Is this a h.264 ts stream you encoded with WinAVI? I may have to try the tool (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=WinAVI_Video_Converter).
No, the video is good ol' MPEG-2. However, it is contained in a 30 Mbps Transport Stream. It is encoded with a hardware real-time encoder. It took me days to download the source and convert it to YCbCr, but only 11 minutes to encode it.

Ron

Thanks Ron, nice work. Also a very good clip to test some other players I've got piling up here.

Does anyone know how to add an .srt subtitle file to a .ts file that I'm wanting to reauthor for an HD-DVD? I know how to do it with dvd's but I haven't found any good guides or software to do it with HD files.

Joe Clark great work this is a super resource

I have been trying on the insiders forum to get Amir and the HD insiders to see the importance of official support for some of the variants of HD on red disks being played on HD DVD players. So far I get the impression that it is not looked at as being any sort of priority. Since this thread is dedicated to in essence home brew hd dvds I wondered what the interest here is

I see two important aspects of HD dvd that IMHO are really important

First is an effort to expand the support for the creation of HD red dvd's since media costs in the interim will be very high. There is a large population of HD camcorders out there and being able to create hd dvd's from HDV source is important. I have not seen any official licensing for the HD DVD camp, so my concern is that while things might work at this stage unless it is officiall supported, we can run into the situation of "well we never said it would work"

the second area, is a bit more complicated, but here goes

Sony has, (and a lot of people on this thread might be already familiar with this so sorry if I repeat) introduced a new line of HD camcorders some with dvd drives some with only hard drives and a dvd writer called the DVDirect which all use AVCHD. They have pretty much lined up all the other usual suspects in camcorders panasonic, canon, and the editing software folks with SONY VEGAS leading the pack to support this. It seems to be Sony and a lot of the other folks direction for NON tape HD content acquision. I suspect that based in the cost of BD drives, and also the likely hood that in the short term bd writers are not likely to be reliable writing in a hand held camcorder environment, and of course the size of the drves, the approach has been to use HD on Standard DVD media. SO we now have an OFFICIAL supported HD on red DVD standard. Currently Sony and the gang are saying that the playback devices for these disks are, PS3, pc with sony's software, and BD DVD players.

I belive that this will be a large segment of HD content, and I have been trying to get the HD folks to realize its importance and also to officially license and sign up to support Avchd on the HD dvd players. I understand with Vc-1 etc the politics, but at the same time MS has not been able to convince the camcorder people to use VC-1 as an acquisition format.

The situation is that with the DVDirect dvd writer from sony, the camcorder users can copy from the mini dvd's or the hard drive in the camcorder and create a hd red dvd. BUT this unit has no playback ability (based i would guess on limited processing power) so again the only way to play back these dvd's are in your camcorder IF it is the dvd version, or as I said a PS3/pc or BD player.

I think it is important that the whole hd on red laser media be supported, and I see this as a way forward that based upon BD support might be politically feasible. Other wise the focus seems to be just on HD DVD content, playing back standard DVD's and ignoring officially the HD on red dvd media.

anyone else out there interested in this support???

John

The availability of HDDVD player and this method of archiving and playing HDV was the very reason I got a Sony HDV camcorder four and half months ago. In fact this thread was started by someone who was trying to playback Sony HDV footage on the Toshiba player and discovered this great feature of red laser HD DVD.
Now five months later this process has become so perfected that most users here I suspect are using it for creating home made HDDVD movies recorded off the HDTV shows. I have to admit this is a lot more exciting utility than making HDDVD off my own HDV footages. Now you can see why this red laser HD thing aren't going to be ensuthiastically supported by those greedy movie studios and HDDVD or BD groups. One of the big reasons behind new HD standard was the better copyright protections for the HD content.

But with the existence of the red laser HD it is opening up a huge loop hole. Can you imagine what the HDDVD group reaction would be if a year from now with most of your friends having HDDVD players you can distribute hundreds of your homemade HDDVD movies among them? That's why I feel the newer HDDVD players may no longer support red laser HDDVD playback, if the HDDVD camp becomes aware that this process is being widely used by many people for archiving movies and shows. I am holding on to my HD-A1 and its current versions.

BTW, few people have seen how good the PQ of those AVCHD cams is compared to HDV standard. The first AVCHD HD cam Sanyo's Xacti looks awful in PQ.

I've burned a couple of these now from TS files i've recorded. Before I delete the original files, is there a way to get the mpeg file back off of the created DVD?

I've burned a couple of these now from TS files i've recorded. Before I delete the original files, is there a way to get the mpeg file back off of the created DVD?

None that I'm aware of, so it's best to keep the original .ts file if you want to play it safe - or at least make a backup of the HD DVD.

Thats a bummer. Was hoping to only have to burn them once, but i'll guess i'll look at it as being forced into making backups :)

I've tried everything to get my native 1440 x 1080i HDV from the Sony Z1U to play on the A1, inlcuding all the Womble/MovieFactory5/Nero steps. The disks load, the front panel display reports HDDVD, then PLAY, then nothing, finally a message cannot play the disk. I tried different burners, different media. I even let Movie Factory re-encode one of the clips to see if that could make difference. I've been using Womble and playing TS and Program streams for years now on the I-O Data AVel LinkPlayer2. The PS loads immediately into Movie Factory 5 without a hiccup.

My build date is August 2006, and I am of the persuasion that something has been disabled. I do not know what the firmware version is. I'm not going to update it, just return it to the retailer and move on.

I've tried everything to get my native 1440 x 1080i HDV from the Sony Z1U to play on the A1, inlcuding all the Womble/MovieFactory5/Nero steps. The disks load, the front panel display reports HDDVD, then PLAY, then nothing, finally a message cannot play the disk. I tried different burners, different media. I even let Movie Factory re-encode one of the clips to see if that could make difference. I've been using Womble and playing TS and Program streams for years now on the I-O Data AVel LinkPlayer2. The PS loads immediately into Movie Factory 5 without a hiccup.

My build date is August 2006, and I am of the persuasion that something has been disabled. I do not know what the firmware version is. I'm not going to update it, just return it to the retailer and move on.

I have an HDR-HC1 and my first disc (back in april) was of some footage I shot @ CES this year.... worked fine using MF5 without re-encoding.

I've tried everything to get my native 1440 x 1080i HDV from the Sony Z1U to play on the A1, inlcuding all the Womble/MovieFactory5/Nero steps. The disks load, the front panel display reports HDDVD, then PLAY, then nothing, finally a message cannot play the disk. I tried different burners, different media. I even let Movie Factory re-encode one of the clips to see if that could make difference. I've been using Womble and playing TS and Program streams for years now on the I-O Data AVel LinkPlayer2. The PS loads immediately into Movie Factory 5 without a hiccup.

My build date is August 2006, and I am of the persuasion that something has been disabled. I do not know what the firmware version is. I'm not going to update it, just return it to the retailer and move on.

Have you tried any other type of transport strream file? I'd try that first to make sure it's not something strange going on with your HDV capture.

If no discs will play at all, then maybe it's something specific to your particular A1. Taking one of your burns to a local place that has an A1 on demo (if you can find one) would be a way to check.

First though, try another .ts file and let us know what happens.

Tom, I import from a Sony HC3, then use only Moviefactory5, then Nero. Are you using Womble first? I'm on firmware 1.4 on the HD-A1 and it plays my homemade HD-DVDs fine. I'm sure that is the firmware you have also. Firmware 2.0 just came out. I don't think anything has been disabled on your A1 to prevent you playing homemade HDDVDs. You must be damn frustrated by now, not getting things to work. Hopefully some of the real pros on this thread can give you some troubleshooting tips.

Yes, I know people are reporting HDV from HC1/HC3 is working but has anyone made FX1/Z1U footage work? Movie Factory 5 only claims support for HC1/HC3. I've been capturing/encoding/transcoding TS/PS/WMV9 work for years with the JVC GR-HD1 and Sony Z1U.

Thanks, Blasst. No Movie Factory 5 will not load the native TS from the Sony Z1U for me. It has to be transcoded to PS with Womble to load into Movie Factory 5 for me, which it does so without apparent hitch. TMPGEnc Xpress 3.0 will import my transport streams without conversion, but the only HD encoding format it supports is WMV9, also can't author HD. Sometimes the ability of a program to support TS depends not just on the program itself vis-a-vis Movie Factory 5, but also on what 3rd party codecs or DirectX/DirectShow filters are installed on your system.

Joseph, no I did not try any other type of TS file. I just returned the unit to the retailer. :(
I will try again though with an off-the-air 1920x1080i mpeg2 file, take it into the retailer and see if that works. Maybe it just isn't compatible with HDV footage from the Sony Z1U, but Movie Factory 5 had no issue creating the folder for it, nor any problem creating chapter points or scrubbing through the file.

Thanks MichaelZ. thats exactly what I was looking for.

I store the ac3 stream on the disc (HD-DVD) in an ac3 folder (it was extracted from the orginal ts stream using Dgindex) and you can recreate the TS or mpeg stream without much trouble by using Dgindex to extract the video from the EVO file.

Is this a freeware program? If so, we can add it to the guide. I'll check it out.

Yes, I know people are reporting HDV from HC1/HC3 is working but has anyone made FX1/Z1U footage work? Movie Factory 5 only claims support for HC1/HC3. I've been capturing/encoding/transcoding TS/PS/WMV9 work for years with the JVC GR-HD1 and Sony Z1U.

Thanks, Blasst. No Movie Factory 5 will not load the native TS from the Sony Z1U for me. It has to be transcoded to PS with Womble to load into Movie Factory 5 for me, which it does so without apparent hitch. TMPGEnc Xpress 3.0 will import my transport streams without conversion, but the only HD encoding format it supports is WMV9, also can't author HD. Sometimes the ability of a program to support TS depends not just on the program itself vis-a-vis Movie Factory 5, but also on what 3rd party codecs or DirectX/DirectShow filters are installed on your system.

Joseph, no I did not try any other type of TS file. I just returned the unit to the retailer. :(
I will try again though with an off-the-air 1920x1080i mpeg2 file, take it into the retailer and see if that works. Maybe it just isn't compatible with HDV footage from the Sony Z1U, but Movie Factory 5 had no issue creating the folder for it, nor any problem creating chapter points or scrubbing through the file.Tom, let us know if you have any success in taking a disc into the store, and getting it to work. You could always call Ulead support and see if they can give you some specifics on your problem. It is strange you can go all the way through the process and then not have it work in the A1.

Yes it looks like freeware. http://neuron2.net/dgmpgdec/dgmpgdec.html

MichaelZ, I see in Dgindex how to extract the ac3 from the ts file. But how when I load the EVO files back up, what do you do to attach the ac3 file and recreate the TS or mpeg file?

The first AVCHD HD cam Sanyo's Xacti looks awful in PQ.
What Sanyo is that? If you're talking about Xacti HD1, it's not AVC, but MPEG-4 ASP.

Yes, I know people are reporting HDV from HC1/HC3 is working but has anyone made FX1/Z1U footage work? Movie Factory 5 only claims support for HC1/HC3. I've been capturing/encoding/transcoding TS/PS/WMV9 work for years with the JVC GR-HD1 and Sony Z1U.

Thanks, Blasst. No Movie Factory 5 will not load the native TS from the Sony Z1U for me. It has to be transcoded to PS with Womble to load into Movie Factory 5 for me, which it does so without apparent hitch. TMPGEnc Xpress 3.0 will import my transport streams without conversion, but the only HD encoding format it supports is WMV9, also can't author HD. Sometimes the ability of a program to support TS depends not just on the program itself vis-a-vis Movie Factory 5, but also on what 3rd party codecs or DirectX/DirectShow filters are installed on your system.

Joseph, no I did not try any other type of TS file. I just returned the unit to the retailer. :(
I will try again though with an off-the-air 1920x1080i mpeg2 file, take it into the retailer and see if that works. Maybe it just isn't compatible with HDV footage from the Sony Z1U, but Movie Factory 5 had no issue creating the folder for it, nor any problem creating chapter points or scrubbing through the file.

Tom, it seems to me that either the Ulead authoring was the problem or the burning was the problem. To pin down which one it is simply play the EVO files in the HVDVD_TS folder created by Ulead with VLC Media Player (that you can download for free) and see if they play properly. EVO files should play the same as your original footage. If they do then the problem is likely with your burn. Try Nero 7.2 (trial version) see if makes any difference. Because mine had the same problem as yours before I switched to Nero 7.

What menu is the a1 firmware version ? Am having problems to locate the version.

Yes it looks like freeware. http://neuron2.net/dgmpgdec/dgmpgdec.html

MichaelZ, I see in Dgindex how to extract the ac3 from the ts file. But how when I load the EVO files back up, what do you do to attach the ac3 file and recreate the TS or mpeg file?

Does the program provide a way to reconstruct the entire .ts file (video and audio) from .EVO files? A step by step would be very valuable. I'll add it to the guide. Remember we need all support files, too. This version says it's for AVISynth. If AVISynth is not a part of the DGIndex install, we need to add both programs to the files list, along with specific instructions on how to install and use them.

Some people here have already deleted original source files, so we need a way to resurrect them.

Ok I ask again, does anyone know how to add subtitles to either the .ts or mpeg files? There has to be a way, right?

Ok I ask again, does anyone know how to add subtitles to either the .ts or mpeg files? There has to be a way, right?

Sorry, can't help on this one. Certainly there is a way, but I don't know of any way of doing it with MF5. More expensive (and more full featured) authoring programs have to be able to do it.

I have been using the Intercom Super Mpeg2 Transcoder trial version, found it to be a fairly useful tool.
I wanted to actually purchase it, but can't seem to do so. Unless my browser is somehow blocking something on the Intercom site, there seems to be no way to actually purchase the software. I had to download the trial from download.com, because the trial version does not seen to be available on their site either.
Am I doing something wrong here, or is this software no longer available?

You get a link to the sales version once you've paid for it.

You get a link to the sales version once you've paid for it.

That's just it.

On the purchase page, I don't get any link to actually pay for it. My browser or security settings must be blocking it. Do you have a direct link?

I'm using this page, but the "Order Product" button is not showing up.
http://www.intercom.co.jp/english/transcoder/purchase.html

BLASST, what is the version of MF5?

Thanks
Gene

That's just it.

On the purchase page, I don't get any link to actually pay for it. My browser or security settings must be blocking it. Do you have a direct link?
https://www.regsoft.net/regsoft/vieworderpage.php3?productid=74392

https://www.regsoft.net/regsoft/vieworderpage.php3?productid=74392

Got it. That worked. Thanks.

I am a bit stuck here.

I am using the Nero toolset that came with my DVD burner.
The DVD burning tool in that toolset is called Nero Express Version 6

I am using a trial version of Ulead MF5 as the instructions say to do.

When I go to burn the DVD+R, Nero 6 complains that the DVD is not compliant because there are 2 missing files and it ejects the disk.

I checked the 'Ignore Compliant errors' Checkbox and let it try to burn but all I got was a blank disk.

Please see enclosed file. This is what Nero is complaining about.
Missing Video_ts.IFO and .BUP

I can not find these 2 files in any of the created folders on the hard disk.
Where/When are these created during the authoring process?


I followed the instructions to the letter and have the blank .VOB file in the Video folder as well as having the HDDVD folder in the root of the DVD.

I read through all these posts but did not find anyplace where it might have said to put a blank .IFO and .BUP file like it did for that .VOB file.

Any ideas of what I am doing wrong?

Thanks

Joe,

The two files you need in the VIDEO_TS folder are:

video_ts.ifo
video_ts.bup

That's it. No .evo file.

Joe, here is what I did to get the original file back from the EVO. There might be a better way, but this works and is easy enough.

before getting rid of the TS file:
-using DGindex, extract the audio (File->Demux audio only)
-save this extracted file or burn it onto the dvd with the movie
-create the HD-DVD

to get the file back:
-using DGindex, selected all the EVO files on the disc
-Select File->Save project and Demux video
-using TMPGEnc, mux the video and audio. there is a nice little guide here for that http://www.hdtvtotal.com/module-pagesetter-printpub-tid-1-pid-628.html

This leaves you with an mpeg. The above guide gives instructions on converting that to a TS if so desired.

I am a bit stuck here.

I am using the Nero toolset that came with my DVD burner.
The DVD burning tool in that toolset is called Nero Express Version 6

I am using a trial version of Ulead MF5 as the instructions say to do.

When I go to burn the DVD+R, Nero 6 complains that the DVD is not compliant because there are 2 missing files and it ejects the disk.

I checked the 'Ignore Compliant errors' Checkbox and let it try to burn but all I got was a blank disk.

Please see enclosed file. This is what Nero is complaining about.
Missing Video_ts.IFO and .BUP

I can not find these 2 files in any of the created folders on the hard disk.
Where/When are these created during the authoring process?


I followed the instructions to the letter and have the blank .VOB file in the Video folder as well as having the HDDVD folder in the root of the DVD.

I read through all these posts but did not find anyplace where it might have said to put a blank .IFO and .BUP file like it did for that .VOB file.

Any ideas of what I am doing wrong?

Thanks

Ditto. That's the Nero version I have as well. The Authoring process (Movie Factory 5) only created HDDVD_TS folder.

I had Nero 6 and it kept turning out coasters. Then I downloaded Nero 7 trial version, then all the issues went away. I would try Nero 7 free trial just to rule out it's not the Nero 6 problem.

Technique 2 (works with Nero 6 and 7):

a. Start Notepad or any word processor that allows you to create a .txt file. Leave the document blank (don’t type in anything). Select File>Save and save the blank document as text (.txt format) in a handy place on your hard drive – call it VIDEO_TS.VOB (.txt will be added automatically). Open Windows Explorer and find your new text file. Right click on it and go to rename. Delete the .txt from the end. Ignore the Windows warning and click “Yes.” Your file should now appear as VIDEO_TS.VOB. Special note: if you can't see the .txt extension in Windows Explorer, it probably means you have your computer set to hide file extensions. Open Explorer and select from the menu Tools>Folder Options... . Select the "View" tab. Find the box for "Hide extensions for known file types." and deselect it. Click "OK." You should now be able to see the .txt extension.
b. Start Nero Burning ROM and select the Nero Burning ROM application.
c. In the left column, select DVD Video and click “New.”
d. In the right column, select the drive where the new VIDEO_TS.VOB file is located. Drag that file onto (on top of, not above it) the VIDEO_TS folder in the leftmost column. (Make sure it’s in the VIDEO_TS folder, not in the root directory.)


Maybe I need to elaborate. The above is incorrect.

The required files in the VIDEO_TS folder are:
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.BUP

They may be created using the procedure above. Just create these 2 files instead of VIDEO_TS.VOB

However, a simpler procedure is to open windows explorer. Right click inside a folder. New > Text Document. Type VIDEO_TS.IFO. Click Yes at the file extension change warning. Repeat the procedure for the .BUP file.

Thanks Robert. I hope that works. I'm going to try that on a disk and take it to the retailer to see if it works, since I already returned the A1. If I can get it to work, I'll re-buy one.

Any news of any more HD-DVD authoring tools? Nothing announced at IFA? Is DVD Studio Pro still broken?

Any news of any more HD-DVD authoring tools? Nothing announced at IFA? Is DVD Studio Pro still broken?

Hey, Grandmaster, good to hear from you. Did I just miss a post, or have we not heard from you for a while? I was beginning to worry.

Sonic has announced HD DVD authoring tools, but nothing cheap that I know of.

Maybe I need to elaborate. The above is incorrect.

The required files in the VIDEO_TS folder are:
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.BUP

They may be created using the procedure above. Just create these 2 files instead of VIDEO_TS.VOB

However, a simpler procedure is to open windows explorer. Right click inside a folder. New > Text Document. Type VIDEO_TS.IFO. Click Yes at the file extension change warning. Repeat the procedure for the .BUP file.

Still didn't work. I just downloaded Nero 7. It's the last thing I know to try. I am able to play back the EVO files with VideoLan VLC. They also playback on the AVeL LinkPlayer2 if I rename the file extension to *.VOB

It looks to me like Ulead Movie Factory 5, Womble et all are working, just no joy when burning with Nero 6.3.

Took the disk to the retailer, here's what happened:

1.) Insert home brew HD-DVD disk, burned on Taiyo Yuden DVD+R with book-type bitsetting for -R compatibility, Plextor PX716A.

2.) "LOADING" <-- flashing

3.) "HD DVD"

4.) "PLAY"

5.) "Title 001 Ch 001"

6.) "Can Not Play Disk"

Again, next step try with Nero 7, back to retailer.

Sigh...

BLASST, what is the version of MF5?

Thanks
GeneI just finished the try before you buy version online. Now I have to decide between MF5 or MF5+ to buy.

Okay, now I have a really strange problem that has yielded me three (dl) coasters over the weekend!! I recently received a couple of movies from a friend and were all on dvdr. The dvdr's were very strange though. All in 137meg chunks, no biggie but..when I went to join them, big problem. Although in Windows, the files were all in sequential (numerical) order, when I would use the copy command in dos (or even dir command) the files were ALL out of order and that is how they would attempt to copy. I then tried my software player (Theatertek) and that too would only play them out of synch.

I tried several things and nothing has so far been able to solve my problem. Since the files were on the dvdr as cdfs, I tried isobuster and extracted to a folder on the hard drive, wallah. Great, now that the files SEEM to be in order, I joined them, converted with Womble and ran through VS 10. Everything looks like it was done without a problem. Only problem is....none of these 3 discs worked. They would load, it would say hddvd, I would see the chapeter/disc info and then it would say "Can not play disc"!! Any ideas??

Still didn't work. I just downloaded Nero 7. It's the last thing I know to try. I am able to play back the EVO files with VideoLan VLC. They also playback on the AVeL LinkPlayer2 if I rename the file extension to *.VOB

It looks to me like Ulead Movie Factory 5, Womble et all are working, just no joy when burning with Nero 6.3.

Took the disk to the retailer, here's what happened:

1.) Insert home brew HD-DVD disk, burned on Taiyo Yuden DVD+R with book-type bitsetting for -R compatibility, Plextor PX716A.

2.) "LOADING" <-- flashing

3.) "HD DVD"

4.) "PLAY"

5.) "Title 001 Ch 001"

6.) "Can Not Play Disk"

Again, next step try with Nero 7, back to retailer.

Sigh...

I can't remember if yours is a double layer disc. If it is, the greater compatibility seems to be setting it to DVD-ROM booktype. I was not able to get any double layer discs to read on the A1 unless I wrote them with either my Mad Dog 6-in-1 or my Plextor 750s with booktype set to DVD-ROM. It didn't seem to mind if for single layer discs.

I have a Tsst corp. sh-s162a version to2 [samsung toshiba]dual layer burner. Am using memorex dvd+RW DL.....no coasters at all.Using nero 7........Picked up the burner at microcenter for 39.95 3 weeks ago.

Hey, Grandmaster, good to hear from you. Did I just miss a post, or have we not heard from you for a while? I was beginning to worry.

Sonic has announced HD DVD authoring tools, but nothing cheap that I know of.

Still here but kinda in lurk mode!! :)

I personally feel that we've reached an impasse really - we need better authoring tools to produce decent menu systems, and we really need AVC in order to produce better, standalone disks. MPEG2 simply doesn't cut it when faced with the storage constraints of red laser media.

In theory DVD Studio Pro will do everything I want. But bizarrely despite the support being completely broken in terms of AVC and menus, Apple does nothing about it.

Nero next gen authoring with AVC has been ready for donkey's years and yet it isn't being released.

The latest Movie Factory offering with BD support doesn't actually appear to work on the only BD player available, and I've still got no concrete evidence that the old MF offering actually produces working Blu-Ray disks.

The whole situation is absolutely bizarre. Perhaps if Ulead made a decent menu designer for MF I might actually be able to do something meaningful with it, but really, AVC is the future...

As it is, I strongly suspect that nothing is going to happen until the PS3 is out, which is an almighty shame IMO...

I can't remember if yours is a double layer disc. If it is, the greater compatibility seems to be setting it to DVD-ROM booktype. I was not able to get any double layer discs to read on the A1 unless I wrote them with either my Mad Dog 6-in-1 or my Plextor 750s with booktype set to DVD-ROM. It didn't seem to mind if for single layer discs.

It's fixed. Nero 7.3 trial version download did it, X-box compatibility box checked, no-multisession checked. I have not tried any dual layer media yet. I re-purchased the A1, after watching my Sony HDV cam (Z1U) footage play on the A1 via HDMI to a 1080p Lcd monitor at BB. Wow...the footage held up respectably against the looping demo HD-DVD disk. I was agape at detail on the 1080p monitor.

What is less than stellar is the A1 720p output. In fact, it is a pathetic joke. It should not even be legal to market such poor output as HD. In summary, 1080i excellent, 720p forget it.

Still here but kinda in lurk mode!! :)

I personally feel that we've reached an impasse really - we need better authoring tools to produce decent menu systems, and we really need AVC in order to produce better, standalone disks. MPEG2 simply doesn't cut it when faced with the storage constraints of red laser media.

In theory DVD Studio Pro will do everything I want. But bizarrely despite the support being completely broken in terms of AVC and menus, Apple does nothing about it.

Nero next gen authoring with AVC has been ready for donkey's years and yet it isn't being released.

The latest Movie Factory offering with BD support doesn't actually appear to work on the only BD player available, and I've still got no concrete evidence that the old MF offering actually produces working Blu-Ray disks.

The whole situation is absolutely bizarre. Perhaps if Ulead made a decent menu designer for MF I might actually be able to do something meaningful with it, but really, AVC is the future...

As it is, I strongly suspect that nothing is going to happen until the PS3 is out, which is an almighty shame IMO...

Hard to disagree with any of that, but what's even more amazing is that this process works at all at this stage in the development of next generation authoring. Remember how long it took for regular DVD authoring to become affordable?

In a year or two (hopefully sooner), we'll all look back on this as a primitive first step. For what it does, though, it's quick and easy and works pretty well. It's at least a solution, with no low cost alternative right now. That said, I look forward to the time when this sticky is removed as terminally obsolete.

It's fixed. Nero 7.3 trial version download did it, X-box compatibility box checked, no-multisession checked. I have not tried any dual layer media yet. I re-purchased the A1, after watching my Sony HDV cam (Z1U) footage play on the A1 via HDMI to a 1080p Lcd monitor at BB. Wow...the footage held up respectably against the looping demo HD-DVD disk. I was agape at detail on the 1080p monitor.

What is less than stellar is the A1 720p output. In fact, it is a pathetic joke. It should not even be legal to market such poor output as HD. In summary, 1080i excellent, 720p forget it.

Isn't HDV on the A1 wonderful? It's a whole new world. And I was the guy ready to sit this one out!

Nero 6.5 and lower versions seem to have issues with A1. I wish I went straight to Nero 7 to save myself so much frustration and time. Maybe Joe can put a note in the Guide for some new users of this process. If the burn fails try Nero 7 which doesn't seem to have any issues with A1 so far.

Maybe I need to elaborate. The above is incorrect.

The required files in the VIDEO_TS folder are:
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.BUP

They may be created using the procedure above. Just create these 2 files instead of VIDEO_TS.VOB

However, a simpler procedure is to open windows explorer. Right click inside a folder. New > Text Document. Type VIDEO_TS.IFO. Click Yes at the file extension change warning. Repeat the procedure for the .BUP file.

Thanks - I tried that and at least I got something different:)

This time, Nero Express 6 says "DVD Video file re-allocation failed - disk may be unplayabe"

It was.


Time to try Nero 7. Sure wish there was a single package to do all this.

If Nero 7 trial works then that means I have to buy it AND Ulead MF

Joe

Nero 6.5 and lower versions seem to have issues with A1. I wish I went straight to Nero 7 to save myself so much frustration and time. Maybe Joe can put a note in the Guide for some new users of this process. If the burn fails try Nero 7 which doesn't seem to have any issues with A1 so far.

Done.

I've been meaning to update the guide with some other info. Should get to that within a day or so.

Maybe I need to elaborate. The above is incorrect.

The required files in the VIDEO_TS folder are:
VIDEO_TS.IFO
VIDEO_TS.BUP

.

No luck with Nero version 7 doing the above.

It kept complaining that it could not find Video.ts.ifo so I simply put a VIDEO_TS.VOB file in the video folder.

Version 7 of Nero now complains about DVD compliance but it went ahead and burned the disc.

The disc plays just fine in the A1.

I tried without any file in the Video folder but Nero 7 greys out the Burn button.

So it looks like to be sucessful with this process you need to do:

1) Make sure you are using Nero version 7 as version 6.x does not work
2) put a blank VIDEO_TS.VOB file into the Video folder in Nero 7
3) put the HDDVD folder in the root of the dvd compilation in Nero 7
4) Burn the DVD

I have a ts file that had PTS errors. I ran it through VRD and it still does not load into womble mpegvcr. VRD says it has about 600 PTS underflows. Not sure what this means. Has anyone else come across this?

No luck with Nero version 7 doing the above.

It kept complaining that it could not find Video.ts.ifo so I simply put a VIDEO_TS.VOB file in the video folder.

Version 7 of Nero now complains about DVD compliance but it went ahead and burned the disc.

The disc plays just fine in the A1.

I tried without any file in the Video folder but Nero 7 greys out the Burn button.

So it looks like to be sucessful with this process you need to do:

1) Make sure you are using Nero version 7 as version 6.x does not work
2) put a blank VIDEO_TS.VOB file into the Video folder in Nero 7
3) put the HDDVD folder in the root of the dvd compilation in Nero 7
4) Burn the DVD


Glad you got it to work. I have created all my images with imgtool and it required the video_ts.ifo and video_ts.bup files in the video_ts folder. I assumed Nero required the same thing. My bad. I burn the images with DVD*******r or Nero Express 6.

Glad you got it to work. I have created all my images with imgtool and it required the video_ts.ifo and video_ts.bup files in the video_ts folder. I assumed Nero required the same thing. My bad. I burn the images with DVD*******r or Nero Express 6.
Nero 7 burning rom does not require a vts file in udf mode ......just follow the guide it works like a charm

Every time I have converted a wmv HD file to HD DVD I get the image stuttering on panning scenes like an aerial view, has anyone found a way to do this without the stuttering?
the wmv hd of amazing caves at the MS site wmv hd showcase is a good example to try, only 84mb.

Every time I have converted a wmv HD file to HD DVD I get the image stuttering on panning scenes like an aerial view, has anyone found a way to do this without the stuttering?

I think the best way to transfer WMV-HD to HD-DVD is to be... patient. Stick to MPEG2 source files and wait for tools that will handle VC-1 codec (wmv). Or, maybe Canopus ProCoder 2 will give you a more compliant mpeg2 file.

I've been meaning to update the guide with some other info. Should get to that within a day or so.
Don't forget to mention that burning with Roxio8 is much simpler than with Nero - and a lot more reliable.

Don't forget to mention that burning with Roxio8 is much simpler than with Nero - and a lot more reliable.

Yeah, that's one of the things I want to include. I'll have to go back for your step by step, since I don't have Roxio. With all the bad burns I've been getting lately, I'm thinking of making the switch myself.

I got this reply from Nero:

Dear valued customer,

thank you for your email and your interest in our software.

Nero 7 supports HD-DVD with the next update in October 2006. So, you can buy the software and update next month to the current version.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Best Regards,


Manuel Sychold
Nero Sales

Yeah, that's one of the things I want to include. I'll have to go back for your step by step, since I don't have Roxio. With all the bad burns I've been getting lately, I'm thinking of making the switch myself.

I've yet to have a bad burn using the latest version of Nero 6.6 and the UDF options - and I've been writing to $0.99 DL disks. I've never tried Nero 7, however.

I've burned about 15 discs using nero 7 and haven't had a bad disc either. i've used several different kinds of generic discs too.

Nero 7 trial was a big download. When I buy it, do I get a serial key, or do I have to re-download the full program?

Nero 7 trial was a big download. When I buy it, do I get a serial key, or do I have to re-download the full program?
You get a key.

Just burned my first HD-DVD using instructions in this thread. Awesome! Burned some test patterns and short video clips and they are amazing.

Are there any tools to create HD slide shows from our collections of still photos?

MovieFactory 5 has a slideshow option and it seems to work with a HD-DVD project but I haven't tried it yet.
Edit
Just made my first HD slideshow with MF5 and it turned out great. Wonderful detail and color in the pictures and it sounded good too.

DSKTexas, Thanks for the news! Anticipation of this capability is one of the reasons I took the plunge on an HD-A1 (which arrived Friday). I'll have to look into Movie Factory 5. Eventually, I imagine several programs will be able to do this.

Great news for those that care...

I successfully authored a 25fps TS movie to a 29.97fps HD-DVD with no audio or video problems..i.e. stutter, sync, etc.

I first demuxed the TS file with womble mpeg-vcr, then i loaded the mpv (video only) file into dgpulldown and used the 25fps->29.97fps profile. Then i took the resulting file and remuxed the audio with the new mpv from dgpulldown using mpeg-vcr. Then I saved the newly remuxed TS file as an mpeg-2 program stream in mpeg-vcr. The file loads gracefully in VS 10+. Resulting HD-DVD plays perfect in the HD-A1 :)

Let the fun continue...

Thanks for the tip Bitwize,tried it on a sample clip,worked perfect. :D

OK,I tried Bitwize's method on a bigger clip and I'm having lip sync problems.Guess I'll have to mess around with it some more.

Anyone with Dish know what the difference is between HBO-HD on channel 9440 vs. 9456? I know one's on 148° & the other on 110°. Basically, does it matter which channel I record from?

OK,I tried Bitwize's method on a bigger clip and I'm having lip sync problems.Guess I'll have to mess around with it some more.

Was it a bigger clip from the same movie? Or a different one? You may have to use the audio offset feature (not sure what it's called exactly) when remuxing in mpeg-vcr, in order to put it in sync. This is a pain but one solution. Or you could use a different program for remuxing, maybe one that allows realtime playback of the mpv and apv files, so you can easily re-sync.

Anyhow, no problems here......yet...heheh.

on average, how much can you fit on a single layer DVD-R, and a dual layer DVD-R?

eg can you fit a 1 hour drama on? I have an xbox which I use to stream SD, but it can't handle HD. I'd rather not buy "yet another box" (wifes words), so it'd be good if I could just burn to cheap DVD-R or even RW and use the A1 as the HD box.

One hour HDTV program usually takes about 9GB on the harddrive. If you edit out the commercials it probably is down to around 6GB to 7GB. So it will take two SL DVDs (4.7GB) and one DL DVD.
BTW nowadays HDTV cards are so cheap and good that you can spend only $60 and schedule and record all the OTA HDTV shows on your computer. And of course later play them on your A1 player :D .

One hour HDTV program usually takes about 9GB on the harddrive. If you edit out the commercials it probably is down to around 6GB to 7GB. So it will take two SL DVDs (4.7GB) and one DL DVD.
BTW nowadays HDTV cards are so cheap and good that you can spend only $60 and schedule and record all the OTA HDTV shows on your computer. And of course later play them on your A1 player :D .


I'm in the UK. I have skyHD and some of my favourite shows should be starting soon in HD (battlestar galactica, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis)

But others are on SD channels which I receive. Eg House and Grey's anatomy are on five, while Lost is on E4. I'd like to watch house and lost in HD if possible, so was looking at downloading and burning onto DVD. I'm figuring its OK as both channels in the UK showing those shows are free-to-air.

Is there any software for VC-1 encoding, and will VC-1 work with this method? How about H.264?

anyone getting problems with MPEG2VCR limiting the output size? I've tried several times but I only get about 20minutes or 2GB out. Its also odd how the file system works. If I select using the '...' button, it only seems to import 30 .ts files. If I drag others or add them separately I can get all 49 in. But is MPEG2VCR only acting on those original 30?


total length of the program should be about 45 minutes

Is there any software for VC-1 encoding, and will VC-1 work with this method? How about H.264?

You can encode VC1 with Microsoft Beta Encoder (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoderse/default.aspx) but this tool is far from Alpha. Only uncompressed HD files can be encoded and there's no tool to output VC1 files to HD-DVD.
Except professional tool like Sonic Scenarist and CineVision. (http://www.sonic.com/products/Professional/)
You can encode h264 with Apple tools or MainConcept (http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=803) but there's no software to output HD-DVD.
I think we must be patient and wait for upgrades from Adobe (Premiere Pro) or Sony (Vegas), maybe DVD-lab Pro or Ulead.
With VC1, we will be able to have a 90 minutes HD movie burn on a DVD-R-DL with excellent results.

on average, how much can you fit on a single layer DVD-R, and a dual layer DVD-R?
It is tight getting a 1 hour show to a single layer DVD-R, but you can often do it if you cut commercals. I seem to be able to get about 40 minutes per layer of the HD material that I record from my cable company.

Technically what I get over cable is 'HD Lite' because the bitrate rarely exceeds 12Mbps. Now, if the recording OTA, the bit rates are usually about 18MBps and it is much harder to fit it on a single layer. But it looks that much better.

Edit: I know it sounds lazy of me, but I've gotten very tired of cutting commercials, so I usually just dump the show to 2 DVD-RW disks. A half hour fits fine on one disk and FF past the commercials is really no big deal.

On these homemade discs, how does the picture quality on the HD A-1 compare to playing the TS files through Theatretek or Zoomplayer with Nvidia purevideo or dscaler 5 with the IVTC mod?


How does the picture quality compare to the commercial HD DVDs that you can purchase? I know it probably depends on the particular source that you are using but just wondered in general what everyone thought.



thanks

For me personally, The authored HD-DVDs look better on the HD-A1 than on my HTPC. Also, Most TS movies won't look as good as their retail HD-DVD counterparts. And of course there are movies that aren't available on HD-DVD yet that look spectacular in TS format...i.e. Gladiator.

I've got a couple of HTPCs. One of them has a MyHD card. Play back on the A1 appear to be about the same. Very, very happy with the quality out of the A1 on the self made discs. And the easy of playing stuff back is great. Just wish I had a 2nd A1 for my other setup now :)

I copied a recording I have on D-VHS tape to my computer and then used this file to create a HD-DVD. This was a high bitrate OTA recording that looked very good on D-VHS...and looked just as good on the HD-A1.

On these homemade discs, how does the picture quality on the HD A-1 compare to playing the TS files through Theatretek or Zoomplayer with Nvidia purevideo or dscaler 5 with the IVTC mod?


How does the picture quality compare to the commercial HD DVDs that you can purchase? I know it probably depends on the particular source that you are using but just wondered in general what everyone thought.



thanks

This process doesn't change the video quality, and the A1 does a great job of playing back HD video. If you have a good source, the A1 will play it back beautifully.

For people that are making labels for the HD-DVDs they're making, is there a <$100 printer that is capable of printering great looking labels? I bought a case of red dvd slim cases that were the closest thing I could find to HD-DVD cases, and I've been working on some home made HD-DVD labels, but my 5yo printer is definitely not up to the task. Hopefully there is a cheap solution out there? I just spent my wad on a new PC.

For people that are making labels for the HD-DVDs they're making, is there a <$100 printer that is capable of printering great looking labels? I bought a case of red dvd slim cases that were the closest thing I could find to HD-DVD cases, and I've been working on some home made HD-DVD labels, but my 5yo printer is definitely not up to the task. Hopefully there is a cheap solution out there? I just spent my wad on a new PC.

Epson has a whole line of printers that print directly on CD/DVDs. You can find some of them for less than $100. I use that with print-on DVDs from Costco, works great. Download the labels from cdcovers.cc Add a HD-DVD logo.

You can encode VC1 with Microsoft Beta Encoder (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoderse/default.aspx) but this tool is far from Alpha. Only uncompressed HD files can be encoded and there's no tool to output VC1 files to HD-DVD.
Except professional tool like Sonic Scenarist and CineVision. (http://www.sonic.com/products/Professional/)
You can encode h264 with Apple tools or MainConcept (http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=803) but there's no software to output HD-DVD.
I think we must be patient and wait for upgrades from Adobe (Premiere Pro) or Sony (Vegas), maybe DVD-lab Pro or Ulead.
With VC1, we will be able to have a 90 minutes HD movie burn on a DVD-R-DL with excellent results.

Good info! Thanx!

Epson has a whole line of printers that print directly on CD/DVDs. You can find some of them for less than $100. I use that with print-on DVDs from Costco, works great. Download the labels from cdcovers.cc Add a HD-DVD logo.
Sorry, I used the word labels when I meant to say covers. I'm basically looking for a cheap <$100 printer that will print good looking covers.

Sorry, I used the word labels when I meant to say covers. I'm basically looking for a cheap <$100 printer that will print good looking covers.

Well, as for covers, any color printer will do. There are many choices in that price range. You can download covers from the same site. You should be able to find cheap pre-cut covers at any office supply store or Wal-Mart.

I tried printing on a printable DVD-R I had with a new Canon iP4200 inkjet we have and it looked absolutely fantastic, just like an original DVD.

I'm amazed at the quality of this new printer compared to my 10-year old HP 720P inkjet.
regards,
Rob.

Hi there !

On some sources only, when I convert them to MPEG via VideoReDo, I can't open it in MF5, as soon as I browse the directory where the file is in, MF5 freezes (I don't even have time to double click on the file to open it).
If I convert only a small part of the TS files to MPEG it works, if I convert half of them it does not...
After a few minutes (14 actually !), I can finally select the file and click on OK, it seems to add the file to MF5, and then MF5 freezes again... and then everything works after a few minutes...
In fact, everytime I do something in MF5, it freezes for a few minutes, and only when I'm using this particular MPEG file !
And when I added the chapters, it froze and then crashed with an error on sepa.dll :(

So I tried to convert it with MPEGVCR, but the video then contains lots of macroblocks problems which aren't in the MPEG create by VideoRedo.
I have this problem if I convert it from the TS or from the MPEG created by VideoRedo...

Any ideas/comment ?
Thx ! ;)

PS: same issues with VS10+...

Running through Mpegvcr usually takes care of it,but I have seen what you described with the macroblocking with one movie,Sw-Episode 3.I could never get it to convert right.
I'd say 3 out of 10 files I do with VideoRedo have to be sent through MPEG2VCR.

Hi there !

On some sources only, when I convert them to MPEG via VideoReDo, I can't open it in MF5, as soon as I browse the directory where the file is in, MF5 freezes (I don't even have time to double click on the file to open it).
If I convert only a small part of the TS files to MPEG it works, if I convert half of them it does not...
After a few minutes (14 actually !), I can finally select the file and click on OK, it seems to add the file to MF5, and then MF5 freezes again... and then everything works after a few minutes...
In fact, everytime I do something in MF5, it freezes for a few minutes, and only when I'm using this particular MPEG file !
And when I added the chapters, it froze and then crashed with an error on sepa.dll :(

So I tried to convert it with MPEGVCR, but the video then contains lots of macroblocks problems which aren't in the MPEG create by VideoRedo.
I have this problem if I convert it from the TS or from the MPEG created by VideoRedo...

Any ideas/comment ?
Thx ! ;)

PS: same issues with VS10+...

Hi there !

On some sources only, when I convert them to MPEG via VideoReDo, I can't open it in MF5, as soon as I browse the directory where the file is in, MF5 freezes (I don't even have time to double click on the file to open it).
If I convert only a small part of the TS files to MPEG it works, if I convert half of them it does not...
After a few minutes (14 actually !), I can finally select the file and click on OK, it seems to add the file to MF5, and then MF5 freezes again... and then everything works after a few minutes...
In fact, everytime I do something in MF5, it freezes for a few minutes, and only when I'm using this particular MPEG file !
And when I added the chapters, it froze and then crashed with an error on sepa.dll :(

So I tried to convert it with MPEGVCR, but the video then contains lots of macroblocks problems which aren't in the MPEG create by VideoRedo.
I have this problem if I convert it from the TS or from the MPEG created by VideoRedo...

Any ideas/comment ?
Thx ! ;)

PS: same issues with VS10+...

It's a miracle if I get ANY file processed through VideoRedo to work in MF5. I use MPEG2VCR exclusively. I wish I could use VideoRedo - it's interface is much better.

OK, so this not the correct forum for this, but I thought some people might find it interesting:

I authored a Blu-ray disc with VideoStudio 10+, just a few minutes of 1920x1080i MPEG2, and tried to play it in the pre-production Panasonic BD-player. It recognized the disc as a "BD-Video", but refused to play it.

I got a change to test the disc on an Amex Digital Blu-ray player/recorder (which is actually a Windows XP PC with PowerDVD 6.6 BD) . PowerDVD recognized the disc as a BD-Video disc - and played it like it were a regular BD disc. Unfortunately I had selected a clip which had a very high bitrate (avg 25mbits, peaks at 30+) and Amex skipped quite a lot of frames.

Still, this pretty much proves that BD-authoring in VS10+ works.

Sorry, I used the word labels when I meant to say covers. I'm basically looking for a cheap <$100 printer that will print good looking covers.


The Epson R200 is cheap and is a 6 ink photo printer that also prints direct to DVD/CD.

Still, this pretty much proves that BD-authoring in VS10+ works.

It may be just an ugly rumor (or even a malicous lie)... but I heard that Blu Ray Disks have to have encryption to work in stand alone players.

You can encode VC1 with Microsoft Beta Encoder but this tool is far from Alpha. Only uncompressed HD files can be encoded and there's no tool to output VC1 files to HD-DVD.

You can encode VC-1 also with Windows Media Encoder 9 after installing WMP11 beta 2. You can throw in mpegs, avis, avisynth scripts... I did a 1080p VC-1 sample a couple of days ago with WME9 but I can't post the link because the antispam policy. Not enough posts. :)

Just an FYI, but Womble Mpeg Video Wizard is an upgrade to the MPEG2VCR product, and is a perfect substitute in the workflow.

Just an FYI, but Womble Mpeg Video Wizard is an upgrade to the MPEG2VCR product, and is a perfect substitute in the workflow.

True. I have this software, but I still use MPEG2VCR, because I've gotten so used to it. Video Wizard is a better UI, though.

Running through Mpegvcr usually takes care of it,but I have seen what you described with the macroblocking with one movie,Sw-Episode 3.I could never get it to convert right.
I'd say 3 out of 10 files I do with VideoRedo have to be sent through MPEG2VCR.

What do you do to run the files back through MPEG2VCR ( simply open and save ? )

You can encode VC-1 also with Windows Media Encoder 9 after installing WMP11 beta 2. You can throw in mpegs, avis, avisynth scripts... I did a 1080p VC-1 sample a couple of days ago with WME9 but I can't post the link because the antispam policy. Not enough posts. :)


can you author VC-1 yet?

What do you do to run the files back through MPEG2VCR ( simply open and save ? )

I think that's what some people do, but it doesn't work for me. Once my files have gone through VideoRedo, they're pretty much toast. I can't get them to work. YMMV, it does for a lot of other folks who use this process.

can you author VC-1 yet?

We still can't do this. Maybe in Movie Factory 6 or 7.

OK, so this not the correct forum for this, but I thought some people might find it interesting:

I authored a Blu-ray disc with VideoStudio 10+, just a few minutes of 1920x1080i MPEG2, and tried to play it in the pre-production Panasonic BD-player. It recognized the disc as a "BD-Video", but refused to play it.

I got a change to test the disc on an Amex Digital Blu-ray player/recorder (which is actually a Windows XP PC with PowerDVD 6.6 BD) . PowerDVD recognized the disc as a BD-Video disc - and played it like it were a regular BD disc. Unfortunately I had selected a clip which had a very high bitrate (avg 25mbits, peaks at 30+) and Amex skipped quite a lot of frames.

Still, this pretty much proves that BD-authoring in VS10+ works.

Interesting. Any luck with Blu-ray and MF5?

Is your version of PowerDVD 6.6 BD generally available and will it work with a standard XP machine?

can you author VC-1 yet?
The only commercial tools that I know that support VC-1 and/or h.264 authoring are Apple DVD Studio Pro 4.1 and Sonic Scenarist 4. I'm a pc guy with no money so no... :)

Studio Pro 4.1 only supports HD-DVD authoring with h.264, and in a very limited way, no 1080p, 720p only with its own Apple Compressor profiles. Scenarist 4 is... out of my league.

I think that's what some people do, but it doesn't work for me. Once my files have gone through VideoRedo, they're pretty much toast. I can't get them to work. YMMV, it does for a lot of other folks who use this process.

Joe,

thanks for the response.

So far I've only had 2 occasions ( maybe out of 20 ) where Movie Factory 5 stalls when trying to open the mpeg file touched by VideoReDo Plus.

My process has been as follows ( pretty much following your guide ) ..

Use TyTool0r4 to upload and convert the the .ty to a .mpeg ( FYI : Mpeg2Repair doesn't appear to work with the .ty stream )
Use VideoReDo Plus to "QuickStream Fix" the mpeg ( just to make sure - it can't hurt other than taking time )
Use VideoReDo Plus to cut / split the mpeg ( once the lead in / lead out has been cut from the the file so that it only contains the scenes that I want, I like the ability to then create and "invert" cuts split a large file into several smaller files )
Use MF5 to author the HD-DVD. I seem to spend more time creating chapters than anything else !

It would appear that MPEG2VCR works on those times where VideoReDo causes a problem with MF5, but I've only tried to use MPEG2VCR on the "original" mpeg without being touched at all by VideoReDo Plus. Next time I have an issue I'll try the "open and save" method with MPEG2VCR on the .mpeg that seems to cause MF5 to stall.

Thanks again for the guide ..

Martin

Interesting. Any luck with Blu-ray and MF5?
Didn't try with MF5 - I don't have it installed anywhere anymore.

Is your version of PowerDVD 6.6 BD generally available and will it work with a standard XP machine?
Not my version. A store in Helsinki had just received one such Amex Digital BD-player/recorder and I tested my homebrew in their player. Seeing as the Amex runs on a Windows XP Home, I can't see why PDVD wouldn't work in any XP installation.

Here's a question I hope I can have answered before burning any 5.1 discs and making coasters.

Every time I open an MPEG file w/ 5.1AC3 in MF5, it lists the audio output as LPCM (L,R Stereo). Is this just a mis-read by MF5, and will the outputted audio still be 5.1, or is MF5 transcoding the audio to 2.0 stereo?

Has anyone installed the MF5 Service Pack 1? I got an e-mail notification from Ulead about it. It's downloaded and ready to install. Wondered if anyone else had tried it yet. It's main feature is supposed to be Blu-ray support.

Here's a link to a post I just found about using PowerDVD and PowerProducer (yberlink programs) for Blu-ray authoring.

Cyberlink Blu-ray authoring software (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDnameid=1689&Search=Search&list=2&orderby=Rating)

It's coming, but not here quite yet.

I recorded Enterprise from HDNet last night (R5000 modded Dish 211) and ran into a strange situation. When I tried to edit the file in MPEG2VCR, I was only given the option of outputting it as an SVCD MPEG Program Stream. The normal MPEG Program Stream option was grayed out.

Next, I went to VideoRedo. When I tried to import the file, I got this error message: "Unable to open: (my file). No PIDs specified when trying to open a transport stream." It couldn't continue.

Next I went to HDTVtoMPEG2. I edited and saved the file normally, but as two separate MPEGs, since I've had no success editing files in H2M with multiple edit points. I pulled each file in order into MF5 and the process completed quickly. I'll burn the HD DVD tomorrow and see if it plays normally.

The file itself was 1440x1080i, 29.97fps, 15.83Mb/s. E* is downrezzing HDNet's broadcast of Enterprise. The bitrate is decent, but the broadcast was quite soft looking. I just checked Art Mann and that is now at 1440x1080, also, so E* apparently is marching forward with HDLite. The Art Mann bitrate is over 18Mb/s, but the blocking artifacts are severe. Ugly.

Universal HD is still 1920x1080, so for now Battlestar Galactica and Firefly (coming Sunday) are still full res.

Anyone have any ideas on what's going on with MPEG2VCR and VideoRedo being unable to handle Enterprise?

My HD DVD of Enterprise plays video just the way I watched it on my 622, but without audio. MyHD doesn't play audio from this file, either. Anyone else record this from Dish and getting similar results?

Joe, I've run into the same issues. Happened with "Rush Hour 2" off TNT-HD. No sound. But, when I use the HD-A1's analog output, I do get two-channel sound.

Thanks to this Topic I was able to get this to work, I just tried a disc I burned over at Best Buy and it plays on their Toshiba HD-A1.

Workflow in case anyone is interested:

- Transfer HDV from Sony HDR-HC3 to PC via HDVSplit.
- Convert from Transport Stream to Program Stream via VLC.
- Author to HD-DVD folder using Ulead MovieFactory 5 Plus (trial version).
- Burn to standard DVD (4.7GB) using Nero 7's Xbox-compatible mode (that's the step I didn't know how to do until I was directed to this Topic from VideoHelp.com).

Thanks to Joseph Clark and everyone else who helped for the detailed instructions!

Is there a utility that will measure bitrate, file type etc?

Gene

Is there a utility that will measure bitrate, file type etc?

Gene

Google TSReader Lite or HDTVtoMPEG2.

Thank you Joe for this item and all the other work.
I do not have a HD-DVD player yet, still waiting for the price to come to app $350.

Of particular interest was the item from BOBKART, using VLC and Nero7 .So burning seems
to get simpler, only one piece of software ,Nero7, needs to be purchased.

I was under the impression that the Sony cameras, I have the HC1, allready put out a PS.
Tried converting a MPEG2 file yesterday via VLC but it did not say PS at the end. After downloading the TS reader I should know more.

Thanks all for your work and publishing it here, hope that HD-DVD will win the format battle, at any rate I rather make a $400 mistake then a $900 one. And being able to burn my HC1 video is the number 1 reason for buying. Second would be playing Netflix HD DVDs.

Is BD able to play red DVDs in HD ?

Gene

Is BD able to play red DVDs in HD ?
On a PC, yeah. Players apparently don't.

On a PC, yeah. Players apparently don't.

Have you seen the new Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 software? I believe it claims to support BDAV authoring to red laser media. I may be wrong, but I think I read that somewhere.

Have you seen the new Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 software? I believe it claims to support BDAV authoring to red laser media. I may be wrong, but I think I read that somewhere.

OMG, these are great news if confirmed! Let's take a look. :)

Have you seen the new Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 software? I believe it claims to support BDAV authoring to red laser media. I may be wrong, but I think I read that somewhere.
Interesting! Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into it.

Here you go, a small gallery of shots from Roxio Creator 9's Video options:
http://saitti.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Roxio9/

I'll try to create a BD next. I have a bad feeling about this, actually: judging by the available options it looks like multichannel audio is not supported at all, and everything will be re-encoded no matter what. And what's up with that forced 25fps for NTSC, huh?

Roxio refuses to burn a BD on a DVD-/+R disc - even if the disc is in a BD writer. So much for that.

Roxio refuses to burn a BD on a DVD-/+R disc - even if the disc is in a BD writer. So much for that.
It doesn't let you to make an iso file?

It doesn't let you to make an iso file?
Nope, directly to disc or not at all.

Roxio refuses to burn a BD on a DVD-/+R disc - even if the disc is in a BD writer. So much for that.

Disappointing. Thanks for checking that out. So, we're still out of luck with low cost red laser Blu-ray authoring. This is the kind of issue I expected we'd run into with this next gen DVD stuff. It does, however, make the HD DVD process that much more valuable, and surprising.

Wonder if I should buy a HD-DVD player now while the present version can play red HD DVDs.
Or is that feature mandatory in the HD-DVD format?.
I sure do not want to make a 20 min HD home movie and burn it on a $30 25GB DVD.

Gene

wow i just picked up a firewire cable and tried this whole process for the first time with Star Wars EP3 and oh my its amazing.

thank you sooo much for the guide.

Wonder if I should buy a HD-DVD player now while the present version can play red HD DVDs.
Or is that feature mandatory in the HD-DVD format?.
I sure do not want to make a 20 min HD home movie and burn it on a $30 25GB DVD.

Gene

I don't know the answer to that question, but if anyone is buying a DVD player these days, the A1 can be had for about $400 if you look around. It's a pretty easy decision. Having the capability to burn your own work makes it worth it. Great point about the high cost of BD and HD DVD media. That's going to be true for quite some time.

wow i just picked up a firewire cable and tried this whole process for the first time with Star Wars EP3 and oh my its amazing.

thank you sooo much for the guide.

Welcome to the club. Enjoy!

Here you go, a small gallery of shots from Roxio Creator 9's Video options:
http://saitti.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Roxio9/

I'll try to create a BD next. I have a bad feeling about this, actually: judging by the available options it looks like multichannel audio is not supported at all, and everything will be re-encoded no matter what. And what's up with that forced 25fps for NTSC, huh?

Isn't it the case that the NTSC and PAL options are for standard definition content only? ATSC appears to be the US-standard digital delivery system, DVB the European standard.

What is weird is that there appears to be support for resolutions I've never seen before - eg 720 lines interlaced. But there appears to be no support for 60fps 720p! Also 720p/30 isn't an official resolution the last time I looked.

I'm wondering if you could create the BDAV titleset on a rewritable Blu-Ray disk, then burn the data onto a DVD-R. I guess the only way to find out would be to find someone with the Blu-Ray drive to give it a whirl.

Isn't it the case with BDAV that you get no menu options?


Still no AVC based authoring solutions, I note. My hopes are pinned on Apple, ironically, but *still* no firm news on DVD Studio Pro 5 :( Hopefully the release of the HD-DVD add-on for 360 and of course PS3 will get some thumbs out of asses.

I'm wondering if you could create the BDAV titleset on a rewritable Blu-Ray disk, then burn the data onto a DVD-R. I guess the only way to find out would be to find someone with the Blu-Ray drive to give it a whirl.
I have a BD-burner here, but no BD media. Well, to be honest, I've got the Blu-ray demodisc which is a 25GB BD-RE, but I need to give it back, so better not mess with it.

Isn't it the case with BDAV that you get no menu options?
Yup, no menus.

Great thread! Recording your own HD-DVD is the best thing in the world for assembling HD demo clips.

My single-layer DVD's work fine, but I haven't had any luck with Verbatim DL.


Is there a utility that will measure bitrate, file type etc?VideoReDo (Tools menu... "Show Video Program Info" [Ctrl+L]) or Media Player Classic.

Also, in Ulead MovieFactory, right-click on the video clip and choose "Media Clip Properties".

Great thread! Recording your own HD-DVD is the best thing in the world for assembling HD demo clips.

My single-layer DVD's work fine, but I haven't had any luck with Verbatim DL.


VideoReDo (Tools menu... "Show Video Program Info" [Ctrl+L]) or Media Player Classic.

Also, in Ulead MovieFactory, right-click on the video clip and choose "Media Clip Properties".

It's likely your burner, rather than the discs. If you can do manual bitsetting, set to DVD-ROM. If not, you'll probably need a different DL burner. The Plextor 750 works, as does the NEC 3550A, among many others. I've had no luck with any of my Pioneer burners (108, 109, 110) for DL burning. The NEC can be found online very inexpensively.

I can recommend any of the Nec 35xx series, and Pioneer 111 works fine as well.

It's likely your burner, rather than the discs. If you can do manual bitsetting, set to DVD-ROM. If not, you'll probably need a different DL burner. The Plextor 750 works, as does the NEC 3550A, among many others. I've had no luck with any of my Pioneer burners (108, 109, 110) for DL burning. The NEC can be found online very inexpensively.Thanks... I've got several other DVD burners, so I'll try a different one next time.

FWIW, in Device Manager the DVD burner that didn't work on DL for me is "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GCA-4166B" (aka HP740?) in a HP xw4300. The media was Verbatim DVD+R DL.

FWIW, in Device Manager the DVD burner that didn't work on DL for me is "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GCA-4166B" (aka HP740?) in a HP xw4300. The media was Verbatim DVD+R DL.

... aka LG GCA-4166B (http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=163478)

I made a HD-DVD with 10 various concert clips, but the sound levels were off on 3...
2 were way too loud, 1 was much softer than the rest.

I tried using VideoReDo... Tools... Adjust Audio... Output Volume... 1.0x -> 1.5x or 0.7x
when I converted from .ts to .mpg

But when I burned the disc, all 3 adjusted tracks came out with zero sound.

Any suggestions?

Has anybody tried "Normalize audio" in MovieFactory? I'll try that next.

Has anybody tried "Normalize audio" in MovieFactory? I'll try that next.Good news, bad news...

Good news: "Normalize audio" decreased the loud tracks and increased the volume on the quieter track

Bad news: I only get L+R audio :rolleyes: :(

Broke down and ordered a A1 from VE.
It specifies HDDVD-R pb , HDDVD+R is not mentioned.
Any potential problems burning HD to +R ?

Gene

Broke down and ordered a A1 from VE.
It specifies HDDVD-R pb , HDDVD+R is not mentioned.
Any potential problems burning HD to +R ?

Gene

I don't think I've burned a single DVD that's not +R. They work just fine.

Broke down and ordered a A1 from VE.
It specifies HDDVD-R pb , HDDVD+R is not mentioned.
Any potential problems burning HD to +R ?

GeneMaybe they're referring to the actual HDDVD-R blank media:

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000GZYJGK.01-A1Z3I81XEZYGWA._SCLZZZZZZZ_V39864911_.jpg

as opposed to the normal DVD+R/-R blanks that we're using in this process.

Broke down and ordered a A1 from VE.
It specifies HDDVD-R pb , HDDVD+R is not mentioned.
Any potential problems burning HD to +R?
Gene
Only problem is that it isn't officially supported. I'm not having any problems with DL DVD+R's.

Hyrax, not officially supported, glad I bought the player, let's hope they don't fiddle with that feature in the future.

Have to be careful when upgrading the software versions.

Thanks for the replies.

Gene

My single-layer DVD's work fine, but I haven't had any luck with Verbatim DL.

FWIW, in Device Manager the DVD burner that didn't work on DL for me is "HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GCA-4166B" (aka HP740?) in a HP xw4300.
It's likely your burner, rather than the discs. If you can do manual bitsetting, set to DVD-ROM. If not, you'll probably need a different DL burner. The Plextor 750 works, as does the NEC 3550A, among many others. I've had no luck with any of my Pioneer burners (108, 109, 110) for DL burning. The NEC can be found online very inexpensively.Yep... I tried it on my laptop with a NEC ND-6500A and the Verbatim DL worked fine. Thanks.

Does anyone have any suggestions on adjusting volume among clips for my other problem described above? I already tried adjusting volume in VideoReDo and Normalizing Audio in MovieFactory.

Clarence you would have to demux the .ts adjust audio volume and then remux, not a procedure for the faint of heart, there is not a cheap .TS muxer available to consumers that is perfect, all the consumer ones will introduce errors

-Gary

I have a couple of dumb questions, here is the first one:

I thought I had Nero Rom but turns out to be Nero Express, that will not work?

Other software that will do what Nero Burn does?

Thanks

Gene

Spend some time looking at the thread, pteittinen mentions Roxio 8, wonder if he got it to work with a DL?

Ordered Roxio 8 from NEWEGG, final cost is 9.99 untill sept30.

Eugene

Great guide - thanks for your efforts at putting this all together.

Have made several disks using your guide and they play great on the A1

I do have 2 questions though.

1)I ended up buying MF5 BUT since I had paid for Nero 5.5 some time back, I would prefer not to spend more money on Nero (I am using the Nero 7 demo).
I see that MF5 has a burn disc option but it is greyed out.

Is there some trick to using MF5 to burn the DVD_R rather than having to buy Nero?


2) Since these files are.EVO files, none of my SW DVD players recognize it.
After making a burn, I would like to test the disk before I go through the laborious 'launch sequence' of turning on the A1.
Is there a SW DVD player that I can use on my PC to play the disc?


BTW, just for grins, I made a HD DVD of the famous 'Bin Laden' South Park episode.
It was a standard def recording that I pulled off my HDTIVO but I was curious how the A1 would behave if I made a HD DVD of it.
The DVD+R played just fine in the A1,indicated HDDVD when it started and of course the upconversion to 1080i was very good looking.


Thanks

Joe

Thanks to the A1, I now have a way of making simple to play back High Def recordings so I decided to make a Demo disk to show friends and neighbors what Football looks like in High Def.

I made a 30 minute HD DVD of the Redskins vs Texas game and started it at the middle of the halftime show.

I get audio during the halftime show which was in Standard def but when the game starts back up and switches to 720P, I get no audio.

I did do both of the HD Patch instructions. The 720P One for MF5 and the 720P one for Nero.

The game was in 5.1 but the Halftime show is in Prologic.
The info button on the A1 shows the same for each type - "English 1 Dolby D+"

Any ideas of what I may have done wrong?

2) Since these files are.EVO files, none of my SW DVD players recognize it.
After making a burn, I would like to test the disk before I go through the laborious 'launch sequence' of turning on the A1.
Is there a SW DVD player that I can use on my PC to play the disc?


You can view the .EVO files with the VLC player with no sound. Some other players too.

The latest version of Nero Showtime can play them WITH audio. Another reason for you to upgrade?

Another trick that I use is to burn with just the first one or two EVO files to a DVD RW to "test".

Thanks to the A1, I now have a way of making simple to play back High Def recordings so I decided to make a Demo disk to show friends and neighbors what Football looks like in High Def.

I made a 30 minute HD DVD of the Redskins vs Texas game and started it at the middle of the halftime show.

I get audio during the halftime show which was in Standard def but when the game starts back up and switches to 720P, I get no audio.

I did do both of the HD Patch instructions. The 720P One for MF5 and the 720P one for Nero.

The game was in 5.1 but the Halftime show is in Prologic.
The info button on the A1 shows the same for each type - "English 1 Dolby D+"

Any ideas of what I may have done wrong?

The audio PIDs must have changed during the SD section, the only thing you can do is make sure the very first part of your clip is the thing that you want to watch (this is where the software picks what Audio PIDs to use for the whole clip).

Hi WiFiSpy,

Still no news from Apple on what they're going to do with DVD Studio Pro?

Hi WiFiSpy,

Still no news from Apple on what they're going to do with DVD Studio Pro?

nope :mad: But when have they ever gave out info before they release something.

You can view the .EVO files with the VLC player with no sound. Some other players too.

The latest version of Nero Showtime can play them WITH audio. Another reason for you to upgrade?

Another trick that I use is to burn with just the first one or two EVO files to a DVD RW to "test".

Thanks for the info.
VLC does work (without sound) as you said and I guess it is time to drop some more $$ and buy NERO 7 because that worked great.

WOW WOW WOW AND THANK YOU ALL !!!

Got the A1 this morning and was able to play MY OWN DVD!!
After reading about all the difficulties I was surprised that the first attempt worked.

I have a HC1 and edited the video in Pinnacle S10+ . The next step was saving the edited video as a file to HD in the original HC1 format.

Next step was to use the Wizard in VLC to convert to PS, but that may not be needet since the S10+ file was already PS but I wanted to go by the book.

After that used MF5 trial to generate the TS file and then burning it to DVD using
Roxio 8 ( that I just bought from Newegg for 9.95 after instant and mail in rebates)

PTEITTINENs instructions are idiot proof since he included sreenshots.
And judging by my
experience , ROXIO8 seems the way to go.(After reading the instructions about Nero and comments from users)

Again, A BIG THANK YOU to all the contributors. I was going to wait untill the price dropped to $350 but $400 from VE was close enough. And did not want to take a chance that the next version might not play RED HD DVDs

Eugene

PS
surprisingly VLC will play EVO files here with sound before and after burning.Ver 8.5

I've found it necessary to change the ULEAD audio options from LPCM to MPEG in order to get sound from Canon HV10 mpeg source material. The instructions don't mention the audio options - are others getting success with the LPCM setting or does ULEAD change to MPEG for some program stream file inputs?

I've found it necessary to change the ULEAD audio options from LPCM to MPEG in order to get sound from Canon HV10 mpeg source material. The instructions don't mention the audio options - are others getting success with the LPCM setting or does ULEAD change to MPEG for some program stream file inputs?

Are you talking about MF5 or VS10+? Could you give us a step by step for how you've done this? I think this may be an area of some confusion for people trying to get native HDV MPEG audio to work on HD DVD from their HDV footage.

Are you talking about MF5 or VS10+? Could you give us a step by step for how you've done this?

Hi Joe,

I've been using MF5. What seems to work with the Canon HV10 is:
1) get an MPEG2 transport or program stream from the camera to the PC using CapDVHS for the entire video tape region of interest, all in one capture.
2) edit as desired using for example Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum Edition, rendering to an HDV-1440 60i .m2t file. Presumably Womble MPEG2VCR would also work.
3) open Ulead MF5
4) select New Project
5) select HDDVD under Create a Video Disc
6) bring up the project options (gear icon near lower left)
7) select the HD-1440 profile
8) click Customize
9) on the Compression tab
9a) set the quality slider to 100%
9b) under audio, select MPEG
9c) under audio, select 384kbps
9d) select "do not convert compliant MPEG files"
10) click OK on the Customize and Compression settings.
11) rename the .m2t file with a .mpg extension
12) drag the mpg file to the film window
13) continue with step 3d of your guide at the beginning of this thread

Clarence you would have to demux the .ts adjust audio volume and then remux, not a procedure for the faint of heart, there is not a cheap .TS muxer available to consumers that is perfect, all the consumer ones will introduce errors

-GaryGary, I think you'll find the VideoReDo .ts muxer creates compliant TS files.

Hi Joe,

I've been using MF5. What seems to work with the Canon HV10 is:
1) get an MPEG2 transport or program stream from the camera to the PC using CapDVHS for the entire video tape region of interest, all in one capture.
2) edit as desired using for example Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum Edition, rendering to an HDV-1440 60i .m2t file. Presumably Womble MPEG2VCR would also work.
3) open Ulead MF5
4) select New Project
5) select HDDVD under Create a Video Disc
6) bring up the project options (gear icon near lower left)
7) select the HD-1440 profile
8) click Customize
9) on the Compression tab
9a) set the quality slider to 100%
9b) under audio, select MPEG
9c) under audio, select 384kbps
9d) select "do not convert compliant MPEG files"
10) click OK on the Customize and Compression settings.
11) rename the .m2t file with a .mpg extension
12) drag the mpg file to the film window
13) continue with step 3d of your guide at the beginning of this thread

Thanks, Brosnan. You're not converting the audio in any way in Vegas, are you? I always suspected that the A1 just didn't handle MPEG audio very well through the optical output. I've had issues with MyHD not always being able to play audio correctly if I use HDV files with their native MPEG audio (as opposed to Dolby Digital). When I edit it in Premier, I convert audio to Dolby Digital and the A1 has no issue playing the audio then.

You're not converting the audio in any way in Vegas, are you? I always suspected that the A1 just didn't handle MPEG audio very well through the optical output. I've had issues with MyHD not always being able to play audio correctly if I use HDV files with their native MPEG audio (as opposed to Dolby Digital). When I edit it in Premier, I convert audio to Dolby Digital and the A1 has no issue playing the audio then.

Hi Joe

As far as I know, the audio both before and after I run through Vegas is MPEG1 LayerII 48ksps 16 bit 384kbps, so I don't think I'm changing anything. I have not used the optical output (just the HDMI stream). When you use a file with DD audio from Premier and run Ulead MF5, does it automatically set the Audio Format pulldown under the project properties to "Dolby Digital"? Or do you do that manually after it defaults to LPCM?

Thanks,

Bump, anyone willing to help :)
I followed the exact instruction and I had the same error as you. I didn't see your posts until I had the problem. HD-A1 says it cannot play Disc. However it says it is an HD DVD. I spent almost 8 hours. It is a Home video I converted from WMV to MPG to HD using VS10.

I am going to wait till I can afford the HD DVD writer and use it. In the mean time I will just load them to hard drive and create SD DVD's.

Glad it is working for others.

I Hope My HD-A! works now.

Gary, I think you'll find the VideoReDo .ts muxer creates compliant TS files.Yes, but as described in my post above, when I tried to adjust audio levels with VideoReDo...I tried using VideoReDo... Tools... Adjust Audio... Output Volume... 1.0x -> 1.5x or 0.7x
when I converted from .ts to .mpg

But when I burned the disc, all 3 adjusted tracks came out with zero sound.So should I demux and adjust audio level with some other program and then remux with videoredo?

Right now, I just keep the overly loud and overly soft demo clips at opposite ends of the chapter list.

Hi,
I made a number of DVDs and they look pretty good, the problem is that most of the time MF5 insists on re-encoding .
Source files include unprotected HDNET video from a DVHS tape, properly treated and being MPEG, and files from Pinnacle S10+ MPEG as well. All PS.

Using MEDIAINFO I have adjusted the settings in MF5 to those of the video, all being either 1920 or 1440 MPEG2 files, to no avail. ditto with the audio.

MF5 is set to best video and compression quality to 100%.Stream to 25 to 30 Mbitts.

Comparing the burned HDNET HD-DVD "OVER USA" with the original tape play back reveals, at least to my eyes, very little or no difference. Could it be that only the audio is the problem?
The monitor is a 1920x1080 42" LCD.

Anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong?
Gene

I made a number of DVDs and they look pretty good, the problem is that most of the time MF5 insists on re-encoding .

MF5 is set to best video and compression quality to 100%.

Anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong?Did you check the box that says “Do not convert compliant MPEG files” ?

Hi,
I made a number of DVDs and they look pretty good, the problem is that most of the time MF5 insists on re-encoding .
Source files include unprotected HDNET video from a DVHS tape, properly treated and being MPEG, and files from Pinnacle S10+ MPEG as well. All PS.

Using MEDIAINFO I have adjusted the settings in MF5 to those of the video, all being either 1920 or 1440 MPEG2 files, to no avail. ditto with the audio.

MF5 is set to best video and compression quality to 100%.Stream to 25 to 30 Mbitts.

Comparing the burned HDNET HD-DVD "OVER USA" with the original tape play back reveals, at least to my eyes, very little or no difference. Could it be that only the audio is the problem?
The monitor is a 1920x1080 42" LCD.

Anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong?
Gene

What Clarence said. If you have a compliant file, and "Do not convert..." checked, MF5 ignores those other settings.

Hi,
I made a number of DVDs and they look pretty good, the problem is that most of the time MF5 insists on re-encoding ...
What Clarence said...

And if the files take more than 15-20 seconds to load into MF5 you may need to run them through MPEG-VCR. I have a number of files that take forever to load into MF5 until I open them with MPEG-VCR and then save them. As in your case the resulting video seems fine, so I suspect that something is wrong with the audio.

Please,

I want to know what did you use as soft to add an other audio track to video ts?

I'm having all sorts of sync problems and was hoping someone could help me. I've run my original captured file through VideoReDo's Quickfix. It fixes the sync, but the new file has peculiar video anomalies. Through the file, there are moments were the video suddenly breaks up and portions of other video from the same file appears. It is not a clean picture, though. Rather it breaks up, and appears to flash back and forth in pixilated fashion, between what is supposed to be there and these frames from elsewhere. The audio never loses sync. This problem appears four or five times for a few moments throughout a one hour recording.

I've tried this on a couple of files and the same thing happens. This is driving me crazy. It's either have my video be out of sync or have this problem. My guess is that in the course of fixing timing errors, some video data is being moved around. I'm not an expert on this stuff, so I'm quite stymied by this.

Does anyone have any solutions or at least some insight as to what's happening?

Thank you all for the quick response. Yes, that box is checked and I did run some files through MPEG-VCR, but it did not help. Virtually all files, even over 6GB install in seconds and so do the chapter markers, usually one every 2 min, or more for longer videos.

I find this just about as exciting , when 6-7? years ago I burned my first DVD. Used a HP burner, paid app $700 !!! for it and a year later an other $100 for an exchange from HP because the first one would not burn RW DVD's.

Never, in my wildest dreams did I ever, in my lifetime, expect to do HD videos.

And my old videos, taken with the 3 chip Sony 900 look pretty good on the A1, much better than on the Pilips 727 player. Most likely , at least in part, due to the lousy A/D converter in my 42" LCD.

Have to keep that 727 since I still have a lot of PAL DVD's.

BTW that Roxio 8 is so simple to use! That was a good input from PTeitnen.

Will keep at it.
Gene

I rendered out a 20 sec 1920X1080 clip in lightwave. Used TMPEGenc to make a high level MPEG-2 program stream. Loaded it into MF5 and burned a DVD which plays great. Worked perfectly!

I rendered out a 20 sec 1920X1080 clip in lightwave. Used TMPEGenc to make a high level MPEG-2 program stream. Loaded it into MF5 and burned a DVD which plays great. Worked perfectly!

Really happy to hear this. Getting animations to HD DVD is something I'm sure a lot of students will be interested in.

Source of inexpensive DL blanks?
I have used 20ea Verbatim so far , at app 2.20, not a single coaster.
Gene

Source of inexpensive DL blanks?
I have used 20ea Verbatim so far , at app 2.20, not a single coaster.
Gene

During the last few weeks, I believe Best Buy has had DL discs on sale for about $1.60 each. That's the most I've paid for a while now.

Source of inexpensive DL blanks?
http://www.techbargains.com/
http://www.supermediastore.com/dvd-plus-r-dual-double-layer-section.html

I got 20 Verbatim printable DVD+R DL for $28.99 AR with free s/h.
($1.45 ea)

Damn, im having problems now with some files.

Basically, I have a couple TS files that I ran through VideoRedo...Ulead wouldnt load them after that.....so, I ran it through VideoRedo quickstream fix and that didnt work either. Normally, this works fine.

So, I ran it through MPEG2VCR and it looks terrible afterwards!! It adds artifacting and it skips!

What should I do?? Anyone have this experience??

Is there another good program to fix these mpeg files after VideoRedo, so they can load in Ulead??

It sucks because 2 separate TS files are having this problem.

Also, if Ulead does its conversion at the end (non-compliant mpeg), whats the quality look like?? Is it any good??

Try MPEG2Repair (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=MPEG2Repair). I've run into some TS files that nothing will fix. Good luck.

Wouldn't load them or takes a long time to load them? I've had large files that took over an hour to load. The ones I have the biggest problem with are ones with fake 5.1 tracks, like UHD shows.

Wouldn't load them or takes a long time to load them? I've had large files that took over an hour to load. The ones I have the biggest problem with are ones with fake 5.1 tracks, like UHD shows.

Well, I finally got one to load yesterday (took about 30min to an hour), but when I get to the final step, it trys to convert the file so it must not be compliant.

RockStrongo, earlier in this thread, you talked about hi-def AVI files. Have you found any free or reasonably-priced tool(s) that can convert WMV and AVI hi-def files to MPEG2? I know of ProCoder, but it's too pricey. Looks like VirtualDubMod may be able to handle AVI, but it doesn't accept WMV. Unless I'm missing something.

Well, I finally got one to load yesterday (took about 30min to an hour), but when I get to the final step, it trys to convert the file so it must not be compliant.

All the files that I edit in VideoRedo behave this way. Nothing I do after the fact helps. I have to go back to the original .ts file and edit it in MPEG2VCR. I've never had it affect the quality of the image. As mentioned, though, there are just some files that aren't friendly to this process, no matter what I try.

I was having a problem with more files, before I moved to the full retail versions of both MF5 and MPEG2VCR. In the beginning, there were almost no films I could get to work. After uninstalling the trial versions and installing the full versions, most of those issues went away. However, there still are some files that appear on the surface to be fully compliant that just won't process. I've learned to live without them. The vast majority do work. If a file takes more than a few seconds to load into MF5, I usually move on. (Patience sometimes works, but more often I end up with some sort of error message or the dreaded "Converting title..." message.)

I may have found a tool that can convert hi-def WMV, AVI & H.264 TS files to MPEG2. Has anyone heard of Total Video Converter (http://www.effectmatrix.com/total-video-converter/index.htm)? I installed the trial version & converted WMV samples from Microsoft's site (720p and 1080p) and the BBC HD H.264 (1440x1088) TS sample floating around.

You import the clip, then choose DVD Mpeg, then click Settings. In the Video Resize tab, I put in 1280x720 for the 720p & 1080p WMV clips (1920x1080 gave me an error). Left all other settings at "Original Frame Rate", "Original Bit Rate", etc. The resulting files have the Total Video Converter watermarking, but sure seem HD. I played them back using VLC. The H.264 BBC sample worked as well, but there are some glitches in the output file. Need to do more testing tonight.

All the files that I edit in VideoRedo behave this way. Nothing I do after the fact helps. I have to go back to the original .ts file and edit it in MPEG2VCR. I've never had it affect the quality of the image. As mentioned, though, there are just some files that aren't friendly to this process, no matter what I try.

Well, I had problems with MPEG2VCR when trying to fix an MPEG file from VR...normally, this has worked flawlessly for me. So, what did I do?? I deleted the TS file. Doh!

If I were to do a clean run of the TS through MPEG2VCR, it might be fine. But, for now, when I run the mpeg from VR through it, it comes out with bad artifacting and skips.

I've been converting my DVHS tapes to HD DVDs and most movies fit on two DL discs or 1DL+1SL.

What tool are folks using to get the data off of your DVHS tapes?

Are you using DVHSTOOL?

That is the only tool for getting data off of a DVHS tape that I know of.

Thanks

Apologies if this has already been posted, but just saw this interesting news item:

http://www.widescreenreview.com/news_detail.php?id=12057

ie.
DVD MovieFactory Studio Pro Edition, which is expected to be the first HD DVD-R product on the market,,supports input from VC1 Streams, Dolby® Digital and Dolby Digital+ audio as well as customized HDi objects. DVD MovieFactory Studio Pro Edition supports output to HD DVD-R, HD DVD folders, DVD-R/RW, ISO Image and CMF/AACS formats.

What tool are folks using to get the data off of your DVHS tapes?

Are you using DVHSTOOL?

That is the only tool for getting data off of a DVHS tape that I know of.

CapDVHS is the other popular tool, which some report as more reliable (less buggy) than DVHSTool.

Personally, I use either, but in retrospect I probably find CapDVHS to be a tad more reliable.

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=CapDVHS

What tool are folks using to get the data off of your DVHS tapes?

Are you using DVHSTOOL?

That is the only tool for getting data off of a DVHS tape that I know of.

Thanks

Buy a used G4 Powermac off of craigslist + Apple Firewire SDK 23 ..... trust me, XP sucks for capturing HD via firewire

Apologies if this has already been posted, but just saw this interesting news item:

http://www.widescreenreview.com/news_detail.php?id=12057

ie.

Brilliant news! Now we just need Microsoft to release their VC1 encoder and we're well on the way to proper authoring on HD DVD-R :)

Buy a used G4 Powermac off of craigslist + Apple Firewire SDK 23 ..... trust me, XP sucks for capturing HD via firewire
You're being waaaaay to generous to XP here...it is a total nightmare. I've been doing it for years and at least 90% of the time it just doesn't work. I finally gave up and am buying a Mac this month.

I'd suggest a used Mac Mini instead of a Powermac, however. It is small enough and quiet enough that you can keep it connected to your D-VHS deck and use the network to send files to your PC. I've also heard that Apple will be offering a Home Theater product in the near future.

You're being waaaaay to generous to XP here...it is a total nightmare. I've been doing it for years and at least 90% of the time it just doesn't work. I finally gave up and am buying a Mac this month.

I'd suggest a used Mac Mini instead of a Powermac, however. It is small enough and quiet enough that you can keep it connected to your D-VHS deck and use the network to send files to your PC. I've also heard that Apple will be offering a Home Theater product in the near future.

I've used XP (on several different systems) and D-VHSTool countless times and had very few problems either capturing or restoring files. Working with Macs where I used to teach, we had lots of problems when we tricked out the Macs with lots of video hardware and software. Audio issues, USB-SCSI conflicts, video card limitations and flaky drivers. My experience says the Mac can be just as buggy as XP for specific purposes. YMMV. :)

I've used XP (on several different systems) and D-VHSTool countless times and had very few problems either capturing or restoring files. Working with Macs where I used to teach, we had lots of problems when we tricked out the Macs with lots of video hardware and software. Audio issues, USB-SCSI conflicts, video card limitations and flaky drivers. My experience says the Mac can be just as buggy as XP for specific purposes. YMMV. :)
Joe-
The problem that continues to plague me in XP with service pack 2 is that it will not recognize my D-VHS player after a while. The only fix for me has been to completely re-install XP. This works fine for a few weeks, then I need to do it again. I've installed XP 6 times in the last 6 months just so I can get stuff I want off my D-VHS player.

You're right that there are real limitations with a 'tricked out Mac'. You have so many more options (such as MF5, for example) with a PC that I'd never suggest replacing it with a Mac. If I understand things, the proper way to use the Mac in your home theater is as a data capture device and not as a playback device.

Hi Joseph. A bit of a coincidence, the files I am playing with are also Battlestar Galactica. Specifically S2 E10 & E15.

Both of these I had mastered to HD DVD without any problems using Mpeg2VCR to convert the entire .TS to .MPG for MF5. But when I viewed them, that was when I noted several video freezes / pauses during playback (all other eps were OK).

I have now re-converted both eps, by:

1. Confirming via Mpeg2Repair (log only) that there were indeed long timestamp gaps in original .TS files for these eps.

2. Running the original .TS through VideoRedo "Quickstream fix" with .TS output.

3. Re-confirming via Mpeg2Repair (log only) that there were now no timestamp gaps in the new .TS files.

4. Converting the .TS to .MPG for MF5, via Mpeg2VCR.

5. Confirmed that both new HD DVD discs now play flawlessly, with no freeze / pauses, and no lipsync issues etc. :)

Notes:

a. For both eps, if I converted to .MPG via VideoRedo, the resulting .MPG files would freeze MF5 when trying to open the files (when converted via Mpeg2VCR, they imported into MF5 immediately). Note: I had never personally experienced this problem before, as I normally use Mpeg2VCR for the .MPG conversion.

b. With both eps, if I tried to step back through Mpeg2VCR timeline to try and manually edit out the timestamp gaps, Mpeg2VCR would stop responding at the point where I wanted to mark an end edit point (based on your and Roberts comments, I assume this is not however a problem with all "timestamp gap" source files).

c. Although unrelated, it is worth mentioning that before importing the resulting .MPG into MF5, I also passed these eps through DVDPatcher to convert the frames from 1280x1088 to 1280x1080. MF5 therefore did no re-encoding!

Summary:

Although I understand that you might certainly be able to manually identify and edit out each timestamp gap using Mpeg2VCR (with some .TS streams), this did not work for me on these particular .TS files. I would also comment that using the "Quickstream fix" tool, is a very straightforward and seemingly effective solution for this timestamp gap issue (although it involves another $50 piece of shareware - but I don't mind paying for useful software).

I am now making a practice of passing all .TS streams (that I intend to convert to HD DVD), through the logging only option of Mpeg2Repair (ie. no repair). This is also useful for confirming average bitrate, and the overall condition of the .TS file.

If Mpeg2Repair identifies any timestamp gaps, I then pass the .TS file through the "Quickstream fix" tool (to a .TS output file), before using Mpeg2VCR for .TS to .MPG conversion (and any other editing I wish to do).

Greg


I was having trouble with the long file open time in MF5 with all files that I had on DVHS tapes.
That would be your a above.
This was with Videoredo converting to .mpg

I used your workflow step 2 and 4 and am having perfect results now - thanks.


An alternate that folks may want to try is this:
Run the .ts file through tstoatsc and then convert the resulting .ts output file to .mpg with Videoredo.
That loads into MF5 just fine and MF5 does not do any conversion.

Don't forget to check that 1088 or you will get MF5 doing conversion.

I would be curious if folks had similar results by using tstoatsc.

Thanks,
Joe

Brilliant news! Now we just need Microsoft to release their VC1 encoder and we're well on the way to proper authoring on HD DVD-R :)
Windows Media Encoder 9 encodes VC-1 video.

Joe-

If I understand things, the proper way to use the Mac in your home theater is as a data capture device and not as a playback device.

Correct, I just use the G4 powermac to capture via Firewire.

I use my PC for Ulead/Burning/ect

I use my MacBook Pro for everyday computing.

RockStrongo, earlier in this thread, you talked about hi-def AVI files. Have you found any free or reasonably-priced tool(s) that can convert WMV and AVI hi-def files to MPEG2? I know of ProCoder, but it's too pricey. Looks like VirtualDubMod may be able to handle AVI, but it doesn't accept WMV. Unless I'm missing something.

I tried a couple for avi to mpeg2, VDM being one, but was never able to get what I wanted. I found out that the end of the avi was corrupted so i abandoned it. Im such a quitter sometimes. ;)

Does one have to haveMF5 plus or will MF5 do the same.
Mf5 is somewhat cheaper and appears, according to Ulead, burn to HD-DVD as well.

My camera is a HC1 and that is listed under MF5.

My mode of operation is to edit in Pinnacle S10+ and make the HDV2 video HD-DVD compliant with MF5trial and burn with Roxio 8.

This would be a stop gap untill Pinnacle S10 or 11 will do this all in one. (In my lifetime I hope)

Gene

I have tried correcting this issue of mine for days, I am tired of wasting DVD-R's :mad:

Lip-Sync, Lip Sync

I have a true HDTV 1920x1080i .ts file, Blade Runner, oh boy ;) that I checked with mpeg2repair, no major errors, no timestamp gaps only a few random micro errors, around 3 or 4 per the movie, I corrected those errors

I then took the fixed/repaired .ts file and used the tools under "womble mpeg video wizard DVD", to convert the repaired .ts to a PS with the .mpg ext.

after this process the resulting .mpg file plays perfect when checking it out on my PC, no lip-sync problems or anything, perfect, the original and repaired .TS files also playback perfect on the pc, no lipsync issues, so it is not the source or the repairing of mpeg2repair or womble .ts to ps conversion, that is all eliminated by the above results

then I simply proceed to follow the guide and let ulead do it's thing, everything goes good, no ulead problems at all, I burn the stuff to a DVD-R with Nero using the 2nd method(.txt to vob) and slap it in my Toshiba, perfection in video and sound, except the sound is around 4 frames off? delayed!! :mad:

WTF gives with that? :(

does anyone have any suggestions for me to try, I am at wits end

I would really like to perfect this, DL Verbatims aren't all that much now and this is just toooooo sweet :)

thanks guys, appreciate the help

-Gary

I have tried correcting this issue of mine for days, I am tired of wasting DVD-R's :mad:

Lip-Sync, Lip Sync

I have a true HDTV 1920x1080i .ts file, Blade Runner, oh boy ;) that I checked with mpeg2repair, no major errors, no timestamp gaps only a few random micro errors, around 3 or 4 per the movie, I corrected those errors

I then took the fixed/repaired .ts file and used the tools under "womble mpeg video wizard DVD", to convert the repaired .ts to a PS with the .mpg ext.

after this process the resulting .mpg file plays perfect when checking it out on my PC, no lip-sync problems or anything, perfect, the original and repaired .TS files also playback perfect on the pc, no lipsync issues, so it is not the source or the repairing of mpeg2repair or womble .ts to ps conversion, that is all eliminated by the above results

then I simply proceed to follow the guide and let ulead do it's thing, everything goes good, no ulead problems at all, I burn the stuff to a DVD-R with Nero using the 2nd method(.txt to vob) and slap it in my Toshiba, perfection in video and sound, except the sound is around 4 frames off? delayed!! :mad:

WTF gives with that? :(

does anyone have any suggestions for me to try, I am at wits end

I would really like to perfect this, DL Verbatims aren't all that much now and this is just toooooo sweet :)

thanks guys, appreciate the help

-Gary


Run the original TS file through VideoRedo to create the mpeg file. I havent had any lipsynch errors with it.

Can anyone please clarify if I have to get MF5 plus? After going through the postings it seems MF5 will do it, but I do not want to make a $ 50 mistake.
Thanks
Gene

Windows Media Encoder 9 encodes VC-1 video.

You will require the encoder that produces the elementary .vc1 files, not WMVs. The encoder is also a lot more powerful than WME9 too with far more options.

Can somebody confirm that version 2.0 on HD-A1 has no issues with home made HDDVDs? and does anybody know if the new HD-A2 can still do red laser HDDVD? Thanks.

Would like to thank Joseph Clark for his guide.
I was able to play my ts file(victoria secret 2005) on my hda1 and it looks spectacular,the colours are amazing and the girls too.

I have downloaded some HD clips off the net and they are listed as "720p Recode + AC3".
Anyone know some software that will convert them to mpeg2 and retain their quality and play them on my a1.

Thanks,
Nick from Ireland

Can somebody confirm that version 2.0 on HD-A1 has no issues with home made HDDVDs? and does anybody know if the new HD-A2 can still do red laser HDDVD? Thanks.

Confirmed.
I've made about 4 on Verbatim Silver top 2.4x DVD+R DL (DL MKM 001), played with my v2.0 firmware HD-A1.

I think I may have even written one at 4x using my Pioneer 110D.

best regards,
Rob.

Can somebody confirm that version 2.0 on HD-A1 has no issues with home made HDDVDs? and does anybody know if the new HD-A2 can still do red laser HDDVD? Thanks.

Red laser HD-DVD is part of the spec - all HD-DVD players are REQUIRED to play red laser HD-DVD. This has been confirmed by Amir in the insiders thread. There is no reason to believe that our home brewed red laser HD-DVDs will ever stop working.

You will require the encoder that produces the elementary .vc1 files, not WMVs. The encoder is also a lot more powerful than WME9 too with far more options.
Then maybe we only need a demux tool. About the options, yes, WME9 has almost no options to tweak.

Thanks for the confirmations. It is very reassuring to know that our cheap home made HD-DVDs are guarantteed to work in all HDDVD players no matter what version. Unfortunately that is NOT the case and probably won't be the case ever with BD group. This is going to be one more BIG reason to stick with HDDVD format.

Confirmed.
I've made about 4 on Verbatim Silver top 2.4x DVD+R DL (DL MKM 001), played with my v2.0 firmware HD-A1.

I think I may have even written one at 4x using my Pioneer 110D.

best regards,
Rob.

I was going to post the same question GodobeHD did.

I guess I will upgrade to version 2.0 unless there are any other concerns someone needs to mention.

thanks,

Dave

I upgraded to 2.0 the other day and haven't noticed any issues yet.

Hi, Dave.

Can somebody confirm that version 2.0 on HD-A1 has no issues with home made HDDVDs? and does anybody know if the new HD-A2 can still do red laser HDDVD? Thanks.
No issues for me with both of the media I use, Verbatim and Fujifilm DL.

You guys should checkout Nero 7 Lite, it's Nero 7... without the crap. (Just the burner and express, no stupid startup processes, no useless media viewers/converters)

Get it at: http://www.updatepack.nl/
More info: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST&f=80&t=69886

I have downloaded some HD clips off the net and they are listed as "720p Recode + AC3".
Anyone know some software that will convert them to mpeg2 and retain their quality and play them on my a1.

Thanks,
Nick from Ireland

Follow the steps given in the instructions for 720p if the file you working with is MPEg2 it works fine if you follow every step, if it's AVI, you will need to convert to MPEG2 first then works fine, if WMV you get sttutering, no tool yet that I know will convert WMVHD with 5.1 audio and bee smooth.
Good Luck

Follow the steps given in the instructions for 720p if the file you working with is MPEg2 it works fine if you follow every step, if it's AVI, you will need to convert to MPEG2 first then works fine, if WMV you get sttutering, no tool yet that I know will convert WMVHD with 5.1 audio and bee smooth.
Good Luck

Will try thanks for the help.

Having trouble with MPEG-2 720p file, can't get it into Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.30.0107

I use HDPatch v0.3.01 menu "Preset | 720p | Pre - Patch 720p for MF5/VS10+' and it doesn't help.

Original data:
1280x720, 16:9, 59.94fps (720p), 80000000bps

Patched data:
1280x1080, 16:9, 29.97fps (1080i), 65000000bps
First Header Only = true

Just get black screen video, and if I try and create HD DVD folders it says that it needs to recode and it may take some time (so it hasn't recognised size).

Is there any more help available on 720p?

StooMonster

Having trouble with MPEG-2 720p file, can't get it into Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.30.0107

I use HDPatch v0.3.01 menu "Preset | 720p | Pre - Patch 720p for MF5/VS10+' and it doesn't help.

Original data:
1280x760, 16:9, 59.94fps (720p), 80000000bps

Patched data:
1280x1080, 16:9, 29.97fps (1080i), 65000000bps
First Header Only = true

Just get black screen video, and if I try and create HD DVD folders it says that it needs to recode and it may take some time (so it hasn't recognised size).

Is there any more help available on 720p?

StooMonster

is the original MPEG2 a transport stream or program stream? and is not loading in MF5 or just taking a few minutes?

Original data:
1280x760, 16:9, 59.94fps (720p), 80000000bps


Did you mean 1280x720, or is the stream really 1280x760?

Did you mean 1280x720, or is the stream really 1280x760?
Typo, 1280x720. :o

File was MPEG-2 Transport Stream that I converted to MPEG-2 Program Stream with MPEG-VCR v3.14

Before converting, the MPEG-2 Transport Stream was checked with MPEG2repair.

The file loads instantly into MF5. If unpatched I can play it and it looks great, but software wants to transcode it. If patched it's black and I can't see anything and software still wants to decode it.

What should I be seeing in the patched data? Which variables are changed? Should I be able to view the file in Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.30.0107?

Thanks for helping!

StooMonster

Did you mean 1280x720, or is the stream really 1280x760?

Can you make HDpatch tell ulead that an 640Kb/s AC3 audio track is a 448 or 384Kb/s track?

For those who use VideoStudio 10+, please help me out here.

I've used MF 5 but I really want to keep my DD streams, so I'm out of luck there. I use the same MPEG files in VS10 (they are compliant, since I used them with MF5) but for some reason VS10 wants to make the HD DVD folder 2-3 times the file size of the mpeg. It also insists on recoding everything even though it's compliant. I think I followed the rules exactly (I have do not re-encode compliant MPEG files checked). I have tried several different MPEG files (all of which worked with the exact same settings in MF5) but VS10 wants to creat 20 or 30GB hd dvd folders with them.

Anything obvious that I might be missing?

Typo, 1280x720. :o

File was MPEG-2 Transport Stream that I converted to MPEG-2 Program Stream with MPEG-VCR v3.14

Before converting, the MPEG-2 Transport Stream was checked with MPEG2repair.

The file loads instantly into MF5. If unpatched I can play it and it looks great, but software wants to transcode it. If patched it's black and I can't see anything and software still wants to decode it.

What should I be seeing in the patched data? Which variables are changed? Should I be able to view the file in Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.30.0107?

Thanks for helping!

StooMonster

Seems like you doing it correctly, most files will work that way, but I have had some that I had to use video redo instead of MPEG-VCR to make it work.
In MF5 you are choosing the HD DVD and the 1440x1080 template?, make sure the do not convert compliant files is checked on the template and uncheck the create menus box on the screen in which you add the file, I ususally do not check if the file plays in MF5, but it should play the movie on the preview screen (I think).

the patch should not make the file unplayable, it will play the same, but the displayed size will be off untill ig gets patched again just before burning.

For those who use VideoStudio 10+, please help me out here.

I've used MF 5 but I really want to keep my DD streams, so I'm out of luck there. I use the same MPEG files in VS10 (they are compliant, since I used them with MF5) but for some reason VS10 wants to make the HD DVD folder 2-3 times the file size of the mpeg. It also insists on recoding everything even though it's compliant. I think I followed the rules exactly (I have do not re-encode compliant MPEG files checked). I have tried several different MPEG files (all of which worked with the exact same settings in MF5) but VS10 wants to creat 20 or 30GB hd dvd folders with them.

Anything obvious that I might be missing?

You must be missing something, I use VS10 and works pretty much the same way MF5 did, if it is re-encoding at teh end then something is different.
in VS10 are you opening the program and clicking the share tab, then the create disk?.

Seems like you doing it correctly, most files will work that way, but I have had some that I had to use video redo instead of MPEG-VCR to make it work.Downloaded that, seems to have some artefacting on image and stops after 1.4GB when total file should be 4.3GB.

In MF5 you are choosing the HD DVD and the 1440x1080 template?Yes.

, make sure the do not convert compliant files is checked on the template and uncheck the create menus box on the screen in which you add the file, All as per instructions.

I ususally do not check if the file plays in MF5, but it should play the movie on the preview screen (I think).Once patched the file does not play in MF5.

the patch should not make the file unplayable, it will play the same, but the displayed size will be off untill ig gets patched again just before burning.Once patched the file does not play in anything, black screen and no audio.


So...

Should new size after patch be 1440x1080? Because mine is 1280x1440.

Should "First Header Only" be checked or unchecked?

Gonna switch to VS10 as I want to keep DD streams, but looks like problem is with patching.

StooMonster

Downloaded that, seems to have some artefacting on image and stops after 1.4GB when total file should be 4.3GB.

Yes.

All as per instructions.

Once patched the file does not play in MF5.

Once patched the file does not play in anything, black screen and no audio.


So...

Should new size after patch be 1440x1080? Because mine is 1280x1440.

Should "First Header Only" be checked or unchecked?

Gonna switch to VS10 as I want to keep DD streams, but looks like problem is with patching.

StooMonster

the main idea is not to convert so you don't need VS10 for the 5.1, if all works fine it never converts and keeps the original video and audio stream, all settings are left at default, so don't change the first header setting, although it should not matter unless it converts and then you do not get the right file any longer. It is possible that there is something else not compliant in that file and as such it wants to convert, at that point then the template has to be set properly for the file you converting, but then you will be relying on VS10 or MF5 codecs and I have not yet been happy with the results from either prog, when it converts.

Okay, thanks for tip about sound. Yep don't want to convert anything. Have now tried two different sources of this 720p file and have converted with both main TS>MPEG2 programs, and have tried changing first and all headers (both to 1280x1080 and to 1440x1080) and everytime MF5 wants to convert the MPEG2. :(

Couldn't someone create a simple program to create folder that contains all the HD DVD elements so contents can be burnt to DVD-ROM (UDF)?

Either that or lobby Ulead to support 720p for HD DVD projects.

StooMonster

Can you make HDpatch tell ulead that an 640Kb/s AC3 audio track is a 448 or 384Kb/s track?

I guess it's possible. Does ulead not like AC3 over 448kbs?

I guess it's possible. Does ulead not like AC3 over 448kbs?

yep is all it has :-) although 448 for each of it's 5 channels is not too bad, DTS would have been better:-)

Okay, thanks for tip about sound. Yep don't want to convert anything. Have now tried two different sources of this 720p file and have converted with both main TS>MPEG2 programs, and have tried changing first and all headers (both to 1280x1080 and to 1440x1080) and everytime MF5 wants to convert the MPEG2. :(

Couldn't someone create a simple program to create folder that contains all the HD DVD elements so contents can be burnt to DVD-ROM (UDF)?

Either that or lobby Ulead to support 720p for HD DVD projects.

StooMonster

the new Ulead prog that will be coming next year might solve most or all of these issues, the problem is that we want it to work now :D

I only have 3 files in 1280x720 one is .ts worked fine, one .avi and worked fine too, the other in wmv did not, so it depends on the way the file was created or converted initially, some work some don't :(

Couldn't someone create a simple program to create folder that contains all the HD DVD elements so contents can be burnt to DVD-ROM (UDF)?




I'm hoping exactly this. Take the little bits out of each initial app as necessary (i.e have a 'prep' button that cleans and converts to MPEG), then just whack it in a folder.

Just needs someone to work out how - quick, someone persuade Toshiba to donate 100 players to the video software community, they'll soon sort it out :P

the new Ulead prog that will be coming next year might solve most or all of these issues, the problem is that we want it to work now :DMight? Would be good if they are definately going to fix 720p support for HD DVD.

I only have 3 files in 1280x720 one is .ts worked fine, one .avi and worked fine too, the other in wmv did not, so it depends on the way the file was created or converted initially, some work some don't :(
I've got some small 1440x1088 files, converted them to 1440x1080 files, and these don't work either.

Everything wants to convert, despite me having the box for "Do not convert compliant files" ticked.

Is there some other settings I have checked?

The converted files once burnt to HD DVD do work though!

StooMonster

Might? I've got some small 1440x1088 files, converted them to 1440x1080 files, and these don't work either.

Everything wants to convert, despite me having the box for "Do not convert compliant files" ticked.

Is there some other settings I have checked?

StooMonster

not that I know of, only files i have 1440x1080 are wmv9 and they will convert since they are not mpeg2, but conversion is bad and there is continuous sttutering :( , so i on the waiting for better progs too.

You must be missing something, I use VS10 and works pretty much the same way MF5 did, if it is re-encoding at teh end then something is different.
in VS10 are you opening the program and clicking the share tab, then the create disk?.

I open the program, click the share tab, and drop the movie clip onto the timeline. Then I hit create disc. I set the disc to HD DVD and change the audio to DD 5.1. Everything else stays the same as MF5. As soon as I switch the disc type from DVD 5 to HD DVD, the file size jumps from its actual size to about 15GB. When I click the "make hd dvd folders" box, the file size jumps to over 30gb and it tries to re-code the video. I've tried this on two separate computers with multiple mpegs from various sources, all with exactly the same result. Any ideas?

I open the program, click the share tab, and drop the movie clip onto the timeline. Then I hit create disc. I set the disc to HD DVD and change the audio to DD 5.1. Everything else stays the same as MF5. As soon as I switch the disc type from DVD 5 to HD DVD, the file size jumps from its actual size to about 15GB. When I click the "make hd dvd folders" box, the file size jumps to over 30gb and it tries to re-code the video. I've tried this on two separate computers with multiple mpegs from various sources, all with exactly the same result. Any ideas?

don't add the movie to the timeline, once you click on the share tab you have the icon for create disk on the right side, once clicked it opens another window in which you change to HD DVD, then choose the template, then remove check mark from the create menus box, then add the mpeg2 file, if the box just above the clip that gets added is checked remove the check mark, then next to preview, then next to choose the output, chose the create HD DVD folders and click the burn button, it should show almost imediately that is demuxing and the procedure should not take more than 5 minutes. it works for me.
if the file was 720p then run the HD patch per instructions on post 1 to set it back before burning to DVD disk

Got 720p working now. :)

Made file MF5 friendly (compatible) first, used HDPatch to change "All headers" so Max Bit Rate 25000000 (same as 1920x1080 in MF5), then did patch again but this time only to first header to change height from 720 to 1080 and vertical refresh rate from 59.94fps (720p) to 29.97fps (1080i).

Then ran MF5 and preview does not work. Went on to burn disc and it gave the warning about converting (and taking time), but when I pressed OK it simply used the original MPEG.

Then used HDPatch to fix up the EVO files and then burnt disc with Nero. Works fine. :D

MPEG-VCR extracts entire 720p TS files, but for 1080i seems to stop at 10-20 mins of hour long TS. Is this a limitation of the free trial version? *

* I tried VideoReDo and noticed that free trial version clips at 10 mins too.

StooMonster

Got 720p working now. :)

Made file MF5 friendly (compatible) first, used HDPatch to change "All headers" so Max Bit Rate 25000000 (same as 1920x1080 in MF5), then did patch again but this time only to first header to change height from 720 to 1080 and vertical refresh rate from 59.94fps (720p) to 29.97fps (1080i).

Then ran MF5 and preview does not work. Went on to burn disc and it gave the warning about converting (and taking time), but when I pressed OK it simply used the original MPEG.

Then used HDPatch to fix up the EVO files and then burnt disc with Nero. Works fine. :D

MPEG-VCR extracts entire 720p TS files, but for 1080i seems to stop at 10-20 mins of hour long TS. Is this a limitation of the free trial version? *

* I tried VideoReDo and noticed that free trial version clips at 10 mins too.

StooMonster

I never used the free versions so I don't know, if you check their web site it might say if there are limitations, my 720p files were 40min. long and about 2.5GB, I got the full file, but I use VS10 instead of MF5 (has the option of AC3 5.1 in case I need to convert one)

Got 720p working now. :)
MPEG-VCR extracts entire 720p TS files, but for 1080i seems to stop at 10-20 mins of hour long TS.
StooMonster

No, I've done 26GB 1080 files that are over 3 hours long with the demo version. It could be that the file is corrupted, or that you've run out of space in a temporary directory (I had that problem with MF4). Since temporary files are usually created in the boot drive, I try to keep more than 50GB free on it.

Bizzare... Paid for it. Entered license key. Now it works.

(Changed nothing else, and have at least 30GB free on drive.)

StooMonster

Can someone please post a link to the slim line hd-dvd case design files that were created by the forum member(s)? I'm looking for the template(s), not finished covers.

I've sent PMs to several people but get no response. Would really appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks!

I'd love a template for the covers too.

I'm having a problem that hopefully someone can help me fix. MP5 is trying to convert the file and I can't figure out why.

I start out by recording some 1920 x 1080 material using a Comcast 6412 via Firewire to my iMac. I end up with a .m2t file that is about 9 GB in size (1 hr 45 min).

I then copy that file to a Windows partition for the rest of the processing.

I check the file using the mpeg2repair log option. There is about a half second timestamp gap so I repair it using the VideoRedo Quickstream Fix function. This leaves me with a .ts file that does not have any problems when again checking it with the mpeg2repair log option.

I then convert the file to an MPEG-2 Program Stream using MPEG2VCR. That also works fine and I end up with a .mpg file.

I then follow the procedure at the beginning of this thread. I do however not make any chapters, just import the video and then move right through to the burn (to folder) stage. I do have the "do not convert" box checked.

When I then click burn it immediately tells me that it is "converting video of the title". Then, judging by the progress rate it appears that it will take approximately 5 hours to complete on a Core2Duo system.

What have I done wrong?

I'm having a problem that hopefully someone can help me fix. MP5 is trying to convert the file and I can't figure out why.

I start out by recording some 1920 x 1080 material using a Comcast 6412 via Firewire to my iMac. I end up with a .m2t file that is about 9 GB in size (1 hr 45 min).

I then copy that file to a Windows partition for the rest of the processing.

I check the file using the mpeg2repair log option. There is about a half second timestamp gap so I repair it using the VideoRedo Quickstream Fix function. This leaves me with a .ts file that does not have any problems when again checking it with the mpeg2repair log option.

I then convert the file to an MPEG-2 Program Stream using MPEG2VCR. That also works fine and I end up with a .mpg file.

I then follow the procedure at the beginning of this thread. I do however not make any chapters, just import the video and then move right through to the burn (to folder) stage. I do have the "do not convert" box checked.

When I then click burn it immediately tells me that it is "converting video of the title". Then, judging by the progress rate it appears that it will take approximately 5 hours to complete on a Core2Duo system.

What have I done wrong?

make sure you have the settings correct:

1920x1080
Lower field First/upper field first (what ever the clip your using is)


can you take a screen shot of the "media info" box thats on the left after you load a clip. It lists the resolution/audio ect.

make sure you have the settings correct:

1920x1080
Lower field First/upper field first (what ever the clip your using is)



Do you mean the settings within MPEG2VCR? I have the field order set to Use Default (Input). Here is a screenshot of the other video settings.

http://home.comcast.net/~wandatin/video.JPG



can you take a screen shot of the "media info" box thats on the left after you load a clip. It lists the resolution/audio ect.

Here is a screenshot of the file info using "Media Player Classic" with the original .m2t file.

http://home.comcast.net/~wandatin/properties.JPG

don't add the movie to the timeline, once you click on the share tab you have the icon for create disk on the right side, once clicked it opens another window in which you change to HD DVD, then choose the template, then remove check mark from the create menus box, then add the mpeg2 file, if the box just above the clip that gets added is checked remove the check mark, then next to preview, then next to choose the output, chose the create HD DVD folders and click the burn button, it should show almost imediately that is demuxing and the procedure should not take more than 5 minutes. it works for me.
if the file was 720p then run the HD patch per instructions on post 1 to set it back before burning to DVD disk

Thanks so much! For some reason things go crazy when you work from the timeline. Everything works great now. Thanks again.

In case there are others like me that didn't know about this magic setting in videoredo, try this. Go to tools and set "add GOP timecode to all GOP's" to true. This has fixed all my slow loading problems with MF5. :)

Bob H.

In case there are others like me that didn't know about this magic setting in videoredo, try this. Go to tools and set "add GOP timecode to all GOP's" to true. This has fixed all my slow loading problems with MF5. :)

Bob H.

I don't have this option under Tools in my version of VideoRedo. Which version are you using?

In case there are others like me that didn't know about this magic setting in videoredo, try this. Go to tools and set "add GOP timecode to all GOP's" to true. This has fixed all my slow loading problems with MF5. :)
Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the info!

OK, now, don't tease me. Where is that option?

OK, now, don't tease me. Where is that option?
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=3062
Shift+Tools...
http://crtforum.com/img/videoredo.png

Thanks so much! For some reason things go crazy when you work from the timeline. Everything works great now. Thanks again.

you are very welcome, glad it is working for you now :D

http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=3062
Shift+Tools...
http://crtforum.com/img/videoredo.png

I just did a quick test and it worked on my system!!! I'll do a longer test later and if it gives me results like the short test, this is great news. I love VideoRedo, but I've had no success using it in the past. Having to use Tools>Shift+Options is about the most unintuitive feature I've ever seen.

Thanks for the screen cap. I'll include it.

Having to use Tools>Shift+Options is about the most unintuitive feature I've ever seen.http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=3062The reason its on the "super secret" page is that a release is right around the corner and we didn't want to have to fully test and document it. By making it FALSE, for now, only users who need it will set it to true and other users won't be affected. Assuming it works OK, we will add it to the Tools>Options>Stream page in a subsequent release.

Robert and Clarence,

Thank you!!! I just edited an episode of Firefly in VideoRedo, using your tip. It's the first time ever that I've gotten VideoRedo to give me an MPEG that worked well with this process. It loaded into MF5 wihout any delay, as fast as any MPEG2VCR loads I've ever had.

This is great news for me and I'm sure for a lot of other folks who've had problems with VideoRedo files in the past. It's going into the guide later today, along with a note about the Shift+Option... and the upcoming change.