Does Roxio MyDVD use DirectShow codecs when re-encoding?

[dlflannery]

I'm trying to use the MyDVD that is part of Roxio Easy Media Creator Suite Version 9.
I have audio sync problems on TiVo files that are re-encoded by MyDVD. Typically video lags audio by a fraction of a second (lips keep moving after talking stops).

Some facts about the problem:
1. Is present in either standalone playback or .iso loaded in Disk Image Loader and played in PowerDVD.
2. Not present in source media when played in any software media player.
3. Not present when DVD is authored by another process.
4. Not present if source is re-encoded to D1 with AC3 sound using another program (gui4ffmpeg) then authored (without re-encoding) in MyDVD.
5. Is present in .vob ripped by DVDDecrypter from .iso (mounted via Disk Image Loader) when played in any software media player.
6. Not present in mpeg imported via EMC9 application from MyDVD-authored DVD files , played in software player .

The last two facts seem inconsistent and make me wonder if this is a codec issue, i.e., by using the Roxio application to import the .vob (to .mpg) from the DVD files, it is using the same codec used to encode the .vob and thus undoes the sync problem?

If I render the .tivo source in GraphEdit, it is using CyberLink codecs (from PowerDVD installation). Does this mean these codecs are being used by MyDVD during the re-encode process? Thus do I need to change the merits so Sonic/Roxio codecs are chosen for .tivo/.mpg rendering? Or does the MyDVD re-encode use the directShow codecs at all?

Is there a way to tell what codecs are used by MyDVD during re-encoding? Or is this even an issue?

I've posted this on the Roxio EMC9 forum and got no replies. I've also submitted it to Roxio support with no reply --- so far.

[dlflannery]

Bump....

Do I know how to ask a question or what ??

Possible reasons for no responses:
1. Nobody gives a cr*p about how Roxio MyDVD encodes.
2. My question was too stupid.
3. My question was too complicated.

Blast away. I'm prepared for the worst! (Even no responses to this bump!)

[guns1inger]

Just so you don't feel lonely, I'll have a go.

The most likely answer is 1. Roxio isn't held in high regard. Coming from Aus, I can't really help you with Tivo questions, as it never made it's way across here.

Reading through your list of facts, the most obvious thing that stands out is : if you don't use Roxio, you don't get the problem.

MyDVD *might* be using the cyberlink codecs to decode (although I would hope not), but they would not be using them to encode as they are decoders only.

personally, I would be looking for a better method that does not involve MyDVD. I'm sure a search for Tivo will get you there.

[dlflannery]

Thanks, guns-one-inger. You kept me from being lonely on the Thanksiving holiday (another thing that hasn't made it down under.)

TiVo recordings are just mpeg2 files with metadata added. gspot treats them as mpeg2 and most mpeg2 codecs will render them. The audio sync problem was the same even if I used VideoReDo to "free" the mpeg2 from the Tivo file, i.e., it wasn't a result of the TiVo file format, although it could be related to the TiVo PVR device encoder properties.

I already had another method that has become my primary method, using freebie stuff (gui4ffmpeg, DVDStyler, DVDDecrypter-burning). It's just that I started out with Roxio EMC8 then upgraded to EMC9 and it became a minor obsession to make it work since I spent money on it. The menu design features in EMC9 (MyDVD) are slightly better than in DVDStyler. My experiments have shown that I can actually have the best of both worlds by re-encoding the TiVo's to strictly D1 NTSC compliant mpeg2's (using VideoReDo and gui4ffmpeg) then authoring in MyDVD without re-encoding (and thus avoiding the audio sync problems).

Thanks for a very rational response -- you took the time to understand my post.

[scorch795]

dlflannery: How do you author in MyDVD without re-encoding? I am able to convert my TiVo files to .mpg and they play fine with no audio sync problems. However, I get the same audio sync problem you do if I make any edits, like deleting commercials, etc.

I am a newbie. What is D1 NTSC? Is that different from a .mpg file? I know that is probably a stupid question but I am teaching myself here (i.e. flying by the seat of my pants) and I am an accountant, not a techie. I have downloaded and tried so many things and read so many forums it is all a giant mush to me now.

First I tried using graphedit per http://www.apecity.com/tivo (.tivo->Moonlight Elecard MPEG2 Demultiplexer->Moonlight M71 Muxer->dump.ax.) It works fine except for the Elecard watermark that will show up until I properly register the product. Which I won't do until I am sure I am actually going to use it and it is going to work for me. I am just testing it out right now and $100 is $100 and maybe there is something better/easier out there.

I can import the .mpg file I get from the graphedit process to Windows Movie Maker, but any edits result in the aforementioned audio sync problem. I am biting the bullet and downloading RoxioEMCSuite9.0 as I write this (yes, I actually spent money) thinking maybe that will take care of the problem but it sounds like you had the same problem with EMC9. I decided to buy it also because it says it converts .tivo files so maybe I won't have to go through the graphedit process and won't need the Elecard-must-register-to-make-watermark-go-away product?

I also downloaded DirectShowDump this morning (the latest version, different from the dump.ax per the apecity instructions?) and it appears to convert the .tivo file to .mpg without all the graphedit rigamarole and keeps it at the original gigantic (high quality) size, but something tells me it cannot be that easy.

Are you still reading this epic? Thanks!

To sum up, I want to:

1. Convert .tivo file to something I can edit, prefereably retaining high quality

2. Edit easily without running into pesky audio sync problems

3. Export to 1) DVD, and 2) web (mashups for my personal blog-yes, yes, I know there are copyright issues)

Can anyone help? I will continue searching this forum but I thought that if dlflannery asked, it had not yet been addressed.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

P.S. Running WXP MCE SP2, Intel Core 2, 1GB RAM

[scorch795]

dlflannery: I sent you an email through this forum that is much more coherent than the above post. Not sure if the email system here sends a notice to your home email or if you have to check it manually so I am posting this as a heads-up. I appreciate any help you can provide.