CCE runs only 1 pass,Help please, desperate call!

[Kilyan]

Hy!
I have a biiig problem:
I extract the m2v from my dvd, load it iinto dvd2avi, without changing anything, I save the project, then I load it into vfapi codec reader, and save it, everything is fine.

I load the avi (around 10-15 megs) into cce, everything is ok, adjust the good parameters, choose 5 pass vbr, and start encoding.

CCE creates the vaf file int the first round, then when it ends the first round it just terminate the process window like everithing is fine, but it is NOT!! only a mydvd.mpv is created with 0 byte of movie!!
I tried with 2 dvd-s batched in cce and it runs for the 2 of them like I described. And by the way: the process window says
d:\temp\mydvd.mpv with 1 004 156 and is going up, saying it makes the file bigger and bigger , but nothing is written!!

I am using 2.64.01.10 with NTFS, dual athlon mp1800+.... windows XP

I would appreciate any help

Thanks

[moztof]

Try deleting the .VAF file associated with that encode. It will be recreated when you start the encode again. I had similar problems with corrpt .VAF files. Once I deleted the file and started the encode over it seemed to work. I hope this helps.

[jeffnoone]

I wouldn't delete the .vaf file as it contains the info necessary to optimize VBR recording

The problem of versions of CCE set at 2-3 passes in multipass, but then only doing one pass is described in a couple of threads.
I don't remember seeing a single answer

I remember seeing some answers warning not to re-open any of the settings after saving them, otherwise one-pass-only issue would occur

I use same version of CCE as Kilyan and I have had the problem

I seem ot be able to avoid it by:

First I run a 1-pass VBR ; this works fine a .vaf is created

Then I switch to 2 pass VBR
then I make the setting changes and the bitrate changes as described under http://www.doom9.org/mpg/cce-advanced.htm

Then I press "encode" - it offers to save over previous .ecl file and I say OK

When I save .ecl first, then hit "encode" I seem to run into this problem you mention

Rather unscientific answer I'm afraid - interested in other opinions
JEff

[Kilyan]

Thanks for your answers, I'll try out. The 1 pass vbr, I use it to look at the size of the generated m2v in the vbr settings, I correct the bitrate, then I make a 5 pass, with saving the ecl.
BTW what if I make a 5 pass directly for the first time with a "low" bitrate then at the end I shift up and redo a 5 pass? Does CCE use the old vaf or is it just overwriting it for the first pass?

[jeffnoone]

Good points

The situation about the .vaf has always puzzled me a bit, as the timestamp on the .vaf file does not change, even though it is presumably rewritten with each pass.

the same .vaf is still used if you do a multipas, then redo a multipass at a different bitrate

THe method I mentioned did not wotk for me last night, I came to computer this AM to find an empty .mpv file - arghh!!

[Kilyan]

Hy!
The problem seems to be resolved for me, but lot of torough testing is still needed. So I'm back using vfapi reader codec(after saving project with dvd2avi), and right clicking on the cce exe nad choose compatibility mode win98/me, and it seems to work.

Will post couple of days later (cce 2.50 and 2.64.01.10)