Sync Problems when VCD -> Divx editing w/ VDub

[ruyen]

Ok everyone (AKA: anyone who can help: ),
I've been trying to edit and convert from VCD to DIVX for a week and I've been getting more and more frustrated. My problem is that I can't find a perfect way to edit and join, then convert w/o the audio coming out of sync.

I started by trying Premiere, but rendering times were too long and there was no option for mp3 audio compression. I preferred to use it because of it's detail in editing and the ability to save projects.

Attempts at trying Vegas Video and Media Studio Pro were unsuccessful, so I moved on to try Virtual Dub.

I like VDubs ease, but after reading all kinds of stuff on sites like this, I still can't figure out how to fix these sync issues w/o making them different framerates. Also, it isn't just async the same amount throughout, but it gradually becomes worse as the video goes on. FYI, most of the sources' framerates are btw 29.6 and 29.997, but any time I try converting them all to the same rate (so I can combine them) they become async in different levels.

Can anyone please help me asap so I can get this project started?

thx,
ruyen

[setarip]

Try initially joining them using TMPGEnc...

File>>MPEGTools>>Cut&Merge

[ruyen]

thx for the reply,
So I should combine and edit the mpgs w/ tmpg, then export as a combined mpg, then convert to divx? If so, should the audio be handled in a special way (export settings, etc..)?

[setarip]

"thx for the reply,"

My pleasure ;>}


"So I should combine and edit the mpgs w/ tmpg, then export as a combined mpg, then convert to divx?"

Yes...

[ruyen]

Haven't used tmpg much, and not to edit but I'll give it a shot right now and get back w/ my results.

thx much,
ruyen

[ruyen]

ok, done with the editing (w/o the detailed editing system that includes keyframes, I don't know how great it'll turn out) is there any way to save this before I RUN it?

Also, what settings (TYPE) should I select? And what is the CORRECT button? Should I used it?

[setarip]

"is there any way to save this before I RUN it?"

In the primary "Cut&Merge" screen, enter a new filename in the "Save as" box at the bottom of the screen. Then press the "Run" radio button...

Save it as "plain vanilla" MPEG1 - NOT "MPEG1-VideoCD"

[ruyen]

no luck

ok, before reading this, I went ahead and tried the CORRECT button, which found nothing, then I ran it.

Unfortunately, the same sync issue happens gradually throughout the file. FYI, I used the first mpeg1 option. Could it be that my cuts weren't on keyframes? I couldn't find a way to keyframe edit.

[setarip]

In reading between the lines of your posts, it sounds like you didn't (as i was suggesting you do) first simply join the two file under TMPGEnc, and save with a new filename. Do this (and only this) and then check the A/V synch. If it remains in synch throughout, you can then load it into TMPGEnc (MPEGTools) and do your editing.

If the simply joined two files (before editing) prove to go out of synch, do the following instead:

Load file one into TMPGEnc's MAIN window (simply run TMPGEnc and "drag and drop" the file onto it. Set the "System" tab to "MPEG1-Automatic". Click on the "Video" tab and set the framerate to 23.976fps. Save with a new (".mpg") filename.

Repeat the above with file two.

Then perform a simple joining of THESE two files (MPEGTools) - and they should be in synch throughout.

Of course, all of this assumes that each of your original files were synchronized throughout...

[ruyen]

oh, by "initially" I thought you meant before converting to divx, didn't know you meant before editing. Thx, I'll try this out.

[ruyen]

alrighty, this seems to be working (at least for combining 2 files so far). So hopefully this will work for editing too? At what step should I be editing? After I've converted them to the lower framerate (when I'm combining them)? or edit in VDub as I'm converting to divx? or after I convert to divx? thx

[setarip]

"At what step should I be editing?"

Now that you've successfully created a joined, synchronous file, close TMPGEnc.

Then restart TMPGEnc and, once again go to:

File>>MPEGTools>>Cut & Merge

Load the newly created joined file, do your editing, save as "plain vanilla" MPEG1 - NOT "MPEG1-VideoCD", with a new filename

Close TMPGEnc.

Play your new, edited file, to make certain that it's still totally synchronous

If it is totally synchronous, you can now use VirtualDub to convert it to DivX-compressed .AVI format (You could actually use TMPGEnc to do this as well, but that's a different story)...

[ruyen]

Ok, great. So you'd suggest doing everything but conversion in TMPG? VDub's editing ability is better, but if tmpg is safer for syncing, then I should use it.

Thx so much for your help, I'll be back with my results either way.

[ruyen]

Also, is the 23.976fps value the only one that will work? Will increasing (to 30fps for instance) work just as well?

[setarip]

"Will increasing (to 30fps for instance) work just as well?"

It should...

"Thx so much for your help"

My pleasure ;>}