MPEG-2 -> DivX Encoding Problem

[kidokitty]

I have a Creative Video Blaster card that takes my TV cable and captures it on my computer. It creates BTI/BTH files. From there, I can convert the BTI/BTH file into MPEG-2. The MPEG-2 file works with no problems and the picture/audio quality are superb.

I would like to cut stuff out of the MPEG-2 file (commercials, extra recorded stuff at the beginning or end, etc.) I don't care what format the file ends up as (MPEG/DivX) but I would like it to be under 500 mb - the file is now at 2.8 gb.

So far I've done:

I tried to flask it to convert to avi but both the video and audio freezes every 3 seconds for 2 seconds ... obviously not good.

I tried VirtualDubMod but then the audio goes out of sync progressively.

I thought it must be a VBR audio so I tried the suggestions on the other posts and encoded the audio to WAV (PCM) from VDubMod but the program won't let me encode a direct stream copy.


My first question is, how can I tell if it's a VBR?

My second question is, how do I convert it from MPEG-2 to DivX/AVI without any sync problems?

TYIA!

~kitty

[SKD_Tech]

To find out if it is VBR you should open it with VirtualDub and if it gives you an error that it is VBR and if you would like to rewrite the header say no then open it with NanDub.

Set the Video to Full Processing mode.
Select your compression codec
Set audio to direct stream copy or Full processing mode if you wish to compress it also

Then under file select Save as AVI

[megamachine]

If you use MPG2CUT to edit your file, and save it as a VOB, you should be able to encode that as a DivX or XviD according to the instructions and software provided on the sites below. So far, I have been happy with the result. Although it is a bit complicated, I fit a two hour movie, normally 3-4GB, onto a 700MB CD and it looks great, but you can fine tune quality/quantity to your taste.

http://www.nanomessiah.com/***********.html

http://www.nanomessiah.com/DVD-To-XviD.html

[kidokitty]

Thanks

Thanks for your help guys. The original MPEG isn't a VBR - I ended up using Vidonami to convert it to avi and then Virtual Dub to cut out the commercials.

Thanks again!!!

~kitty