Hi,

The reason there is not manual for the encoder is that the presets handle all the settings that most people will need. The other settings are there for the benefit of people who are familiar with them and want to tweak them. People who work extensively with MPEG generally know what those settings do, because they are standard parts of the MPEG format -- not just something SF came up with.

But MPEG is tricky, and the specs for the various formats have so many variables that the presets are generally the best approach. So you can view the glass as half empty or half full. The half-full approach is to realize that SF could have locked the encoder down and limited the controls significantly, yet they chose to make it as versatile as possible.

This isn't to say that a mini-manual isn't being considered. However, if you use the presets you really should be fine.

I don't think the glitches you are experiencing are typical at all. Could you describe your system configuration in detail, and descriptions of projects that are giving you trouble (including the types of source material)?

Thanks,
MainConcept Tech Support

I've had the same problem... any help on this would be quite appreciated.

Hi MCTech,

Finally, someone who dares to open the 'CAN'.

You want specific details, here goes: one straight problem, why are all the presets for Mainconcept Encoder giving outputs having a 'stutter audio' ???

I'm forced to experiment with the various setting but to no avail. By the way, there is no readily availble MPEG info on how to set an MPEG encoder properly. All those details are in the hands of the OEM(Closely guarded trade secret).

A final product with faulty audio is a NO-GO.

And the second problem is actually the MPEG setting issues. Hope Mainconcept better come out with something to facilitate the use of it's Encoder. Don't sell a 'white elephant' to consumer.

Anyway, hope you have the answer to the above feedback.
If not, I'll be writing to Mainconcept in Germany asking for ANSWERs!!!

....

Hi Again,

The audio problems you are having are not typical by any means. If you can provide us with info on your configuration and the material you are working with, we will be happy to try and figure this out for you.

As for the issues with settings and documentation, no one is trying to hide details about MPEG settings. There are so many variables that one could take quite a few classes and still not learn it all. However, the majority of those variables are not needed by most people. And more importantly, the many of those variables can result in output that isn't compliant with various standards (DVD, SVCD, etc.). Thus, the benefits of using the presets.

MainConcept Tech Support

The MC MPEG encoder is not "Useless". You can't get it to work in a given situation, so there certainly could be a problem, but rest assured MANY people have been using this new encoder with excellent results.

I burned 3 different VCD's today, from Vegas, using the default Video CD template. All of these were burned to regular (cheap) CDR media, and they worked perfectly in my Apex player. I watched all of them about 5 times (with the kids, over and over...), so I had the chance to look at playback closely and critically. (So the plug is not entirely useless...)

Were the problem files in question created with the stock VCD template, or did you customize the render settings? It could be some setting is cranked to high, maybe video bitrate?

Thanks for the various reply, was away for a while.

Hi McTech,

Maybe the problem I encountered is unique. It's not really a spec problem nor a setting issue.
The Encoder works fine for a continuous stream of video without external source interference.

Mctech, why dun you try putting a still picture like a JPEG, Targa, ...etc together with the video and do a MPEG rendering? That's the problem I'm facing.

As for the MPEG data, I have given up trying to search for the correct setting. I'm not surprise if Mainconcept is also bind by the non-disclosure agreement with the OEM.

Anyway, thanks!

Hi, I am glad to see this issue being explored and also to see the quick and able involvement of Main Concept tech support. Thanks!

A problem I have had is this:

I have accepted all th e presets in VV3 for the MC encoder with these exceptions:

I boosted maximum bitrate to 8000 and average bitrate to 6000. I also slid the image quality all the way right, way over to Best.

When I do this using my Windows XP system and MS Media Player, the rendered clip loads but does not play. I can hit the play button repeatedly without response. But if I drag the shuttle forward, even a tiny amount, the MPEG-2 video plays along merrily.

Similarly, using DVDit!, the movie is apparently recognized as valid when I load it into the move palette, but when I drag it to the work area, I get an eternal hourglass.

Naturally, when I use the pure default settings, all is well. Even so, I guess everyone would love to get the best possible image quality, and to hell with the file size (as long as it fits on a DVD).

What's the best way to do that and still get a playable MPEG? To use the image quality slider or to bump up the bitrate?

Could MC Tech offer any advice on those things that CAN be tweaked without sacrificing the subsequent usability of the file?

Thanks again for your advice and obvious patience.

What's happening is some people are in over their head. Presets are included for a reason... they work. You also have the option to set your own bitrate just like you have the option to drive faster then is safe. For example my sports car's speedometer indicates a top speed of 180 MPH. I'haven't tried it. :-)

May I suggest you spent a few minues on the web and do some research as to what the SPECS are for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 as well as the limitations of VCD, SVCD and troubles of higer bitrates with many setup DVD players.

Thanks MCTech for monitoring this forum :)

I have an audio clip which plays fine when rendered as an .avi file (using the SonicFoundry DV codec) and which produces a flawless VCD when rendered with TMPGenc.

However, this same audio clip always produces a dropout/stutter/??? (pick your adjective) when encoded using the VV3 MainConcept VCD compliant mpeg-1 default settings.

Since it is reproducible, and since TMPGenc renders the same clip without the dropout, I'm thinking there must be some setting/filter/???? which needs to be adjusted.

As you can imagine, it's quite a surprise to have perfect audio fidelity in the .avi, but dropouts in the .mpg, especially since the only way to identify them is to listen to the entire project after it has been transcoded.

As I mentioned, the problem is reproducible, and I'd be happy to email a 5 second audio clip which demonstrates the problem.