Using AVISynth with TMPGEnc - how?

[Rick123]

Well, I've managed to solve the first part of my dilemma with trying to cut out TV ads using AVISynth into a seamless one-part video production. Now how on earth do I bring all this into TMPGEnc for eventual .mpg encoding?

My AVISynth script runs perfectly within MS-Media Player without a hitch, but I can't find out how to load it into TMPGEnc. I've heard of this thing called VFAPI which I've installed already, but TMPGEnc still won't accept my .avs script (either by Open Project or Video Source file opening). I'm not sure if VFAPI is what I should use here or indeed whether it requires a whole different set of commands to use it.

Anyway, any help greatly appreciated.

[Tommyknocker]

I loaded my script using the video browse function in the main window. When the Open requester popped up, I selected All Files as Type of file. What happened when you tried this?

[Rick123]

Well it may have worked for you, but unfortunately when I do a "Video source: Browse" for my "project.avs" it just comes up with ...

File "droject.avs" can not open, or unsupported.

I have installed AVISynth as per the instructions within the zip, and I have also run the TMPGEncVFP_Install.bat for the VFAPI protocol (which I still have no idea how to use).

Basically, I'm up s***creek without a canoe atm. Is there something that I've missed whilst setting up my PC with all these protocols or installations? Many thanks.

[Tommyknocker]

Briefly, what kind of file will your script open?

[Truman]

Try to disable the direct show multi media file reader plugin.

http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/*checkout*/avisynth2/avisynth/docs/faq.html#q12

[vhelp]

You should be able to load it.
here is a list based on my TMPG's VFAPI list box:
Option/Environmental Settings/VFAPI Plugins:
[x] DirectShow Multimeda file reader
[x] AVI VFW compt. reader
[x] AV2(OpenDML) file reader
[x] Wave file reader
[x] DVD2AVI project file reader 1.76**
[x] TMPGenc project file reader
[x] The file can not be loaded (probably from last error message)
[x] BMP/PPM/TGA/JPG file reader

** which version are you using? This may be the cause, even though you
are using the AVIsynth as a script source, AVIsynth is using THAT DVD2AVI
version. If you version in the above window is different, then this may
be the reason why you can't open an AVIsynth script! I have this same
problem, if I use DVD2AVI v1.82 or v1.74 - - TMPG wont open them unless
I either:
1, switch (reload) the proper VFAPI plugin from DVD2AVI, ie v1.82 or v1.74
and then things will work. But, you are better off choosing which one
to load, and then KEEP it. Not jump from one version to the next. I
sware to you, it really doesn't matter, other then nonsense features
like 16:9 stuff, etc. as in v1.82

Anyways, there is one more issue though, that you need to be aware
of, if you load the *.AVS script directly into TMPG... COLOR!!
Most people can't load it in directly w/out color issues (less color)
Something to do w/ IMproper installation of SOMETHING, that I haven't
yet figured out!
But, if you do this route, and you see very poor color (for got the phrase
that people use, but you'll notice it shortly)
* one solution was to add in an ConvertToRGB at the very last line in
your AVS script. (I've tried this, but it doesn't clear it up very well)[/b]
* the better route, if you can't solve it, via here on this FORUM w/ either
Trauman's or Adam's help, since I last remember them trying to help
other out with this issue, OR, you could just do this, and problem solved!
* bring it into vdub, and THEN frameserve vdub into TMPG. Problem solved!

Yes, I have this same problem. So, I don't bother loading *.AVS scripts
into TMPG directly. In fact, the only time I use *.AVS scripts in for
processing video is when my projects are of capturing source!
Since I have to clean up filterize my source materials in vdub, I have no
issues w/ *.AVS scripts. But, then again, I don't use *.AVS scripts when
the source is a DVD2AVI file ie, *.d2v I just drag that file into TMPG and
encode!

Well, I one for hearing any additional answeres to solve this as well, even
if I don't use it at the moment. Shure would like to know.

I think I have about covered it.
Below, is a link to my latest sample. Done without an *.AVS script
of course! Just burn to CD as an SVCD w/ Compliance off ...the
colors seem to match the DVD's pretty much on par 8)

Have a good day all.

-vhelp
-----------------------------------------------
For Standard and other VCD samples, you can jump over to this FORUM's link
here: VHELP's Samples... - last updated: 08.17.02

[Rick123]

Thanks everyone for your invaluable tips and advice. As it stands, I've had to triple-read some of the content as I couldn't decipher much of it until I tried to put it all into practice.

I had both AVISynth v106 and HuffYUV v211 installed but I thought I'd better get rid of them (ie go through RegEdit for any and all references to them) and reinstall them again from scratch. I also tried deselecting the DirectShow Multimedia file reader. Thing was nothing was working until I did all of these things and it finally started doing something right! Yay!

Anyway, the .avi I have is a TV capture using HuffYUV (hence the TV ads) and at the time I was mucking around with AVISynth the .avs file did indeed work in Media Player without a hitch, but as many people have found atm the video file looks like 8-bit rendering rather than the smoother gradient of colour I've always expected. Unfortunately, I don't know if this is the result of the capture I made at the time, because I'm using a different C: drive that I swap with to capture and it seems all my HuffYUV videos are looking quite colour-grainy on this capture-C: drive atm. Can anyone tell me how to get my videos looking their best again (I've already tried selecting 16-bit colour for my Display Properties to no avail). My regular C: drive for Internet usage makes them all better again, dammit!

btw, I had no idea how the Frameserver was supposed to work ... then I figured out that you just had to just run the feature from VDub off the menu, then get TMPGEnc to load the small file that VDub generates to bring it all in for encoding. So once I'm off the Net, I'll pop my capture-C: drive in and see if it works there too (although I'm sure the colours will still not be good).

And again, any other help greatly appreciated.

[Truman]

About YUY2 and colors: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27932

And again: Check the FAQ link above.
Avisynth rules