Can't set or maintain resolution for DVD

[Rob Relf]

I am trying out the VRD Suite since I can't successfully transcode in Nero Vision for some reason. I have an mpeg file that is 704x504 but the output options says it will output 352x480 no matter what else I try to change. I have tried setting everything for "no change", single-layer, dual-layer, different quality settings, etc. Nothing will make it change from the vertically squeezed 352x480 setting! Any ideas?

Rob

[DanR]

704x504 is not a compliant DVD dimension so VRD TVS will attempt to transocde. You can create a non-compliant DVD, i.e. no transcoding by clicking on "Accept non-compliant DVD settings" beneath the "Output options" list on the Create DVD page.

It may still recode if the output video is > 4.7GB since it won't fit on a DVD. In that case change the "DVD output size" to dual layer or unlimited.

[Rob Relf]

I have checked the "non-compliant" box and it still won't allow any resolution other than 352x480 with SL or DL with everything possible set to "no change". Any other thoughts?

Rob

[phd]

Did you try clicking the "Change output options" button and set the desired resolution in the "Video Options" tab?

[Rob Relf]

Yes, I have tried that and the only resolutions offered are "no change", 720x480 or 352x480. Choosing any of them makes no difference, it remains 352x480 in the "video options" box.

I have just tried installing the upgrade on another of my pc's and loaded in a dvr-ms file from a recorded HD program and when I try to change the output resolution I am only offered the exact same 3 choices! At least that one is defaulting 720x480.

What is up with that 352x480 anyway? Who would want an aspect ratio so tall and narrow?

So far I have just loaded the upgrade for evaluation. Is it crippled in some way because of that? Am I supposed to uninstall VRD+?

Rob

[phd]

It is ofiicially called 1/2D1 and is a valid DVD resolution.

It displays 352 wide by 480 interlaced. It is not tall. It is the full width of your screen.

What is the source of your video files? What capture device do you use?

Could you trim and copy a 20-30MB segment of the original file and upload it to us? Tools>Trim and Copy Source File

Confirm that the trim and copy segment has the same problem before uploading.
ftp://upload:upload@videoredo.net/

Create a folder with a unique name and place the file in it.

Send an email to Support@VideoReDo.com and let us know when it has been successfully uploaded.

Also include a reference to this topic number: 5258

We can evaluate your sample here.

[ilkeston guy]

I am using the pre-release VRD TVS for the first time this week, too. I am using it to burn TIVO shows to DVD. I typically record TIVO at "Best" setting, and the shows are 1 to 2 hours in length. I'm noticing VRD TVS is recoding each show, taking about 40 mins (but far shorter than Nero).

Are TIVO shows considered "noncompliant"? I'm reading in this forum that burning in noncompliant mode will speed up the burn process.

I am really really enjoying and appreciating the VRD TVS software. Thanks to Dan R and everyone at VRD for the time and work you put into this. :)

[Dan203]

Yes, most TiVo files are non-compliant. Best quality TiVo files are either 480x480 or 540x480. (the higher resolution is used only if you have the TiVo connected to a DTV receiver) To make DVDs without transcoding you can simply check the "Accept non-compliant DVD settings". However the DVDs produced with this setting are non-compliant so it's possible that some DVD players will refuse to play them. Although the majority will not care and it will save you a lot of time.

Dan

[Dan203]

704x504 is not a compliant DVD dimension so VRD TVS will attempt to transocde. You can create a non-compliant DVD, i.e. no transcoding by clicking on "Accept non-compliant DVD settings" beneath the "Output options" list on the Create DVD page.

It may still recode if the output video is > 4.7GB since it won't fit on a DVD. In that case change the "DVD output size" to dual layer or unlimited.

Actually Dan our DVD authoring system only allows certain non-compliant resolutions without transcoding. The main limitation is that the height of the video has to be either 480 for NTSC or 576 for PAL. Any other non-compliant resolutions will be rejected and as such have to be transcoded.

Dan

[Anole]

... our DVD authoring system only allows certain non-compliant resolutions without transcoding.
The main limitation is that the height of the video has to be either 480 for NTSC or 576 for PAL.
Any other non-compliant resolutions will be rejected and as such have to be transcoded.

Wow !
Somebody should really write that down... in one of the new PDFs, perhaps. ;)

As for non-standard formats, Dish satellite is 544x480 in standard def.
I've made a lot of DVDs in that format, all of which play fine.
(zero recode time)

[DanR]

It's in the help file. Go to the Create DVD page in VideoReDo, press F1. In in the help under "Accept non-compliant" are the allowable dimensions.

[Rob Relf]

Could you trim and copy a 20-30MB segment of the original file and upload it to us? Tools>Trim and Copy Source File

OK, I will do that.

Last night as a test I tried to transcode a dvr-ms file of a HD tv show recorded in Vista Media Center. It would not let me change the resolution of 720x480 but it showed an option of 352x480 (which I don't see listed in the help file). When it started there was a window with a progress bar and it said it was calculating the time remaining. I let it run all night and this morning it had not changed at all, the progress bar was still empty and no errors displayed. When I got home from work the window was gone and I was back at the main VRD editing screen and still no error messages. Also, no sign of the file that should have been created.

I really want to believe in this program but so far no joy--

Rob

[DanR]

Non-compliant was grayed out because your source file was HD and therefore isn't applicable.

Can you please look at two things:
1) Post the contents of Tools>Show Program info.

2) Look in the log file and see if you can find a line that begins with: "Active module list:". If you do, post that section of the log. This will give us the buffer counts where things stalled.

Thanks.

[ilkeston guy]

Yes, most TiVo files are non-compliant. Best quality TiVo files are either 480x480 or 540x480. (the higher resolution is used only if you have the TiVo connected to a DTV receiver) To make DVDs without transcoding you can simply check the "Accept non-compliant DVD settings". However the DVDs produced with this setting are non-compliant so it's possible that some DVD players will refuse to play them. Although the majority will not care and it will save you a lot of time.

Dan


Dan,
By burning TIVO files (recorded in "Best" mode) by checking the "accepting non-compliant DVD settings", do you think there will be any loss of resolution?

[phd]

There is no loss of quality because no reencoding occurs if they are passed thorugh.

[Rob Relf]

Well, I went ahead and processed a portion of the first file that could not be changed from 352x480 and when the resulting file is played in Windows Media Player or VLC media player the video is indeed taller than it is wide. I have not tried putting it onto a DVD. Is it possible that it would then be proportioned correctly if I did?

Rob

[DanR]

Re-open the 352x480 video in VideoReDo. Does it look OK?

Click on Tools>Show Program Info. What is the aspect ratio?