Ulead DVD MF sync problems

[rhegedus]

I'm currently backing up some Due South videos to DVD and have come into some sync problems.

This is what I do:

1) Capture with Vegas Video 3
2) Re-encode (video - MPEG2 352x576 CBR 3000kbps, audio - MPEG1 audio layer II, 48k Hz 384kbits/sec) with TMPGEnc
3) Author with Ulead DVD MF 2 Trial to VIDEO_TS folder
4) Burn as DVD with Nero.

On playing the DVD, sync gets progressivel worse, so by the end of 90 mins, it's a few seconds out. The same problem is present if I play the VIDEO_TS.ifo on the HD. The MPEG produces by TMPGEnc plays in sync, therefore the problem is with Ulead's authoring.

So, has anybody found a way to get make Ulead produce audio/video in sync? Or is there another program which allows MPEG to DVD conversion with chapters, but without a menu?

Regards,

Rob

[paintmodel]

Originally MF 1 had a sync problem that was cured by a patch. So far I have not encountered this with MF 2. Part of the problem may be the audio encoding. If you are using elementary streams from TPMG the audio needs to be compressed or the sync will deteriorate in MF 2. I did have this experience when using MPEG-2 elmentary video stream with an AC-3 .wav file. By using the system button in TPMG linking audio + video under audio mpeg layer 2 resolved that problem. Some have complained about the audio quality of TPMG but the ripping program I use extracts audio as an AC-3 file and I have layer 2 encoded it with satisfactory results when played on a set top box. (It does play in surround sound)

I have been having a jitter problem when trying to create dvd's with MF 2 with TPMG mpeg-2 encoded files. Although the original MPEG-2 file plays fine, after authoring in MF 2, when the scence gets busy, all sorts of jitttery motion occurs with objects in motion, all audio is synced throughout this. Have you had this problem??

G.B.

[rhegedus]

I've not experienced the jutter problems you mention, only the sync issue.

I think the only way to get around this is to chop up the mpeg into little pieces of about 5-10 mins and then feed them into MF.

I thought I'd sort this problem out before I bought this product, so I gave Ulead a call....or at least I tried to.

The telephone number for technical support in the UK (01327 844 755), form their web site http://www.ulead.co.uk/tech/techsupport.htm is disconnected! Rather like thrir software......

Others on this site have spoken of Ulead's pisspoor support - the above only confirms it!

Regards,

Rob

P.S. Any word on a patch for MF2 for the sync problem?

[Robbins1940]

Try reducing your audio bitrate to 192kb/s.

I have found there is no sync problems when using 192.

What is your pc? Athlon XP or Intel Pentium 4?

David

[rhegedus]

P4 2.26 oc 2.53

Do you mean the wav bitrate or should I use a compressed format?

Thanks for the reply.

Rob

[Robbins1940]

How are you capturing your file, AVI or MPEG?

Capture the audio like you were before but reduce the compression to 192kb/s.

Then you can increase your video bitrate a little.

Is thi for DVD video or a V/SVCD video format?

David

[rhegedus]

It's captured as DV by a Canopus ADVC100. I then convert this AVI1 to AVI2.

I've now extracted the wav from the AVI2 using vurtual dub then fed both video and audio back into TMPGEnc and set the audio to 192kb/s. Burned to DVD as DVD video 3000kb/s.

Seems to do the trick, but today is Saturday and Ulead might change it's mind by Sunday!

Regards,

Rob

[dobie]

My problems the same. .avi & .mpg files play perfect, appear fine in ULead, then burn is totally out of sync...not just a little. Mine are already at 192 bitrate, and have had the same problem at 224 bitrate. Any suggestions? I have had some good burns with Ulead, and now that I think of it, I think all the problems are with movies where I've had to separate the audio due to .ac3 or vbr problems in virtual dub. I'm truly at a loss though, as all appears fine on my pc. I'm doing a test right now through spruce-up to see if that works. Suggestions are very appreciated!

[rhegedus]

OK, now down to 128kb/s and no improvement. One thing I have noticed is that the sync problems get worse the more video you add: I've got 3 clips 90min, 45 min, 45 min) totalling 3 hours. If I put the clips on their own, the sync is OK - if they're on together then the sync is out.

Regards,

Rob

[rhegedus]

OK - I've found a way around this!

Use SpruceUp instead of Ulead. Ulead can go and whistle for it!

Regards,

Rob

p.s. SpruceUp demo is available, but is limited to 2 burns. Sadly, it can no longer be purchased. But there is a way around this - just delete the file SpruceUp.hid in program directory and start again.
There is also a crack available. I'm not advocating the use of cracks, but what should one do if you cannot purchase the program any longer?

[Robbins1940]

Well I used Hauppauge WinTV PVR to capture programmes from TV in DVD mpeg2 format and I don't get audio problems since changing my computer to an Intel Pentium 4 system.

I used NanoEdit to get rid of the ads and then authorise with Movie Factory 1 and then burn with Nero Express.

I get no problems.

Been putting Columbo episodes on dvd discs for my Mum and she says there is no audio sync problems with them. Captured at either 6mb/s or 8mb/s video and 192kb/s audio.

David

P.S. Using latest drivers.

[rhegedus]

How many episodes (time) can you fir on one DVD?

Regards,

Rob

[Robbins1940]

Depends on the running time. I don't go more than 100 minutes usually.

David

[rhegedus]

I think you could get a lot more on without loss of quality:

PAL 352x576 CBR 3000kb/s gives about 3hr per DVD

I think you could get away with audio at 128kb/s, since VHS audio tends to be crap anyway, so encoding at a higher rate will not improve the situation.

Regards,

Rob

[rauschee]

I've been struggling with my Hauppauge PVR-250 and the ULead DVD Movie Factory software that came with it. VCD and SVCD captures and recording to CD are flawless using the Nanoedit and Ulead DVD MF. But, if I record a full length movie (1 and a half to 1 and three quarter hour), edit the beginning and end in Nanoedit, then author with Ulead, I get progressively worse audio sync. Sometimes up to a second or 2 at the end of the movie on the DVD or in the Video_TS files saved to hard disc.

I emailed Hauppauge and they didn't respond (over a month). I called and let them know I've tried everything on their support site (updated drivers, fresh Win2K install, etc) and I still have problems. They tried to offer the same support that was on the site but I told them I already tried it. He then said they'd try to duplicate and took down by system info. It's been a week and a half. It takes me a few hours to install Win2K, the PVR-250 software, record and burn a movie. Pretty bad support.

I've been looking for help for over a month, and I finally run ito someone who has success with the PVR-250 and Ulead DVD MF that came with it. Wow! I thought they were selling bad software... Were you getting similar problems before (downgrading) to P4? Was your previous system an ATHALON or another Intell system? I've tries a P3 to no help. Most importanly, I suspect the operating system. What OS were you using before and what are you using now?

Your help will be very much appreciated. I bought this thing for making DVDs and it has yet to work.

[rhegedus]

The 'support' you got is the standard response from people who don't know what they're doing or what the problem is. I once called Sierra because SWAT3 didn't load because the copy protection didn't like CDR or DVD drives. Obviously, this is a fault of theirs, not my system, but I was still told to do a fresh OS install. Pathetic!

Sync problems are nothing new to Ulead. However, you need to isolate what's causing yours. The fact that VCD and SVCD captures are 'flawless' indicates that the capture process is working well, but the authoring to DVD is not. Just to be sure, is the mpeg that you capture before putting on DVD in sysc? If so, the it's Ulead playing up. If not, the perhaps the Hauppauge needs to be set up for DVD captures.

If it is a Ulead problem, then I suggest trying SpruceUp instead. Since I switched over to it, I've had no problems at all.

Regards,

Rob

[donpedro]

Question guys .... Can installing Ulead product caouse problems with de-mux in TMPGEnc ? Some kind of "codec" preference ?

My original mpeg files are in sync but not after authoring witrh MF2 or de-muxing in TMPGEnc.

[rauschee]

Thanks for your reply Rob!

I've been working on this for a loooong time. I sometimes wonder if it is worth it with life being so short. It's a hobby though.

The mpeg created by the hardware encoder Hauppauge PVR-250 in DVD standard mode are flawless on the computer. After i cut them in nanoedit, still flawless. After authoring with Ulead, hte Video_ts folder on the hard disc and dvd-rw is out of sync.

I tried MyDVD by Sonic the last few days. If I import my mpeg and burn without editing, I get the same sync problem- well, actually worse. When I import the mpeg and create one or more chapter buttons it actually works! But on more than one movie, I noticed a lot of minor stuttering, I think that is called fast motion problems like the jitter discussed above. It's not in the original mpeg and I didn't have that problem with Ulead, just the sync problems. But I am glad to see something work!

I have a copy of Studio 8 that I got free after rebate. i'm going to try that while I look for Spruce Up. i hear that is hard to find...

I just wonder how Hauppauge can get away selling product bundled with software that does not do what it claims or is so buggy that I've only heard of one person claiming it works. if they'd call me up and tell me their attempt to duplicate my problem on a similar system/OS produced good/bad results, I'd be much happier. but, of course, they offer NO support at all.

[Robbins1940]

I think you could get a lot more on without loss of quality:

PAL 352x576 CBR 3000kb/s gives about 3hr per DVD

I think you could get away with audio at 128kb/s, since VHS audio tends to be crap anyway, so encoding at a higher rate will not improve the situation.

Regards,

Rob

I capture directly from broadcast tv not VHS. Though i don't tend to go above 100 minutes much sometimes I go to about 155 minutes with a video bitrate of 3775kb/s.

Its better to defragment each step of the way. Defragement after capture, defragment after editing, defragement after authorising.

I have the old PVR card not the 250.

David