Dual DDR Problem.

[craigweb2k]

Hi All.

I've just upgraded my system memory from 512mb to 1024mb in preperation for the release of Half Life 2, which is irrelevant, but ever since when I try encoding movies using DVD2DVD(SVCD) my system hangs up during the CCE part of the batch process.

I've searched a bit and it seems as though CCE doesn't like dual memory setup's very much, and I was wondering whether anyone with the same specification as me may have found a workaround...

My Specs:

(H'ware)

-- Cpu: 2500+
-- Memory: 1024mb @ PC2700
-- Graphics: Radeon 9600xt w/256mb
-- M'Board: ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe
-- HDD: 200gb Maxtor @ 7200rpm

(S'ware)

-- CCE 2.5
-- DVD2SVCD 1.2.2 Build 1
-- Scenarist 2.7 (irrelevant), because the process doesn't get this far

Thanks for any suggestions. :)

[r6d2]

Originally posted by craigweb2k
I've just upgraded my system memory from 512mb to 1024mb in preperation for the release of Half Life 2, which is irrelevantParticularly since it has no release date yet. :D
but ever since when I try encoding movies using DVD2DVD(SVCD) my system hangs up during the CCE part of the batch process.Please check this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53770) thread, Q8, and give that torture test a try.

[craigweb2k]

Originally posted by r6d2
Please check this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53770) thread, Q8, and give that torture test a try.

I know for a fact that the CPU is fine, and so are both memory modules and that it's CCE 2.5 that's at fault, because I've done quite extensive searches on Google, and on these forums, which both have multiple people with the same problem, but no 2.5 cure.

Apparently CCE 2.62.**.** encodes okay, but in the 'encoder' tab of CCE all I see is CCE 2.5, so how could I potentially get 2.62 working with DVD2SVCD?

[r6d2]

Originally posted by craigweb2k
I know for a fact that the CPU is fine, and so are both memory modules and that it's CCE 2.5 that's at faultIf you are so sure, then don't run the torture test. I would if I were you.
so how could I potentially get 2.62 working with DVD2SVCD? Just change the name to point to the propper executable. You may also need this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46664) tool.

[DDogg]

I've searched a bit and it seems as though CCE doesn't like dual memory setup's very much.... AFAIK this is incorrect. What is correct is that the CCE/AviSynth/mpeg2dec combination is a memory hog and it is one of the few applications that actually use huge chunks of your available memory. It is precisely because of this that many systems will fail when encoding. That is not the fault of CCE, it is the fault of a memory or CPU problem.

Any experienced person doing encoding will make sure their machine passes several full rounds of Memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com/), but specifically a dozen rounds of Memtest test #5. This is critical to verify your memory for use with video encoding. It is also imperative to run the Prime95 torture test for at least 12 to 24 hours in order to simulate the heat buildup caused by the constant 100% CPU usage of video encoding. Nothing stresses a machine more than encoding, thus machines that seem stable, even for intense gaming, may fail during the lengthy encoding process as the temps are driven to the maximum as well as the ram usage is particularly intense.


It may be that these things are not causing your problem, but until they are ruled out no one can speak intelligently on the subject without the results of both these tests. I would urge you to forget what you think you know and just do them. If they prove out OK then we can move to the next level.

P.S. - Btw, I use CCE 2.50 all the time with my dual channel memory @ 420 Cas 2.0.

ABit NF7-S Rev 2 | Mobile XP 2600 @2.625 Ghz (12.5*210) VCore 1.775 v - |(2) 256 meg PC3500 HYP_X (11-2-2-2 VDim 2.8 v Dual Channel @ 420 MHz)

[craigweb2k]

Originally posted by r6d2
If you are so sure, then don't run the torture test. I would if I were you.
Just change the name to point to the propper executable. You may also need this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46664) tool.

I ran memtest, and it was fine (which is what turned me away from the fact that it might be my memory in the first place, because I was 100% that the new DIMM I'd bought was broken), and through long searches I found that many people were/are having an nForce2/DualBandwidth DDR problem, which I find more than a coincidence.

I tried CCE 2.62 using EclCCE and it seems to work fine at the encode level (abeit rather slow, because I was getting 1.9rt with 2.5 and only get 0.9rt with 2.62), but SonicScenarist now doesn't work right (which is odd). I came back to my PC this morning with Sonic open and an error saying it was unable to compile the DVD.

Originally posted by DDogg
AFAIK this is incorrect. What is correct is that the CCE/AviSynth/mpeg2dec combination is a memory hog and it is one of the few applications that actually use huge chunks of your available memory. It is precisely because of this that many systems will fail when encoding. That is not the fault of CCE, it is the fault of a memory or CPU problem.

Any experienced person doing encoding will make sure their machine passes several full rounds of Memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com/), but specifically a dozen rounds of Memtest test #5. This is critical to verify your memory for use with video encoding. It is also imperative to run the Prime95 torture test for at least 12 to 24 hours in order to simulate the heat buildup caused by the constant 100% CPU usage of video encoding. Nothing stresses a machine more than encoding, thus machines that seem stable, even for intense gaming, may fail during the lengthy encoding process as the temps are driven to the maximum as well as the ram usage is particularly intense.


It may be that these things are not causing your problem, but until they are ruled out no one can speak intelligently on the subject without the results of both these tests. I would urge you to forget what you think you know and just do them. If they prove out OK then we can move to the next level.

P.S. - Btw, I use CCE 2.50 all the time with my dual channel memory @ 420 Cas 2.0.

ABit NF7-S Rev 2 | Mobile XP 2600 @2.625 Ghz (12.5*210) VCore 1.775 v - |(2) 256 meg PC3500 HYP_X (11-2-2-2 VDim 2.8 v Dual Channel @ 420 MHz)

Thanks for the reply DDogg. As stated above, I ran CCE 2.62 and it worked fine, so I'm even more in doubt as to whether it's a memory / cpu problem or not. I've run memtest before and all was fine there, but I haven't tried the other application you suggested, so I'll give it a go :)

BTW, my memory is Dual PC2700 @ 333mhz CAS 2.5 (3:3:7)

Also DDogg, we dont have the same M/Board. Mines a A7N8X-E.

Try this link: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=A7N8X+CCE+2.5+crash

[DDogg]

Are you using standard multipass or OPV via D2SRoBa? If multipass, does it hang up more or less exactly on the beginning or end of a pass? If so it may be the dreaded old CCE AMD CRC bug which can be fixed with any of tsunami's external patches. If not already doing so you may want to try using D2SRoBa supported OPV.

As you were searching for links did you find any other Mobos mentioned besides the Asus? That would be very strange indeed if it is a hardware bug specific to your mobo.

Anyway, many have now shifted over to CCE 2.67.00.27 as it is much more mature than CCE 2.50 and has many less bugs. I think I would have to say .27 is the most recommended build of CCE at the moment as D2s offers template support for that version which makes life a bit easier. That may be a better way to go for you. Why don't you download the demo of .27 and see if you have problems with it? It is only marginally slower and I think the benefits far outweigh that issue (IMO).

One other thing, the version of AviSynth alpha 2.55 previous to the Aug 17th alpha had a problem with CCE and caused random crashes. I mention this if you just happened to download this version in the short time it was available. AviSynth release 2.54 would be the best test version to use.

[craigweb2k]

Originally posted by DDogg
Are you using standard multipass or OPV via D2SRoBa? If multipass, does it hang up more or less exactly on the beginning or end of a pass? If so it may be the dreaded old CCE AMD CRC bug which can be fixed with any of tsunami's external patches. If not already doing so you may want to try using D2SRoBa supported OPV.

As you were searching for links did you find any other Mobos mentioned besides the Asus? That would be very strange indeed if it is a hardware bug specific to your mobo.

Anyway, many have now shifted over to CCE 2.67.00.27 as it is much more mature than CCE 2.50 and has many less bugs. I think I would have to say .27 is the most recommended build of CCE at the moment as D2s offers template support for that version which makes life a bit easier. That may be a better way to go for you. Why don't you download the demo of .27 and see if you have problems with it? It is only marginally slower and I think the benefits far outweigh that issue (IMO).

One other thing, the version of AviSynth alpha 2.55 previous to the Aug 17th alpha had a problem with CCE and caused random crashes. I mention this if you just happened to download this version in the short time it was available. AviSynth release 2.54 would be the best test version to use.

Hey.

It's a multipass encode I generally do (between 4 / 5 passes) and the two times I tried with CCE it crashed midway through the encode and right at the start on the other encode.

I'm curious, how do I use CCE 2.67.00.27 with DVD2SVCD? Do I just install it as normal, (using EclCCE of course) pointing to the correct directory in DVD2SVCD (even though it says 2.5)?

Edit: Also, with 2.67.00.27 installed, does safe mode have to be checked?

[DDogg]

I'm curious, how do I use CCE 2.67.00.27 with DVD2SVCD? Do I just install it as normal, (using EclCCE of course) pointing to the correct directory in DVD2SVCD (even though it says 2.5)?Yep, just point the encoder tab to the eclCCE that is in the directory with 2.67.00.27. Make sure you run it [eclCCE] manually one time first.Edit: Also, with 2.67.00.27 installed, does safe mode have to be checked? Nope, in fact make sure it is *not* checked.

Also, see your PM.

[craigweb2k]

Originally posted by DDogg
Yep, just point the encoder tab to the eclCCE that is in the directory with 2.67.00.27. Make sure you run it [eclCCE] manually one time first. Nope, in fact make sure it is *not* checked.

Also, see your PM.

Hi.

So I installed 2.67.00.27 (running EclCCE before pointing to it in DVD2SVCD as suggested) and I then deselected 'Safe Mode' as suggested. I set 1 chapter from American Beauty to do a sample encode and it runs for a bit and then gets to this:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/craigweb2k/error.gif

I have no idea what this means, but it doesn't go any further.

Is there something I'm missing, or not doing?

[DDogg]

You got something strange going on. Rather than trying to figure out the details, I would suggest a complete deinstall of d2s and AviSynth as well as a search of your HD for any instances of AviSynth.dll which should be deleted. Reinstall d2s and make sure you choose the higher number of AviSynth to install. Do *not* install 2.08 if that is even still offered [I forget].

At that stage we will know you have a clean install. Run the version example in the AviSynth install examples directory and verify it plays OK.

Install CCE and run eclcce to open it manually. Then, manually drag the version.avs into CCE and verify it will encode a little mpv for a few minutes without crashing. Just use OPV.

After verifying these things and adding the ECLCCE path in the encoder tab, I can't see why you would have any further problems doing an encode in d2s unless you are not setting up dvd2svcd properly. When in doubt don't change anything. Just press the disk icon in the conversion tab, preview, and then press go.

Never start an encode without previewing. Always use the preview function in the conversion tab before starting an encode. If you see video you should be good to go. Else, you will see a red on black error which you can investigate further.

[craigweb2k]

I did an encode last night (american beauty), and the CCE part seems to go fine.

I install DVD2SVCD. I install 2.62.00.27 & EclCCE (running EclCCE and pointing to ccesp.exe). Everything is pretty much set to default in DVD2DVD(SVCD). I load my main movie ifo, which DVD2SVCD locates.

I select the CD Image tab and choose Sonic Scenarist (which is on my machine and worked with CCE 2.5).

Select the subtitles tab and choose the English track.

Disable 'activate DVD rip' because I' used DVD Decrypter to store the movie on my D: Drive.

Select Audio and choose 'do not convert 'use source'.

For the CD Size I choose (4464mb i.e. DVD-R size).

In the encoder tab, I point to the EclCCE exe, which is in the same dir as CCE as instructed by readme's, make sure safe mode is off (as instructed by you, which is is by default anyway), and set multipass to 4.

Then I set DVD2DVD to run. I come back 8 hours later to find Scenarist telling me it can't make the DVD again.

Anyhoo, I dunno whether I'm doing something, or missing something, so I'm trying Minority Report as we speak.

Heres the log files for:

DVD2SVCD http://homepage.ntlworld.com/craigweb2k/dvd2svcd_log.txt
SCENARIST http://homepage.ntlworld.com/craigweb2k/scenarist_logfile.txt


BTW: I did a sample chapter with the movie and it encoded fine (twice).

[DDogg]

Disable 'activate DVD rip' because I' used DVD Decrypter to store the movie on my D: Drive. Depends on what you mean by "store". If you mean as an mounted ISO then you still have to rip it. The only other acceptable method is via D2SRoBa inbuilt DVD Decrypter rip. Then I set DVD2DVD to run. I come back 8 hours later to find Scenarist telling me it can't make the DVD again. Scenarist is a PITA and is too damn finicky. That is why d2s added the DVD Author mode. It works well so maybe you should try it. You will need to start from scratch tho if I remember correctly.

You really ought to try D2SRoBa. Personally, I use that exclusively now. Clean, fast and equivalent quality to multipass. The inbuilt DVD Decrypter works well.