Converting my AVI to put on a DVD

[dvd_burner]

Hello all. I have a question to throw out to you all.

I have DVDIt PE and I am trying to make a DVD with it. I have a 17 minute AVI file and I created a nice DVDIt menu and stuff for it.

The problem arrises when I go to burn and "transcode" it. I left it running last night and this morning when I woke up it said "Unknown Error". Then, I ran it again and when I came home from work it was only like 25% and I found out it froze.

I am wondering how I can make this either work or not have to transcode (encode the file to MPEG-2 myself).

I tried TEMPG Enc and it encoded but it makes a seperate video and audio file. If there is a way to fix this than that program could work. I have also been trying a program called bbMPEG.


Please reply ASAP as I need this burned by tomorrow.

Thanks

-Mark

[bugster]

For the beginner, TmpGenc is the way to go. Look in the newbie section on the left and the convert section for various guides on using it.

BTW, it doesnt require or produce seperate video and audio files unless you want it to.

Also, I would suggest alternative DVD authoring SW other than MyDvd. It forces you to use PCM audio and has a habit of re-encoding perfectly good mpegs. Take a look around this forum to see what others reccomend.

[dvd_burner]

What program would you suggest?

What setting would I change to make it not produce seperate files?

Thanks

-Mark

[bugster]

A I said, use Tmpgenc. It does NOT produce seperate video and audio files unless you specifically instruct it to do so and in that case it has to be run twice. Once to encode the video and once to encode the audio.

I would then suggest Ulead DVD workshop or Dazzle DVD complete for authoring to DVD-video format.

[dvd_burner]

Well, I encoded using Tmpgenc and it made an mpeg and a wav file. To me that's an audio and video. It only ran once? I dunno!

-Mark

[bugster]

Well, I encoded using Tmpgenc and it made an mpeg and a wav file. To me that's an audio and video. It only ran once? I dunno!

-Mark

Could you explain the steps you execute when using Tmpgenc, from starting the program to the 'finsihed product' because I don't see how you can get an mpeg and a wav file as you described under normal encoding methods. You must be doing something wrong/different to normal.

[Don2050]

In TMPGenc on the first screen when you open it, under 'Stream Type'

is 'System(Video+Audio)' checked ?

[Craig Tucker]

The later versions of TMPGEnc allow you to output a seperate audio and video stream when using the DVD templates. There is a checkbox on the last screen before you actually start encoding that says something like, output seperate audio and video streams. I cant remember exactly I am at work at the moment.

Version : 2.58. 2002/09/03


"ES (Video+Audio)" has been added to stream type in the main window. This mode outputs separate video / audio stream.
"System (Audio only)" has been deleted from the list of stream type in the main window. This feature can be done with "simple de-mulitplex" under MPEG Tools.
Video and Audio stream can be outputted separately if user select DVD template at Project Wizard.
Now TMPGEnc has priority of MPEG-2 decoders at VFAPI plug-in priority setting. The priority is fixed and can not be changed by user as follows: 1:Sony 2:Ligos 3:CyberLink
Bugfix: "Prefetch Video" error occurred if Prefetch Video was enabled at Multi-thread setting
At 1st pass of 2 pass VBR, the character "analyzing" is not clickable anymore(since it does not mean anything).
Bugfix: At MPEG Tools, Merge&Cut, TMPGEnc did not treat MPEG-2 files whose colour_description is "0". (FYI, any version of TMPGEnc produces MPEG-2 file whose colour_description is "1".)

[DJRumpy]

Open your AVI in Virtual Dub. From the Video menu, select SCAN VIDEO STREAM FOR ERRORS. You may have some simple errors in your source that fudging things up.

Most of the higher end authoring software either requires, or perfers a seperate sound file (ac3, MP2) to author a DVD. If I remember correctly, even MyDVD or DVDIt will demultiplex (split the audio and video) of an MPEG during the authoring process, so your only adding process time if you leave it intact. Can someone verify who's still using those programs?

I suggest you get a copy of SpruceUp. It's one of the simplest authoring programs out there, and it supports 5.1 AC3 audio. If your getting more into authoring DVD's, eventually, you will want to author ones with 5.1 surround. Key generators are easily found on Google. Don't ask for them here.

[dvd_burner]

OK...sorry I've been away and not responded for a few days, but here are the answers to your questions:

1. Don2050: No, the checked option is "ES (Video+Audio)
2. You asked how I execute it, here is how:

1. When the wizard comes up, I chose DVD NTSC
2. I select my video files and the following options are as follows:

Video Type: Interlace
Field Order: Bottom Field First
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 etc
Content Of Video: Video Movie

On the next screen, I do not have any options checked.

On the next screen, here are the options:

Video Resolution: 720x480
Average Video Birate: 8000
Audio Birate: 1536
Estimated File Size: 1868.61

Both Auto Select boxes are checked.

I chose my output file and then I click next.

OK..I hope that info helps solve my problem. I downloaded that SpruceUp tool, and I am going to try it. Can you cut chapters with it? Hopefully

I would appreciate any ideas as I have to have this DVD Resume done today to show to my new employer.

Thanks A Lot Everyone!

-Mark

[dvd_burner]

I might see the problem with TMPGEnc now. I see at the end screen of the wizard it says "Output Video and Audio as individual Elemantary streams". It's greyed out and checked so I can't uncheck it.

-Mark

[Craig Tucker]

I might see the problem with TMPGEnc now. I see at the end screen of the wizard it says "Output Video and Audio as individual Elemantary streams". It's greyed out and checked so I can't uncheck it.

-Mark

Didn't I say that ?

Try loading the unlock template and then starting the wizard again. It's not greyed out when I run the wizard.

[dvd_burner]

I got the plus version and now I am trying it.

-Mark

[Craig Tucker]

Cancel the wizard, click on load, goto the extras directory and click on the unloack template. This unlocks all settings and allows you to make changes. Then try running the wizard again.

[dvd_burner]

OK I encoded it to MPEG-2 and the file extension is .mpg.

I tried that spruce thing, and I can't figure out how to add chapters by timecode. I looked in help, but it didn't say anything about adding by timecode.

So I try in DVDIt and when I try to import the file it says I don't have MPEG-2 Decoder.

I downloaded one from this site and installed it, but no luck.

Any Ideas?

-Mark

[DJRumpy]

The interface for Spruce is somewhat primitive, given the GUI's of these days. To add chapters, you double click on your video file, after importing it. Just move the slider to where you want your chapter point, and click the chapter button. It will add a red flag. It you want SpruceUp to add images to your menu's, from each chapter point, then there is also a button there which will do a screen capture, and create thumbnails for each chapter point.

There's a decent guide on Doom9. You can find it here:

http://www.doom9.org/mpg/spruceup.htm

If the link doesn't work, go to the main site, and select MORE from the drop down list. Seach for Spruce. The list is long, so you may have more than one hit (Spruce also makes Maestro, which is in the list).

[dvd_burner]

I need to cut chapters by timecode...not by dragging a bar over...do you know if spruce does that?

-Mark

[bugster]

I need to cut chapters by timecode...not by dragging a bar over...do you know if spruce does that?

-Mark

No it doesn't sorry.

SOmething you might try to get round the 'no decoder' problem with Dvdit.

Double click you mpeg file and let it start playing in WMP. Click th stop button but DO NOT close WMP, just minimise it. Now open DvdIt and see if it will now open your mpeg.

[DJRumpy]

I agree, timecode would be handy. The slider can be clunky, since it only lets you drop a chapter on scene changes. It's not as precise as I would like it to be. I wonder if IFOEdit will let you manually edit chapter points?

[dvd_burner]

The way my project is set up is there is a sample of my DJ experience, and then some of my past video projects and then credits.

I want to cut chapters at the beginning of each song, when I describe my DJ Experience, and for each of the projects.

Any word on why DVDIt says that error? I checked their site and followed their steps...but no luck there.

Thanks

-Mark

[DJRumpy]

I would guess there is some corruption in one of your streams. You can check the audio stream by trying to convert it with BeSweet. It will report any errors it finds. You may be able to simply convert if from MP2 to MP2 to correct them.

You M2V file can be fixed with VCDGear, using the MPEG to MPEG option. Make sure you have "Fix MPEG Errors" selected, and the 'Split' option turned off under the OPTIONS button.

A few last things, make sure all of your audio, and video is compliant.

48 Khz for the audio, and a valid resolution for the video. If you imported anything into the menu setup, it should also comply with standard.

Optionally, you can always importing into SpruceUp, as it will also tell you if any of your files are corrupt.

And finally, check to make sure the destination drive, and TEMP drive have adequate space for your project (note: TEMP drive may not necessarily be the same as your destination drive). You should have twice the necessary space (or about 8GB ) to be absolutely sure you don't run out during the image creation process, or minimally enough for a DVD image (4.3 GB).

[DJRumpy]

I just noticed something. Your AUDIO bitrate isn't really

Audio Birate: 1536

is it?

[bugster]

I just noticed something. Your AUDIO bitrate isn't really

Audio Birate: 1536

is it?

Isn't that about right for PCM. Producing a .m2v and a .wav, isn't that what you would get.

Must agree, is rather odd/unusual.

[Eric J]

I don't know about DVDIt PE, but with MyDVD (another Sonic product) the only audio encoding format available is uncompressed 48 kHz PCM, so the quoted bitrate does not seem out of line. Of course, if DVDIt PE will accept AC3, you can save a lot of space on the disk by using it.

Of course, this presents a nice segue into the raging debate as to whether the TMPGEnc audio encoder is up to the task of generating AC3.

Regards,

Eric J

[bugster]

Of course, this presents a nice segue into the raging debate as to whether the TMPGEnc audio encoder is up to the task of generating AC3.

Regards,

Eric J

What raging debate, AFAIK, TmpGenc does NOT generate AC3, at least not without an external plugin to do the work on its behalf.

Anyway, DVDit PE will only handle 2 ch Ac3. But it will convert PCM to that format if you ask it to do so.

[dvd_burner]

To answer your question, yes, my audio birate really is what I put. That's what tmpegenc really said.

I have MyDVD. I have made a DVD with that before, but you can't cut chapters with MyDVD.

-Mark

[bugster]

To answer your question, yes, my audio birate really is what I put. That's what tmpegenc really said.

I have MyDVD. I have made a DVD with that before, but you can't cut chapters with MyDVD.

-Mark

What version do you have. I have used MyDvd 2.3 and you CAN make chapters with it. I ahven't used the more recent versions though as I don't like the PCM audio only restriction.

[dvd_burner]

MyDVD version 4.0 came with my Sony DRU500-A burner. I tried to launch it and it gave me the ASPI error..."Could not initialize ASPI" or someting like that.

I looked at te MyDVD Help file and it says this:

Note: Only clips you have recorded in MyDVD and clips recorded in Philips DVD video recorders can contain chapter points. You cannot add chapter points to clips created in other applications.

??? I really need this DVD burned for my interview. I have posponed it for so long and I'm getting screwed ..

-Mark

[dvd_burner]

I tried to launch Spruce to maybe try cutting the chapters with that stupid bar, and it gave me that ASPI error also!

-Mark

[bugster]

I looked at te MyDVD Help file and it says this:

Note: Only clips you have recorded in MyDVD and clips recorded in Philips DVD video recorders can contain chapter points. You cannot add chapter points to clips created in other applications.

-Mark

What a bummer, piece of crap by the sounds of it.

Why not download the ULEAD DVD Workshop trial version. AFAIK it is fully functional and lasts for 30 days. It will allow you to set chapters where ever you want plus it will do loads of other stuff too. I don't use it much myself but loads of other people swear by it. What little use I have made of it it looks pretty good.

It looks like you need to install/update your ASPI drivers. Search the forum for more details.