99% Complete CCE Basic Error

[wwjd]

I use CCE Basic to encode the .avi files that I get from my Canopus ADVC-100. The files are usually 1-2 hours in length and are TV captures. I edit out the commercials in CCE Basic by simply encoding just the parts of the file that I want. What I am left with are 5 to 10 mpeg2 files. The number of files depends on the length of the show and number of commercials.

The problem is that about 20% of the time when encoding a segment of an avi file I get the following error; 'Cinema Craft Encoder Basic has encountered a problem and needs to close'. The error only occurs at the point that 99% of the file encoding is complete, usually within 2-40 frames of finishing. What could be causing this?

I frequently defrag, my system is running well, I use a dedicated drive for my video work, DMA is enabled, I have shut down Norton and a number of other things running in the background.

I encode using 1 pass CBR=8000 with mostly default settings. I have read the guides on this website and made the changes that seem to apply.

My system is a P4, 2.53, 512MB, 120GB Seagate Barracuda that is
dedicated to video, AIW7500.

Ideas, suggestions will be appreciated.

wwjd

[Boulder]

I would use Avisynth to frameserve the files to CCE. That way you could also trim the video easily and would have one single clip as the output.

[wwjd]

Boulder,

I have not learned yet how to frame serve but I think your suggestion is a good one. Just been too busy and lazy. There is plenty of information out there and I should be able to learn the basics over the Christmas holiday.

The one negative with frame serving is that I actually want the individual segments as opposed to one continuous file. The reason is that when I author it I want chapter points and thumbnails where the commercials where removed. It is a preference thing. I can just hit the 'Next' button on the remote and go to the next section of the video.

Any ideas on what may be causing CCE to hang? I do know that the CPU is pegged during the encoding of a clip. I have tried setting the 'Priority' to realtime and also to low. Neither seemed to have much affect. Also, the clips that CCE hangs on are good mpeg files and usually have all of the frames actually encoded. If I restart the encoding on a clip that hung it will usually encode successfully the second time through.

Thanks again!

wwjd

[Arky]

Don't wish to offend anyone's sensibilities here, by 'teaching them to suck eggs', but have you checked for certain that you have enough room on your destination drive for CCE to completely write the encoded file to..?


Arky ;o)

[wwjd]

The destination drive has plenty of space. I keep it fairly empty and defrag'd. It is a 120GB Seagate Barracuda that I always leave at least 30GB free. Most of the time it has > 90GB free.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

wwjd

[Tio]

I would get the same result if I were to import AVI's directly into CCE-SP 2.50, but a bit more frequently, somewhere in the rang of 44%-55% of the time. This is why I frameserve through AVISynth each and every time now no matter how small the file or how little filtering I do. Using AVISynth to serve I never have CCE failures. It's not been explained why as far as I know but I've seen others make the same statement.

Might be worth some holiday down-time studying! ;-)

Happy Holidays!
Tio

[wwjd]

Tio,

Thanks for the reply. I have been putting off the AVISynth thing for a while now. I think I will dig into it over the holiday.

Cinema Craft Tech support did send me a beta version of CCE Basic and that seems to have fixed the problem. I have not had an error and I have converted a lot of avi to mpeg since I installed the beta.

Have a great holiday!

wwjd