MPEG2 CODEC RENDER PROBLEM

jthor wrote on 1/1/2003, 11:15 AM
I am wondering if I have a corrupt mpg2 codec (excuse if I am using incorrect verbage. This video stuff is new and very intense.) If so, how do I upgrade or replace it in VV3.0c?
My problem. Using a newly rendered .avi file (following hints from this forum), I rendered for the first time ever, to a mpg (2) file for testing my DVD burner.Never got to that stage.I used an .avi file which was rendered (from captured avi clips) with the standard template, which is all I ever used. The avi looks and works FINE. I view using XP Media player and VV. When I went to view the mpeg2 file on the media player, the downsized display is totally black, but the audio is present. When I use the Alt-Enter for full screen, the vido becomes visible but is jerky (flickering, stuttering) constantly an very quickly as it plays. Audio is clear and FINE. (IS THIS SCREENSIZE A HINT?) When I view the .mpg file in VV, it is the exactly the same flickering. Expanding the time line, all the frames the are sequentially present. Compressing the timeline speeds up the flicker.
I have read the Forum for hours trying different things, most which I do not understand, but every render to mpg2 is the same. I rendered to mpeg1 VCD and it is FINE, as the AVI. So seem's to be solely mpeg2. Excuse any error I state with the verbage, but to summarize, my testing has been to turn off and on various settings. I tried different VBR settings as Billy Boy suggested elsewhaere. I tried CBR at 6 million. I did not get too deep into custom, cause as someone else said, there is little explanation of what they mean.
Background: I recently upgraded to XP sp pk 1 and had to reinstall VV3.0c. That included re-register and also when ran mpeg2 for the first time, register for that product when a dialog asked. Again, I have not ever done mpeg2 before or after this upgrade, but all VV other things seem to work fine. My video drive and VV are on a second 80gig hd. I optimized it with Norton and no help.
My .avi file is 1.5 minutes and begins with a VV generated 10 second text screen. I am going to keep testing and trying to keep track of what I have done. But so far, this sure seems confined specific to the codec??

Comments

jthor wrote on 1/2/2003, 5:48 PM
No takers on my question so far. So just sending this to jump my topic up front so it doesn't get buried. Also have same question in to Main Concept. Hope the next normal week brings some help. I hate to buy some codec and find it doesn't work either, especially if it is my own ignorance.
PDB wrote on 1/3/2003, 4:11 AM
Hi jthor,

I probably can't help you much with this but at least it will again keep your post up in the top ranks!! I have been creating mpeg2 files for 6 months now using the mpeg2 deafult settings template in Vegas with no problem so far. I have windows xp but have not installed SP1 (don't know if that is where your problem lies...) The video has been perfect so far both played from windows media player and when burnt on a dvd to be watched on TV (excellent quality btw). So my main message I guess is one of hope: the mainconcept mepg2 codec is great (at least for home movies!!) It may be a question of making sure you have re-installed it correctly.

I hope some-one else can give you more constructive advice!

Good luck!

Paul.

PS. when you do get round to burning DVD, make sure you have encoded the file in NSTC or PAL according to your region (PAL in Europe) or else you will have all sorts of problems viewing it on your setop dvd player to TV!!!
shogo wrote on 1/3/2003, 10:05 AM
Do you have a software DVD player to try playing the MPEG file with because if memory serves me you have to have a DVD player installed that support's DVD's. Media player will play the mpeg using that player's decoder software even though you have mpeg codec's installed hope that helps.
SonyEPM wrote on 1/3/2003, 1:02 PM
DVD MPEG-2 playback in Media Player never looks all that great. Try burning to DVD- I bet the "problem" goes away. If it doesn't, we can dig further.
jthor wrote on 1/5/2003, 12:34 PM
Thankyou guys for your feedback. I proceed very slowly with all of these things and try to understand all I can before I proceed. Thanks especially to SoFo for recognizing my posting. I shall be back to the forum. I have been really under the weather her for a few days, so will take awhile to digest and do these things as itemizd by you.
jthor wrote on 1/7/2003, 10:46 AM
Well SoFo SonicEPM and each of your were correct in your own respects. SoFo again hits the prize (whatever that is) by basically saying, "Just try it!" Since I had not reinstalled by DVD burn software MyDVD which came with the Sony burner, I was problem solving by study, which is what I usually do my wife tells me. I did not want to use that software SO HAVE NEVER BURNED A DVD BEFORE YESTERDAY. Using all I had read and hoping for the best the software was smarter than me, I burned my first VV mpeg2 file AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY on my DVD player. (Both are brand new Sony units, player and burner)

Not only did it work, but I was amazed at the clarity even in comparison to the original viewed direct from the camera on TV. Anyway, thanks for your patience and help and now I am recharged. As usual the software and computer os etc remain smarter than I.

Few more comments if you want to read on. After I had successfully burned and viewed my dvd file on tv, I did some file organizing and backup etc. I also got XP notice to check for some updates, so I did. Most appeared to be security stuff, so I updated.Now I have NO CLUE how or why, but I used windows media player and VV# to playback a couple of the previous 8 mpeg2 renders I had created THAT DID NOT WORK and behold, they both played fine? This was after my successful DVD Burn and update.
So I ended up using my second mpeg2 file created a week ago. GREAT mysteries I will never know why, but keep on going (when I get the Authoring software I want eventually when it comes out. MovieFactory2 full box version).

So finally yesterday i rendered to mpeg2 another VV created .avi file I had ready and used the DVD NTSC template and all worked fine.

I must be too old for this stuff, but sure is cool and what do you do when it is pouring rain in the PNW? Thanks again fellas. Unfortunately for you all, I will likely have more questions down the road. Hang in there SoFo tech guys with all this other talk going on.