[ffmpeg+divx doctor] Problem with Doctored Avi !

[SIMPLE_THINGS]

Hi!

When I convert from Divx to SVCD/CVD/DVD i usually run the movie trough DivX Doctor II first and then encode the ".mov" in ffMpeg checkin' the QT Decode Option: so I avoid sync problems between audio and video.

But yesterday, playin' some disc, I noticed a little but annoying problem on video: all the scenes where the camera makes a motion (orizzontal or vertical no difference) the video moves jerkily (regular click...).

All the divx re-encoded on mpeg2 with ffmpeg jerk along on camera movements!!!

I made some tests and I noticed that the problems seems to be related with the QT Decode option: if I leave unchecked the QT decode or if I check the MPlayer option the final mpeg file looks ok. But so the audio/video goes out of sync!!!

Anyone notice this problem? Or maybe have a solution?

[Pix]

Hi,
sorry I do not have an answer, just a similar experience. And actually it produces the same jerky video with mpeg1 (I posted regarding this matter some monthes ago). The image slightly stops every 2 secs (about), and you see it more when there is more movement in the picture.

As this does not happen when encoding from .vob files, I'm sure neither ffmpegX nor mpeg2enc are involved. The fault is to QT !

My opinion (it's only a modest one!) is that the codec used by QT or the way QT uses the codec has a problem. I actually tried with several codecs : 3ivx, ffmpegdivx, divx5 alpha etc... All have the same result.
Remember that even if the doctored file is a .mov, the codec used to read/decode the video is still a divx codec.

And I hardly imagine all divx codecs are buggy ! So maybe trying with an older version of QT could help, all the more as I discussed this with friends who don't have the problem but could not isolate where it all come from !

If somebody wants to cooperate on this, I'll post details about my full config, QT, ffmpegX, codecs, mpeg2enc etc... versions.

Thanks.

[Pix]

Here's the config :

iMac 400 DV - 512 mbytes of RAM, macOS 10.2.4 (all latest updates), QT 6.1.1 (did the same with 6.1), Toast 5.2.1 (did the same with 5.2 and its videoCD export component 1.5 or 1.5.5 - don't know if this is used in the process however), latest 3ivx codec, divX alpha5 codec, latest ffmpegDivx component, ffmpegX 0.0.6 g (latest I presume) and does the same in ffmpegX 0.0.4 k, latest mpeg2enc in the usr/bin folder (same old one since a couple of month I think).

If somebody does avi to VCD/SVCD conversion with ffmpegX and does not have the jerky video, would he be so kind and post his config ?

By the way, encoding a doctored avi with Toast and it's video plugin has the same effects... So I'm really thinking something's wrong with QT and/or the divx codec.
The doctored file doesn't show this phenomenon, it happens only after encoding.

Thanks for any hint.

[SIMPLE_THINGS]

The image slightly stops every 2 secs (about), and you see it more when there is more movement in the picture."

No words would be better to describe the problem!
This is exactly what I see on my mpeg files...

I'm agree with u when saying that the fault is to QT or some codecs 'cause the doctored avi doesn't show this phenomenon, it happens only after encoding. And I tried also other encoders: Quicktime mpeg2 encoder, Bitvice and Cleaner but in any case the problem remains (probably due to fact that all those encoders use QuickTime routines to get format/frame/size!).

Here my configuration:

Mirrored Doors G4 - 1 GB Ram - OSX 10.2.4 - QT 6.1.1 - ffMpeg 0.0.6g - latest 3ivx/divx codec - DivX Doctor II...

[Pix]

Still did not find a solution and investigating on many forums. I sent some emails as well. Will keep you informed.

It seems that encoding in NTSC instead of PAL is a good workaround to avoid the jerking. Don't know why, but actually the image is smooth. Then if your DVD player and/or TV handle NTSC, it will enable to wait for a PAL solution

Also, encoding in PAL but just changing the framerate to either NTSC video or NTSC film eliminates the jerking. Just for information, because I doubt this hybrid format can be recognized by Toast or VCD builder and/or your DVD player. And surely sound sync problems might appear, that's why I did not continue for full encoding/muxing/burning. If you wish to try...

Let's be patient and continue our investigations on something I really don't understand...

Any tip/help welcome.

[SIMPLE_THINGS]

Also, encoding in PAL but just changing the framerate to either NTSC video or NTSC film eliminates the jerking. Just for information, because I doubt this hybrid format can be recognized by Toast or VCD builder and/or your DVD player. And surely sound sync problems might appear, that's why I did not continue for full encoding/muxing/burning. If you wish to try...

I tried to change the framerate to NTSC Film and, deselecting QT Decode, the mpeg plays fine (no jerks and insync!)... And my Pioneer 525 plays it without problems. But this is not standard and many dvd players could have some problems.

Same situation than Pal encoding on Ntsc at 29 fps...

[Pix]

Hi,
there's an other post which gives more or less the explanation. Something I did not know is that divx is ntsc or pal, i.e. has the corresponding framerates (25 for PAL etc...).
Then if the divx is NTSC, you should make a NTSC VCD : this is accepted by any VCD player I guess, it's standard. If the original framerate is 25, then endode to PAL...
So no real need to create the hybrid format (PAL size with NTSC framerate)
Very basic things for people who are used to video things
I catched a "PAL" divx and I don't have the video jerking... (seems)

[SIMPLE_THINGS]

Hi,
there's an other post which gives more or less the explanation. Something I did not know is that divx is ntsc or pal, i.e. has the corresponding framerates (25 for PAL etc...).

99% of my Divx movies (all downloaded...) are 640x480 at 23.97 fps, which is not "true" Ntsc nor Pal... I have tried conversion on both sistems but the problem remains.

Only if I uncheck the QT Decode option and set the framerate to 23.97 (ntsc film) have in-sync mpeg with no jerky...

[rorschach]

Thank you! This is the thread I have been looking for. In other threads, I have been complaining about a "herky/jerky" or "skipping frames" SVCDs that are made. The final encode looks just fine on the computer, but once burned (whether Toast or MissingMediaBurner) the resulting playback on DVD Player (Electrohome Eh-8181a) has bad playback, but it plays okay on a friend's Pioneer DVD.

My problem is specifically a 25fps frame rate.

Let me try this Deselect QT Decode and Pal Encode with Pal 25 frame rate option and report back here ASAP! I've been going crazy! Thanks! I was looking for a "variation" of the encoding options.

Here's my setup and settings. Can Pix or Simple Things please advise the proper selections for best playback?

This is the procedural I use to encode an AVI to SVCD, adapted from a procedural posted by ThomasBBS from another thread in this board.

My AVIs are consistently 25fps so I am using Pal 25 fps to maintain sound synching. Under FFMPEGX I use SVCD NTSC. But based on your conversation in this thread, should that setting be SVCD PAL (And then Pal 25 framerate)?

Creating a VCD via Toast VideoCD works just fine. In fact it progresses a 25fps progam to 29.97 with SYNCHING! But I’m attempting SVCD here and Toast doesn’t do that (it also takes forever and you can’t use your Mac in the meantime, but FFMPEGs Terminal allows me to keep using the Mac.)

WITH THIS PROCEDURE BELOW, ALL PLAYS WELL ON THE COMPUTER, AND *IS* A SVCD, BUT PLAYBACK ON DVD PLAYER HAS THE “HERKY/JERKY” or “SKIPPING FRAMES” PROBLEM.

***Please indicate the probable variations I need to make for this to work?***


Video: msmpeg4, 688x384, 23.98 fps, 800 kb/s
Audio: mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 96 kb/s

For the video:
- Video codec set to MPEG2 [MPG] (mpeg2enc)
- Bitrate Calculator set to length of movie, one CD, and 80min mode-2
- Autosize set to SVCD NTSC, which auto-set the video size to 480x480
- Framerate set to PAL 25 note: if set to NTSC (29.97), or NTSC Film (23.98) the video and audio were always out of sync

For Audio:
Nothing! I unchecked Encode Audio, ffmpegx still processed the audio and wonderfully downsampled it to 44.1 Hz

For Options:
- bicubic scaling...on
- Altivec...on
- QT encode...on
- Profile set to XSVCD
For Tools: turned everything off

[rorschach]

I succeeded in a smooth playback on my DVD Player with QT Decode turned OFF. But I had encoded SVCD PAL and got PAL dimensions stretching video, so now I'm re-encoding the file as SVCD NTSC + PAL 25fps and same other settings and let's see if that's the perfect settings to make the file work! Oh, I also clicked ON Encode Hi Frequency under Options. I'll report results again later today...