MeGUI: General Questions and Troubleshooting Thread [Archive] - Page 111

FBX

10th July 2010, 15:56

the presets were based kurtnoise's device settings thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=149711) and updated as problems came in. the idea was to make the device settings current, not rely on outdated misinformation posted elsewhere. fixes have always came fast, but i don't think zathor is psychic.

My apologies, I thought the presets had been tested to make sure they work. I basically had to learn by trial and error what each of the settings had an effect on in order to pinpoint the bizarre problems that kept popping up in my encoded videos.

As I stated before, turning b-frames off and increasing "extra I-frames" to 100 allowed my videos to play perfectly on the PS3 as well as various PC media players. I'd recommend anyone making archives for PS3 playback should use those same settings.

Lyle_JP

10th July 2010, 19:58

As I stated before, turning b-frames off and increasing "extra I-frames" to 100 allowed my videos to play perfectly on the PS3 as well as various PC media players. I'd recommend anyone making archives for PS3 playback should use those same settings.

If you turn off b-frames for h.264, you might as well just go back to Xvid/DivX, for all the compression advantage you'll lose. I've absolutely no problems playing back b-framed video on the ps3. As long as you limit your encodings for the PS3 to 3 b-frames, there should be no errors. If it plays fine off a USB stick, then it is fine.

As stated before, I'm not streaming, but if you're having problems only from streaming, then the problem is not really the encoding. Try using direct Ethernet instead of the PS3's built-in wireless. Is the PS3 is not buffering enough? Perhaps there are some settings you can tweak to compensate on the server side?

Also, did you ever mention what your VBV settings were? Maybe there is a problem with your encodings there.

royia

10th July 2010, 21:54

What you are saying makes no sense...

What do you mean make no sense?
Since Me GUI is the only software I have which uses AVI Synth I was wondering if there's an option to make it use it without installing AVI Synth.

When I installed AVI Synth I saw there a special installation mode - "Uncompress Only".
It creates a folder with all AVI Synth files within it.

I was wondering if there's a way to copy the DLL's into Me GUI or any other procedure to make them work.

In other words, Make Avi Synth a plug in of Me GUI just like any other.

Thanks.

FBX

10th July 2010, 22:47

If you turn off b-frames for h.264, you might as well just go back to Xvid/DivX, for all the compression advantage you'll lose. I've absolutely no problems playing back b-framed video on the ps3. As long as you limit your encodings for the PS3 to 3 b-frames, there should be no errors. If it plays fine off a USB stick, then it is fine.

As stated before, I'm not streaming, but if you're having problems only from streaming, then the problem is not really the encoding.

Well I don't stream them over a router, I just burn them to disc for playback. But whether I played the files from a DVD or directly from the PS3 hard drive, I would get the same problems. Also I want to state the whole b-frame issue was in regards to WMP compatibility. It took me a while to figure out which media player was being crabby to which setting. The PS3 seemed to handle b-frames, but was particularly picky about I-frame sensitivity. The default setting caused my files to start with several seconds of blank video on the PS3, whereas turning up the I-frame setting got rid of this problem.

With regard to xvid/divx, the encoded videos looked terrible compared to H.264 no matter what quality I attempted. I've already been down that road and don't care to return there. Anyway, the videos look great and play fine with my setting changes, so I'm happy with the outcome.

Edit: Forgot to mention my VBV settings are the "PS3" preset default of 31250. If that should be adjusted, please let me know. Thanks!

Lyle_JP

10th July 2010, 23:12

Well I don't stream them over a router, I just burn them to disc for playback. But whether I played the files from a DVD or directly from the PS3 hard drive, I would get the same problems.... The PS3 seemed to handle b-frames, but was particularly picky about I-frame sensitivity. The default setting caused my files to start with several seconds of blank video on the PS3, whereas turning up the I-frame setting got rid of this problem.
...my VBV settings are the "PS3" preset default of 31250. If that should be adjusted, please let me know. Thanks!

Your VBV settings are fine. Here's a question I should have asked: To what resolution are you encoding? I've never had the I-frame problem you describe, but then I've almost never made files larger than standard def (848x480 with 1:1 SAR). The few times I've made HD sized files, I've always used slicing. The PS3 (being a blu-ray player, I guess) likes HD in 4 slices.

But for SD video, even using this dirt simple command line:
x264.exe --level 4 --crf 18 --output "output" "input"
gives me flawless playback on the PS3. Also, my PS3 is an older "fat" one, but that shouldn't make any difference.

flebber

10th July 2010, 23:32

What do you mean make no sense?
Since Me GUI is the only software I have which uses AVI Synth I was wondering if there's an option to make it use it without installing AVI Synth.

When I installed AVI Synth I saw there a special installation mode - "Uncompress Only".
It creates a folder with all AVI Synth files within it.

I was wondering if there's a way to copy the DLL's into Me GUI or any other procedure to make them work.

In other words, Make Avi Synth a plug in of Me GUI just like any other.

Thanks.

You don't copy the dll's you press config in the Avs script creator. You can now select load plugin. Select the dll for the avisynth plugin you want to use (the plugin should be located in the folder C:\Program Files\Avisynth\Plugins.

then reference the plugin in the script eg Undot()

royia

11th July 2010, 06:59

You don't copy the dll's you press config in the Avs script creator. You can now select load plugin. Select the dll for the avisynth plugin you want to use (the plugin should be located in the folder C:\Program Files\Avisynth\Plugins.

then reference the plugin in the script eg Undot()
You completely missunderstood my intention.

I asked whether it is possible to configure Me GUI to use AVI Synth without installing AVI Synth. I wasn't asking about AVI Synth's Plug In's.

AVI Synth installer has "Compress Only" mode. which means I have all the DLL's of AVI Synth.
I wish it was possible to use them withing Me GUI without installing it ("Portable Mode").

flebber

11th July 2010, 08:39

You completely missunderstood my intention.

I asked whether it is possible to configure Me GUI to use AVI Synth without installing AVI Synth. I wasn't asking about AVI Synth's Plug In's.

AVI Synth installer has "Compress Only" mode. which means I have all the DLL's of AVI Synth.
I wish it was possible to use them withing Me GUI without installing it ("Portable Mode").

That would be an avisynth question not a megui question. Avisynth 2 does not have that capability not sure about 3.

FBX

11th July 2010, 08:50

Your VBV settings are fine. Here's a question I should have asked: To what resolution are you encoding? I've never had the I-frame problem you describe, but then I've almost never made files larger than standard def (848x480 with 1:1 SAR). The few times I've made HD sized files, I've always used slicing. The PS3 (being a blu-ray player, I guess) likes HD in 4 slices.

But for SD video, even using this dirt simple command line:
x264.exe --level 4 --crf 18 --output "output" "input"
gives me flawless playback on the PS3. Also, my PS3 is an older "fat" one, but that shouldn't make any difference.

My PS3 is an older 40GB model from a few years ago. The resolution I'm encoding is 720x540 with a 1:1 pixel ratio. Other than the initial startup problem of blank video with sound for the first 5 or 10 seconds, the videos would play flawlessly after that. It was only when I messed with the I-frame settings that the problem went away. To confirm, I made two files: One with extra I-frames set to zero, and another set to 100. The files were identical other than that setting in the encoder. The first file played with the usual blank video at the start, while the second video played perfectly from the start.

Edit: I just did a series of experimental encodes to test on the PS3:

First video: Default PS3 preset (MeGUI 0.3.5.0)
Second video: No B-frames
Third Video: Extra I-frames 100
Fourth Video: No B-frames + Extra I-frames 100

Of these four videos, the ONLY one that started playback properly on my PS3 with the "No B-frames + Extra I-frames 100" video. Both the "default" and the "No B-frames" videos played with the first ten seconds of video blanked out. I had expected the "Extra I-frames" video to start up properly, but instead it played with 5 seconds of blanked out video! It was only the video with both settings adjusted that started up properly.

Source video:
720x540 H.264 lossless encoded AVI from VirtualDub.

Lyle_JP

11th July 2010, 10:40

Of these four videos, the ONLY one that started playback properly on my PS3 with the "No B-frames + Extra I-frames 100" video. Both the "default" and the "No B-frames" videos played with the first ten seconds of video blanked out. I had expected the "Extra I-frames" video to start up properly, but instead it played with 5 seconds of blanked out video! It was only the video with both settings adjusted that started up properly.

Consider buying a new Playstation. I have never seen your problem in over 300 rips, none of which had to be tweaked far from the main MeGUI settings.

Long story short, the profile in MeGUI does not need the changes you recommend. Your problem appears unique.

FBX

11th July 2010, 11:44

Just an update in that my combination test video with both I-frames set to 100 and B-frames set to zero turned out to be contaminated with a custom GOP setting. When I reset the GOP to the default 25/250, the 5-seconds of blank video returned even on the combo test video. I had to scrap my test videos and start from scratch, this time using a custom GOP setting of 0/24. This time around, B-frame settings had no effect, while the combined I-frame=100 with my Custom GOP played properly.

My apologies for the tainted results earlier. So now I have to conclude that combination of my custom GOP settings and my I-frame settings are what allows the videos to start properly on my PS3. It may indeed be an issue specific to my PS3. However, I see no reason to get a new PS3 when these settings solve the problem anyway.

BTW, WMP playback still required B-frames turned off to avoid the sped-up video issue on startup. So if I want a universally stable archive, I still have to turn B-frames off. The savings on memory was minimal anyway. Something like less than a megabyte per 1,000 frames at the default of 3 B-frames.

nurbs

11th July 2010, 13:47

BTW, WMP playback still required B-frames turned off to avoid the sped-up video issue on startup. So if I want a universally stable archive, I still have to turn B-frames off. The savings on memory was minimal anyway. Something like less than a megabyte per 1,000 frames at the default of 3 B-frames.

WMP supports b-frames fine, and let me guess you did a CRF encode with and without b-frames to determine how useful they are. It doesn't work that way since the settings change the meaning of the rate factor. Also depending on the bitrate you begin with saving a megabyte per 1000 frames could mean saving a third of the filesize (e.g. SD cartoon ~650 kb/s).

ckmox

11th July 2010, 14:30

is Zones options (via the Zones button) on x264 encoding will only be applied when you individually encode the video so its "Enqueue" only? because the Zones i put up doesnt work when i use "AutoEncode" that means autoencode of audio+video+muxing

thanks for whoever will answer :)

Sharktooth

11th July 2010, 14:47

@royia: megui requires avisynth hence it MUST be installed. that's why what you said made no sense.

@ckmox: yes. autoencode actually ignores zones.

ckmox

11th July 2010, 14:56

@ckmox: yes. autoencode actually ignores zones.

thanks for the answer Sharktooth :)

colargol7

11th July 2010, 17:44

Hi

I have a stupid question :confused:
Is it possible to launch Megui with command line options; something like this, it would be very useful for me:

"C:\video\megui\MeGUI.exe" -script "myscript.avs" -audio "myaudio.mp3"

So I would not have to load anything once Megui is loaded.

Thx

royia

11th July 2010, 23:28

@royia: megui requires avisynth hence it MUST be installed. that's why what you said made no sense.

I guess I can't convey my question properly.
I know Me GUI requires AVI Synth.
I guess basically it requires the AVI Synth DLL's.

Lest's say I have those DLL's (Using AVI Synth "Decompress Only" installation mode).
Is there a way to put them somewhere within Me GUI folder or any other method such Me GUI would use them without installing AVI Synth (Preventing the Registry Keys and Administartor Requirements).

Basically what I'm asking, is there a Portable Version of Me GUI with AVI Synth integrated in it?

Thanks.

Guest

11th July 2010, 23:41

Basically what I'm asking, is there a Portable Version of Me GUI with AVI Synth integrated in it? No, there is not.

flebber

12th July 2010, 01:27

horus14

12th July 2010, 05:42

hi, have a problem T_T!!!

Version MeGUI
[Error] Log
-[Information] Versions
--[NoImage] MeGUI Version : 0.3.5.3
--[NoImage] OS : Windows XP Professional x86 SP2 (5.1.131072.2600)
--[NoImage] Latest .Net Framework installed : 3.5 (3.5.30729.01)
--[NoImage] Avisynth Version : 2.5.8.5

--[Error] An error occurred: avs [error]: DirectShowSource: couldn't create filter graph:
--[Error] An error occurred: x264 [error]: could not open input file `C:\Documents and Settings\Adm\Mi Data\Encode\Cup video MKV.avs'

have haali media splitter... and FFDSHOW

FBX

12th July 2010, 10:42

WMP supports b-frames fine, and let me guess you did a CRF encode with and without b-frames to determine how useful they are. It doesn't work that way since the settings change the meaning of the rate factor. Also depending on the bitrate you begin with saving a megabyte per 1000 frames could mean saving a third of the filesize (e.g. SD cartoon ~650 kb/s).

First, if WMP supported b-frames "fine", I shouldn't be getting sped-up videos during the first few seconds with them turned on. When I turn them off, video plays fine. With them on, video is screwed up at the beginning. That to me says WMP has a problem with them.

Also, I do high-quality archival encodes of my restoration projects, not those uber-compressed 200MB per hour jobs people are so fond of. I do a gigabyte per half hour (mostly because of having to use blockbuster to break up the blocking) so in this case, the savings I was getting with b-frames was very little. Since they were causing problems with compatibility anyway, I don't mind having them turned off at all.

nurbs

12th July 2010, 11:46

If WMP had problems with b-frames you wouldn't be the only one experiencing them. The current version of WMP plays every single one of my files, both HD and SD and with b-frames and b-pyramid without the issue you reported. Maybe you are using an outdated version, maybe you installed a codec pack that screwed up your system or maybe something else is wrong with your system, but a current WMP can handle b-frames fine out of the box.

My issue is that you are running around the forum telling people not to use b-frames or they'll have problems with WMP and to change the scenecut settings or they'll have problems with the PS3 when no one else can reproduce these problems.

It's far more likely that your WMP problems have something to do with your specific setup and your PS3 problems come from your use of --level 4.2 (or if that old problem hasn't been fixed from encoding to mp4 directly instead of encoding raw and muxing later, although then the PS3 completely refused to play the file)
There isn't even a reason for you do use 4.2 since your VBV settings are well within level 4.1 constraints and the DPB limits for 4.1 and 4.2 are the same so there is no extra gain there. Also since most hardware is limited to level 4.1 using 4.2 will result in some players looking at the file and refusing to play it simply because it has been tagged with a level higher than the one that is supported by the player and it was actually encoded at.
It's funny that you start playing around with scenecut to solve your problem instead of changing options in your encode that are different compared to settings other people told work with their PS3s. For instance the only major differences between what you use and what Lyle_JP (excluding CRF numer and missing VBV constraints which won't be an issue considering you are encoding SD) are the level, aud and sar. sar doesn't matter, aud is unlikely to so that leaves --level.

It's fine that you do high quality encodes, but saying that b-frames save less than a MB per 1000 frames is useless unless you tell us tell us what the original value is you compare it too. You also didn't tell us on how you determined the usefulness and since most people simple do it by using the size difference of a CRF encode with option A compared to a CRF encode with option B, which is a completely invalid method and tells you nothing about how much efficiency you gained or lost, I wanted you to clarify on that.

Finally 200 MB per hour for a clean SD cartoon (like the Futurama DVDs) isn't uber-compressed. It would probably come out at that size around CRF 18 with the settings I used.

Sharktooth

12th July 2010, 13:19

horus14

12th July 2010, 18:51

Win XP SP2...

and?... XD

Sharktooth

12th July 2010, 18:53

first step before looking into where a problem is... update.

Pringles

13th July 2010, 12:52

In the Megui guide, it's said while configuring the x264 encoder to "Set mode to "automated 2pass" and check "turbo" "
Where is the turbo mode? I can't find it in the enc properties.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9693/capturegy.png

nurbs

13th July 2010, 12:58

Since the configuration box and x264 itself have been changed recently the guide is a bit outdated. x264 now uses faster options for the first pass by default, so as long as you don't see --slow-firstpass in the command line window and don't use --preset placebo you are good. Apart from being part of the placebo preset I guess you can turn on --slow-firstpass somewhere in the advanced options or if not you can add it as a custom commandline option if you want.

Pringles

13th July 2010, 13:40

I'm wondering because it seemed really slow to encode Barton Fink (2 hours long movie) on my Q9650 @ 3.0Ghz as it took 6 hours!!! And there was no filter or whatsoever except for a minimal noise filter. Do 6 hours seem normal to you?

Here is the avs:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files (x86)\megui\tools\dgindex\DGDecode.dll")
DGDecode_mpeg2source("I:\DVD\RIP\VTS_01_1.d2v", info=3)
LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files (x86)\megui\tools\avisynth_plugin\ColorMatrix.dll")
ColorMatrix(hints=true, threads=0)
#deinterlace
crop( 0, 12, 0, -12)

Spline36Resize(720,384) # Spline36 (Neutral)
LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files (x86)\megui\tools\avisynth_plugin\UnDot.dll")
Undot() # Minimal Noise

nurbs

13th July 2010, 14:43

Is that 6 hours for first pass, second pass or total? The time that each pass needs would be interesting.
Since frametype decision isn't multithreaded this could be a bottleneck slowing down your first pass if you use many b-frames and --b-adapt 2, but if you use the settings in your screenshot you only have 3 b-frames which shouldn't be a problem. Your bitrate is also pretty high which is slower to encode, but again I wouldn't expect it to be that slow with your settings and CPU.

For comparison I got a Core i7 860 and use --preset veryslow with 3 b-frames and 5 refs and do CRF 20 encodes. For SD content that usually gives me between 20 and 35 fps at bitrates around 1 Mbps (+/- 0.5). The speed depends on the complexity of the content and resolution of course. Your CPU should be around 30% slower with the same settings for the same file.

edit:
I forgot. Post the encoding log for both passes.

Pringles

13th July 2010, 16:44

I actually found out that the encoding "only" took 3:15. I read that in the log file. I got mistaken by times info in Windows. Anyway, thanks for the help ;)

Now I'm facing some kind of problem while trying to encode an ac3 file to wav. As Megui does include eac3to, I'm looking for a profile to do so, but I can't find it. I can only encode into mp3 or into what's in the list below:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8682/audioprofiles.png

Where can I find this ac3 to wav profile?

tebasuna51

13th July 2010, 16:57

Now I'm facing some kind of problem while trying to encode an ac3 file to wav. As Megui does include eac3to, I'm looking for a profile to do so, but I can't find it.
eac3to is supported in MeGUI with HD Stream Extractor GUI but this GUI don't support audio only files for input.

Use eac3to in command line or other GUI with audio only support.

Where can I find this ac3 to wav profile?
The profiles to encode audio in the main Input window uses AviSynth decoders (not eac3to) but don't exist a wav output.

Use BeHappy instead.

nurbs

13th July 2010, 16:57

Well wav is a container that usually contains uncompressed PCM audio so you wouldn't find it in the audio encoding menu. Uncompressed audio is uncommon as an output when you rip stuff. Maybe you can do it with the HD Stream Extractor if it allows you to select ac3 files as source, but I haven't tried it. If it doesn't you'll have to use eac3to in command line or some other software like foobar2k.
What do you need the wav for? Maybe there is a way to do what you want in megui without producing a wav.

Pringles

13th July 2010, 17:16

Thank you both for your answers. I want to get a wav file as I would like to edit a part of an audio track and I can only work with a wav/PCM file (for flexibility and to keep maximum quality).

nurbs

13th July 2010, 17:20

If it's about cutting stuff out of the video and audio track you could use the AVS Cutter to cut the video and then use the resulting cuts file to cut the audio during reencoding.

Capsbackup

13th July 2010, 17:35

It is pretty ancient, but BeSweet will do what you ask. :)

Floatingshed

13th July 2010, 17:38

Much as I like megui I'm getting fed up with all the errors:
"An error has occurred" & "Standard error stream"
This is happening on all sorts of files which always work perfectly when used in Virtualdub. It is all very simple work too: AVS to avi (xvid) and AVS to Mp3 and then mux.
Does anyone know how to get less generic error reports please?

Sharktooth

13th July 2010, 17:42

post your logfile. btw standard error stream is not an error...

nurbs

13th July 2010, 17:44

How do you expect people to know what the problem is if you don't tell them what operating system you're on, what version of megui you have and most importantly what you are trying to do?

Pringles

13th July 2010, 17:45

If it's about cutting stuff out of the video and audio track you could use the AVS Cutter to cut the video and then use the resulting cuts file to cut the audio during reencoding.

I need to work within a specific postproduction software (Nuendo), that's why I need a wav/aif file ;)

It is pretty ancient, but BeSweet will do what you ask. :)

I think I have this on my computer, so I'll give it a shot! Thanks.

royia

13th July 2010, 21:11

No, there is not.

Is there a way to "Synthesize" a Portable Version from the installation of AVI Synth and MeGUI?

If not, Who should I ask for such a version?

Thanks.

Sharktooth

13th July 2010, 21:13

No... avisynth needs to be installed in the system to work.
a portable version is not possible.

Pringles

15th July 2010, 00:11

Is it possible to save bits on the credits with Megui? How do we proceed to do so?

firewolf

15th July 2010, 07:42

avi is not working for me..there is only mp and mkv option....plz help...

nurbs

15th July 2010, 07:52

Is it possible to save bits on the credits with Megui? How do we proceed to do so?

Open an avs script for encoding and in the preview window there is a button labeled "credits". You can use it to mark where the credits start and they'll be encoded with a higher quantizer that you can set in the codec configuration. I doubt it's worth it. I checked one of my 720p videos and the scrolling credits took around 200 kbps. The credits are 5 minutes long so if I brought them down to a quarter of the current size I'd save about 5 MB out of 1.5 GB filesize.

DeWTurk

15th July 2010, 09:27

megu 3.5 version not working with avisynt
please help me

Pringles

15th July 2010, 12:46

Open an avs script for encoding and in the preview window there is a button labeled "credits". You can use it to mark where the credits start and they'll be encoded with a higher quantizer that you can set in the codec configuration. I doubt it's worth it. I checked one of my 720p videos and the scrolling credits took around 200 kbps. The credits are 5 minutes long so if I brought them down to a quarter of the current size I'd save about 5 MB out of 1.5 GB filesize.

I guess you're right, thanks ;)