End of Movie is Cut Off -- bbMPEG Problem...

[internetpilot]

I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but it seems like with the more recent of revisions of DVD2SVCD, I've been having a lot more problems with BIN size, end of the movie being cut off by bbMPEG, etc. Maybe it's just the movies I've been choosing lately.

Anyway, I'm having the problem where the end of my movies are cut off by bbMPEG...usually just the credits, but that can be a bad thing sometimes (especially in a lot of my kids' movies) when the there is one last scene at the end of the credits. I did my homework and determined that it is bbMPEG that is doing this. My MPV file has the entire movie and it doesn't matter what I set the bitrate at, the CD size, etc. -- I've done the same movie 1/2 dozen times at different settings to no avail.

So why don't I just change the bbMPEG settings and use the recovery function? Can't. bbMPEG just shuts down when I try to load settings and then run the bbMPEG job myself. When I clock on the load settings button, all bbMPEG windows simply disappear.

Anyone have any suggestions for another workaround to this problem or have a solution to get bbMPEG to work manually? I'm running WindowsXP SP2 and I've tried compatability mode (to no avail).

This is driving me nuts.

-- Chris

[ralphthedog]

Might be easier for the clever types here to suggest something if you post a logfile of a problem encode for them.

Which encoder are you using......are you using D2SRoBa?....there are a few things that could cause your current nut driving problems, probably to do with your encoder settings (having a guess).

[internetpilot]

MOTHER-FATHER-COCKER-SPANIEL! No matter how many ways I think through these posts, I always forget to some sort of important information!

Oh, well. I'm using TMPGEnc. The encoded file is just fine (full movie) -- it's the muxed/cut file that frequently seems to have the ending cut off. I know that bbMPEG has some size limits where it will cut the file, but I cannot figure out how to avoid those or if it's too difficult to predict them, I cannot figure out how to correct them after the fact because the bbMPEG gui doesn't seem to want to work with Windows XP.

Thanks for the reply!

[internetpilot]

I tried to re-do the job again last night. Same thing occured with end being cut-off, just a few seconds difference this time around. I tried changing the CQ rating to 75 instead of my usual 80 this time around, and also changed the size of the CD (on the bitrate tab)to be 700mb for all movies that are 52 minutes or less (this movie is 50:XX minutes).

I ended up just using TMPGEnc to mux the movie from the encoded audio and video files in the DVD2SVCD output folder. That seemed to work fairly well. Can't really tell if the sound is slightly off or not because this is a classic stop-animation cartoon, so it's not like the words are in perfect sync with their mouths anyway! I then used VCDEasy to create a SVCD out of the muxed MPEG file. I don't know if this would be a solution for a real movie with live actors or not. I wish I could just get bbMPEG working manually -- I could easily fix the cut limit, re-mux the movie, and then just use the recover option of DVD2SVCD to finish everything up nicely.

I'd appreciate it if anyone notices anything obvious in the log below:

WNASPI32.DLL 4.71.1.0
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:39:18 AM
- DVD to SVCD Conversion
- DVD2SVCD ver. 1.2.2 build 3
--------------------------------------------------------
Initializing
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_0.IFO
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_2.vob
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_3.vob
Initializing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:39:22 AM
- Free on drive C: 99460.57 mb
- Internal rip
--------------------------------------------------------
Preparing vobfiles to be ripped:
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_2.vob
- F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_3.vob

Ripping: F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_1.vob
Ripping: F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_2.vob
Ripping: F:\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_3.vob
Ripping finished. Speed: 8553

Trying to eject the DVD
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:44:09 AM
- DVD2AVI
--------------------------------------------------------
Creating DVD2AVI INI file:
- C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.INI

Variable settings:
iDCT_Algorithm: 32-bit SSE MMX

Executing DVD2AVI.
Executing DVD2AVI. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DVD2AVI\DVD2AVI.exe" -CS=2 -YR=1 -OM=0 -EXIT -OF=[C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\DVD2AVI_Project_file] -IF=[C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\VTS_02_1.vob,C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\VTS_02_2.vob,C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\VTS_02_3.vob]
Analyzing DVD2AVI Project file
Force Film NOT activated!
Framerate: 29970
DVD2AVI processing done.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:45:39 AM
- Free on drive C: 97121.53 mb
- AUDIO Extraction
--------------------------------------------------------
Found AC3 stream id: 0x80
Filename: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3

Audio1 delay: -67 ms
Audio extraction finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:48:08 AM
- Free on drive C: 97040.21 mb
- AUDIO conversion
--------------------------------------------------------

Encoding Audio. Filename: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3
Executing BeSweet. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe" -core( -input "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3" -output "C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Encoded_audio_1.mp2" -logfile "C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Encoded_audio_1.log" ) -azid( -L -3db -l 0db -c normal -s surround -g max ) -ota( -d -67 ) -2lame( -e -b 192 -m s )
Audio conversion of C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\Extracted_audio_1.ac3 finished.

Audio conversion finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:52:53 AM
- Free on drive C: 96970.54 mb
- Converting Pictures
--------------------------------------------------------
Converting: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DefaultChangeCD.bmp
Converting: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\DefaultLastCD.bmp
Finished converting pictures
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 9:53:03 AM
- Free on drive C: 96969.57 mb
- Video Encoding using TMPGEnc
--------------------------------------------------------
- Encoding C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\ChangeCDPicture.bmp.avs
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\LastCDPicture.bmp.avs
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding Test Clip C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file_CQ_TEST.avs
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding Test Clip C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file_CQ_TEST.avs
Wanted: 680221464 (664279kb)
Predicted: 845565065 (825747kb) Using CQ Value: 75.00
Calculated next CQ Value: 66.37
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding Test Clip C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file_CQ_TEST.avs
Wanted: 680221464 (664279kb)
Predicted: 725723280 (708714kb) Using CQ Value: 66.37
Calculated next CQ Value: 63.93
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding Test Clip C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file_CQ_TEST.avs
Wanted: 680221464 (664279kb)
Predicted: 697808576 (681454kb) Using CQ Value: 63.93
Calculated next CQ Value: 62.98
Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

- Encoding Test Clip C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file_CQ_TEST.avs
Wanted: 680221464 (664279kb)
Predicted: 680736516 (664782kb) Using CQ Value: 62.98
Calculated final CQ Value: 62.95
- Encoding C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\AviSynth_Script_file.avs
StreamSectors: 770491988
AudioSectors: 74184404
VideoPAPO: 10786176
ScanOffsetBytes: 82099
SeqAligningBytes: 5217841
DVDBytes: 0
VideoEndHeader: 4
SubtitleSectors: 0
EmptySectors: 238.00
PictureSectors: 300.00
PureMPEGStream: 680221463.90
Seconds: 3049.74
CalcMPEGStream: 680221463.90
Frames: 91221
CDSize: 740.00
Number of CDs: 1
Cut point 735.00
Using CQ Value: 62.95
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 (No borders, encoded as 4:3)

---AVS Begin---
LoadPlugin("C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\AVISYN~1.5PL\Mpeg2dec\MPEG2D~1.DLL")
MPEG2Source("C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\DVD2AV~1.D2V")
BicubicResize(480,480,0.0,0.6)
ConvertToRGB24()
----AVS End----

Executing TMPGEnc. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\TMPGEnc\TMPGEnc.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\TMPGEnc_Project_file.tpr" /Encode /Close
Video Encoding finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:35:19 PM
- Free on drive C: 96295.17 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:35:22 PM
- Free on drive C: 96295.16 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini

Executing RunbbMPEG. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\RunbbMPEG.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\ChangeCDPicture.bmp.mpg"
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:35:27 PM
- Free on drive C: 96295.14 mb
- Converting Pictures from ES to PS
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini

Executing RunbbMPEG. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\RunbbMPEG.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\LastCDPicture.bmp.mpg"
--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:35:31 PM
- Free on drive C: 96295.11 mb
- Multiplexing and cutting
--------------------------------------------------------
Saving bbMPEG settings: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\default.ini
Offset in Seconds: 1
Executing bbMPEG.
Variable Settings:
Movie offset: 1 seconds
Cut point: 735 mb

Executing RunbbMPEG. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\bbMPEG\RunbbMPEG.exe" "C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\bbMPEG_Muxed_File.mpg"
Multiplexing and cutting finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:39:55 PM
- Free on drive C: 95560.34 mb
- Determining length of audio
--------------------------------------------------------
Analyzing: C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\bbMPEG_Muxed_File00.mpg
2978.112 seconds C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\Movie\bbMPEG_Muxed_File00.mpg
Analyzing finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:40:28 PM
- Free on drive C: 95560.34 mb
- Creating CD-Images using VCDXBuild
--------------------------------------------------------
- No. of chapters to create: 5

CD image #1: CD_Image_File_CD1.bin

Executing VCDXBuild. Commandline:
"C:\Program Files\DVD2SVCD\VCDImager\VCDXBuild.exe" --verbose --cue-file="C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\CD_Image_File_CD1.cue" --bin-file="C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\CD_Image_File_CD1.bin" "C:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Movie\VCDXBU~1.XML"
Image creation finished.

--------------------------------------------------------
- 11/12/2004 12:42:20 PM
- Free on drive C: 94815.22 mb
- Conversion done!
--------------------------------------------------------

Thanks!

-- Chris

[internetpilot]

Excuse me as I reply to myself...:D

I discovered that I can solve this problem one of three ways:

1. Since I'm using TMPGEnc's CQ mode, I can just bump the CQ setting down a couple of notches and although I do not get any noticeable loss of quality, it lowers the file size just enough to get by bbMPEG's stupid restriction.

2. Since I cannot get the GUI of bbMPEG working (see previous post), figured out that I could just got to the bbMPEG folder on my PC, edit the "DEFAULT.INI" file, setting maxfilesize=0. I then copy the bbMPEG command line from the DVD2SVCD log file, run it in a DOS window, and presto -- I get a muxed MPG file with the full ending. I then go to the DVD2SVCD recover feature on the MISC tab and re-run the conversion from the CD Image process. I ended up with a 813mb file, which is a piece-o-cake to burn on my CD burner.

3. Use TMPGEnc to mux the movie and then use VCDEasy to create the SVCD, even importing the chapters the DVD2SVCD work folder. This is easiest when making a one-disc movie, but it could still be done for a two-disc movie -- you'd just have to use the TMPGEnc cut/merge feature and re-encode (which could result in quality loss).

I feel that #2 seems to be the best option, since #3 could result in "randomly" out-of-sync audio and it's impossible to predict when you'll need to do #1 until after you already have a movie with a cut-off ending (why completely re-do the process when you can do option #2 instead?).

Oh, well...I hope this helps someone else!

[Nick]

Alternatively you could use a different rate control mode.

CQ mode is known to be unpredictable in terms of filesize. 2-Pass VBR takes longer but should give predictable filesize, preventing oversizing.

At the expense of a longer encode, at least you keep the automation this way.

HTH
Nick

[internetpilot]

VERY valid point, espcially since I'm usually doing the process overnight (wee hours of the morning) with automatic shutdown anyway. I have definitely learned that the results of CQ mode definitely depend on the movie. What's weird is that I can't really put my finger on it -- sometimes a heavy action movie works without a problem and sometimes a slower drama is oversized! Oh, well.

[jsoto]

From your settings:
CDSize: 740.00

Are you really using 650 MB media?

And, try in google "bbmpeg+patch+XP". In the second place you'll find:
http://files.divx-digest.com/software/encode/bbmpeg_xp.zip

Because D2S checks the version of bbmpeg.dll, you will have an advice. You can avoid it "installing" (coping the rest of the files from D2S) the patched bbmpeg.dll in a different folder.

jsoto

[internetpilot]

Originally posted by jsoto
From your settings:
CDSize: 740.00

Are you really using 650 MB media?



No, I'm using 80min/700mb media, but I've previously found that tricking D2S into thinking I'm using the lower capacity medium, I've corrected file size problems that can occur when burning a single-disc movie or occurs on the last disc of a multi-disc movie.


And, try in google "bbmpeg+patch+XP". In the second place you'll find:
http://files.divx-digest.com/software/encode/bbmpeg_xp.zip

Because D2S checks the version of bbmpeg.dll, you will have an advice. You can avoid it "installing" (coping the rest of the files from D2S) the patched bbmpeg.dll in a different folder.

jsoto

Thank you -- that works. So, what you're saying is that I need to keep the original bbMPEG files from the D2S install intact or else D2S will complain, right? And then just use a separate install of bbMPEG (with the patched DLL) to do any manual work outside of the D2S process.

Thanks again!

[jsoto]

No, I'm using 80min/700mb media, but I've previously found that tricking D2S
Better use "CQ Value Factor" (at 0.95 or may be 0.9). D2S will multiply the calculated CQ by this "safety" factor.
So, what you're saying is that I need to keep the original bbMPEG files from the D2S install intact or else D2S will complain, right? And then just use a separate install of bbMPEG (with the patched DLL) to do any manual work outside of the D2S process. Yes, you got it. Changing the dll will probably work, but the reason is to keep the original D2S exes and dlls as they are, in order to be able to reproduce any problem you can have in the future.

jsoto

[internetpilot]

Originally posted by jsoto
[B]Better use "CQ Value Factor" (at 0.95 or may be 0.9). D2S will multiply the calculated CQ by this "safety" factor.

I've tried that, but it did not seem to have any effect at all. The end product was the exact same file size. I did this on a 40-minute childrens cartoon, so maybe the content isn't complicated enough to make a difference in adjusting the CQ Value Factor. I'll try it again on a longer movie. I definitely noticed that that changing the disk size and even the bitrate range is no guarantee to solve the problem! I guess that has to do with using CQ mode as well. It probably would make a difference using CBR or VBR.

Thanks again for your help, especially with the bbMPEG patch. I've been venturing out on my own (not using D2S) for several projects, and have missed not being able to use bbMPEG for muxing rather than the TMPGEnc mux feature (which doesn't always accurately sync the audio and video).