AVStoDVD Support Thread

[8ternity]

Great. Hope to see the new version with graphics changes

[flebber]

Originally Posted by MrC

AVStoDVD release 2.3.2 Alpha 100827 is available to download.

Change log:

- Some bugs fixed
- New Splash Screen and Icons available (many thanks to 8ternity). See 'Graphics' folder.
- Revised 'Preferences' Tabs content and layout. Icons updated accordingly.
- Added 'Force FFmpeg when temp WAV is > 4GB' in 'Preferences'/'Audio' (auto switch to FFmpeg when temporary audio file is larger than 4GB).
- Added 'Select Splash Screen' in 'Preferences'/'Misc'
- Added AviSynth frameserving capability check both in 'Edit Title' and before Title encoding.
- HCenc updated to 0.24 beta 13-08-2010
- FFmpeg updated to r24623

As usual let me know if there are any issues



Bye

Very interested to test. Thanks

[ggtop]

Originally Posted by MrC

AVStoDVD release 2.3.2 Alpha 100827 is available...
As usual let me know if there are any issues

Hi MrC,

I just tested the new release a bit...until it crashed
I could select an external player now on Win7 64bit (default path was "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe".
But on running the menu wizard the first time I got a message like "text property is read-only" an when hitting "Run Editor" there was another msg "with block not set" or something similar. A2D crashed. But now it seems to work...

[EDIT]
When creating a motion menu there are no thumbnails. I only can see the button highlighting.
And I hoped that a could get a chance to edit the avs file before the menu will encoded but couldn't find such an option.
[/EDIT]
ggtop

[MrC]

@ggtop

thanks for testing the new Alpha and report back your impressions.

About menu, do you get same error running 2.3.1 release? I fear that you have made too many changes to AVStoDVD reg key. I suggest you to manually delete all reg key associated to AVStoDVD (*) and then run again your project with 2.3.2 Alpha.

About thumbs avs file editing, it is still in the ToDo list



Bye

(*)
After some tests with W7, finally I have met the weird redirections for both *important* paths (i.e. 'Program Files') and *important* registry locations (i.e. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE). If UAC is set to standard user, then any write attempt to HKLM is redirected to HKCU/Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\[opt]Wow6432Node\AVStoDVD.
In 2.3.2 final, HKLM\Software\AVStoDVD will be replaced by HKCU\Software\AVStoDVD, which is considered *editable* by W7 too.

[ggtop]

Originally Posted by MrC

About menu, do you get same error running 2.3.1 release? I fear that you have made too many changes to AVStoDVD reg key. I suggest you to manually delete all reg key associated to AVStoDVD (*) and then run again your project with 2.3.2 Alpha.

What do you mean with changes? I only tried to change values regarding "external player" in 2.3.1 and I set them back.
Now I have both versions installed. 2.3.1 in the standard folder and 2.3.2 in an other folder. Shouldn't I do that?
I'll test it on XP tomorrow.

About menu, do you get same error running 2.3.1 release?

You're right. Thumbnail videos are not there in 2.3.1. But I'm pretty sure it worked before...as I said earlier I'll test on XP tomorrow.

ggtop

[MrC]

Originally Posted by ggtop

What do you mean with changes? I only tried to change values regarding "external player" in 2.3.1 and I set them back.
Now I have both versions installed. 2.3.1 in the standard folder and 2.3.2 in an other folder. Shouldn't I do that?

If you just edited one reg value and bring it back, then it's OK

I have suggested you to reset the AVStoDVD reg key because the error you get could be caused by a strange/wrong reg key value.

Thanks again for your tests and feedbacks.



Bye

[ggtop]

Originally Posted by MrC

I have suggested you to reset the AVStoDVD reg key because the error you get could be caused by a strange/wrong reg key value.

I did so on W7 64bit and everything is fine again. I assume this has happened because the way these 2 versions access the registry has changed. I noticed this because I couldn't open prefs in 2.3.1 after changing the external player in 2.3.2 Alpha. Motion Menu Encoding works in both versions with a "clean" registry.

I have a question regarding Button Generator. You led the user create buttons with any size, but when inserting them into the layout the dimensions have to be a multiple of 4. Don't the buttons get deformed when doing so? Wouldn't it be better to check for the correct dimension also when creating?

ggtop

[8ternity]

Hi Mrc!!

2.3.2 beta is looking good for the stability. I have the 4th conversion in a batch process. Each conversion is faster than before. In less than 1 hour, i convert an m2ts 9GB into a dvd in 1 pass (avergage 77,7 fps) with DirectShowSource Spline36Resize.

Question: What is the better quality filter? For now, i prefer Spline36Resize, not listed in defaut then Lanczos. I research for the better fiter for the quality.

Thanks for your hard work!!

[flebber]

My preference is for spline36resize or the blackman filter

[8ternity]

OUps.... i break the ice!

I've got an error:
Microsoft Visual C++

avs2avi.exe;

It's crashed with that movie, but project exported sucessfully.

<2010-08-31 00:04:53>
START PROCESS
<>

<2010-08-31 00:04:53>
PROJECT SETTINGS

DVD Video Standard: NTSC
DVD Titles number: 1
DVD Size: 4450/4450 MB (100%)
DVD Output Setup: DVD Folder
DVD Label: CORALINE
DVD Menu: No Menu
Output Folder: E:\DVD-TEMP
Delete Temp Process Files: Yes
Delete Working Files: Yes
Edit Command Parameters: No
Post Process Task: Show Progress Status window

PREFERENCES

AVS Source Filter: DirectShowSource
AVS UpSize/DownSize Filter: Lanczos4Resize/Spline36Resize
Video Resolution: 0
Video BitRate Min: 2500
Video BitRate Level 1: 8500
Video Profile Level 2: 2500
Video BitRate Max: 8500
Keep DVD Compliant Video: 1
AC3 Audio Encoder: 0
PAL SpeedUp: False
Force FFmpeg for Long Audio: True
DVD Audio Format: 0
DVD Audio BitRate: 448
Keep DVD Compliant Audio: 0
Normalize Audio: 0
DVD Audio Language: FR - French
DVD Subs Language: FR - French
DVD Subs Font: Tahoma 18pt Bold
Chapters Interval: 5
Use Source Chapters: 1
DVD Burning Drive: F: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50 TN02
DVD Burning Speed: 4x
Auto Erase DVD RW: 1
Save Log file: 1
Save General Settings: 0
Unload ActiveMovie library: 0
Adjust ffdshow mixer: 1
<>

<2010-08-31 00:04:53>
TITLE 1 SOURCE FILES
Video: E:\BLURAY\Coraline 2009 720p FRENCH AC3 720P DVD5.AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\00000.m2ts
Info: AVC - 5214 kbps - 1280x720 - DAR 1.778 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive - 1:40:35 hours - 144718 frames
Audio 1: E:\BLURAY\Coraline 2009 720p FRENCH AC3 720P DVD5.AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\00000.m2ts
Info: AC3 - 640 kbps - CBR - 6ch - 48000Hz - 1:40:36 hours - Internal
Subs: 
[]
<>

<2010-08-31 00:04:53>
AVISYNTH SCRIPT
Video = DirectShowSource("E:\BLURAY\Coraline 2009 720p FRENCH AC3 720P DVD5.AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\00000.m2ts", fps=23.976, audio=false)
Audio = DirectShowSource("E:\BLURAY\Coraline 2009 720p FRENCH AC3 720P DVD5.AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\00000.m2ts", video=false)

Video = Video.ConvertToYV12
#Using DGPulldown/HCenc to upsize FPS
Video = Video.Spline36Resize(720,480)

AudioDub(Video, Audio)
<>

<2010-08-31 00:05:35>
TITLE 1 AVISYNTH FRAMESERVING CHECK
Check passed successfully.
<>

<2010-08-31 00:05:35>
START VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Encoding Profile: HCenc VBR 1-pass
Target Video FileSize: 4030.9 MB
HCenc Parameters: -ini "E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_CORALINE.HCenc.ini"
HCenc ini file:
*INFILE E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_1.avs
*AVSRELOAD
*OUTFILE E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE.m2v
*LOGFILE E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_CORALINE.HCenc.log
*MAXBITRATE 9000
*1PASS
*BITRATE 5602
*PROFILE BEST
*ASPECT 16:9
*PROGRESSIVE
*TFF
*PULLDOWN
*BIAS 60
*DC_PREC 9
*MATRIX MPEG
*AQ 1
*LUMGAIN 1
*SMP
*PRIORITY IDLE
*WAIT 2
<>

<2010-08-31 00:49:07>
END VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Created File: E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE.m2v (4067.5 MB)
OUTPUT VIDEO INFO: MPEG-2 Video - 5693 kbps - 720x480 - DAR 1.778 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive (2:3 Pulldown) - 1:40:35 hours - 144717 frames
<>

<2010-08-31 00:49:07>
START AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Wavi+Aften Parameters: "E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_1.avs" - | "C:\Program Files (x86)\AVStoDVD_2.3.2\Aften\aften.exe" -b 448 -pad 0 -dynrng 5 -bwfilter 0 - "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_1.ac3"
<>

<2010-08-31 00:52:14>
END AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Created File: E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_1.ac3 (322.4 MB)
OUTPUT AUDIO INFO: AC3 - 448 kbps - CBR - 6ch - 48000Hz - 1:40:36 hours
<>

<2010-08-31 00:52:14>
START DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
BatchMux Parameters: -arglist "E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_BatchMux.ini"
BatchMux ini file:
-d "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0\VIDEO_TS"
-mxp "E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_MuxMan.mxp"
-l "E:\Temp\CORALINE_0_MuxMan.log"
-muxman "C:\Program Files (x86)\AVStoDVD_2.3.2\MuxMan"
-prio LOW
-v "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE.m2v"
-vidmode LB
-a1 "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_1.ac3"
-a1lang fr
-cellfr "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_Chapters.txt"
-progfr "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_Chapters.txt"
-chapfr "E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0_CORALINE_Chapters.txt"

<>

<2010-08-31 00:58:27>
CHECK DVD SIZE
DVD Folder (actual) Size: 4476.6 MB
vs Estimated Size: 4450 MB -> 0.6% oversize
vs Assets Size: 4389.8 MB -> OK
<>

<2010-08-31 00:58:27>
END DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
Created Folder: E:\DVD-TEMP\CORALINE_0 (4476.6 MB)
<>

<2010-08-31 00:58:28>
Log file created by AVStoDVD Release 2.3.2 Alpha build 100826
<>

[MrC]

Originally Posted by ggtop

I have a question regarding Button Generator. You led the user create buttons with any size, but when inserting them into the layout the dimensions have to be a multiple of 4. Don't the buttons get deformed when doing so? Wouldn't it be better to check for the correct dimension also when creating?

Good suggestion. Will do.

Thanks!



Bye

[MrC]

Originally Posted by 8ternity

I've got an error:
Microsoft Visual C++

avs2avi.exe;

It's crashed with that movie, but project exported sucessfully

That's related to the new 'AviSynth FrameServing Check' routine: before starting to encode the title, I have added a small check to see if the title can be properly read by AviSynth (all required codecs and splitters are installed, source filter is suitable, etc.).
Avs2Avi is used for this purpose. Sometimes I have noticed that it crashes, so the check routine is performed max 3 times before giving a negative result. There's still the annoying msg that Avs2Avi has crashed.

What do you think? Is it better to put the AviSynth check as an optional step (new checkbox in 'Misc' preferences) or live with an occasional Avs2Avi error msg?



Bye

[ggtop]

In 2.3.2 the audio bitrate in "Edit Title" isn't set correctly. It is always 448 instead of the value in prefs.

ggtop

[burfadel]

Originally Posted by 8ternity

Hi Mrc!!

Question: What is the better quality filter? For now, i prefer Spline36Resize, not listed in defaut then Lanczos. I research for the better fiter for the quality.

Lanczos4 is the filter option, not Lanczos. The only difference between the two is the number of taps that the filter uses. Actually setting to use Lanczos filter with 4 taps should be identical output to Lanczos4, although that may not be the case (haven't tested it). If it is different its an Avisynth anomaly. Anyways, Blackmanresize is supposedly similar to Lanczos but produces less artifacts. Spline36resize is similar but probably better than blackmanresize.

If you want quality, use:
Spline64resize <-- Corrected my error as per MrC's post below, I was thinking of Blackmanresize
Spline64reize should provide the optimal quality out of the provided settings, and also spline36resize and blackmanresize, for both upsizing and downsizing.

[MrC]

@ggtop

From 'Help'/'How to use it'/'Edit Title Window'/'Audio'/'Audio BitRate':

Default value and available options are based upon setup in Preferences - Encoding [in 2.3.2 -> Audio] and selected Audio Format.
Exception: if source audio stream has more than 2 channels and its BitRate is higher than Preferences BitRate, then the former will be used (to preserve quality).

Another exception is if MediaInfo detects 0 kbps as input audio track bitrate.


@burfadel

from 'Help'/'How to use it'/'Preferences Window'/'Encoding'/'AviSynth UpSize and DownSize Filter':

Available options are:
- "BilinearResize"
- "BicubicResize"
- "Lanczos4Resize"
- "Spline16Resize"
- "Spline64Resize"

My friends, please, do use help... maybe sometimes it is inaccurate (improvement is always possible), but I spent a lot of time in writing it... take just a little time for it.



Bye

[ggtop]

Default value and available options are based upon setup in Preferences - Encoding [in 2.3.2 -> Audio] and selected Audio Format.
Exception: if source audio stream has more than 2 channels and its BitRate is higher than Preferences BitRate, then the former will be used (to preserve quality).

I don't want to steal your time, but this behaviour is new. In my files audio is PCM (1536 kbps) and I want to convert to AC3. Of course it has a higher bitrate as it is uncompressed...

ggtop

[MrC]

@ggtop

you, thief, are very useful indeed! AVStoDVD grows just because of guys like you.

Next release will have following rationale to go with highest bitrate:

IF (InputAudioTrackBitrate = 0 OR InputAudioTrackBitrate > PreferencesAudioBitrate) AND InputAudioChannels > 2 THEN OutputAudioBitRate = MaxAvailableBitRate

If your file is a 2ch PCM, it will get AC3 192 kpbs (or whatever you set in Preferences), if it is a 5+1 PCM (very rare), it will get AC3 448 kbps. What do you think?



Bye

[ggtop]

Originally Posted by MrC

If your file is a 2ch PCM, it will get AC3 192 kpbs (or whatever you set in Preferences), if it is a 5+1 PCM (very rare), it will get AC3 448 kbps. What do you think?

This would be fantastic

[burfadel]

Originally Posted by MrC

If your file is a 2ch PCM, it will get AC3 192 kpbs (or whatever you set in Preferences), if it is a 5+1 PCM (very rare), it will get AC3 448 kbps. What do you think?

That sounds great!

I also have some strangeness in regards to audio. If the input is a mkv file it works fine, however if the input is mp4 the encoded DVD ends up having no audio. There is a 192Kbps AC3 audio stream, but its silent!

I've tried changing the audio from Wavi+Aften to FFMpeg+Aften and Quenc, but nothing works in that regard. I did manually check with Wavi+Aften, it seems Wavi fails to read the avs input, upon which the command window has to be manually exited. It then uses ffmpeg and the audio works fine (mostly?)...

It doesn't matter whether the mp4 file has AAC audio or MP3 audio, both seem to fail!...

I'm not sure what the cause of the issue is, I'm on Windows 7 x64. I don't have any issues with media playing etc with these files. I don't know whether it was something to do with Haali (which I have since removed) having muffed a Windows setting or whether it is another related issue...

Has anyone else experience that? any suggestions for a workaround I could try?

[MrC]

@burfadel

Just some thought:

1. Haali is necessary, ffdshow too. Are you sure that W7 is using them? Check it with Windows 7 Preferred Filter Tweaker.
2. Using Preview, do you have sound?
3. Any chance to try on a WinXP machine?



Bye