Comments

Terje wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:59 AM
Can you be specific on "templates"? Seems odd.

Please note if you use MPEG-2 you need to have a licensed MPEG+2 decoder on your PC for playback (not needed for Vegas). It typically ships with your DVD burner/drive. If you don't have a DVD burner/drive there is a good chance you don't have an MPEG-2 decoder.
rs170a wrote on 6/16/2008, 3:21 AM
MediaPlayer Classic and (I think) VLC will play MPEG-2 files without the need for an installed decoder.

Mike
Xander wrote on 6/16/2008, 5:35 AM
It is true, you do need a licensed mpg decoder, e.g. Nero, PowerDVD, etc for playback. One of my big gripes is that you theoretically only need one license per computer, however, every time you buy software that includes mpg support, you are paying for another license.
VirtualSki wrote on 6/16/2008, 12:31 PM
Thanks to everyone for their time and help. It appears you nailed it. Ahhhh....so much to learn and so few brain cells to do so...

I rendered the mpeg-2 file as an mpeg-1 and it now plays fine. Here I'm confused: The mpeg-2 file is 7MB but the rendered mpeg-1 file is 2MB.

I thought mpeg-2 had greater compression (i.e., smaller file size). What am I missing besides those brain cells?

As I said, I have over 100 of these mpeg-2 files. Can Vegas Pro convert all of them to mpeg-1 in a single batch process?
rs170a wrote on 6/16/2008, 1:11 PM
The default setting for MPEG-1 has a much smaller bit rate, therefore the resulting file will be smaller.

As I said above, give Media Player Classic a try.
There's no need to convert your files to MPEG-1 when you don't have to.

Mike
Terje wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:06 PM
As rs170 points out, don't render to MPEG-1. It will not look good at all. Download VLC and render to MPEG-2. You shouldn't be using Windows Media Player anyway. If you have a DVD drive on your PC, install the software that came with it.
VirtualSki wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:13 PM
The primary issue is that I use ThumbsPlus database to catalog all of my media. The mpg files I've complained about actually crashes TP. TP can't even make a thumbnail of these files. However, based upon the help I got here, I converted one to MPEG-1 and TP worked fine. I've asked the TP folks if I need the mpeg-2 decoder license, or such, as mentioned here.

I have a Sony Vaio with lots of bells and whistles (DVD burner) so I'm not sure why I don't seem to have the "MPEG-2 decoder"....
rs170a wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:37 PM



As Terje said, if you got any player software with your DVD burner (WinDVD, PowerDVD, etc.), install it and that should solve the problem.
However, install one of the other apps suggested and it'll put less strain on your system.

Mike
VirtualSki wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:44 PM
Thanks Mike rs170a. MediaPlayerClassic plays all the files just fine and proves the files are not corrupt. I'm still confused though (and as I've said before, I was born that way and it's still getting worse) why QuickTime doesn't support mpeg-2. I thought I read in the apple site it did.
rs170a wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:51 PM
VirtualSki, I'm certain you're mistaken about QT being able to read MPEG-2 files.
I just tried it and it didn't work for me either.
MPEG-1 is OK but not MPEG-2.

Mike
VirtualSki wrote on 6/16/2008, 2:58 PM
Mike, my being born confused rubs off on others ;) It helps if I'd read the WHOLE paragraph at apple. Yes, QT supports MPEG-2.....for only $19.95; But WAIT, if you order right now, we'll guarantee it'll work...

Thanks, Mike.
VirtualSki wrote on 6/16/2008, 10:21 PM
Mike, I was grateful for your help and wanted to share the solution I found. I downloaded a free codec pack at http://www.free-codecs.com/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack_download.htm . During the install, I only selected the first "MPEG-2" option (there was a lsit of a few). I selected nothing else (there were dozens and dozens of options to select / deselect; far beyond my expertise).

In any case, it worked like a champ for me. Now ThumbsPlus has made thumbnails of all of my mpeg-2 files....and plays them, to boot!

All is well that ends well.