Set-top playback problems - Encoding?

[TheWun1]

I have been working on DVD's for like a month strait - Encoding, menus, burning etc... I've had wierd results, and wondered if anyone can point to a solution.

I'm using Optodisc 4x DVD-R which all my burning apps only burn at 2x. My burner is LG GSA-4040B(http://www.lgeus.com/Product/CD/GSA_4040b.asp)
If I use CloneDVD to Duplicate a working DVD, Everything works fine.

However, if I create the MPEG-2 file with TMPGEnc Xpress v3.0.4.24, then The playback on a set-top DVD player has choppy parts. I always keep bitrate under 8000kbps, usually around 5-6 with 224kbps audio.I then author the DVD in DVD-Lab to create the menus.

I'm wondering if i'm really doing the encoding wrong (although I've studied many tutorials and seem to be doing it right) or why else would it do that? Is there a way to check the MPEG file created by TMPGEnc to see if it has trouble-spots in it? I don't think it should... I used the NTSC-DVD template for output.

It seems like the media is OK b/c it works in some situations, but I thought that TMPGEnc was a quality encoder... it shouldn't be the problem either...

-Very tired of searching for solutions... Can anyone help?

[davexnet]

Well you can play the mpg files in mediaplayer to see if
there is a problem there. Have you checked to se if it's a
field order problem. Try switching from top field first
to bottom (or vice versa)

Dave

[TheWun1]

The files play fine... even the burned DVD plays perfectly in my Computer with PowerDVD... however in a set-top DVD player it is goofy.

I haven't burned different versions to DVD ( progressive, interlace, 3:2 pulldown, inverse 3:2... ) Do you think maybe I should try all the modes and one would probably fix it?

Do I have to... if so, where do I set the Field order? I don't see that option in the "set output" section of TMPGEnc Xpress3.

Thanks for your time!!

[davexnet]

Don't know where it is, I'm using the regular tmpg.
It must be there somewhere.
Of course, it's only a factor if the input file (avi ?)
is interlaced.

If the input file is truly interlaced, each frame contains two
slightly different fields, separated in time by 60th of
a second (shot with a video camera - it's 50th of a second
in the UK and most PAL countries)
It is the order of these fields that has to be right.

If the input file is progressive, there's only one field, so
"field order" is meaningless.

Dave

[TheWun1]

I'll see if I can find that option somewhere, and I'll make sure to check what my input video is. Do you know a simple program to give that type of info: FPS, Audio bitrate, resolution etc... ? (Maybe an app that could check VOBs, MPG, AVI...everything?)

And as far as I've read, if I'm creating an NTSC DVD, I want to make it 29.97 FPS Interlaced, with 48KHz AC3 or MP2 audio, is that correct?

[geoffman]

To see the field order selection, you must select the Mpeg Output button in advanced settings (click through the warning popup).

By default TMPGenc Express uses top field first (which is normal).

[lazarusrico]

I have a similar sounding problem with a PAL dvd I have authored using Pinnacle's Edition software. The dvd plays perfectly on my computer but when I play it in a set top box it starts behaving very oddly. I can play the dvd but if I skip next the dvd starts stuttering and freezes.

I've tested it on other set top players and the problem is similar.

I've tried two dvd-r stocks and currently I'm using a panasonic dvd-r.

I've tried writing to only 90% of the disk but no change.

I've changed burners and even bought the very latest sony dual layer burner but no change.

I've burnt using the dvd Ahead burning software instead of doing it through pinnacle and I'm now about to try Cheetah to see if that is it.

It seems to me that the problems TheWun1 is having is the same but we're arriving from different routes. Can anyone spot between the two what the problem might be?

[Sunesis]

Not changing the max bitrate? Should be set to 9800. Try a CBR encode (at something tame like 4mbs)?

[geoffman]

If your using DVD-Lab set your maximum bitrate to around 7000, the muxer in DVD-Lab apparently can have problems with high bitrates, this has been reported on DVD-Lab forums.

@Sunesis IMHO if you are leaving your maximum bitrate at 9800 (normal max for non-multi angle DVD's), you are really wasting bitrate and making MPEG-2 files that are too large, you really can't see the difference between 7000 and 9800 max. I feel all you are doing (depending on average settings) is placing an extra burden on your decoder hardware / software.

[Peter Cheat]

TMPGEnc muxing capabilities are also questionable. I'd try using a different tool for muxing if you used TMPGEnc built-in muxing and see if that helps. I had similar problems authoring SVCDs. bbMPEG solved the problem.