Comments

vonhosen wrote on 5/3/2002, 4:46 PM
Try other encoders
Mainconcept & TMPGEnc & compare
birdfalk wrote on 5/3/2002, 5:30 PM
But why do some .avi files created by Vegas convert via nero and Ulead MPEG 2 SVCD fine but others create a pastel pixelated mess?
PeterMac wrote on 5/4/2002, 4:10 AM
There's something funny going on.

I have a related sort of problem in which thumbnails are shown as mosaics (pixelated messes <g>). This only happens with Vegas AVIs. But, here's the stinger: there's something on my machine - a registry setting, a screwed codec or God knows what - that's doing it. When I revert to a bare-bones Win2K Pro system (same machine), it all works fine!

So currently I have a number of programs that are unable adequately to handle Vegas AVIs. They're fine with Microsoft AVIs; the antipathy extends only to Vegas AVIs and simply because of the presence (or absence) of some as yet unknown 'third man'.

If anyone has any clues or past experience I shall be delighted to hear from them.

-Pete
p_l wrote on 5/4/2002, 6:27 AM
This might be worth a try: Ulead DVD Movie Factory's SVCD template is wrong. This is a bug, and it produces a non-compliant file the program itself won't let you author, but here is how to fix it:

1) Open the Video Toolbox
2) Click on the Toolbox Menu Icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
3) Select Template Manager from the list.
4) Create a new template named "Corrected SVCD Template"
5) Under General Tab, be certain frame rate is 29.97 fps and frame size is 480x480.
6) Under Compression Tab, be sure to select MPEG2 (This is where Ulead seems to have screwed up).

Now, when you batch convert, use the new "Corrected SVCD Template" that you just created, and things will work as expected.
birdfalk wrote on 5/4/2002, 1:07 PM
>>>So currently I have a number of programs that are unable adequately to handle Vegas AVIs.

PeterMac,
I noticed the same thing. If I open the .avi in MS moviemaker make a same change and render a new .avi the problem goes away.

There is something funky about the way my machine handles Vegas .avi files. Well I am do for a clean install shortly I may be able to pin it down then.
PeterMac wrote on 5/4/2002, 6:55 PM
Let me know how it goes. This one fascinates me.

The damndest thing is that if I flick all the switches and get Vegas to make me what is ostensibly an MS AVI, it still doesn't work, even though Vegas has supposedly re-rendered the timeline using the MS codec.

The only AVIs I can get to work are the ones that were captured using Scenalyzer. That, as I say, is on my machine as it's currently configured. If I rewind it (using an old DriveImage) to a Win2K Pro system straight up, then All AVIs work, including Vegas's.

Conclusions: (a) Vegas AVIs are 'different', even those rendered [apparently] via the MS codec, and are sensitive to something on my (and your) system; (b) MS AVIs from Vegas are not completely pukka.

-Pete
vonhosen wrote on 5/4/2002, 7:47 PM
Could it be a change in Windows Media Player?
Is it a different version on your old image (i.e 6.4 instead of 7.1)?
I know this causes all kinds of problems with MPEG files in my DVD authoring software for some users.
PeterMac wrote on 5/5/2002, 6:21 AM
Ahh! Well, they're certainly different versions, but whether that's it or not I don't know.

I wonder if it's possible to uninstall Media Player? (I have Real Player on board in any case). Thanks for the tip - I'll check it out.


-Pete
Chienworks wrote on 5/5/2002, 8:20 AM
Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. Any newer downloaded version of Media Player should be listed here for removal. The version that is installed with Windows will be listed under the Windows Setup tab.

I suspect that Windows will silently *not* uninstall it though. It will probably tell you that the removal was successful and remove the icons from the program group and desktop. But i'm sure that it will still be there since it's rather heavily integrated with both the OS and with Explorer. Removing the registry entries might help, but then again that might kill the browser. At least doing this would probably facilitate a clean reinstall.
HPV wrote on 5/5/2002, 11:39 AM
Do you have "save project markers in media file" selected at the bottom of the render window ? Try with that turned off.
You also have an AVI 2 setting in prefs. and a Open DML setting in render panel/custom. Those are the only thinkgs I know of to adjust how Vegas makes an AVI.

Craig H.
BillyBoy wrote on 5/7/2002, 8:31 AM
If you want to experiment with rendering using third party codecs from within Vegas Video do this:

1. select 'render as' from File Menu
2. under 'save as type' ensure that video for windows (AVI) is selected
3. click custom button, then click the video tab
4. click the down arrow under video format to expand the drop down list

This should show all the codecs presently installed on your system allowing you to render in other than the default codecs.
PeterMac wrote on 5/7/2002, 9:06 AM
I tried to undelete Media Player 7.1 - and the uninstaller crashed! I reinstalled it, purely with a view to uninstalling it, and it crashed again. No, I can't believe it either.

So, while you may be right, we shall never know: Bill doesn't want it gone!

-Pete

(Anyone for Linux?)
PeterMac wrote on 5/7/2002, 9:17 AM
Well this really is fascinating.

I've created a few AVIs using different codecs and I must say, you do get to see a better class of mosaic that way.

The Huffy gives horizontal, streaky patterns, which make a nice change from boring old dots. But even that is out-gunned by the Indeo 5.1 codec, which gives a very contemporary black! Just black. All black. Cool, but uninformative.

The only AVIs that work are 'uncompressed' and those that have never been near Vegas - like some I've captured using Scenalyzer.

All of them will play back in any of the programs I've mentioned; that isn't an issue. They just won't create thumbnails.

C'mon gang, somebody must know. Let's start with 'what creates the thumbnails?'

Otherwise, very soon you are going to come onto this forum to find me squatting in a corner playing with a rubber duck.

-Pete