AVI to MPEG 1 Conversion

[santanuc]

I am absolutely new in this area. I like to Burn my AVI files from my hard disk to VCD. So I used TEMPEnc to convert. I am having two problems.

1. My AVI File size in 715 MB. While converting it is sowing the possible file size as 2134 MB. I have choesen all the default choices.

2. One of my AVI file there was no sound Windows Media Player. DIVX was telling Tag 1893 is missing. Though VLC Media player was able to Run it. So I downloaded the Audio Code and it is now running with Audio in both in Windows Media Player and DIVX. But when I try to convert them in TEMPEnc, when I am chossing the Video File as that AVI, Audio BOx is not automatically populated with the same file. IF I want to select the same file for Audio it is telling "File inn Use". AS usual The resultant converted file doesn't have any audio.

Hope for veteran users these are some already known beginer's
problem.

[sfheath]

I'm out of my depth with mpeg1 but found this routine of Setarip's that might help?


To create a VCD:

1) Load .AVI file into TMPGEnc
2) Set to "System Video and Audio" (lower right side)
3) Click on "Setting" radio button
4) Click on "System" tab, change mode to "MPEG1-VideoCD" (from default of "MPEG1")
5) Click on "Advanced" tab, change "Video arrange method" to "Center (Custom Size"), change dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240
6) Change "Source aspect ratio" to either "4:3 525 line (NTSC 704x480)", "4:3 525 line (NTSC)", or "16:9 525 line (NTSC)" - If you're in the PAL world choose either of the two similar PAL settings instead
7) Under the "Video" tab, change the dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240 (Note: "Video" tab mode of "MPEG1" is okay) - set "Motion Search Precision" to "Normal Quality". Change the "Aspect Ratio" to match, as closely as possible, the "Source Aspect Ratio" you set under the "Advanced" tab.
8) Change "Rate Control Mode" to "Automatic VBR (CQ_VBR)" and "Bitrate" to "1,150"
9) Under the "Audio" tab, set to "MPEG-1 Layer II", 44,100 224Kbps
10) Press "Start"

(Or, instead of the steps 1)-10) above, you could attempt to use TMPGEnc's VCD "wizard"/template)

Note that if your video runs longer than 70-80 minutes, you'll have to subsequently split your VCD-MPG file in two. This too can be easily and precisely accomplished using TMPGEnc. Under the "Files" dropdown menu, click on "MPEG Tools" and select the "Merge & Cut" tab. Once again, make sure to change the mode to "MPEG1-Video CD". Load your file and enter a new (.MPG) name in the "Output file" box. Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL file's name in the window, which will bring you to the cutting area. Select your desired start and end points for the first half, click on "Okay" which will bring you back to the first window and generate (in a sequence of three automated steps) the first new file. To create the second new file, repeat the steps starting with "Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL..." (be extra patient with the second half, as the program has to do more seeking to establish the beginning of the new file).

Use a burning program, such as NERO to burn your CD-R or R/W CD as a VCD (DON'T ask NERO to format the file as a VCD, since you've already accomplished this!)

Let us know of your success ;>}

[megamachine]

The first problem is likely due to bitrate. The AVI you have fits on one CD, but was probably encoded with a bitrate of around 850 for an hour and a half movie. VCDs have a very strict bitrate of 1150, so if you re-encode the same file for VCD, it will of course become larger and you will need to split it onto two CDs. I am assuming you want to play this movie on TV, and that is the reason for converting it. If so, follow the above guide and you should be golden. Otherwise, you can just keep it as an AVI and enjoy it on your PC. The other problem might be a file corruption of some sort, so you may wish to try one of the several AVI fixer programs available on the DivX Digest downloads section. If the audio is AC3, that sometimes causes trouble with re-encoding in TMPGEnc, but you should be able to find some advice in these forums on that problem if you search around. Hope this helps.

[santanuc]

Thanks guys for your very valuable advice. I"ll now try this and see if I can manage to reduce the size. In fact I got some clue how to handle AC3 sound in this forum. I am sure this will work.

Just to let you know more about the files GSpot is giving me this details of one file

Video Codec Xvid
Aspect 640 X 352
Bit Rate 1407 kb/s
Frame rate 23.976 FPS
Duration 1 Hour 00 min 51 s

Audio Code ac3

[setarip]

"Audio Code ac3"

As far as I know, .AC3 is "Tag 2000" and not "Tag 1893"...

[sfheath]

Originally posted by setarip
"Audio Code ac3"

As far as I know, .AC3 is "Tag 2000" and not "Tag 1893"...

That threw me too - no '1893' in a search of the forum

[DrinkOrDie]

c'mon guys, I make video cd's from AVI's with my eyes closed. There's something missing from the responses.

I would suggest loading the file into Virtualdub (or one of it's variants) as the first step. With virtualdub you can prepare the AVI so that Tmpegenc won't give you problems.

When you open the AVI into vdub, you might get a box that pops up with something about variable bitrate audio. If you do, answer "no" to the question.

Using vdub, you can extract the audio stream to a constant bitrate wav file. I would suggest using "full processing mode" for the audio. Select "conversion" and convert the audio to 44100khz if the avi has 48000 khz audio. (AC3, mp3, etc. doesn't matter as long as you have the codec for it) So, basically take the AVI audio stream (no matter what format it is) and extract it to a 44100khz wav file by choosing the above settings and by choosing "save wav" in vdub.

Hopefully, you end up with a 44100khz wav file that is the same duration (or very close) as your video stream (your avi) .

Also, using vdub, check the video stream for errors. Assuming you have an error-free video stream in your AVI, use the AVI as your input into tmpegenc, but use the 44100khz wav file you created, as your audio input for tmpegenc. It sounds like the audio portion of your AVI is what tmpegenc is having a problem with. It won't have a problem with a 44100khz wav file!

Your VCD mpeg-1 file made by Tmpegenc is likely going to be larger than the original AVI. There's nothing you can do about that. However, keep in mind that standard bitrate 700mb video cd's can hold a mpeg that is actually over 800 mb. in the case of video cd's, a 700mb cd can hold just over an hour of video, assuming you used standard bitrates to create your mpeg1.

I guess what I'm getting at is this: Extract your avi's audio stream to a wav file, at the same time converting it to 44100khz. AND, make sure there are no errors in the video stream.
For making video cd's, make sure your file is not over one hour 19 minutes. You might have to cut it into 2 parts using vdub.

Use that wav file for your audio input to tmpegenc, and use the AVI for the video input. If your avi's audio is 48000khz, like most AVI's made from dvd's, you will get audio problems when you use tmpegenc. You would be wise to convert the avi's audio stream to a wav file of 44100khz and use that for your input to tmpegenc, then use your error-free avi video stream for the video input.

Information: The default settings for tmpegenc are not good. Click "setting". Then, at the bottom, change the "motion search precision" to "highest quality"

Then click the "quantize matrix" tab. Uncheck (no check in the box) the box that says "no motion search by half-pixel..."

Then make sure that there IS a check in the box that says "use floating point DCT" Good to use floating point!

While you are there, you might want to check the box that says "soften block noise" and set both boxes to 35 or less. It will reduce the "squares" from the final VCD.

Good luck.

[setarip]

To DrinkOrDie

Your suggestion would seem to be inapplicable here. The thread starter, "santanuc" refers to an audio codec with a "Tag 1893" - which has absolutely nothing to do with a VBR (variable bitrate) .MP3 audiostream, which would be "Tag 0055" (hexadecimal) or "Tag85" (decimal)...

[DrinkOrDie]

OOOps. Sorry. To state the truth, I really do not understand audio "tag" values. That information has never been useful to me. (strange but true).

The information I gave is applicable. The information I gave about VBR audio was "just in case". I do not suggest that the tag indicates a VBR audio stream, or any other type of audio stream. I only suggest that the stream (no matter what it is) be converted to 44100khzz PCM wav before using it as input for tmpegenc.

I also suggest that the tag will not matter, if the audio can be converted to a CBR 44100khz wav file. I could be wrong, but that's what I know.

It sounds to me like santanuc started with a AVI file. Tmpegenc couldn't process the AVI audio, no matter what tag because santanuc did not have the audio codec needed .

I know that Tmpegenc will process a 44100khz PCM wav file with no problems. Once santanuc has the codec to decompress the AVI audio, tmpegenc can handle the wav just fine.

Bottom line is, tmpegenc performs better with uncompressed CBR audio. It's better to decompress the AVI audio to a seperate file before using the audio for tmpegenc input.

I do understand that the audio tag does not necessarily indicate VBR audio. It's like I said, I don't understand the tags. I just assumed that the VBR box might pop up in vdub. If it doesn't, no harm done.

I am very interested in these audio "tag" values. I am always interested in things I don't quite understand. I'll be looking for more information from now on.

[setarip]

"I also suggest that the tag will not matter, if the audio can be converted to a CBR 44100khz wav file. I could be wrong, but that's what I know."

If he doesn't have the required audio codec installed on his system, VirtualDub will NOT be able to process the file...

[DrinkOrDie]

"If he doesn't have the required audio codec installed on his system, VirtualDub will NOT be able to process the file..."

TRUE. But I thought we were talking about tmpegenc processing the audio.

In any case, Vdub can use the audio regardless, if the audio is used as "direct stream copy".

IF the audio is to be converted using tmpegenc or vdub, then of course, santanuc would need the appropriate audio codec to decompress the audio.

[setarip]

To DrinkOrDie

You're only adding confusion to this thread.

Bye...

[santanuc]

While converting to wav file in Virtualdub it is giving an error "No audio decompressior could be found to decompress soiurce audio format"

Gspot is sowing Aadio Codec as "ac3 (0X2000) Dolby laboratories"

Codec is Installed.


In the details it is telling

Audio Format:
Code: 0x2000
Name: WAVE_FORMAT_AC3
Vendor: "Dolby Laboratories, Inc"
Gspot has found that the MPEG Audio Codec (Sample) audio
codec will decompress this audio format if it is used in conjunction
with the Nero Digital Audio Decoder codec to further process
the audio to a renderable state.
DirectShow was also able to find a codec to render it - the sound
for this media clip should work fine. See the DirectShow Render
details for more info.

I can run this avi file only using VLC media Player. Not in windows media player.

Any Clue?

[LT. Columbo]

santanuc, if you have ac3 sound for that avi, you must have that ac3 decompressor for it to work. i had the same error from vdub untill i installed the decompressor....

[setarip]

To santanuc

For total clarity, once and for all, regarding the "Tag #", please be good enough to do the following:

1) Load the original video file into VirtualDub (or one of its many variants) or NanDub

2) From the "File" dropdown menu, select "File Information"

3) Post (here) EVERYTHING you see (BOTH video and audio information), or post a screen capture .jpg of the information box