AVStoDVD Support Thread

[Smartie_1976]

Howdy folks, a distinctly new newbie here.

The first DVD of 3 episodes I made worked fine, but since then I'm struggling I have to say with authoring failures each time as it gets to the BATCHMUX bit after making the menu. I'm not techy, I've no idea really what any of the components are doing, but I've tried removing the chapters and changing the Audio to MP2 (as previous FAQs have suggested) and I'm ready to throw the towel in because I just don't have the time to keep trying, I've wasted a day on this already.

Any assistance would be most greatly appreciated.
I'm converting MKV to ISO, (then I'll burn to a DVD if I can get the damn thing to actually finish)

I wasn't sure whether to post the whole log here, cos they're large, obviously, so I'll remove it if requested.

[theewizard]

i have had a lot of troubles with MKV
so.. i avoid them IF i can
but IF i have to use them..i author to a DVD folder on the HHD first,
then play/test the folder with VLC, to make sure everything is OK
then i can convert to ISO and burn
OR
fix the audio and try again

since these MKV files are problematic, you might need to demux to seperate video mv2 and audio
check the timing and length of each file.. fix if wrong
then author the DVD with fixed working files

[manolito]

@Smartie_1976

I had a quick look at your log files, and video and audio conversions look alright. The problem seems to be with BatchMux, the BatchMux.ini file does not reflect the 3 encoded tracks correctly.

Did you by any chance change things in the menu editor like shuffle menu entries around and other things? I remember having problems some time ago when I did that, and the problems disappeared after I left the menu created by BatchMux pretty much alone.


Cheers
manolito

[uaoor]

Hello, I encountered an error during the creation of my DVD :S

I've attached the log files.

Thank you.

[manolito]

Wow, 83 titles on one DVD, oh my God, you are really pushing it...

MuxMan cannot handle this multitude, simply because the DVD specs do not allow it.

-- PGC "VMG_Lu1_Pgc1" Pre command group has 166 commands, maximum is 128.
-- PGC "VMG_Lu1_Pgc1" contains 166 commands total, maximum is 128.
-- Exiting due to errors, no multiplex performed.

Next time try to be a little less ambitious...


Cheers
manolito

[uaoor]

Wow, 83 titles on one DVD, oh my God, you are really pushing it...

MuxMan cannot handle this multitude, simply because the DVD specs do not allow it.

-- PGC "VMG_Lu1_Pgc1" Pre command group has 166 commands, maximum is 128.
-- PGC "VMG_Lu1_Pgc1" contains 166 commands total, maximum is 128.
-- Exiting due to errors, no multiplex performed.

Next time try to be a little less ambitious...


Cheers
manolito

Then we have a problem, Manolo. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video#Other_features (and other parts of that article)

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=64347


Of course, the DVD format can handle 83 (a lot of them were very short, by the way...) titles.

I just realised that I rediscovered a flaw with AVStoDVD/Muxman that had been mentioned to the author years ago: (See posts by "ohmy" and "MrC") http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=126647&page=48

Anyway, I want to report this bug: I found out the same thing that "ohmy" mentions, AVStoDVD allows you to add up to 99 titles BUT Muxman can only handle 64 titles.

And, anticipating a similar response: "The limit of 99 titles is set by BatchMux. We should address your request to Sir Didymus (the author), but he is very busy in the last months... "

I don't think it's just a problem with BatchMux, considering that AVStoDVD depends on this program to create DVDs and the fact that it doesn't even come close to allowing up to 99 titles (only 64).

Thank you to MrC for all the work he's done. Hopefully he'll read this one day and maybe change something to prevent this error (maybe showing a warning/error when trying to add more than 64 titles to AVS). In the meantime I'll leave this post here in case someone encounters the same bug and is looking for the source of the problem.

[_MrC_]

@Smartie_1976

from the BatchMux file, there could be problems with chaptering of 2nd title. Try to remove the last chapter and retry authoring. Please give us a feedback.

@uaoor

good suggestion, I will put a warning message when input titles are more than 64.

@All

new 2.8.0 Alpha release is available to download. Many special thanks to manolito for preliminary testing.



Bye

[steptoe]

Digging through the MuxMan docs it does say you can have up to 99 titlesets (VTS) (spec limit)

Maybe its only MuxMan Pro that allows the full spec limits, that might be one of the differences between the 'free' and 'paid' release


Just a quick query on FFMpeg, I tried replacing the FFMPEG.exe with the 64-bit static compile from the same author of the 32-bit compile to see if I could squeeze anymore out of the encode speeds, but AVStoDVD quits the encode instantly when using FFMPEG 1-pass, but replace it with the original 32-bit static compile it works as it should .......


I've also replaced the AVSMeter.exe with the 64-bit release for 1.8.3 (which I was using before you updated it in the latest 2.8.0 release without any issues) and this works fine for those that want to try it. Not that it will make any real difference to encode speeds though but maybe those who prefer on trying to use 64-bit software where possible on their 64-bit OS

[doctorm]

Is there a way to speed AVStoDVD up? I've got a fairly recent CPU (FX-8320 with 8 cores). HCenc only seems to use about 25-30% of the CPU. Is that an HCenc limitation or something else? HCenc claims to be set to: SMP yes, proc=8
Is the software decompression the limitation?

Seems like such a waste of performance. If things can't be bumped in HC, it might be nice for AVStoDVD encode other titles in the project simultaneously.

[doctorm]

Digging through the MuxMan docs it does say you can have up to 99 titlesets (VTS) (spec limit)

Maybe its only MuxMan Pro that allows the full spec limits, that might be one of the differences between the 'free' and 'paid' release


Just a quick query on FFMpeg, I tried replacing the FFMPEG.exe with the 64-bit static compile from the same author of the 32-bit compile to see if I could squeeze anymore out of the encode speeds, but AVStoDVD quits the encode instantly when using FFMPEG 1-pass, but replace it with the original 32-bit static compile it works as it should .......


I've also replaced the AVSMeter.exe with the 64-bit release for 1.8.3 (which I was using before you updated it in the latest 2.8.0 release without any issues) and this works fine for those that want to try it. Not that it will make any real difference to encode speeds though but maybe those who prefer on trying to use 64-bit software where possible on their 64-bit OS

I dunno. According to the Muxman site:

Both may have multilingual content for menus, 99 titles, 99 VTS, unlimited segments.

Maybe because AVStoDVD uses v0.16 and the current free version is 0.16.8?

[steptoe]

You could try running more than one instance of AVStoDVD, so its running more than one project at a time. But you will have to turn OFF deleting temporary files between projects otherwise you will run into all sorts of problems when one AVStoDVD deletes all the temporary files of another instance of AVStoDVD. But this will then mean deleting temporary files manually and also having plenty of space on your temporary folder. At least 4.5GB per project

I don't think its HCEnc thats the bottleneck anymore, its just that CPU speeds and processing power is now so high that its idling as it just doesn't need to work as hard as they used to do a few years ago because of the sheer processing power

Try installing AviSynth+, that gave me a definate speed gain over the standard AviSynth install, and if I can get my head around it I keep looking at using VapourSynth as that is fully multithreaded, but then working out how to call that in AVStoDVD could be fun as it uses totally different syntax as it uses Python


I usually get around 120-130FPS using the default AviSynth scripts that come with AVStoDVD with no filtering and with AviSynth+ installed using HCEnc, once I start adding complex external functions and noise filtering thats when it can drop to around 40FPS

A single encode using 1-pass HCenc takes about 25 minutes, with 2-pass taking another 25 minutes or so for the 2nd pass. But, converting a blu-ray rip to DVD does take considerably longer as its now converting 1920x1080 to 720x576 for PAL. Throw in a basic filter to reduce blu-ray grain and you can easily double or triple the time to encode a single project

I'm running a quick encode now, with 1-pass HCenc and no filtering, just a simple Spline36Resize and thats running at 135FPS
averaging around 85-90% processor power


I got into video encoding when the AMD K5 CPU was pretty quick, and that rapidly ran out of processor power when trying to use HCEnc or even DVDShrink and actually want use the computer at the same time

Now I can run AVStoDVD, easily run a couple of ConvertXtoDVD projects at the same time or even three at the same time and still use my computer as if nothing is happening. I'm using an Intel i5 2500k overclocked to 4500ghz quite happily on air cooling but does have a huge CPU cooler that takes up half my Antec 1200 case, but also have 16GB RAM that makes a BIG difference when running multiple encodes

[Groucho2004]

I've also replaced the AVSMeter.exe with the 64-bit release for 1.8.3 (which I was using before you updated it in the latest 2.8.0 release without any issues) and this works fine for those that want to try it. Not that it will make any real difference to encode speeds though but maybe those who prefer on trying to use 64-bit software where possible on their 64-bit OS

Which 64 Bit version of Avisynth are you using?

[Seeker47]

Hi _MrC_,

Mediainfo is still a part of the AVS package, though I haven't been paying attention as to which version. (I know that earlier versions have sometimes failed to identify a video's frame rate, requiring us to determine it ourselves, separately, and then enter this manually.) Since Mediainfo has gone over to adware / bundled junk, I would guess that you must have a way to toss that stuff overboard -- perhaps by selective extraction from the portable versions ?

It's too bad there is very little in the way of alternatives anymore, what with Gspot having ceased development quite some time ago. (Kind of like how you are stuck with a much older subtitles program . . . . )

[_MrC_]

@doctorm

see Help/FAQ/General/Q1.6 plus the concept that AviSynth filters are mostly single thread

@Seeker47

so far, not a big issue: I just use the MediaInfo.dll library



Bye

[doctorm]

@MrC - Yeah, that's what I thought. CCE tends to be much faster encoding, but of course it's not free. HCenc development seems nearly non-existent. I'll just get a steaming cup of patience then.

[manolito]

[Since Mediainfo has gone over to adware / bundled junk, I would guess that you must have a way to toss that stuff overboard -- perhaps by selective extraction from the portable versions ?

It's too bad there is very little in the way of alternatives anymore, what with Gspot having ceased development quite some time ago. (Kind of like how you are stuck with a much older subtitles program . . . . )

I believe that MediaInfo bashing is totally unjustified. The way they try to generate some revenue to keep up their site is very fair compared to most other comparable sites. Check this:
http://mediaarea.net/en/Bundled

And you can always download a no-installer package which does not give you any unwanted stuff.


Cheers
manolito

[manolito]

@MrC - Yeah, that's what I thought. CCE tends to be much faster encoding, but of course it's not free. HCenc development seems nearly non-existent. I'll just get a steaming cup of patience then.

In my experience it's just the opposite - HCenc is mostly faster than CCE. And if you only get about 30% CPU usage with HCenc, this simply means that the bottleneck for your encodes lies somewhere else. Probably some slow AviSynth filters (the decoder is less likely to blame).


Cheers
manolito

[steptoe]

I'm not using AviSynth 64-bit, just AVSMeter 64 bit. Not that it would speed up encodes in any way its just being anal about having a 64-bit OS so try to use 64-bit software where I can

Its just a pity that HCEnc can't be compiled for 64-bit. It was updated to 0.27 a while back but then pulled for some problems. Its very simple to add to AVStoDVD though if you want to try it (its out there) by just copying the main HCEnc.exe to the HCEnc folder and thats it

I agree that a lot of AViSynth filters are single threaded but AviSynth+ went some way to solving that with its multi-threading support until development stalled (or use AviSynth MT that helps for some filters/functions), which is why I keep looking at VapourSynth and you can use AviSynth filters in VapourSynth but I need to sit down one day and get it up and running then work out how to get AVStoDVD to access it

[Groucho2004]

I'm not using AviSynth 64-bit, just AVSMeter 64 bit.

AVSMeter 64 Bit cannot load a 32 Bit avisynth.dll (and vice versa).

[steptoe]

Maybe its because I have installed AviSynth+. The installer (I think) install 32bit and 64bit avisynth.dll, and other related files so possibly why it works for me. But I don't use any 64-bit AviSynth specific plugins

[Groucho2004]

Maybe its because I have installed AviSynth+. The installer (I think) install 32bit and 64bit avisynth.dll

The 64 Bit AVS+ install is optional but yes, it can install both and AVSMeter64 will use the 64 Bit DLL.

[DJ_ValBec]

I'm not using AviSynth 64-bit, just AVSMeter 64 bit.

AVSMeter 64 Bit cannot load a 32 Bit avisynth.dll (and vice versa).

Correction:
You can load (Dowload) any 62 or 32 Bit program into a 64 or 32 bit OS (any combination)
I do it all the time: to carried the .exe temporally ...and to be transfer to the correct computer with the right OS Bit. (to match them up latter on )

Now Install, Is a diff. game:
The installation can't be done by mismatching.

Just saying.

[Groucho2004]

I'm not using AviSynth 64-bit, just AVSMeter 64 bit.

AVSMeter 64 Bit cannot load a 32 Bit avisynth.dll (and vice versa).

Correction:
You can load (Dowload) any 62 or 32 Bit program into a 64 or 32 bit OS (any combination)
I do it all the time: to carried the .exe temporally ...and to be transfer to the correct computer with the right OS Bit. (to match them up latter on )

Now Install, Is a diff. game:
The installation can't be done by mismatching.

Just saying.

Sorry, I don't really know what you're trying to say and, more importantly, how it's related to loading 32 bit modules into 64 bit processes (or vice versa).

[steptoe]

I think he was trying to be helpful by suggesting you can run 32-bit software on a 64-bit OS, but possibly doesn't understand how AviSynth or others work that are set up only to address 32-bit addresses (I think thats right). Like AviSynth 64-bit will only work with 64-bit plugins, unless you install something such as AviSynth+ that installs both or by using MP_Pipeline to work around the limitations of the original AviSynth

[DJ_ValBec]

Q1:

It is a 64 bit software on 64 bit OS better that the 32's.
...or by mixing them up .
..or by using brute force.
or + software ?

I am new on this.

[Groucho2004]

or by using brute force

[NDMMackay]

Multi-user environment. For a new user, how to I tell AVStoDVD where AVISynth is installed?

EDIT: Whoops, it WAS uninstalled by something else.

[_MrC_]

New 2.8.0 Alpha 141118 is available to download.

Many thanks to manolito for the intensive debug he did.



Bye

[kodec]

Hi, this is the best DVD software there is by far. No matter free or paid, every other software is all rubbish compared to this one, I've tested it plenty. It has all the controls you need. The guy _MrC_ cannot be praised enough for making life easy yet complete for all the enthusiasts. I personally have only one suggestion and it would make it 101% perfect, I don't know if it is possible, but here it is:

Is it possible to implement subtitle options exactly as in TextSub 2.23 VirtualDub plugin? For me TextSub 2.23 is the AVStoDVD of subtitle filters (flawless opaque box being the key to my needs). Normally, I don't know if it is compatible with DVD authoring process, never mind if this whole suggestion is in vain

[paisdeoctubre]

Minor question here. Im sure it is my fault but i cant solve it: subtitle font size is reduced when the sentence is long and divides in two lines. It seems to try to occupy the same amount of space by reducing the size. How can I mantain the same letter size?

Thanks a lot. Great great program by the way.