VirtualDub External Encoder AVI to MP4 Issue

[Bassquake]

Im trying to use the external encoder for virtualdub but it keeps hanging at the end of the render saying possible live lock.

I simply need it to encode an avi to mp4 ready to upload to youtube.

This is the code:

{
	"description": "VirtualDub external encoder profile collection",
	"externalEncoders": {
		"sets": {			
			"AVI to YouTube": {
				"videoEncoder": "FFmpeg Video",
				"audioEncoder": "FFmpeg AAC-LC",
				"multiplexer": "FFmpeg Multiplexer",
				"description": "(name.mp4 - video + audio)",
				"extension": "mp4",
				"processPartial": false,
				"useOutputAsTemp": false
			}
		},
		"profiles": {
			"FFmpeg Video": {
				"name": "FFmpeg Video Encoder",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-f rawvideo -s %(width)x%(height) -r %(fpsnum)/%(fpsden) -i - -c:v libx264 -preset slow -profile:v high -crf 18 -coder 1 -pix_fmt yuv420p -movflags +faststart -g 30 -bf 2 \"%(tempvideofile)\"",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).264",
				"type": 0,
				"inputFormat": 0,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": false,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			},
			"FFmpeg AAC-LC": {
				"name": "FFmpeg Audio",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-i - -c:a aac -b:a 384k -profile:a aac_low \"%(tempaudiofile)\"",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).aac",
				"type": 1,
				"inputFormat": 1,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": true,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			},
			"FFmpeg Multiplexer": {
				"name": "FFMpeg Multuplex",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-i \"%(tempvideofile)\" -i \"%(tempaudiofile)\" -map 0 -map 1 -c copy -f mp4 -y",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).mp4",
				"type": 2,
				"inputFormat": 0,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": true,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			}
		}
	}
}

3 files are created called:

• test.mp4.264
• test.mp4.aac
• test.mp4

The progress bar sits at 100%, the Log says:

Dub: Processing thread not cycled for thirty seconds - possible livelock

And I have to quit VirtualDub as its hung.

Help appreciated!

[sneaker]

Does this happen with every input file? What input file driver are you using? Is the source an AviSynth script?

I see one of your temp files is called "test.mp4.264" (i.e. .264 file extension). Since you haven't forced mp4 output using -f either the temp video file will not be mp4 container but H.264 elementary stream. This will eventually lead to a broken output file since ffmpeg doesn't mux the latter correctly to mp4.

[Bassquake]

Yeah any avi file. The source is whatevers loaded in virtualdub. I havent used ffmpeg before so not entirely sure about the commands im using. Ill try adding the -f to the video command. Do i need to add it to the audio one too?

[sneaker]

It's "-f mp4" for mp4 format forcing. Also add "-y" to every command to make sure it overwrites existing files. And post the complete VirtualDub log, not just the last line.

[Bassquake]

Ok. Added those commands but still same issue:

{
	"description": "VirtualDub external encoder profile collection",
	"externalEncoders": {
		"sets": {			
			"VHS to YouTube": {
				"videoEncoder": "FFmpeg Video",
				"audioEncoder": "FFmpeg AAC-LC",
				"multiplexer": "FFmpeg Multiplexer",
				"description": "(name.mp4 - video + audio)",
				"extension": "mp4",
				"processPartial": false,
				"useOutputAsTemp": false
			}
		},
		"profiles": {
			"FFmpeg Video": {
				"name": "FFmpeg Video Encoder",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-f rawvideo -s %(width)x%(height) -r %(fpsnum)/%(fpsden) -i - -c:v libx264 -preset slow -profile:v high -crf 18 -coder 1 -pix_fmt yuv420p -movflags +faststart -g 30 -bf 2 -f mp4 -y \"%(tempvideofile)\"",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).264",
				"type": 0,
				"inputFormat": 0,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": false,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			},
			"FFmpeg AAC-LC": {
				"name": "FFmpeg Audio",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-i - -c:a aac -b:a 384k -profile:a aac_low -y \"%(tempaudiofile)\"",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).aac",
				"type": 1,
				"inputFormat": 1,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": true,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			},
			"FFmpeg Multiplexer": {
				"name": "FFMpeg Multuplex",
				"program": "C:\\Encoders\\ffmpeg\\ffmpeg.exe",
				"commandArguments": "-i \"%(tempvideofile)\" -i \"%(tempaudiofile)\" -map 0 -map 1 -c copy -f mp4 -y",
				"outputFilename": "%(outputname).mp4",
				"type": 2,
				"inputFormat": 0,
				"checkReturnCode": true,
				"logStdout": true,
				"logStderr": true,
				"bypassCompression": false,
				"predeleteOutputFile": false
			}
		}
	}
}

Attached the log as well.

Thanks.

[poisondeathray]

you can also try vdub2 - it can export using x264 / aac / mp4 directly without the external encoder feature

[sneaker]

Attached the log as well.

In the external encoder video settings activate "redirect standard error to log", then run and post log again.

How long is the source video? Only 7 seconds? Does the encode finish if you cut it to 6 seconds?

[Bassquake]

Im just selecting a part of the timeline for testing as its about 50 minutes long!

Have attached log with "redirect standard error to log" for video:

[Bassquake]

Also tried it in vdub2 as suggested by poisondeathray. I know vdub2 exports mp4 but I'd rather the external encoder working as well.

There's a bit more detail on the error which might give clues:


[Attachment 46617 - Click to enlarge]

And the log file is attached.

[sneaker]

You are missing "%(outputname)" from the muxer settings.

[Bassquake]

@sneaker: I tried your fix but it still does same thing. See log from normal virtualdub:

Edit: Seems to work on vdub2 though :/

[sneaker]

I reuploaded the fix. Try again with VirtualDub2. It should fix the "CLI: multiplexing failed with ...." message. It will not fix the livelock you have with the old VirtualDub. That seems to be a deeper problem and is not because of wrong settings. Maybe it's a problem with the input drivers or VfW/ACM codecs.

[Bassquake]

Thanks sneaker. Yes, it sounds like an issue with VirtualDub itself. Wish Id known that before bashing head on desk over it!