ULead Movie Factory 3 Video/Audio sync problem

[prh]

I use VRD version 320 to convert a TV program recorded from my Topfield set top box from a .rec file to an MPG file and to edit out the commercials. I have the box ticked in VRD for outputting the correct stream for ULead Movie Factory 3 (MF3). The MPG file produced keeps the video and audio in sync the whole way thru'.

When I then use MF3 to create a DVD-Video the video/audio then goes out of sync starting off OK and gets worse as it goes thru'. I have uninstalled MF3 and then installed the latest patches in order (did not install the Hauppage one as I do not need it). I have also checked that DMA is turned on.

I have only just bought MF3 Disc Creator. Have read the most recent forum on this topic and tried not putting any menu's in it as well as chapters but the problem still occurs. Also saved the Video_TS etc files to folder rather than going to disc and played the folder on the ULead DVD player and the video was still out of sync.

The MPG file is 4,200,000KB and even though I have the box ticked 'Do not convert compliant MPG files', it takes 1.5 hours to process the Video_TS folder. Most of the time seems to be spent in the creating menu section at the start of the process even though I unticked the 'Create Menu' box.

What should I do from here?

[phd]

Hi prh,

I'm from the US and not familiar with the Topsfield box, but I'll try to help.

Based upon the processing time, it sounds like some kind of reencoding is going on.

Is the Topsfield a DVD recorder or a hard drive recorder like a TiVo?

What are the specs of your machine, speed, memory, OS, etc.? Maybe slow?

What are the file properties listed in VideoReDo.

What are the file properties listed in DMF? Right click on the file in the timeline and select media properties. List all the info that is there.

In addition to the patches, did you also install the burning engine update? That helps with A/V sync on folder creation as well.

Also, FYI, if you create a simple menu with plain thumbnails, that should be OK. Its when you create motion menus and background audio that DMF slows down.

[prh]

Hi Pat

My Topfield box is a hard drive recorder.

My Notebook is a Dell P4 3.2Ghz HT with 1GB RAM and runs on XP.

I have saved screen shots for the file properties in both Videoredo and DMF3 as well as the Disc Template Manager details for DMF3. Could I Email these to you or Dan (for onforwarding) rather than retyping?

I have also now installed the Burning engine update and retried creating DVD Folders then playing the VOB chapter files. In the first file the audio gets ahead of the video at times right up to the end but only by a relatively small amount. In the second chapter file right from the start the video is ahead of the audio. In the last chapter the audio is substantially ahead. I have not burnt to disc as the error seems to take place before this.

I timed the lengthy processing sections of DMF3. The 'Converting Video Title' section took 1hour 18mins, 'Video/Audio Multiplexing' took 7 mins, and 'Finalizing VOB' took 3 mins. The 'Do not convert compliant MPG' files is ticked. The MPG file is just over 4,201,000KB.

Can I Email the screen shots?

Paul

[phd]

Hi Paul,

I had a chance to review the screen shots. Thanks.

I think the problem is DMF3 has to convert your video to something that is comprehensible. You are recording DVB broadcast. In VRD, the header bitrate is listed at 15 Mbps. In DMF, the clip property for Video Data Rate is listed as VBR with a Max of 0 kbps.

DMF is not picking up a valid bitrate that it can work with.

When you save an edited Topsfield file in VRD after completion an Output Processing Complete Dialog box will be displayed. One of the items listed is Actual Video Bitrate. This is your average bitrate for the file.

Try resaving the file in VRD again with one change. When the "Save As" dialog box appears, select Options and change the Bit Rate to a number that makes sense for your file. For example, if the Output Dialog box displayed 3 Mbps, change the Bit Rate to 4 Mbps or 6 Mbps. This way, upon resaving a second time, DMF will have a valid number it can work with.

Load the new outputted file into DMF and see how it works this time.

[prh]

Hi Pat

You were right. When I changed the bit rate to 6Mbps it was much faster and burnt to a DVD correctly.

What bit rate is best to use for VRD 'Save as' (ie. 4 or 6Mbps or other)? Will that depend on the MPG file?

With DMF, what are the best settings to use?

Also if I have a long movie, is it best to change the setting in DMF to long play or are there other options that you find works well?

Paul

[phd]

You were right. When I changed the bit rate to 6Mbps it was much faster and burnt to a DVD correctly.
-I'm glad it worked for you!

What bit rate is best to use for VRD 'Save as' (ie. 4 or 6Mbps or other)? Will that depend on the MPG file?
- Don't know for sure. If the capture settings are consistent, the same settings should work all the time. The setting is kind of phony. For example, the original 15Mbps setting was not reflective of your actual bit rate. It will depend on the card. Do you know what the average and peak bitrates are for your capture card. If you set it too low in VRD, then there could be a problem when viewing the MPEG or in DVD creation. I don't think it will increase the size of the files on the DVD since DMF can now pass the files through with "Do not convert compliant..." I do think you'll probably be fine leaving it at 6 all the time. One of the other people who are more knowledgeable about this part could probably answer better than I can.

With DMF, what are the best settings to use?
- I don't understand what you mean?

Also if I have a long movie, is it best to change the setting in DMF to long play or are there other options that you find works well?
-Basically as long as DMF interprets the file as a DVD compliant MPEG and you select "Do not convert compliant..." it should not use the project settings in DMF at all and actually create the DVD according to the bitrate of your original files. Remember though, if you try to mix and match files of different capture settings, it may try to reencode.

Keep an eye on the output dialog box in VRD for the average bit rate. Make sure it remains consistent for all your capture files. That will tell you if you need to use a different bitrate for output.

[prh]

I saved an MPG file at 8Mbps after cutting out the ads using VRD and then used DMF to burn to disc. The remaining program was 1hour 12 mins. When I played the DVD on my home DVD player there is a section (not just limited to 1 chapter) that had some of the video break up and audio stop and start. When I played the same section a few times sometimes the video and audio were fine and on others it broke down. It usually broke down though. DMF says it will handle up to 9.8Mbps. Is this likely to be a problem with DMF or the TDK 8x 4.7GB DVD-R discs I am using.

'Keep an eye on the output dialog box in VRD for the average bit rate. Make sure it remains consistent for all your capture files. That will tell you if you need to use a different bitrate for output.'
- I am not sure what dialog box you mean. Is it the one on the right hand side and change to view file positions? Will it show a varying bit rate counter?

If I have a file that is over 4.7GB (4.37GB) will I just have to remultiplex it to a lower bit rate using VRD to reduce the size of the file to fit on the DVD?

Is 2 Mbps too low a bit rate to use from a quality of video perspective?

One of the files is 8.65GB and has a bit rate of 4Mbps. Can I use DMF to burn it on to 2 discs or will I have to reduce the bit rate?

Paul

[phd]

I saved an MPG file at 8Mbps after cutting out the ads using VRD and then used DMF to burn to disc. The remaining program was 1hour 12 mins. When I played the DVD on my home DVD player there is a section (not just limited to 1 chapter) that had some of the video break up and audio stop and start. When I played the same section a few times sometimes the video and audio were fine and on others it broke down. It usually broke down though. DMF says it will handle up to 9.8Mbps. Is this likely to be a problem with DMF or the TDK 8x 4.7GB DVD-R discs I am using.
- I assumed you authored to a folder on the hard drive and burned to DVD as a separate step. If you did you can try 3 things:
1 Change the location of your chapter points if they don't play correctly in preview in DMF
2 Burn the DVD folde to a DVD with another program.
3 Try a different brand of media
All 3 have contributed to that problem for me. I have also ejected and reinserted and had it play OK but that's a pain to do.

"'Keep an eye on the output dialog box in VRD for the average bit rate. Make sure it remains consistent for all your capture files. That will tell you if you need to use a different bitrate for output.'
- I am not sure what dialog box you mean. Is it the one on the right hand side and change to view file positions? Will it show a varying bit rate counter?"
-When you save the edited output file, after it has finished, a box pops up with a variety of info. One of it has the average bit rate.

"If I have a file that is over 4.7GB (4.37GB) will I just have to remultiplex it to a lower bit rate using VRD to reduce the size of the file to fit on the DVD?"
-VRD does not remux the file. That setting you used just changes the header info, not the size of the file. After you create it to a DVD folder, you could use Rejig to shrink it.

"Is 2 Mbps too low a bit rate to use from a quality of video perspective?"
-If you are talking about just changing the header bit rate, bad things could happen since it is lower than your actual bit rate. In terms of capture quality, only you can be the judge of that. Don't know if you device can record that low. I do at 1/2D1 (352X480) and am generally satisfied with the quality because I want to pack volume on a DVD.

"One of the files is 8.65GB and has a bit rate of 4Mbps. Can I use DMF to burn it on to 2 discs or will I have to reduce the bit rate?"
-You could do either. Split the file in VRD after editing based upon size or use DVD shrink after authoring the full DVD. At a 50% reduction, i don't think you'll be happy with the quality. Does your burner handle dual layer? That's another way around it.