SVCD Menu with VCDImager -- simplified HOWTO?

[scottnic]

I'm trying to create a fairly simple menu on an SVCD, but Nero is a little too simple for my tastes.

Bsaically, I have an image that I wish to use as the menu, which lists six clips and an option to play all sequentially.

I want the "Play All" option to play one, then two, then three... through six, then return to the menu.

I want each of the other six options to play the associated clip and then return to the menu.

I tried modifying one of the sample XML files linked to off the VCDImager site, then burned the CD and played it in my Apex player. Instead of a menu, I got a blue screen. Pressing the number keys on the remote played the appropriate clip, but each clip had its tail end (the last second or two) cut off.

Is there a site anywhere that explains in more detail the difference between segments and sequences and other settings in the XML file? I'm not computer illiterate by any means, and I'm usually a quick learner, but I need more detail than the manual provides.

Thanks.
Scott Nicholson

[vitualis]

It sounds to me that you've most of it correct. How are you creating your background image though? This may be your stumbling point.

Regards.

[scottnic]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-03 22:00:06, vitualis wrote:
It sounds to me that you've most of it correct. How are you creating your background image though? This may be your stumbling point.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I wasn't sure what sorts of images were acceptable, so I created a one second MPG clip.

[vitualis]

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On 2001-07-03 22:13:38, scottnic wrote:
I wasn't sure what sorts of images were acceptable, so I created a one second MPG clip.

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you include this as a segment item or a sequence item?

Segment items go into the segment directory (and are on the first physical track of the VCD). Things that normally go into the segment folder are things like mpeg stills.

Sequence items refer to the separate video tracks that will burnt onto the VCD.

You are not creating a proper ?still image. Unfortunately, there is no stand-alone tool to do it. The best way at the moment is to use Nero to create a VCD with background images of the pictures you want. Then, create a small disc image. Then, use VCDXRIP to extract all the items out of the .nrg file. Your hi-res mpeg still will be one of the items.

You can then use this file as a hi-res mpeg still when authoring the XML. This small MPEG file should be referenced as a "segment item".

I am not quite sure you are having a problem with the end of your MPEG tracks clipped. How are you burning your CUE/BIN disc images?

Regards.

_________________
Michael Tam

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vitualis on 2001-07-03 22:34:48 ]</font>

[Belboz]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
You are not creating a proper ?still image. Unfortunately, there is no stand-alone tool to do it.
Michael Tam
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Michael,

Have you tried the mklogo program you can find at the following site?

www.dvd-wizards.com/darrenk/Backgrounds/Background.htm

It supposedly converts 704X480 BMP's to mpeg stills.

Haven't tried it myself yet, but thought I would mention it.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-04 23:15:27 ]</font>

[Belboz]

Just as a footnote.

The mklogo program does have a vcd command line option (not sure what exactly it does). Has another option for the compression level too.



_________________
belboz@cinci.rr.com

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-04 22:56:34 ]</font>

[vitualis]

Thanks for the link.

I didn't read the site too closely but it seems to make a "MPEG-2" still??

Regards.

[Belboz]

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On 2001-07-05 00:00:26, vitualis wrote:
Thanks for the link.

I didn't read the site too closely but it seems to make a "MPEG-2" still??

Regards.

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Not sure about that. When I converted a bmp to an mpeg with it, the resulting mpeg loaded into tmpgenc as a mpeg1 704 X 480 file.

Media Player played it fine also. I'm pretty sure my Windows Media Player chokes on mpeg2 files also. I view mpeg2 files with my DVD player software.

I tossed together a quick xml file for vcdimager and it complained about the mpeg still. So I guess they are not in the format expected by vcdimager.

Got this error.

INFO: scanning mpeg segment item #0 for scanpoints...
++ WARN: mpeg scan: pack header code (0x000001ba) expected, but 0x000001b3 found
(buflen = 2324)
++ WARN: bad packet at packet #0 (stream byte offset 0) -- remaining 113124 byte
s of stream will be ignored
**ERROR: mpeg is empty?

The mpeg stills from your demo vcd contained RIFF CDXAFMT in their header. The files generated by mklogo did not.

[Psycho_Dad_Rules]

ehmmm fellows,

this site make mpeg2 stills as a replacement background for the Apex stand alone DVD players. It has nothing to do with VCD background.
It's still a great site though, worth checking out

[Belboz]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 00:30:03, Psycho_Dad_Rules wrote:
ehmmm fellows,

this site make mpeg2 stills as a replacement background for the Apex stand alone DVD players. It has nothing to do with VCD background.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually it does. In an indirect way....

It takes a bmp file and generates an mepg still. Works great. Convert a bitmap with it and view it with Windows Media Player.

Those VCD backgrounds are in fact Mpeg Stills.

Now vcdimager doesn't like the mklogo generated mpeg still. Just like it doesn't like tmpgenc's single frame mpeg's.



_________________
belboz@cinci.rr.com

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-05 00:36:18 ]</font>

[wildcatfan]

I think I know why the last few seconds are cut off. I have an apex and it does it with EVERY vcd/svcd I have. No matter what I authored it with. So I make a little black trailer clip to join at the end of the movies.

Michael

[vitualis]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Those VCD backgrounds are in fact Mpeg Stills.

Now vcdimager doesn't like the mklogo generated mpeg still. Just like it doesn't like tmpgenc's single frame mpeg's.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

You may alredy know this, but the mpeg stills used as backgrounds actually contains a hi-res still (704x480/576) multiplexed with a normal res one (352x240/28.

Regards.

[Belboz]

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On 2001-07-05 00:49:46, vitualis wrote:

You may alredy know this, but the mpeg stills used as backgrounds actually contains a hi-res still (704x480/576) multiplexed with a normal res one (352x240/28.

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I have read that, but I thought I read somewhere on the web. (Some site with VCD 2.0 specs) That it wasn't mandatory to have both sizes.

Maybe hvr can pop in and give us some info.

I get that same error I posted above when converting a bmp with tmpgenc and trying to use it with vcdimager.

[vitualis]

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On 2001-07-05 00:54:12, Belboz wrote:
I get that same error I posted above when converting a bmp with tmpgenc and trying to use it with vcdimager.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Perhaps it is simply an issue with the header -- hvr would probably know this...

The problem with the MPEG clip from TMPGEnc is that it is recognised as a 1 frame mpeg video stream, rather than as a still.

Regards.

[hvr]

you asked for me...

...so here I pop in *g*
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>++ WARN: mpeg scan: pack header code (0x000001ba) expected, but 0x000001b3 found (buflen = 2324)</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

this actually means, that instead of a pack header, there was a sequence code... (looks like you have elementary video stream, instead of a packetized program stream! --> multiplex it)

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>The mpeg stills from your demo vcd contained RIFF CDXAFMT in their header. The files generated by mklogo did not. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

that's not quite correct... when you copy the .dat/.mpg form2 files from a (S)VCD, windows actually prepends a RIFF header to the file!
(btw, it even copies the raw sectors as RIFF payload data...)

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>The problem with the MPEG clip from TMPGEnc is that it is recognised as a 1 frame mpeg video stream, rather than as a still.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

well... this may be fixable by a hack... it's just a matter of changing an occuring 00 00 01 e0 start code, to 00 00 01 e1 in an hexeditor...
that's just what the SVCD specs require for still mpegs, and that's how detection is done in vcdimager

and for SVCD's there's afaik no provisions for mixed hi-res/lo-res stills, since only one stream id is reserved for stills (as opposed to VCD2.0 where e1 is for lo-res and e2 for hi-res)

ps: where did you find those vcd2.0 specs? since I don't have had any chance to see them yet, they could be very handy!

hope this helps...

[miguelos_net]

(from VCD Forum)

I've had many, many problems with menus with NERO (last version) and DV-343 & NTSC.

I hope they'll fix this simple (?) problem some day.
(NERO: just take a look to VCDImager !)

So far, I'm doing this :

- Create an image (.NRG) of my "compilation" with menu (many pages as you want).
- Dissemble the image with VCDXRIP (included in the excellent package VCDImager), it create and .XML and all the .MPG included in the image (but I only need the .XML and the itemxxxx.MPG, so after that I've stopped the process. Or --norip option just only create the .XML
- Edit the menu pages (itemxxxx.MPG) with MSP6, then to AVI, then to TMPGEnc (SVCD NTSC 720x480!!!). (Here you can add effects and music)
- Replace the original menu pages with the new ones.
- Optional: if you know enough about VCDImager, you can add an intro clip to the .XML
- Reassemble a new image with VCDXBUILD (.CUE and .BIN). There is a new version who can create .NRG images.
- Burn the .CUE with NERO.

All the function I've tried work fine!!!!!

VCDImager is beatiful, I LOVE IT !!!! THANKS HVR !!!
See : http://www.hvrlab.org

Regards,

[Belboz]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 03:26:20, hvr wrote:
you asked for me...

...so here I pop in *g*
this actually means, that instead of a pack header, there was a sequence code... (looks like you have elementary video stream, instead of a packetized program stream! --> multiplex it) </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks. I took the vbs file generated by mklogo and multiplexed it with tmpgenc. That solved the error I listed in the previous message.

Now vcdxbuild complained that the mpg file for the menu had no user data in it, but it did continue on with the build.

I was going to take a look at the resuling bin file and see if it actually contains the mpeg still or if it is bad.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
that's not quite correct... when you copy the .dat/.mpg form2 files from a (S)VCD, windows actually prepends a RIFF header to the file!
(btw, it even copies the raw sectors as RIFF payload data...)</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I actually figured that one out last night. I tried pulling one of vitualis's "demo vcd" menu's off and running it through vcdxbuild instead of mine. I noticed the same error's and it hit me that I need to extract the items from the vcd correctly.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
ps: where did you find those vcd2.0 specs? since I don't have had any chance to see them yet, they could be very handy!

hope this helps...
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't remember. I will check my bookmarks and search. It wasn't a full 2.0 spec. Just a web site talking about vcd and svcd's and quoting things from the 2.0 spec.

Thanks for the help.

[Belboz]

Success!!!!!!!

The bmp file I converted to a vbs file with mklogo and then multiplexed in tmpgenc displayed beautifully on my Pioneer 343 when burnt to a vcd with vcdimager.

The 704X480 mpeg still does not have the lo resolution still image in it as the ones in the demo vcd vitualis made do. So I do not know if this would cause problems with some players.

Actually I was able to convert the bmp file with tmpgenc to a m1v file and then multiplex it in tmpgenc and the resulting mpg file loaded into vcdxbuild fine. It did not have the "no user data" error that the mklogo generated still had. Both had the error mentioned below about the mpeg stream being padded on the fly.

This is the first actual VCD I have made with vcdimager. One problem it did have is that the mpeg video files I put on the VCD did not play correctly. There was sound but no video. I know the mpeg files are fine because I have burnt them with Nero and it doesn't complain at all about them. They are standard VCD compliant mpegs.

I did get this warning when using vcdxbuild for all three mpeg videos. So maybe vitualis or hvr can tell me if this is what caused my videos to not show up when played on my DVD player. (They do play fine if I have Windows Media Player play the DAT files directly.

INFO: scanning mpeg sequence item #0 for scanpoints...
++ WARN: mpeg stream will be padded on the fly -- hope that's ok for you!
INFO: scanning mpeg sequence item #1 for scanpoints...
++ WARN: mpeg stream will be padded on the fly -- hope that's ok for you!

[vitualis]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 13:03:38, Belboz wrote:
++ WARN: mpeg stream will be padded on the fly -- hope that's ok for you!
INFO: scanning mpeg sequence item #1 for scanpoints...
++ WARN: mpeg stream will be padded on the fly -- hope that's ok for you!</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Your MPEGs are not padded correctly/are not of the correct pack size. Nero is quite relaxed about this, but unless Nero actually fixes this problem, the VCD may play with problems on some stand-alone devices.

How did you encode your MPEGs?

This can easily be fixed by demultiplexing your MPEGs and remultiplexing them with TMPGEnc (using the MPEG-1 Video-CD option rather than AUTO). This can actually be done in one step with the "CUT/JOIN" tool in TMPGEnc. Just load your MPEG in (remember -- "MPEG-1 Video-CD" setting, not "Auto&quot, and set the output file (leaving the in point as 0 and the outpoint as end). This will do the demultiplex/remultiplex step in one go.

Regards.

[Belboz]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 19:56:54, vitualis wrote:

Your MPEGs are not padded correctly/are not of the correct pack size. Nero is quite relaxed about this, but unless Nero actually fixes this problem, the VCD may play with problems on some stand-alone devices.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

If it is a problem Nero must fix them. They play fine on the PC and three different DVD players (Pioneer 343, Apex 500w, and Panasonic RV31).

If Nero doesn't fix them but they play on my players, than vcdxbuild must be doing something to corrupt them as they do not work on my hardware players after burning the bin/cue. Although the mpeg still image works great!

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
How did you encode your MPEGs?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

They were caputres from ATI MMC 7.1 captured with VCD compliant specs. File was cut with Myflix and saved with a vcd extension to generate VCD compliant files.

Usually I just drag them right into Nero and the VCD's work great.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
This can easily be fixed by demultiplexing your MPEGs and remultiplexing them with TMPGEnc (using the MPEG-1 Video-CD option rather than AUTO). This can actually be done in one step with the "CUT/JOIN" tool in TMPGEnc. Just load your MPEG in (remember -- "MPEG-1 Video-CD" setting, not "Auto", and set the output file (leaving the in point as 0 and the outpoint as end). This will do the demultiplex/remultiplex step in one go.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Heh, not easy for me. No matter how many ways I try to multiplex, demultiplex, cut or join with tmpgenc, I always get a file that plays out of sync afterwards.

I fear even though I like vcdimager, it will not be the tool for me.

With the ATI capture software I can capture to mpeg directly and with myflix make my cuts and generate a nice commercial free mpeg. Then just burn and go in Nero.

With vcdimager it looks like I am going to have to add some extra steps to massage the mpeg files and so far I have been unable to get tmpgenc to do that without corrupting the audio video sync.

I'm open to suggestions to overcome this problem.

One thing I will say when I demultiplex one of these mpegs I was testing vcdimager with it does list three streams. The audio and video and a padding stream. I can't check the padding stream to save it. I can manually save it.

It generates a name like this for it.

movie00-0xBE.dat

Not sure if I have to do something with this padding or if it can be safely ignored.



_________________
belboz@cinci.rr.com

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-05 20:28:43 ]</font>

[vitualis]

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On 2001-07-05 20:27:59, Belboz wrote:
If it is a problem Nero must fix them. They play fine on the PC and three different DVD players (Pioneer 343, Apex 500w, and Panasonic RV31).</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Not necessarily. DVD players are extraordinarily/?notoriously lax when it comes to adherence to VCD compliance (in terms of the MPEG stream). This is why XVCDs are possible.

However, if you play one of your discs on a stand-alone player that religiously expects compliance (e.g., stand-alone VCD players, the problems may then rear themselves).

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>If Nero doesn't fix them but they play on my players, than vcdxbuild must be doing something to corrupt them as they do not work on my hardware players after burning the bin/cue. Although the mpeg still image works great! </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, the padding in VCDImager isn't that good...

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>Heh, not easy for me. No matter how many ways I try to multiplex, demultiplex, cut or join with tmpgenc, I always get a file that plays out of sync afterwards.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn... Have you tried TMPGEnc 12a? Or have you tried remuxing with bbMPEG?

I have the suspicion that the way that your encoder is creating your MPEG files may be in a funny non-standard way...

Actually, before cutting your MPEG, try demultiplexing and then remultiplexing it first (with TMPGEnc and/or bbMPEG). Is the MPEG still in sync? If so, try cutting it then...

Regards.

[Belboz]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 20:37:49, vitualis wrote:
Not necessarily. DVD players are extraordinarily/?notoriously lax when it comes to adherence to VCD compliance (in terms of the MPEG stream). This is why XVCDs are possible.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I meant if the mpeg files in their current form "were" a problem for my DVD players Nero fixed them. If they were fine as is and Nero didn't touch them, then vcdimager had to do something to muck them up. Maybe there is a command line option to tell vcdimager to not muck with the file.

Not sure which one is the case though. Maybe hvr can chime in again.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Damn... Have you tried TMPGEnc 12a? Or have you tried remuxing with bbMPEG?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Tried 12a, 12g, and 12h.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
I have the suspicion that the way that your encoder is creating your MPEG files may be in a funny non-standard way...
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Might be. I know when I capture with VBR with the ATI card I seem to be able to cut fine with tmpgenc. Wierd.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually, before cutting your MPEG, try demultiplexing and then remultiplexing it first (with TMPGEnc and/or bbMPEG). Is the MPEG still in sync? If so, try cutting it then...
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I did try to demultiplex and remultiplex with bbmpeg one of my myflix cut files (don't have an original straight out of ati mmc right now) and it didn't work. Not the same problem. bbmpeg actually just crashed or exited with no warning. Haven't tried again. I will say that bbmpeg is VERY slow. I have a 1Ghz Athlon and it seems to crawl compared to tmpgenc.

That said I don't have that much time to waste jumping through all these hoops and hurdles to get something vcdimager likes. So for now I am going to have to stick with MMC -> MyFlix -> Nero. I can capture a 30 minute show knock out the commercials and burn the VCD all in about in about an hour. Normally I put three 30 minuted commercial cut shows on a single VCD so it takes a tad longer, but you get the idea.

I am hoping hvr can shed some light on my problem and tell me a workaround or offer some advice.

[vitualis]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-05 23:29:53, Belboz wrote:
...then vcdimager had to do something to muck them up. Maybe there is a command line option to tell vcdimager to not muck with the file...</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

The problem as I see it is that your MPEG-1 files aren't actually compliant, but Nero is able to accept them... You are probably actually making XVCDs rather than VCD -- but your DVDs are able to handle it.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>I did try to demultiplex and remultiplex with bbmpeg one of my myflix cut files (don't have an original straight out of ati mmc right now) and it didn't work. Not the same problem. bbmpeg actually just crashed or exited with no warning. Haven't tried again. I will say that bbmpeg is VERY slow. I have a 1Ghz Athlon and it seems to crawl compared to tmpgenc.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Okay. In my experience, once you've demultiplexed the MPEG, you should be able to remultiplex it to a good form. Are you having problems with bbMPEG demultiplexing? If so, try one of the other demuxing proggies around (e.g., Womble's MPEG-VCD 3).

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>That said I don't have that much time to waste jumping through all these hoops and hurdles to get something vcdimager likes. So for now I am going to have to stick with MMC -> MyFlix -> Nero. I can capture a 30 minute show knock out the commercials and burn the VCD all in about in about an hour. Normally I put three 30 minuted commercial cut shows on a single VCD so it takes a tad longer, but you get the idea.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I understand your sentiment, but, there is obviously something wrong with your mpeg streams... Perhaps it's something that MyFlix does to them?

Anyway, good luck.

Regards.

[Belboz]

On 2001-07-06 04:41:11, vitualis wrote:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
The problem as I see it is that your MPEG-1 files aren't actually compliant, but Nero is able to accept them... You are probably actually making XVCDs rather than VCD -- but your DVDs are able to handle it.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Doubtfull. They are at the correct rez, bitrate, sound is to spec.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Okay. In my experience, once you've demultiplexed the MPEG, you should be able to remultiplex it to a good form. Are you having problems with bbMPEG demultiplexing? If so, try one of the other demuxing proggies around (e.g., Womble's MPEG-VCD 3).
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

bbmpeg didn't seem to demultiplex well in my tests. Haven't tried anything but it and tmpgenc. Will look into the Womble program.


<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
I understand your sentiment, but, there is obviously something wrong with your mpeg streams... Perhaps it's something that MyFlix does to them?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I really doubt the mpeg streams are non-compliant. Here is a quote from the myflix help file, and this is how I save my mpegs with it. (for compliant vcd's)

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Generating Video CD compliant MPEGs

When you are editing an MPEG, you can tell MyFlix to generate a VCD compliant output stream that you can use to burn a Video CD with. You can do this by giving the generate output command a filename ending with “.vcd”. Our editor detects this, checks the MPEG files you want to edit are VCD compliant streams (i.e. conform to a set bitrate and frame size) and generates an output file you can load into your CD burner program for burning to VCD. Note, not all CD burning programs are capable of generating VCD output – we use WinOnCD3.5 for our testing. Good luck and have fun with this.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Even if your file is not to vcd specs the resulting file will be when saved.

Definitely wierd, but I'm hoping hvr will chime in with some advice. I will try another demultiplexer though.

Thanks for all your advice though. I do appreciate it.

_________________
belboz@cinci.rr.com



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Belboz on 2001-07-06 12:00:25 ]</font>

[Belboz]

By the way here is what Mpeg Properties says about my mpeg file.

System properties:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
# streams id's in header: 1
Audio_bound: 0
Video_bound: 0

Bitrate: 1.411 Mbits/s

Flags: CSPS , Audio Lock, Video Lock
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Video Properties

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
VBV Buffer Size: 40kbyte
352 X 240 29.97fps
Video Bitrate: 1.150 Mbit/s
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

Audio Properties

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Mpeg Layer II
Coding Std: 1
Sample Freq: 44.1kHz
Audio Bitrate: 224 kbit/s
Flags: Protection Bit
Mode: Stereo
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

If that helps any.

[vitualis]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-06 11:58:31, Belboz wrote:
Doubtfull. They are at the correct rez, bitrate, sound is to spec.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

VCD compliance is more than just the above. How it was muxed, pack size, padding, mpeg sequence headers, etc., all play an important role.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
Generating Video CD compliant MPEGs

When you are editing an MPEG, you can tell MyFlix to generate a VCD compliant output stream...[edit]

Even if your file is not to vcd specs the resulting file will be when saved.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

We have no way of knowing what MyFlix considers VCD compliant though...

Regards.