Hi There,

I have a little problem that lies somewhere between Avid Xpress DV
video editing software, the resulting MPEG2 and WAV files, and my DV
burning software

EQUIPMENT - I?m running an IBM ThinkPad T-23 with plenty of RAM. I?m
running Windows 2000 Profesional.   I?m also running an IBM
Multi-Burner which does in fact work and which burns CD-R?s, CD-RW?s,
DVD-R?s, and DVD-RW?s through the IBM Record Now function.  Like I
said, it?s working, at least mechanically

PROGRAMS - On the T-23, I have at least 3 programs which are supposed
to make video into DVD?s.  Only problem is, they won?t do it on either
the hard disc or the IBM Multi-Burner.  I?m particularly disturbed
because they won?t do it on the hard disc.  Once we get the hard disc
problem figured out, I?m pretty sure the Multi-Burner will follow.

PROCESS ? I?m using Avid Xpress DV 3.0 to generate an MPEG2 and a WAV
file.  Avid claims the MPEG2 Encoder for this program is imbedded in
the installation disc.

Avid Xpress 3.0 ? ?Create Volume on Disc? appears to work OK.  But
it?s hard to tell.  The only true test is to do the next step which is
to use a DVD creation program to get the package on DVD disc. 
Unfortunately, the programs below, which I?d ordinarily use, hang up
as I?ve described below.

In Avid, when I use ?Create DVD on Disc?, I get a partial writing, but
the process hangs up indefinitely on ?Recording to Disc?.

DVDit! V2.5 LE ? Will not burn a DVD to either my hard disc or to the
DVD disc.  I get an error message that says that the WAV file has an
unsupported number of channels.  There is only one track/channel which
is made into the WAV file, so I?m not sure what generates this error.

Intervideo Win DVD Creator Plus v1.0 ?  This will allow me to make
VCDs and SVCDs on either the hard disc or a CD.  The process works
very well.  However, when I try to make a DVD on either my hard disc
or a DVD disc, the process hangs up on ?Making Movie.?  For a 15
second clip, I can leave the machine running all night long and it
won?t do anything.  Additional problems with this program are (1) An
SVCD creation on either the hard disc or on a CD will have pulsing
titles and (2) No matter how I plug cameras into the computer,
WinDVD?s device list won?t show them.

ADDITIONAL TESTS ? I?ve copied the MPEG2 and WAV files and tried to
make them into a DVD on another computer.  No luck so far.  I?ve also
used DVDit! ?in another computer and still get the Unsupported Number
of Channels error

PROGRAM SUPPORT AT AVID ? Since the MPEG2 and WAV files play perfectly
in Windows Media Player, the support personnel at Avid swear that Avid
and the MPEG2 encoder are working perfectly.
PROGRAM SUPPORT FROM WINDVD - I?ve written to Win DVD.  They asked
questions about the hardware (all of which is OK) and then told me to
talk to IBM.

PROGRAM SUPPORT AT IBM says they have documentation to fix similar
problems with pulsing SVCD titles on their ThinkPad T-30.  However,
they say I shouldn?t download these patches on the T-23.  I?ll risk
more problems.

PROGRAM SUPPORT AT DVDit! - Unfortunately, they?re not interested in
answering, though their websites say they?ll answer in 24 hours.

ATTEMPTS ? I?ve re-installed all software with no good results.

SUSPICION - One suspicion I have is that none of these programs work
with Microsoft Service Pack 3, which is what I?m using.  Could this be
the case?  If so, what are the patches?  Once Service Pack 3 is
installed, there?s no way to remove it and back down to Service Pack
2.

PROBLEM RE-STATED - Any ideas on what?s going on with the above?  As I
said, the hardware is working OK.  The fact that I can?t make DVD?s on
either the hard disc or a DVD disc indicates a hardware/software
conflict that I?m getting tired of.  I figure that, once I get the
thing fixed well enough to burn to hard disc, then it?ll work on the
Multiburner.

Additionally, what is the phone number for DVDit!?  There?s not one
listed in the website.

What is the number for Intervideo Win DVD?

Thanks,

Zaynab-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 11 Nov 2003 12:18 PST

Hi,

Thank you for your question. I have a feeling that the MPEG file that
is generated is not fully compliant with the DVD standard. Could you
please do the following:

- Download and install Virtualdub Mod from:
http://virtualdubmod.sourceforge.net

- Open one of your files with Virtualdub Mod, then go to File->File
Information and post all the information there please.

- If possible can you please post a sample file, not necessarily the
whole file, just a few seconds.

Thanks.
endo

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 12 Nov 2003 05:32 PST

Hi Endo,

You're on the right track.  I've discovered that the WAV file is mono
rather than stereo.  At least that's what we think it is.  When we run
it through Premier, it is turned back to stereo and we can make DVD's
out of it.

I'll download the program you requested and get back with you.  It'll
take a bit, like maybe a couple of days.  I'm currently enduring some
work panics.

At any rate, once I download the program, let it run its wizardry, and
send the information to you, we still have to figure out what's
causing the corruption.

Thanks for the help,

Zaynab-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 12 Nov 2003 15:35 PST

Thank you for the extra information.
Just post the file details please when you get them and I'll make sure
to look at them.
Thanks.
endo

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 15 Nov 2003 02:30 PST

Hi There Endo,

Thanks so much for writing and thanks for the information on the
VirtualDubMod progam.  I?ve been struggling with this problem for 18
months.  I sure hope you can help.

If I open this same MPEG Video file in the VirtualDubMod Program and
then click File/File Information, all I get is a dialog box that shows
the information below.

-	Frame Size = 720x480 (This is the proper frame size for NTSC and
it?s why I?m thinking that Media Player changes the size to fit its
needs)

-	Fps. # of frames = 43 (0.14)

-	Number of I, P, and B frames = 30/116/290

-	I-frame min/avg/max/total frame size = 7504/29755/59875/(872K)

-	P-frame min/avg/max/total frame size = 288/24104/44740/(2731K)

-	B-frame min/avg/max/total frame size = 6260/12553/43959/(3556k)

-	Average bitrate = 4030 Kbps (492KB/s

-	There is no audio information, of course.

You?ve asked me to post a sample file.  Are you talking about
something that comes out of VirtualDubMod?  Or are you asking that I
post something else?  If you let me know and let me know how to do it,
I will.

Here?s something else that might help.  I opened Windows Media Player,
opened the WAV file, and selected file/properties.  I hear that
there?s supposed to be an Advanced Tab in here that will show me
nChannels, but I can?t find it.  I?m using Windows Media Player 9
Series, by the way.

The File tab shows the following information:

-	File extension = .wav

-	Media Type = Audio

-	Audio Codec = Unknown

-	Video Codec = Unknown

-	Bit Rate = no information

If I open Explore and right click on the WAV file and then click
properties/summary, here?s what I find:

-	Bit Rate = 768bps

-	Audio Sample Size = 16 bit

-	Channels = 1 (mono)

-	Audio Sample Rate = 48kHz

-	Audio Format = PCM

Now here?s some interesting stuff.  I?m not sure if it?s pertinent,
but I might as well throw it your way.  When opening the MPEG video
file in Media Player, I have to select Any File to get it to show in
the box.  Note that I then get a dialog box telling me that the file
type is not recognized by Windows Media Player.  If I click OK, it?ll
open anyway.  If I click file/properties and look under the File Tab,
here?s what I find:

-	Media Type = Video

-	Extension = .m2v  (And this is my note ?? remember that I get a
dialog box when opening that says this file type isn?t recognized by
Media Player)

-	Video Codec = Logos MPEG Video Decoder

-	Audio Codec = Unknown

-	Size = 720x540.  (This may be important because MPEG can only be
720x480 for NTSC.  Then again, I?m aware that, since Media Player
doesn?t recognize .m2v, it may re-jigger the size)

Whew!  So, any ideas?  It?s all clear as mud to me.  I hope you can
point me in the right direction.  As I said, I?ve been in the dark for
way too long.


Thanks,

Zaynab

---

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 15 Nov 2003 06:08 PST

Hi,

Thank you for the extra information.
I meant a sample file of yours, one of the MPEG files, but it might
not be necessary.
After looking into this a bit more, I'm almost certain that the audio
file needs to be stereo, also the FPS you have for the video file
seems weird.

My suggestions are as follows:
1-) Convert the audio file to stereo. This can be done with the
standard sound recorder with Windows, just open the file with sound
recorder, choose save as, then choose the attribute at the bottom,
48KHz 16Bit Stereo. Then try and author the DVD with DVDit!. You could
also have a look at this guide, to make sure all the steps are
correct:

Authoring using DVDit!
http://www.lordsmurf.com/authorburn/dvdit/dvdit.htm


2-) Failing that, try using TMPGenc to generate the MPEG file from
scratch, from your source. Then going through the attempt to author
the DVD again.
Here is a guide on using TMPGEnc:

Convert to MPEG using TMPGEnc Plus
http://www.swtato.com/_hosting/lordsmurf/convert/tmpgenc/tmpgencplus.htm

You can download TMPGEnc from:
http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_main.html

3-) If all that fails, can you please download GSpot, which will give
more explicit information about your video file. Could you please post
that information here. If you want you can upload a screenshot to the
FTP detailed at the bottom of this message.
GSpot can be found here (no pun intended):

GSpot Codec information appliance
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/



Please let me know what the outcome is, hopefully one of these steps
will allow the video be put on disc.

Thanks.
endo

FTP details
ftp://ftp.membres.lycos.fr 
username: dbky
password: googleanswers

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 18 Nov 2003 01:52 PST

Hi Endo,

We're very much on the right track.  I think we'll get it worked out
soon.  If everything goes as planned, I'll be able to drag a Quicktime
Reference file into the TMPGenc program and make an MPEG2 and a WAV
file from there.

The only hiccup might be that I'll have to install a program that will
allow me to use the Quicktime Reference File.  This is called
QTReader, I think.

I may have problems linking up the encoder, reader, and the Quicktime
files.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Zaynab-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 18 Nov 2003 10:50 PST

Hi Zaynab-ga,

If you are converting from Quicktime here is a guide for it:

BMWFilms (Quicktime6 / EFE) to DVD
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/124856.php

Forum discussing the guide:
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124856

QTReader can be downloaded from here:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/4942/svcd.html

I've just tried it and it seems to work, all you need to do is copy
QTReader.vfp from the zip file to the main TMPGEnc directory and you
can open QuickTime files. Then it's just a matter of choosing the
settings as in the guide, or using the wizard within TMPGEnc.

The generated video file shows this information when viewed with VirtualDubMod:
http://membres.lycos.fr/dbky/endo/mpeg.jpg


Please let me know how you're going along and if you need any help
please do not hesitate to ask.

Thanks.
endo

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 22 Nov 2003 07:31 PST

Hi Endo,

I've had some limited success.  I can download the TMPG Encoder and
the Quicktime Reference Reader in Computer #1, which is the one I'm
editing on.  But I can't get the zip files to expand.  What can I
download to expand them?

I can download and expand in Computer #2 and then transfer by disc to
Computer #1.  The program will run until I push the Encode Now Button.
 At that point, the program vanishes.  Sometimes I get an error notice
that a log is generated somewhere.

At any rate, I bet if I can get the downloaded files to expand in
Computer Number 1, I'll be golden.  I'm losing something in the
transfer.

On another note, when you say drag the QTReader.vfp file into the main
TMPG encoder directory, what do you mean by directory?  Are you
talking about the folder that holds all of the TMPG files after it has
been expanded?

We're getting close and I sure do appreciate your help.  I only wish I
had more time to deal with this stuff.

Thanks,

Zaynab-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 22 Nov 2003 08:29 PST

Hi,

Thank you for your clarification.

I used Winrar to expand the files, but I'm sure you can use Winzip as well.
You can find them here:

Winrar download page
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

Winzip download page
http://www.winzip.com/ddchomea.htm


When you say the program dissapears, what do you mean?

When I try and encode a quicktime file, it seems to hang for a few
minutes, then it does the encoding (you can see the progress). But it
remains on the taskbar.


>On another note, when you say drag the QTReader.vfp ...

Yes I mean, please extract the vfp file from the zip archive and copy
it to the TMPEnc main folder, the one that contains TMPGEnc.exe.

Thanks.
endo

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 22 Nov 2003 20:50 PST

Hi Endo,

Thanks for the information on Winzip.  I always wondered where to get that.

Also, thanks for letting me know about the QT Reader.

Currently, when I'm running TMPG and click Encode, the program box
stays on the screen for a couple of seconds and then, usually, it
winks out.  One second it's there and the next it's not.  I'm right
back on the desk top where I started.  Occasionally, I'll get a box
that will tell me that an error log is being generated somewhere, and
then TMPG and the error box will wink out.

Then again, I haven't had time yet to download TMPG on the proper
computer and open it with Winzip on that same computer.

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks,

Zaynab-ga

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 24 Nov 2003 22:34 PST

Hi Endo,

Here's the deal.  Took me a while to figure it out.  If the Avid Codec
is ticked when I make the Quicktime Reference file, TMPG will crump
permenantly.

If the Avid Codec isn't ticked, TMPG will run and read QT Reference
files.  It never crumps.  Looks like a good program.

Just so you know, I couldn't find any error logs either in TMPG or in
the C drive.  I even did a search.  Nothing under errors came up

One other thing you should know, in the TMPG installation I have, the
environmental settings are fixed for the various applications.  All I
could do is select or de-select.  Didn't make any difference anyway,
since the problem was caused by Avid.

Anyway, thanks for your help.  You did a good job and there will be
another question about DVD's coming your way, probably today.

Thanks,

Zaynab-ga

---

Clarification of Question by zaynab-ga on 24 Nov 2003 22:39 PST

Hi Endo,

Here's the final comment.  How in the world do I pay you?  I've been
through this before, but I can't remember, since I don't use this
service all that often.  How come your superiors don't make the Pay
Endo button more prominent?

Thanks,

Zaynab

Hi zaynab-ga,

Thank you for your question.

I'm happy we got your MPEG problems sorted, if you still have
problems, please do not hesitate to request a clarification.

Regarding Google Answers, since I hadn't posted an answer yet (such as
this one) no payment was due. I've just been posting comments and
Requests for Clarification until I was sure that the problem could be
solved. This is because computer problems are sometimes very hard to
pinpoint and in case the problem never gets solved, the customer ends
up unhappy with the answer and a refund is requested.

Thank you for using Google Answers and I look forward to your next question.

Regards,
endo

I seem unable to post requests for clarification at the moment so I'll
post this as a comment.

Thank you for your clarification.

Regarding TMPGEnc crashing, what is the error message and what is
there in the log? I suspect the error log will either be in the
TMPGEnc folder or in c:\

Please try the following, it might solve the crashing, using the file menu:
Option->Enviromental setting->VFAPI plug-in->Give QuickTime Movie
Reader a higher priority using the right mouse button, try 2 or 4.

Please keep me posted on the progress with your other computer.

Thanks.
endo

Hi, 

As you've already got a long way down the track, I will just post this
as a comment.

I have had a similar experience with Avid Media Composer. I took the
source files from the edit suite to a Mac G4. The problem I had
burning was that the audio was at the wrong sample rate. The software
I was using demanded a 44.1KHz audio file, and Avid provided 48KHz
(the sample rate of the project).

I used Final Cut Pro to resample and export the sound, and the burn
went fine from that point.

I can't provide specifics unfortunately, because it was about 6 months
ago and I can't remember everything, but that's the rundown of it.

My mistake, it was the other way around. Avid gave me 44.1 sound, but
the DVD format calls for 48KHz audio.

http://www.disctronics.co.uk/technology/dvdvideo/dvdvid_audenc.htm

Thanks, but we already have 48KHz sound. :)