MeGUI - x264/XviD/lavc/Snow encoder with MP4/MKV/AVI output & audio

[magic144]

ahhh, that's got it - thanks for pointing out the global override!

[Sharktooth]

i think we will remove that option in the next versions... or move it into the encoder settings, so to avoid this kind of problems.

[rkalwaitis]

**If you aren't seeing 100% usage while encoding, remember the problem may lie with your input. Avisynth is single-threaded (usually), and so is often the bottleneck in multicore systems. ** Doesnt Megui only accept avs input?

Also could you please explain "queue analysis pass" and "add prerendering job" I never use them as I dont know what they really do or if Im using them right. Im experimenting now with 'queue analysis pass" I looked on the wikiguide but no dice.

Thanks

[check]

Yes, MeGUI only accepts AVS input. This doesn't mean x264 only accepts AVS input.

Regarding those two options, read the FAQ.

[rkalwaitis]

thanks check, also when anyone updated their megui did they get string length errors.

MeGUI encountered a fatal error and may not b e able to proceed.
Reason: startIndex cannot be larger than length of string.
Parameter name: startIndex Source of exception: mscorlib stacktrace:
at system.String.InternalSUbStringWithChecks(Int32 startIndex, Int32
length, Boolean fAlwaysCopy)
at MeGUI.OSInfo.GetOSServicePack()
at MeGUI.MainForm.MeGui_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.EventHandler.Invoke(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoadEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean
fIngnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at
System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Me
ssage& m)
at
System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WmdProc(Mess
age& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd,Int32
msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr Iparam)

[rkalwaitis]

check I can not see it in the FAQ. Hmmmm

[wata]

after updating to latest core_0_3_0_2001, the next queue job won't start, cause the when current job finish it keep a dialog pop up and ask whether you want to shut down worker?
when you click yes or no it won't continue the next job.
now i move back to the previous working core 0.3.0.1020

[check]

@rkal: are you checking this FAQ? http://mewiki.project357.com/wiki/MeGUI/FAQ

[Sharktooth]

after updating to latest core_0_3_0_2001, the next queue job won't start, cause the when current job finish it keep a dialog pop up and ask whether you want to shut down worker?
when you click yes or no it won't continue the next job.
now i move back to the previous working core 0.3.0.1020
please report that in the bugtracker.

[rkalwaitis]

thanks Check

[JPSiemer]

after updating to latest core_0_3_0_2001, the next queue job won't start, cause the when current job finish it keep a dialog pop up and ask whether you want to shut down worker?
when you click yes or no it won't continue the next job.
now i move back to the previous working core 0.3.0.1020

same prob here... was this fixed in the 0.3.0.2002 update?

[Sharktooth]

yep. fixed.

[Nightshiver]

Pre-render pass: When checked, this makes a lossless pass avi file. After it has finished, the rest of the encoding usually goes by quicker because lossless avi=very fast to read
Analysis pass: For using VFR, pass=1,pass=2 scripts

[rkalwaitis]

Thanks Nightshiver.

[magic144]

@Sharktooth

just been following this thread some more
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1172195#post1172195

there is a suggestion that something like the DGAVC toolset is somehow 'more predictable' in its frame-serving accuracy

is this a commonly held opinion and if so, is this the way that MeGUI's .avs scripts will head in the future (i.e. away from DirectShowSource) as DG's toolset becomes more mature?

I know, for instance, that by way of comparison, the excellent DVD Rebuilder GUI relies on DG's MPEG2 frame-serving tools in performing DVD backup duties

[Sharktooth]

we will definatly integrate DGAVCIndex for AVC files, so, yes, we will use DG tools whenever possible.

[rkalwaitis]

Sharktooth was is the sane range for psy rdo settings?

[Sharktooth]

ask dark shikari

[Roco]

Updating to the latest version 0.3.0.2002 produces the following error message when MEGUI starts:
"System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.at MeGUI.OSInfo.GetMOStuff(String queryObject).

EDIT: I submitted it to the bugs tracker.

[Sharktooth]

... and it has been closed.
do a clean install. something is screwed on your side.

[Avenger007]

Every time I open MeGUI 0.3.0.2002 it accesses my floppy drive :confused:
Previous versions didn't do that.

As an aside, why isn't MP4Box 0.4.5-dev used in updates?

[Sharktooth]

coz now megui collects more data in the log to help debugging and troubleshooting.
mp4box 0.4.5. dev is unstable.

[Avenger007]

Umh... what does that have to do with my floppy drive?

[Sharktooth]

the sourcecode is available...

[Avenger007]

I meant what is the necessity of checking the floppy drive?
It's quite annoying :mad:

[Sharktooth]

during the check for free disk space the floppy is checked too... so... draw your conclusions.
also, you still have a floppy?

[Roco]

... and it has been closed.
do a clean install. something is screwed on your side.

Well, although my system has more than 100 applications or so, it runs very well, very stable. I've made it carefully especially to save the whole partition with backup software. No other problems except on that weird message from your application.

But, I just did a test on another XP partition I have for testing purposes almost "virgin" with just a couple of basic apps, (acrobat, nod32, folder guard) where I installed avisynth 2.5.7 and megui 0.3.0.2002. Then, when I tried to open megui I got the same error!
So, i'm sorry but it seems that the fault is definitely on your side!

Here is a screenshot:
http://forum.doom9.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8756&stc=1&d=1219498392

PS: If I click "OK" megui opens, but I don't know if eveything will run Ok...

[poisondeathray]

So, i'm sorry but it seems that the fault is definitely on your side!

PS: If I click "OK" megui opens, but I don't know if eveything will run Ok...

Are you sure it's on the developer's side? I'm running same 0.3.0.2002 version without a hitch on several XP comptuers. I don't get any warning messages. A few of my friends are too...It's probably on your side

[Taurus]

Well, although my system has more than 100 applications or so, it runs very well, very stable. I've made it carefully especially to save the whole partition with backup software. No other problems except on that weird message from your application.

But, I just did a test on another XP partition I have for testing purposes almost "virgin" with just a couple of basic apps, (acrobat, nod32, folder guard) where I installed avisynth 2.5.7 and megui 0.3.0.2002. Then, when I tried to open megui I got the same error!
So, i'm sorry but it seems that the fault is definitely on your side!

Oh, come on Roco,
hundreds or even thousands of people are using MeGui on a daily basis.
And they are not complaining about anything.
We don't know anything about your system or setup.
I have never seen two identical WinXP setups.
So what makes you think your installations are 100% clean?
Which Service Packs, which framework, which Plugins in your Avisynth folder? They might interfere with the ones MeGui is using.
And you are registered here at Doom9 from 2005, you should know how and where to post images (hint: imageshack)and log files.

[Roco]

Just before I answer to your replies I thought I should make another test... and I found the "cause" of this error! :)

I just disabled temporary Folder Guard (v7.6 XP edition) protection, which locked the access of other partitions in my multiboot system (3 XP partitions, 2 Vista) each one made for max stability for different kinds of tasks. Then the initial error message didn't appear! If you want to test this, just lock other partitions probably with any protection software, but preferably with the very good Folder Guard.

Now comes the question: Who's fault is this?
I wouldn't mind to admit my fault at all, (I'm not that selfish) but I think that no encoder software should produce an error message just because I limited its access to irrelative partitions where I have installed other OSes!!! The least proper application behaviour should be to give a specific error message e.g "Error: Could not access partitions D, E, F, G, H" but why it needs to access these partitions anyway? Statistics? It should ask for user permition IMO!

BTW, one of the main reasons I use Folder Guard, is for badly designed software where while installing on e.g D XP partition, they want to access C XP partition and sometimes corrupt that OS installation -and of course for malicious software too, or spyware etc. It worked well in this case too IMO... although I don't think megui is malicious...

BTW here is the screenshot I was talking about (which I've never seen before, not even with the previous megui version):
http://www.geocities.com/anothrosko/error.gif

[magic144]

Another question.
I'm currently using AVCSource, but when previously using MeGUI's AVISynth creator on a BluRay title, I noticed this line in the .avs file:-

DirectShowSource("filename.m2ts",fps=23.9759856527702,audio=false)

I was just wondering where that value for fps comes from? - I was under the impression it was supposed to be 24000/1001 or 23.976023976023976023976023976024 which is obviously a different value!

AVCSource doesn't have such a parameter, although the .dga file produced by DGAVCIndex does contain this line at the end:-

FPS 48000 / 2002

[Sharktooth]

from mediainfo.
you can safely change it to 24000/1001.

[magic144]

hmm, well I guess that's only about a 5ms drift per hour so it won't be noticeable in any kind of audio sync/etc.

which one is more correct? is the mediainfo number calculated from my .m2ts source file somehow?
I wonder why the number differs from D Graft's calculation...

not trying to be picky, just interested in the theory!

[Sharktooth]

the correct one is 24000/1001.

[magic144]

thanks for the confirmation & clarification Sharktooth :-)

[Kurtnoise]

during the check for free disk space the floppy is checked too...
I doubt that...floppy is #2 on my system.

if (queryObject == "Win32_LogicalDisk")
{
if (mo["DriveType"].ToString() == "3") // HDD
{
long freespace = long.Parse(mo["FreeSpace"].ToString()) / 1073741824;
long totalsize = long.Parse(mo["Size"].ToString()) / 1073741824;

if (mo["VolumeName"].ToString() == "")
mo["VolumeName"] = "Local Disk";

res += mo["VolumeName"].ToString() + " (" + mo["Name"].ToString() + ") - " + Convert.ToString(freespace) + " Go free of " + Convert.ToString(totalsize) + " Go\n";
}
}


I use LogicalDisk to retrieve the Free Space from the Hard Drives. It's the only way because DiskDrive cannot have this value unfortunately. That's why it scans all logical disks available on the PC (HDD, floppy, CDROM, etc...).

@Avenger007 : could you try this build (http://www.mediafire.com/?ytegxamy1bz) and this one (http://www.mediafire.com/?oihzy4xeavf) please and tell me which is the best for you.

[Avenger007]

@Avenger007 : could you try this build (http://www.mediafire.com/?ytegxamy1bz) and this one (http://www.mediafire.com/?oihzy4xeavf) please and tell me which is the best for you.
Unfortunately both of those still access the floppy drive :(. Thanks for taking the time to consider my problem though.

[Kurtnoise]

Well...I give up then.

Anyway, could you try this tool (http://www.mediafire.com/?sn03eigo9vb)...Load it, go to the 2nd tab (Data Storage) and select Win32_LogicalDisk from the dropdown list on the right. What do you see for your floppy drive ? especially the value for the MediaType...

Post a screenshot if you want.

[Avenger007]

Anyway, could you try this tool (http://www.mediafire.com/?sn03eigo9vb)...Load it, go to the 2nd tab (Data Storage) and select Win32_LogicalDisk from the dropdown list on the right. What do you see for your floppy drive ? especially the value for the MediaType...
DeviceID: A:
DriveType: 2
MediaType: 5

[Kurtnoise]

unplug your floppy then...:D

Sorry, I'm kinding but I've no idea how to avoid this behaviour unless to remove this part. As you can see, the code above seems correct to me.

btw, it was the Sharktooth idea to commit this patch not me...:p

[Avenger007]

Well how useful is that patch? Would the information provided by the patch really help with debugging problems?
Also, is the problem only on my side or do others have the same problem?

[stax76]

Wouldn't DriveInfo.GetDrives() be easier?

[Kurtnoise]

easier maybe but the problem remains I think because you need to loop through all the drives to retrieve infos. The goal is to grab only the free space from hard drives.

[stax76]

I'm confident that this code will fix the issue:


foreach (var i in DriveInfo.GetDrives())
{
if (i.DriveType == DriveType.Fixed)
{
try
{
var space = i.AvailableFreeSpace;
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
}
}
}


You really need a try block here because some volumes will throw a exception, volumes locked with Folder Guard for example.

[Sharktooth]

no floppy drives on my PCs so i didnt notice it. however if the floppy checking is the only "problem" i think we can live with it...

[magic144]

Not really a question about MeGUI, but about a couple of parameters within it...

I've seen a MeGUI guide or two (one in particular by DJRumpy I believe) where it has been recommended to set the Keyframe Interval to about 10 times the frame rate, and the Min GOP size to "about the same as" the frame rate... i.e. for a typical 24000/1001 fps source, a Keyframe Interval of 240 and Min GOP size of 24 is suggested.

Is there any value in changing from the default DXVA-HD-HQ values I see in my profile of 250 and 25? What would be the advantage or disadvantage of either pair of values? Would certain values/combinations invalidate the DXVA compatibility??

And finally, is this "rule of 10" true or reasonable for ALL frame rates?

Thanks again from a newbie in advance for the global wisdom,

m

[Sharktooth]

the rule of thumb is just a rule of thumb... i set 250/25 coz the rule of thumb and coz i live in a PAL country (where almost everything is 25 FPS). if you encode 24 FPS stuff you can safely set it to 240/24... for 30 FPS 300/30.

[~bT~]

^ i think it would be better to set HD profiles to 240/24 as most HD stuff is 24.

also, the AVCHD profile has 24/2? is that correct?

ps. i haven't touched the profiles btw..

[magic144]

Thanks Sharktooth.
You mean you don't live in Haddonfield, IL :-)

I've already encoded a 24000/1001 fps source with 250/25
Is it worth reencoding with 240/24, or is it only a minor codec/bitrate efficiency issue? (i.e. is the 'rule of thumb' there to be an optimal setting for x264 in some way and how bad is deviating from the rule - just a trivial difference in encoding efficiency I am hoping!!)

I *eventually* came to understand the rationale for the whole GOP Sequence M, N/M settings for CCE for MPEG-2 DVD-compliant authoring and there was a limited amount of freedom of choice depending on the source and applied pulldown if any, but there were also hard limits as to what you couldn't choose depending on the source and violating those boundaries would make the encoded stream invalid (e.g. NTSC DVD-standards-compliant MPEG-2 video has a GOP length limit of 36 fields/18 frames) . Are there similar limits/guidelines here?

Thanks again,

m

[magic144]

Hi again,

just used the latest MeGUI build 0.3.0.2002 to auto-encode a 2-pass encode/mux

I notice that even though in my Options|Setting I have "Delete Intermediate Files" unchecked, the job files (jobN.xml) created include directives to delete those very files
(i.e. FilesToDelete sections for e.g. .stats file, pre-muxing .mkv source, etc)

I know I got this to work OK on the last (previous) release.

m