installing/deinstalling codecs screwed up TMPGEnc - now no avi support

[yosarian]

I recently attempted to convert an avi to an mpg file in TMPGenc Plus, something I have done successfully many times before. This time, I had forgotten to rip out the audio prior to encoding, so I had to go back and rip the audio and re-encode. Using VirtualDub (and google) I discovered that the avi was using AC3 for audio. Since I didn't have an AC3 codecs/decompressor, I needed to find one
so after some hunting and pecking/trail and error, I finally found one that successfully decompressed the audio stream. In the meantime, all the installing and deleting of the various codec packages, I somehow managed to kill support for avi files in TMPGEnc Plus recognizing my avi file (which worked in TMPGEnc Plus previously.) When I try and browse/add an avi file for my video I get the message "File 'blahblahblah.avi' can not open, or unsupported. This same file openned and worked fine yesterday morning when I tried to convert the avi.

The video file is an avi. The video codec is XVID Mpeg-4 and the audio codec is AC3 DVM.
I installed Defiler Pak 1.20, Cole2k.Media.-.Codec.Pack.V6.0.2.-Advanced, Koepi's XviD video codec 1.02, Divx Create bundle 6.03, ASF Codec / MPEG-4 V1/2/3, and AC3 ACM Decompressor 1.2.

I went into the Environ settings --> VFAPI plugin and moving the "AVI VFW compatibility reader" to priority #2 (right below DirectShow, which is #6.)

I thought it was the Xvid codecs, but it's not. I dl'd the King Kong trailer in xvid to see if the installed codec works and the file played with no problem.
Searching on google for answers to this problem keep coming back to making DirectShow the highest priority item in my VFAPI plugin menu; but in my setup, it is the highest item.

What the hell else can I try? I am running out of ideas. Anyone have any thoughts? :(

[dragongodz]

uninstall tmpgenc and re-install tmpgenc and NEVER mess with codec "packs" ever again. ;)

[clsid]

Start > Run > regsvr32 quartz.dll

That re-registers the default DirectX avi parser.

[yosarian]

clsid- I just tried it. Didn't work. :(
dragongodz - The problem is that I have a registered, legal version but I lost my serial number when the email account I used when I bought it crapped out. I might as well upgrade and get a new copy. The question is: Do I buy another copy of TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 (which I know how to use) or spend the extra for TMPGEnc 3.0 XPress?

edit: Screw it. Went ahead and rebought the Plus version. Im going with what I know.

[yosarian]

Well, all that - dling and registering it and I am still getting the same errors.
I even dl'd a copy of DivFix and ran it against my files. 0 errors were reported.

Any one have any other ideas?

[Axed]

So the Video file plays properly thru a proper media player such as the old windows player (load by pressing windows key + r and putting "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe" then pressing ok) but wont work in TMPGEnc ?

[yosarian]

So the Video file plays properly thru a proper media player such as the old windows player (load by pressing windows key + r and putting "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe" then pressing ok) but wont work in TMPGEnc ?

Yup. It plays in Windows Media PLayer and loads and runs in VirtualDub.

I uninstalled TMPGEnc, rebooted, re-installed, rebooted. Now when I run TMPGEnc, it gets shut down my Kerio firewall with the message
"Intrusion Attempt Blocked" -- Address of invalid Instruction: 0x059FB91D

When I turn off Kerio, TMPGEnc will start up and allow me to load in the avi and wav files but when I begin the encoding process, TMPGENc locks up. I have to kill it in task manager.

Dl'd and installed the TMPGEnc 3.0 Xpress trial. It installed and has similar behavior. It also throws errors in Kerio when the firewall is running--

"Intrusion Attempt Blocked"
TMPGEnc 3.0 Xpress 3.1.5.82
App: TMPGEnc 3.0 Xpress\VFAPIFrameServer.exe
Desc:VFAPI Frame Server
File Version: 1,1,2,11
Prod Name: VFAPI Frame Server
Prod Veriosn: 1,1,2,11
Created: 2005/3/11, 20:02:24
Modified: 2005/3/11, 20:02:24
Accessed: 2005/12/11, 06:06:43

Address of invalid Instruction: 0x059FB91D

Cannot open file: blah blah blah\xvid-tvd.avi"

With Kerio off:
Software opens up, sets up to encode video.
after 2:29:25 (50% into analyzing and encoding the avi to mpeg)
I get a "catastrophic failure (error code 0x8000FFFF)" message.


I really like TMPGEnc and I am baffled that it is giving me these problems.

[Mr_Odwin]

Bit of a pain in the ass, but could you frameserve it to TMPGEnc with Avisynth and encode that way?

[yosarian]

I don't know. I guess I could, but why? This TMPGEnc 2.5 worked for me previously. I can't understand why it is not working now.

I am going to uninstall both programs and go thru the registry by hand and remove any vestiges of them, reboot and then reinstall and see what happens. At the very least, Kerio should ask me about allowing them to run.

[clsid]

Does the file have AC3 audio? In that case try to install ac3acm.

[Axed]

Well, another idea to see what happens (inspired by clsid's question) is to make an avs script using:
avisource("movie name here.avi")

And seeing if that runs. If all that works, theres something really weird going on with TMPGEnc and most likely only their support crew might be able to help you with it.

[yosarian]

As I mentioned in the beginning, the avi does have AC3 audio, hence the messing with the codecs. The most recent codec pack I did install (Defiler) does support AC3.

When I tried to encode the file again in Xpress 3.0, it wouldn't load the video, but said it would load the audio! (I usually demux the audio in VirtualDub since I have found out of sync problems when going from avi to mpeg. Having the seperate audio file usually solves the problem.)

Axed, I will try your solution next. This is really baffling me.

[yosarian]

I created and ran a test.avs. With Kerio running, the file was blocked as an intrusion, while with Kerio disabled, I was given this message:
AVISOurce: couldn't locate a decompressor for fourcc xvid
(then it references line 1 of my test.avs file.)
Weird, because this avi will play in both WMV as well as VirtualDub.

After I installed a xvid format, avs said
"ACM failed to suggest a compatible PCM format"
Like I said, I demux the audio, so this isn't an issue.

I am going to try again with xpress just before I go to bed. Hopefully it will work, but I doubt it and I will have to send TMPGEnc support an email or two.

[Axed]

That "ACM failed to suggest a compatible PCM format" line really has me baffled. It almost sounds like your entire ACM is blown from the codec packs, which i have no idea how to fix other then a complete reinstall. Unless some other nice chap here can help.

Make sure you reference that when you email TMPGEnc incase they have more ideas.

[Abond]

Try avisource("movie name here.avi", false)

[yosarian]

Try avisource("movie name here.avi", false)

(after disabling my firewall again...)
The video plays, but with no sound.

hmmm, what does that mean?

[Abond]

AFAIK Avisource loads (and outputs) the avi with the audio by default. "false" disables audio loading.
In my opinion Xpress does not work very good with avs scripts.

[yosarian]

Problem was fixed. After deleteing all my codecs and starting from scratch, as well as uninstalling and reinstalling and rebooting my box 1000 times, Defiler released a new one that fixed some problems he had in the previous version. That and I dl'd a decent AC3 codec and a method (abet long and kind of conveluted) for turning demuxed ac3 into wavs, I was able to convert my avi and very happy with the results. Thanks for all your help in this matter!