OutDir\Temp but it was empty.

I then changed the path for the output files and that did the trick. Create DVD was successful, and Burn DVD was successful in my standalone DVD player. I'm going to try the burned DVD in a software player just to make sure. Thank you very much for your help.

I have seen much discussion as to the "flavor" of the input files for GUI, and since I'm using VDR to edit the mpgs, should I be using elementary streams, or should I save as VOB and then rename to mpg? I've read on these forums that VDR sometimes has problems when remuxing, and that a more successful approach would be to output elementary streams from VDR and then have GUI remux them. So I'm not sure what the best approach would be, and there doesn't seem to be a consensus. Any thoughts?

Thank you again for your help!

[borax]

I'm glad that it works now. Concerning the VRD settings, I cannot really help you as I don't use VRD so far (this may change). As no consensus exists, I think it depends on the source material. Try it out. If 'save as VOB and rename to mpeg' works with your source material, it will need less time and space as elementary streams. If it only works with elementary streams, you can still use them, and if you get used to my application, you can also try the new GfD development version and muxman which is faster for elementary streams.

[Skarr11]

Go it. I'll play around a little more and see what works.

I appreciate your help!

[dlflannery]

........... I've read on these forums that VDR sometimes has problems when remuxing, and that a more successful approach would be to output elementary streams from VDR and then have GUI remux them. ........

(I assume "VDR" is VideoReDo.) Could you please reply with links to one or more of these posts?

[Skarr11]

dlflannery--

Yep, VDR should be VRD, and refers to Video Redo...

Regarding the remuxing problems, I found this thread in these forums:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1586538

I found this thread in the VRD forums:

http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=2080&highlight=convert+elementary+streams