Problems with authoring DVDs from Channel 5 DVR-MS files

[bradders]

Hi
Apologies in advance if this has been covered before: I'm a n00b around here.
Anyway, I have been recording a number of children's programmes from Channel 5 in the UK and trimming them and compiling them into DVDs for my children.
Most of the DVR-MS files work fine, but a few (about 1 in 5) always result in a corrupt DVD.
I have tried QSFing them before editing, including setting the max GOP to 15, and I've tried using the Fast MPEG2 encoder in Tools > shift Options, but I always get a DVD that won't play properly either in Cyberlink or on my Panny DVD player. (When I re-import the VOB, the clip seems fine, so maybe the IFO gets corrupt. The effect is that when you click on a menu button, you get dumped in the middle of a title. Sometimes the audio doesn't work, other times there are dropped frames.)
The only other clue is that I get "[ERR] Actual VOBU size mismatches recoded value - 2925" in the VRD log, although I think I've also had this with successful DVDs.
Any ideas? I only seem to get the problem with DVR-MS's from Five. (OK, OK, maybe I shouldn't watch Five...!)
Thanks in advance...

Machine is Intel E8400, Asus P5K-VM, 3.25GB visible RAM, 1TB Samsung, GeF 8500 GT, Hauppauge Nova-T PCI and WinMCE 2005 Rollup 2. VRD TVS 3.1.5.564.

[DanR]

On the DVD's the won't play, open one of them up in TVS and click on Tools>Show Program Info. Paste that information here (there's a button on the show info screen to copy the information to the clipboard).

[bradders]

Hi Dan
Thanks for the quick reply!
Here's the output from "Show program info":


File Name: C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\Application Data\VideoReDo-TVSuite\Roary TEST_0.VLST
File Size: 218716160 ( 0.20 GB )
Program Duration: 00:10:00.02
File Type: PS - MPEG2
Encoding: MPEG 2
Video stream Id: xE0
Encoding Dimensions: 720 x 576
Display Size: 720 x 576
Aspect Ratio: 16/9
Frame Rate: 25.00 FPS
Bit Rate: 9.608 Mbps
VBV_Buffer: 224 KB
Profile: Main/Main
Progressive: Prog or Int
Chroma: 4:2:0
Audio Format: Layer 2
Audio Stream Id: xC0
Audio Bit Rate: 192 Kbps
Audio Sampling Rate: 48000 Hz

To be honest, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the VOB. I'm wondering if it's the IFO that's corrupt. Anyway, I've also included the output from QSFing the file before editing:

Audio frame errors: 1
Input Sequence Errors: 2
Video resync frames removed: 1
Video output frames: 37420
Audio output frames: 62367
Processing time (secs): 33
Processed frames/sec: 1120.66
Actual Video Bitrate: 2.72 Mbps

So the original DVR-MS clearly had problems.

Hope that helps...

[bradders]

If it helps, I could send the DVR-MS files (although I don't know if a Trim-and-copied file reproduces the problem...)
If you private-messaged me a mailing address I'd happily send a DVD with the relevant files on. (I have more than one.)

[DanR]

Before you send us your source files. Lets try a couple of things:

1) Try beta 566 available in the beta section of this message board. You can install it into a different folder if you like.

2) See if you can duplicate the problem with a small clip of the source file. Don't use trim and copy, because its a DVR-MS, but simply edit out a section with TVSuite. I would start with the first half the program and then author. If the problem doesn't occur in the 1st half, try the 2nd half. Then split that offending half again until you get down to a pretty small size.

Of course, if you would rather we did the research, let us know and you can send us a DVD via snail mail.

[bradders]

Of course, if you would rather we did the research, let us know and you can send us a DVD via snail mail.

No, no, happy to do the research - I'd like to help as much as I can. It's late here in the UK, so I'll do as you say and post the results tomorrow. Thanks for your help!

[bradders]

Hiya
I'm sorry I've not posted yet - been really busy. Will try and post before the end of the week.

[brinkmanship]

OK here's a quickie. For about the last month my media center NBC, CBS and ABC have all been recording as copy protected. Upon moving them to my editing machine they indicate no protection. 90% of the time I just use QSF for a fix as the recordings won't play in their entirety. Almost all of these recordings lose anywhere from 3-5 minutes of program with usually over 3000 audio errors. I believe it has something to do with Dish (my provider) changing something in regards to the Feb digital. Sometimes only a solid green screen is recorded for the first few minutes.

Anyway another thing you might try is DVRMSToolboxGUI. I have XP so I use ver 1.1.0.8. You can download it at babgvant.com. Goto downloads and select which GUI applies to your environment. It is very easy to use, the only draw back is that it does not have a browse feature. Install the download. Type in the input and output file name, giving the output file a .mpg extension. Select DVR-MS to Mpeg with ffmpeg as the profile and check use selected profile. Set priority to high and click run. Have your input and output files on seperate physical disks. The site has a forum for questions.

Then use the ever dependable VRD's QSF on the output file. I say ever dependable because no one program (especially video) can solve all the problems. Can't promise but unless you have a unique situation the above routine should fix it. If the Toolbox gives an error use the their forum to post specifics. Compare the original file's running time to the output file time.

My solution is that I purchased several DV recorders and eliminated Mickeysoft's endeavor to police media useage. I just use the media center for recording shows that will not be archived and it will probably soon become a boat anchor.

I think that is it - good luck.