AVStoDVD Support Thread

[_MrC_]

I overwrote the MediaInfo.dll in the folder mentioned above, but it gave the same error message. So I uninstalled the version 2.5.1 and installed the 2.6.0 alpha, but it gives the same error...

Do you have the possiblity to upload a portion of that file?



Bye

[knownothing]

I overwrote the MediaInfo.dll in the folder mentioned above, but it gave the same error message. So I uninstalled the version 2.5.1 and installed the 2.6.0 alpha, but it gives the same error...

Do you have the possiblity to upload a portion of that file?



Bye

The MediaInfo (GUI, 0.7.61) is installed (prior to AVStoDVD) on my system (Win XP SP3 english) and it can detect the correct frame rate of video files (context menu, tool tip).
There are plenty of files (all of the tested) (AVI MKV MP4 FLV ...) that cannot be detected (FPS) by AVStoDVD (MediaInfo)...
However the dialog shows the correct FPS values (I have to click on Cancel to go on)...
I guess the faulty behaviour is not related to the media files...
Maybe the regional setting is the culprit (standards and formats: Hungarian / location: Hungary / language for non-Unicode programs: Hungarian / console programs' code page is 1250)...

[Seeker47]

There is an issue with MediaInfo 0.7.59 and fps reading with comma. To fix:

- overwrite MediaInfo.dll in AVStoDVD\Lib folder with latest release (0.7.61)

or

- install latest AVStoDVD 2.6.0 Alpha release



Bye

MediaInfo, 'ey ? I had thought this was most likely an issue with the QuEnc or HCenc encoders, but, in any case, not strictly speaking an AVS problem . . . .

[_MrC_]

Maybe the regional setting is the culprit (standards and formats: Hungarian / location: Hungary / language for non-Unicode programs: Hungarian / console programs' code page is 1250)...

You are perfectly right. Thanks for the bug report.

This hotfix should solve the issue.

Let me know



Bye

[knownothing]

Maybe the regional setting is the culprit (standards and formats: Hungarian / location: Hungary / language for non-Unicode programs: Hungarian / console programs' code page is 1250)...

You are perfectly right. Thanks for the bug report.

This hotfix should solve the issue.

Let me know



Bye

Hello!

I checked the hotfix and it works fine.

Thanks

[tebugg]

hello MrC, hope you are having a good day. have a question. when adding your own avisynth plugins to the avs file in avstodvd, is video."plugin" enough to get the plugin to work? or does it need to be video = video."plugin"? just making sure the plugin is actually being used during hcenc's encode like it would if i directly input an avs script to hcenc. thank you for your time.

[_MrC_]

@tebugg

to learn how a plugin is usually loaded and used, just go to 'Edit Title'/'AviSynth' and select, i.e., MSharpen. See how the script has changed. There is a new line at the beginning to load the plugin library:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\Lib\MSharpen.dll")

and a new line somehow in the middle, to call the plugin function:

Video = Video.MSharpen(8,70)

Hope it helps



Bye

[tebugg]

@tebugg

to learn how a plugin is usually loaded and used, just go to 'Edit Title'/'AviSynth' and select, i.e., MSharpen. See how the script has changed. There is a new line at the beginning to load the plugin library:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\Lib\MSharpen.dll")

and a new line somehow in the middle, to call the plugin function:

Video = Video.MSharpen(8,70)

Hope it helps



Bye

thank you for your reply. i noticed the loadplugin for the plugins that avstodvd offers. but if you have your plugin in your plugins folder in avisynth directory, you dont need the loadplugin call in your avs script. so that leads me back to my question, does avstodvd actually use the plugin when you insert "video = video.plugin()" into the script?

example:
Video = Video.ConvertToYV12()
Video = Video.AddBorders(0,10,0,10)
Video = Video.Spline16Resize(720,480)
video.unfilter(20,20)

notice the "video.unfilter(20,20)" which i use for light sharpening, is that actually being used with hcenc? i know it is if i was to directly load the avs script into hcenc, but i was just wondering does it do the same with avstodvd?

[steptoe]

Some, but not all plugins don't autoload if placed in the avisynth plugin folder

So, to 100% be sure the plugin IS loaded and available to AVStoDVD your better using the LoadPlugin command and copy the plugin to the 'lib' folder in the AvStoDVD installation


Also, if your avisynth plugin folder has lots and lots of filters then avisynth will try to autoload ALL of them, so don't simply copy every filter you can find. Be selective, or do what I do and have them organized into folders, especially if calling complex scripts that need very specific versions of plugins to guarantee they work as designed such as MCTemporalDenoise or MCSpuds or the incredibly slow and complex de-interlace scripts (but then your into advanced avisynth and much banging of head on desk when they fail for no obvious reason)


But for the odd plugin, you'll be fine

[tebugg]

Some, but not all plugins don't autoload if placed in the avisynth plugin folder

So, to 100% be sure the plugin IS loaded and available to AVStoDVD your better using the LoadPlugin command and copy the plugin to the 'lib' folder in the AvStoDVD installation


Also, if your avisynth plugin folder has lots and lots of filters then avisynth will try to autoload ALL of them, so don't simply copy every filter you can find. Be selective, or do what I do and have them organized into folders, especially if calling complex scripts that need very specific versions of plugins to guarantee they work as designed such as MCTemporalDenoise or MCSpuds or the incredibly slow and complex de-interlace scripts (but then your into advanced avisynth and much banging of head on desk when they fail for no obvious reason)


But for the odd plugin, you'll be fine

hehe i already know all of this. unfilter is one of those plugins that work without the loadplugin command as long as it's in your plugins folder. but i'll take your advice and just make sure to use the loadplugin command.

[Seeker47]

That SRT file seems to be absolutely indigestible by SubtitleCreator using the command line approach. Anyway if you open SubtitleCreator, load the file and convert it to SUP, it does. Then add the SUP to AVStoDVD.



Bye

Trying to put this into practice. On some .Srt files like this I get the following message when I open them in SubtitleCreator: "Warning: The subtitle duration is too short. (3 char.s / sec.)" {Or (11 char.s / sec., in another case.} Is this important or spurious, and what does it mean ? Any fix for it ?

Come to think of it, I have seen cases where on the finished result the subtitles flash by too quickly. Is that what SbtCr is cautioning about ? This is not limited to files for jobs processed by AVS, by the way; I may even have seen it on a few commercial DVDs.

[Seeker47]

That SRT file seems to be absolutely indigestible by SubtitleCreator using the command line approach. Anyway if you open SubtitleCreator, load the file and convert it to SUP, it does. Then add the SUP to AVStoDVD.



Bye

Hi _MrC_,

I tried to do what you suggested. Not sure I did it right though: "Save SUP As" turned a 60K .Srt file into a 1.5M .Sup file, a format that is unreadable gibberish when viewed from a Hex editor. When I put this next to the previously created .M2V and .AC3 assets, AVS said there was no subtitle file detected, or something like that. So it was not usable. Luckily, I found something like 8 separate .Srt files available for that title, and downloaded several of them. One looked more promising than the others, for certain reasons (despite that warning I mentioned above about a "too short subtitle duration", at 11 char.s / sec.), so I put aside those previously rendered assets files and re-did the project from scratch. It went to completion in AVS 2.5.1 -- without apparent errors, this time -- and the result looks like it should be o.k. when I played it in VLC, so I will go ahead and burn it to disc.

[_MrC_]

I tried to do what you suggested. Not sure I did it right though: "Save SUP As" turned a 60K .Srt file into a 1.5M .Sup file, a format that is unreadable gibberish when viewed from a Hex editor. When I put this next to the previously created .M2V and .AC3 assets, AVS said there was no subtitle file detected, or something like that. So it was not usable.

SUP sutitles are already in raster (bitmap) format, thus binary.

To have AVStoDVD to automatically recognize and add the sup file, make sure that the sup file name is the same as the m2v/ac3 name. BTW you can still add manually the sup file using the 'Title'/'Subtitles'/'Add Subtitles' command.



bye

[Seeker47]

I tried to do what you suggested. Not sure I did it right though: "Save SUP As" turned a 60K .Srt file into a 1.5M .Sup file, a format that is unreadable gibberish when viewed from a Hex editor. When I put this next to the previously created .M2V and .AC3 assets, AVS said there was no subtitle file detected, or something like that. So it was not usable.

SUP sutitles are already in raster (bitmap) format, thus binary.

To have AVStoDVD to automatically recognize and add the sup file, make sure that the sup file name is the same as the m2v/ac3 name. BTW you can still add manually the sup file using the 'Title'/'Subtitles'/'Add Subtitles' command.



bye

Yes, they were all using the same filename, and I did try that manual method. That's where I saw the "No Subtitles Detected" message. It's academic now though, since I did manage to find that other .Srt file that was accepted by AVS, in the project re-do. Still wondering about the "too short character duration" message from SubtitleCreator. When I get to watch that movie, I'll know how well it worked.

[_MrC_]

New 2.6.0 alpha release is out. Change log from previous alpha:

- Added a consistency check to user defined Paths during preferences loading ('Preferences'/'Paths')
- Added Auto Crop routine in 'Title Edit'/'AviSynth'/'Crop'
- Added AviSynth library 'DeBlock_Int.avsi' (thanks to Didée and Manolito)
- Improved AviSynth Script generation routine (revision of functions calls sequence)
- NicAudio updated to 2.0.6

Let me know your opinions.



Bye

[Seeker47]

Mickey Mouse on Speed (Audio)

Hi _MrC_,

I think this one is a first for me, so I really have no clue what's going on here. The link is an under 5 min.s excerpt from a 90 minute program. (AVS project log included in the Zipfile.) I probably could have gone with a much shorter excerpt, and still given you the idea.

NG_AI.zip (114.84MB)


http://www.sendspace.com/file/dvqdl3

[For anyone reading this thread weeks or more later, that link was likely rather short-lived.]

[_MrC_]

@Seeker47

the output AC3 file has 6 channels while the input AAC has only 2 channels. If you do not use ffdhsow as directshow AC3 decoder, you have to setup your AC3 decoder mixer as 2.0 channels configuration.

See Help/FAQ/Audio/Q4.1 but with opposite channels configuration.

On a side note, why don't you use Wavi/Aften as AC3 encoder option?



Bye

[Seeker47]

@Seeker47

the output AC3 file has 6 channels while the input AAC has only 2 channels. If you do not use ffdhsow as directshow AC3 decoder, you have to setup your AC3 decoder mixer as 2.0 channels configuration.

See Help/FAQ/Audio/Q4.1 but with opposite channels configuration.

On a side note, why don't you use Wavi/Aften as AC3 encoder option?



Bye

Hi _MrC_,

Well, it's definitely odd that this sort of thing hasn't come up before in my usage of AVS, seeing as I do programs much like this on a regular basis, and my settings have remained rather fixed. I think I must have dropped Wavi/Aften quite awhile back, maybe due to its propensity to bomb out on jobs. (?) (That is per my best recollection.)
I'll take a look at that FAQ.

[_MrC_]

Well, it's definitely odd that this sort of thing hasn't come up before in my usage of AVS, seeing as I do programs much like this on a regular basis, and my settings have remained rather fixed.

Any recent codecs packs installation?



Bye

[Seeker47]

Well, it's definitely odd that this sort of thing hasn't come up before in my usage of AVS, seeing as I do programs much like this on a regular basis, and my settings have remained rather fixed.

Any recent codecs packs installation?



Bye

Hi,

No, I stay away from those codec packs, and try just to use those self-contained desktop players (like MPC_HC) that don't need external codecs. The only thing that comes to mind is a recent install of an app suite that required Net Framework 4, and included that in its install. (But that can't be relevant, or so I would think.)

And this reminds me of another problem I just ran into. This may not be enough info for you, so I may have to run the project one more time, to provide an exact quote of the errors when AVS bombs out almost immediately. The movie was an almost 7 Gb. MKV, 720P, X264, with both a multi-channel DTS audio track + an AC3 audio track. It did not seem to matter what track(s) were selected or de-selected. 'AVISYNTH failed to open.' 'No Decompressor found for this codec.' Something like that. But, AVS never really got out of the starting gate.

For whatever it may be worth, CX2D also choked and died right away on this file. (It is rather unusual that both programs totally fail for me on a job.) Still, I have no reason to believe that the MKV file is defective. While it did fail to play via WD Live -- and I don't know the extent of support for MKV in first-gen WD Live boxes -- the file does play just fine with VLC, MPC_HC, or Potplayer. The only odd thing is that both AVS and CX2D indicated that there were not any subs present, yet I can see English subs (redundant, since the language is English), unless I turn them off in the player. I'd like to figure out what the roadblock is to rendering this item, and overcome it, as opposed to settling for a much more lossy version. I did not notice anything I thought might be relevant in your v. 260 changelog. At the moment, I think I might settle for something that would just convert the MKV to Vobs or MPEG2. But so many of those tools seem to rely upon the FFMPEG library, which might in fact be the point of failure here.

[_MrC_]

No, I stay away from those codec packs, and try just to use those self-contained desktop players (like MPC_HC) that don't need external codecs. The only thing that comes to mind is a recent install of an app suite that required Net Framework 4, and included that in its install. (But that can't be relevant, or so I would think.)

And this reminds me of another problem I just ran into. This may not be enough info for you, so I may have to run the project one more time, to provide an exact quote of the errors when AVS bombs out almost immediately. The movie was an almost 7 Gb. MKV, 720P, X264, with both a multi-channel DTS audio track + an AC3 audio track. It did not seem to matter what track(s) were selected or de-selected. 'AVISYNTH failed to open.' 'No Decompressor found for this codec.' Something like that. But, AVS never really got out of the starting gate.

Not even ffdshow? AVStoDVD needs directshow codecs to properly work. Win7 internal directshow codecs can be used, but there are formats, like mpeg4 AVC (very common in mkv containers), that are not supported by Win7.



Bye

[Seeker47]

No, I stay away from those codec packs, and try just to use those self-contained desktop players (like MPC_HC) that don't need external codecs. The only thing that comes to mind is a recent install of an app suite that required Net Framework 4, and included that in its install. (But that can't be relevant, or so I would think.)

And this reminds me of another problem I just ran into. This may not be enough info for you, so I may have to run the project one more time, to provide an exact quote of the errors when AVS bombs out almost immediately. The movie was an almost 7 Gb. MKV, 720P, X264, with both a multi-channel DTS audio track + an AC3 audio track. It did not seem to matter what track(s) were selected or de-selected. 'AVISYNTH failed to open.' 'No Decompressor found for this codec.' Something like that. But, AVS never really got out of the starting gate.

Not even ffdshow? AVStoDVD needs directshow codecs to properly work. Win7 internal directshow codecs can be used, but there are formats, like mpeg4 AVC (very common in mkv containers), that are not supported by Win7.



Bye

Thanks. Yes, I did see a mention of "AVC" in the AVS window, before the project attempt bombed out. If that's what's going on, it should be a simple test. Next time I hook up the older rig that is still running XP, I'll try this job again. Will let you know if there's a different (i.e., positive) result. In that event, this could be a big limitation associated with running Win-7.

[_MrC_]

Thanks. Yes, I did see a mention of "AVC" in the AVS window, before the project attempt bombed out. If that's what's going on, it should be a simple test. Next time I hook up the older rig that is still running XP, I'll try this job again. Will let you know if there's a different (i.e., positive) result. In that event, this could be a big limitation associated with running Win-7.

Why a big limitation? Couldn't you install ffdshow (which contains a very good AVC/H264 decoder based on libavcodec) in your Win7 system?



Bye

[_MrC_]

@Seeker47

errata corrige: Windows Vista/7 do have an internal AVC/H264 directshow decoder (Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder). What they lack is the mkv/mp4 splitter.

Make sure you have installed Haali Media Splitter. And consider to install ffdshow too, that is always a good choice.



Bye

[lankou]

Hello All,

From a show I recorded on TV with my digital PVR, I wanted to make a DVD using avstodvd. At the end of the process,
I got the VIDEO_TS folder with the vob files and after imgburn burned the DVD. The DVD plays fine on my PC, but
refuses to play on my mac. It is ejected right away and I can't even see the DVD in the Finder.

Is there a "trick" to burn the dvd for playing on a mac?
Thanks and regards
Lankou

[_MrC_]

@lankou

hi there and welcome as new AVStoDVD user.

I have no direct experience with Mac compatibility to DVD. Let's see if other users do have.



Bye

[theewizard]

did you use build mode in img burn and build a DVD ISO file before burning

or did you just burn the DVD folder to the disc like it was a data disc

in other words, did you actually make a DVD format disc, or did you make a PC data disc

[lankou]

did you use build mode in img burn and build a DVD ISO file before burning

or did you just burn the DVD folder to the disc like it was a data disc

in other words, did you actually make a DVD format disc, or did you make a PC data disc

Thank you for your answer. In imgburn, I chose "Write Files/Folders to disc" option.
Should I build first an ISO using "Create Image file from files/folders" then burn it with "Write image file to disc"

Just a quick question: Even if I made a mistake getting a PC data disc, why is my mac ejecting it ?
At least, I should be able to see the content with the Finder (noob question).

Can you teach me the correct steps ?

Thanks and regards
Lankou

[theewizard]

YES you need to build the ISO first, choose the named DVD folder not the sub folders
and build the iSO

then choose the created xxxxx.iso file to write to the disc (the x's being your movie name)

why do you think a MAC should read PC data formatted DVD ?

i know of no reason why it should be able to do this

[Seeker47]

@Seeker47

errata corrige: Windows Vista/7 do have an internal AVC/H264 directshow decoder (Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder). What they lack is the mkv/mp4 splitter.

Make sure you have installed Haali Media Splitter. And consider to install ffdshow too, that is always a good choice.



Bye

Hi _MrC_,

An update of sorts. I had to fix a couple hardware issues to get the XP rig up and running again, but after doing that I got the exact same results with that .MKV file. "No decompressor for this codec." So, it wasn't a Win-7 deficiency. Beyond that, I believe every version of AVS that I have installed on any computer has -- in the course of the install -- put Haali Media Splitter on. And all of them had FFDSHOW too, even if I had to do that separately and explicitly. (But I can double-check on that.) If I'm right about this, we are still lacking identification of the problem. I suppose there could be something funky about that AVC. (Newer or unknown codec variation ?) What was that now-gone Toshiba-sponsored format that competed with Blu-Ray and lost -- HD-Something ? This file may have been derived from one of those discs. (The file header said it had been created with MKVmerge . . . .)

Anyway, I tried an experiment, possibly "wasting" two Verbatim DL blanks, and not really expecting either to work. On one, I burned the file as an .ISO, on the other just as the .MKV data file. My Oppo Blu-Ray player (not a current model, and having a special, discontinued firmware), is supposed to be able to play more formats than just about any player that has been released on the market. That should have included the former, from what I've been told, though it did not play. {Maybe this had something to do with my having to set ImgBurn to overlook the 4Gb. ISO9660 file size limit, in order to burn the file to disc ?} But, to my considerable surprise, the latter played just fine. Score one for Oppo ! Immediate viewing problem solved, the conversion-to-DVD-format mystery remains.