CCE multipass problem after 1st pass

[DJans]

Hi, I have the following question:
I want to transcode a DVD for a DVD-R backup and have this done as a multipass 3 successfully several times. The result was always great. The avg. bitrate was always between 3500 and 5500. But now I have a problem with one DVD image:

After the transcoding (3 pass multipass) starts, it shows me only 5 hours of remaining time. This is the same time that will be shown if I do a one pass encoding. Normally CCE shows me between 20 and 30 hours if I do a 3 pass encoding(PIII 450).

If the 5 hours are over, I think CCE was finished. But then it begins with a second pass and shows me again 5 hours.

The result m2v file of the first pass is OK, all other passes give me m2v files of a very small size containing only a black screen.

I use the guide from Doom9 and I always got a successful encoding until now.

[slk001]

The first time that CCE goes through your file when in VBR mode, it is creating its .VAF file, so the time for this will be the same whether 1 pass or 10 passes. Once this pass is completed, CCE gives you the remaining time for the remainder of the passes. If you look at the screen during the first pass, it will say "YOURFILE.VAF". Once it starts the encoding passes, it will say "YOURFILE.M2V". CCE will write, then erase, the "YOURFILE.M2V" the number of passes that you choose (but minus the last erase!).

Don't know about your "black screen" movies. Maybe your CCE is corrupted - try reloading it from your protected archives. Also, do you have adequate space on the drive that you are targeting the .M2V file to?