Ok, so maybe it was a bad idea to start a thread on Christmas Eve - coz I got no replies at all. Sigh! Here goes again... I have 3 episodes (13-15) of LOST in AVI format that I'm trying to burn to DVD. When I convert to MPEG or to DVD using various conversion or DVD authoring programs, I get no sound. Here's what I've tried... Cucusoft AVI to DVD converter DIKO (tried, but cudn't get it to work) DivXtoDVD AVI2DVD TMPGEnc DVD Author ULead DVD MovieFactory I tried various combinations of AVI to MPEG, then to DVD - or AVI straight to DVD. I'm writing DVDs to an image file first so I don't waste DVDs in this process. I do, of course, have sound on my original files. AVIcodec info for Episode 13 (for example): File: 697 MB, duration: 0:42:21, type: AVI, 1 audio stream(s), quality: 84 % Video: 581 MB, 1919 Kbps, 23.976 fps, 960*528 (16:9), XVID = XVID Mpeg-4, Supported Audio: 116 MB, 384 Kbps, 48000 Hz, 6 channels, 0x2000 = AC3 DVM, Supported After converting to MPG: File: 1.78 GB (0.00 B), duration: 0:42:20, type: MPG, 0 audio stream(s), quality: 65 % Video: 2.66 GB, 9000 Kbps, 25.0 fps, 720*576 (4:3), MPG2 = MPEG 2 (SVCD/DVD), Supported The above MPG was created from Cucusoft AVI to DVD. I realize that the "0 audio stream(s)" and the fact that there's no info line for AUDIO is indicative of my problem. But the strange part is, I get sound when I play the MPG file in ALL players (InterVidoe WinDVD, RealPlayer, QuickTime) except Windows Media Player. But in some cases (using other programs to go from AVI or MPG straight to DVD image files), I got no sound no matter what player I used. My system is a Sony VAIO laptop; 1.7GHz, 75GB disk, 512MB RAM Even stranger still, I successfully converted (and burned to disk) Episodes 1 thru 12 - as well as a few other misc videos I had on disk. In addition to these three Episodes of LOST Season 1, I've tried doing the first 4 of Season 2 - same result. Any and all help appreciated.
So... no wonder I didn't get any replies before - it's a stumper, eh? Do you think my laptop is inadequate re: memory or speed?
Unfortunately yes, If you are looking to do this regularly, I would suggest purchasing or building your own desktop model configured specifically for media. You'd need to open up the processor speed and limit the ram to at least 1gig PC3200 ram. The faster the processor and the higher the ram equals better quality and processing for you in the long run with lesser chance of degradation and flaws. I'm not too familiar with the AMD processor, but I'm seeing a lot of users in here who utilize this and are very happy. I'm a P4 right now, but am thinking of purchasing myself an AMD Box. We'll see.
Your problem seems unusual, but I don't think it's related to any bottlenecks in your system. Processor speed is fast enough, as well as HD size and memory. Not the best around but should work fine. I think your problem might be in the programs you are using to convert AVI to MPEG. In spite of not being perfect and being more than a simple file converter, I prefer Canopus Procoder for all my conversions. Version 1.5 or 2.0. If you captured the files yourself, then Procoder should do the job. Another program I tried was TMPGEnc Express 3.0, which does all the jobs together. But I got some glitches on the files I was trying to burn. They were Divx encoded though, so the glitch problems might be related to that.
codecs... download and install this! K-Lite MEGA pack http://www.free-codecs.com then start over re do the encode process (with codecs now) now try the dvd files... ----------------- also use the app TFM The FilmMachine for multiple AVI to DVD, excellant free powerful app (i love it)
I like Rotary's idea, but I have to disagree with Calmart. We're looking for speed and results when creating the DVD media. I'm not by any means suggesting going out and dropping his wad on a blown out system. I'm simply suggesting, for high quality results he'd have a better chance at not only quality, but performance as well in making the jump to faster and more reliable system built with media development in mind. Canopus pro-coder? Doesn't this require a dongle? I think Ex-Texan can get the same results with a few other softwares mentioned in other threads. Something like Mainconcept H.264 Encoder v2, or Super Video Converter and even DVD Santa. All of which can be downloaded, if you know where to go . ExTexan, I can give you some ideas if you'd like to shoot me a PM.
Why do you say ExTexan's is a blown out system? I got a top quality DVD on my other computer using a setup similar to his (1.5G AMD, Asus MB, 512MB, 80G HD), feeding a video I had shot in DV. Then burning an excellent quality disc from it. The Procoder's dongle question can be "circumvented". Be sure I did compare several systems, from original to DVD, including DVDSanta, and I still get the best results with the mentioned system. Try it and see for yourself. My quality demands are very high, so I think you should try them.
No, no no. Complete misunderstanding with the term "Blow Out". Sorry I wasn't more descriptive. I agree ExTexan's laptop is descent. I'm not telling him he needs to buy a new computer. I'm offering supplemental opinion on what I think may be his best option in the long run. What I meant with the term "blown out" is, he doesn't need to go out and by a top of the line, all the bells and whistles machine. Hence, the term "blown out". Simply offering a suggestion if he is looking to do what we do as a hobby. I started off on a PII 233 mghz, 256 meg dimms, Cybex 2x single layer dvd burner. Not saying that my old system even closely resembles ExTexans specs. I do this as a hobby, so I went and got what I thought would be best for the job. I'm actually thinking about upgrading again to an AMD processor. Who knows? Cheers
hi i use CCE with TFM i dont care if my encode takes 3 hours i want the quailty. and with CCE, TFM has DSroba (4 passes in 1 pass of CCE) the output dvd files are the same quailty as the avi i first put in! yup its that good...
Sorry, now I got it. Of course I got the term under a different context. I agree with your concept, but only partially. I mean on a PC you can pick your parts better than on Macs and pay much less. Many times for the same money you can get a better deal, like a recently superseded burner but that mighgt be better than the new model. Picking your media is also important. But going back to ExTexan's problem, he needs to try a different program to see if it will read his audio. Checking the codecs is very important.
Well, finally i found someone who has run into the same problem i am having with the audio after converting an AVI to DVD. did you ever find a solution? tia
Hi Guys. Sorry for the delay in my reply, but I've been trying out all those great suggestions. I've installed K-Lite MEGA pack (and it said it found an error in my DivX codec and fixed it). I tried my existing programs again - no change. I got The FilmMachine, but I can't get it to create an output file. It creates many files in the DVD folder, including TFM_Encoded_Audio.ac3 (114K) and tfm_enc_video.m2v (0K), but the DVD/VIDEO_TS folder is empty. Any thoughts?
Try extracting to wav file using virtual dub....then converting wav to dvd complaint (suggest mp2) using ffmpegui. I seem to recall something about problem converting audio if it is 6 channels. Try GSPOT to see what you have in avi file. Anyhow, this is how I got around it. Made DVD using DVD-lab.
Hmmm. Sunset, you may have hit on my problem. AVIcodec reports the audio as 6 channels. I'll try out ur suggestion and post the results. Thanks.
I may be wrong. Not really familiar with audio. But isn't 6 channel DTS? I would like to know, even if I am wrong. Thanks
Not well. I've tried ALL suggestions (many, MANY hours of work to try all variations in all programs). It's so frustrating - especially considering that I was able to burn more than a dozen videos prior to these. It's almost as if something changed in my system at some point, after which it stopped working. Heavy sigh!
could you decompress audio from avi into a wav file??? From there just convert to AC3. Try DVD-lab pro if you can, once get converted to AC3...input the mpg files...dvd-lab will ask to demultiplex ton elementary streams...chose yes (which is recommended)...you end up with video and audio file (of course audio file with no sound or whatever). Now just delete that "fake" audio file and input your converted ac3 file into dvd-lab. Author as you like making sure to add audio to video file. If you can decompress audio into wav file and it workd you should be good to go. Let us know how it goes...
