RealVideo Source to MPEG2, problems.

[mattstan]

Hi,

I use Procoder 3 to do my MPEG2 conversions for DVD, am I correct in thinking that RealVideo (a .rm) file can not be used as a source in Procoder 3? I've never tried before but am getting an error when importing.

Assuming you can't - and if you can I must need some kind of plug-in, or a .dll file, etc. - then advise is needed.

I tried using Super and got MPEG2 files that regularly had problems. With some videos they stopped playing half way through or earlier (the DVD I created with them paused and then jumped to the next track). With some other videos at some scene changes they often paused -stuck on the same frame- for a few seconds before continuing as if nothing had gone wrong.

Maybe Super isn't much good at MPEG2, should I try converting to a different format, say avi of some kind, and then using that as input to Procoder 3?

Or is there a tool you guys can recommend for Realvideo files to MPEG2 (or even avi/MPEG4)?

One thought I had was to use Super or another converter to get the Realvideo into the highest quality that I can. Perhaps someone can advise me as to what video format and settings I should use to get the best quality I can out of the Realvideo, and then use that as input to Procoder 3 and so minimize the quality loss of going from Realvideo->Intermediate Format->MPEG2.

Any advise would be most welcome.

Thanks.

[DB83]

The only program I have had any real (sorry for the pun) success with this format is EOVideo.

The settings will always depend on the source material both in frame size and data rate. You should always match the frame rate of the source to the conversion. So a 30 fps source will mean a 30 fps or NTSC dvd (with other matching parameters for such dvd).

Another thing is that a small frame source such as 320*240 may not blow up well for full size dvd and you would be better off making a VCD which will still be dvd compliant.

[poisondeathray]

I have real alternative installed.

The you are able to use an avisynth script with DirectShowSource() which frameserves into an encoder of choice. Most people use HCenc which is a free high quality MPEG2 encoder, but you can use others like CCE, QUenc, some others. I don't know if Procoder can use .avs scripts as input.

With this method, basically if you can play any media file back properly, then you can frameserve into an encoder.

There are several threads showing how to do this, if you still have problems after searching & reading, post here your specific questions and someone will help you with more instructions.

Cheers

[45tripp]

I don't know if Procoder can use .avs scripts as input.

it can

[mattstan]

Thanks guys.

I didn't know that avisynth could handle RealVideo (I already have it and Real Alternative installed). I'm no pro with avisynth but I'll give it a go later today. Many thanks again.

[mattstan]

Wow, that was easy!

Once I worked out I needed to use DirectShowSource I was up and running in minutes.

Many Thanks.