Converting to correct file format

[SamK]

I have some mpg movies that I'd like to try to put onto DVDs, but Dazzle DVD Complete says the files are not DVD compliant. I've installed lots of codecs on my PC, and I can play the movie files using WinDVD.

I've tried GSpot to figure out what codec I might be missing, but it doesn't recognize the files.
I've tried Cleaner to convert the files to DVD-compliant format, but it just creates a mostly green screen instead of the movie image.

It seems that I have the codec to view it, but most of my apps don't recognize it.

Can someone tell me whether I should try to find or install some other codec, or figure out a way to convert the files to DVD-compiant format? Are there better tools I should be using?

[sfheath]

Re: Converting to correct file format

Originally posted by SamK
I've tried GSpot to figure out what codec I might be missing, but it doesn't recognize the files.

That ... sounds pretty final to me.

Where did your mpgs originate?

[ormonde]

"Can someone tell me whether I should try to find or install some other codec, or figure out a way to convert the files to DVD-compiant format?"

I doubt that it is a codec problem since you stated: "I can play the movie files using WinDVD". If the files are not DVD compliant, load them into "TMPGENc" (different from "TMPGENc DVD Author), and choose the DVD template (NTSC or PAL) from the "Project Wizard" page and convert them to DVD compliant mpeg 2.

[sfheath]

"I can play the movie files using WinDVD".

must have blinked and missed that! curious though that G Spot doesn't recognise it though?

[SamK]

Sorry. My mistake. I didn't know how to use GSpot...

When I opened the file, under Video Codec, it showed "n.a." under 4CC and Name.

File Stat showed:
This is, or appears to be, an unsupported filetype. GSpot provides full support for AVI and OGG media streams. Based on its composition, GSpot believes the filetype to be "RIFF/CDXA -->MPEG(.MPG/.MPEG/.VOB)"


I didn't know I was supposed to "render."

OK, I click render...
For video path, it shows:
(S) --> Elecard MPEG2 Demultiplexer --> SnapStream MPEG-2 Video Decoder DMO --> (R)

Great. It looks like I have that codec.


Then I go to TMPGEnc and try to open the file. It gives me an error message that the file cannot open or is unsupported.

Cleaner 5 says it's unable to open movie.

And as before, Dazzle says it's not DVD compliant.


Any idea what I'm doing wrong here?
Thanks.

[ormonde]

"Then I go to TMPGEnc and try to open the file. It gives me an error message that the file cannot open or is unsupported."

Where/how did your mpeg files originate? Did you capture them? TMPGEnc is pretty solid when it comes to opening mpegs. It sounds like "Dazzle DVD Complete" or "Cleaner 5" might have corrupted the files in some way. Try and open them in VirtualDubMod–just to see if they open. If they open in "Mod", go to "File" > "File Information" and let us know what it says–similar to what you have done in GSpot.

[SamK]

Thanks for being so responsive on this.

The files came from the Internet. I have several different files that are behaving differently.

Cleaner gave me a green screen for one movie, but TMPGEnc just opened it fine. I set it to convert the file, and it appears to be working. It's going frame by frame, and it looks great. 6 1/2 hours to go...


Another file I have... this one couldn't be opened by Cleaner or TMPGEnc. But VirtualDubMod opens it fine. (When it started, it gave me a warning message saying it detected illegal hacked versions of DivX3. Maybe that's the problem?) And as I said before, WinDVD plays it as well.

File Information shows just data... doesn't seem to say anything useful to this problem: 480x576, 25.000 fps, 83533 frames, et.al.

In case this is a codec problem (and there's good reason to believe I have a codec problem), I'll post a separate message on that. If you think it's something else, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!

[ormonde]

"Another file I have... this one couldn't be opened by Cleaner or TMPGEnc. But VirtualDubMod opens it fine."

You could try to save the problem files as uncompressed AVIs in VirtualDubMod, and then try to import them into TMPGEnc. BTW, I take it that these files you downloaded are clips not movies right?

[SamK]

Thank you! I ran VirtualDubMod overnight. It stopped when I ran out of disk space because the avi file grew to 15GB. But TMPGEnc is able to open that partial AVI fine. It looks like this process will work.

Not commercial movies. These are short films that some Korean film students put up a long time ago that I'd been meaning to transfer to DVD.

I haven't figured out the appeal in spending hours and $ to copy movies to DVD when you can rent a movie for $4.

Again, thanks for your help.

[ormonde]

"Again, thanks for your help."

Glad to be of help, and that it worked out for you.

[GONZO54]

do u know how to covert an avi file(really mpeg but says AVI) to a dvd. i have all the things needed like Gspot, AVIcodec, etc. I dont know how to continue the process once ive rendered the file. The codec won't show up ( by the way what is a codec?). any way if u could help me it would me much aprecciated and if not than recommend me to someone who could.
Thanks,
GONZO54

[GONZO54]

also how do u find a codec

[sfheath]

Codecs are coding/decoding routines used for compression of data.
You say you have G Spot? Run a problem file in it and look up 'File Information' or post the screenshot here. The 'Search' routine here should show up sources for any required.
Happy Hunting!