No video preview of MPEG files

[heffe]

I have just started using this tool to convert a bunch of DVR-MS files and cut the commercials. It has worked great except that the MPEG files don't show with a preview shot in the MCE (Vista) UI like other video files. It is consistently something about these video files and not related to MCE because other new videos get a preview image just fine. The files play through fine, but I have also noticed that MCE doesn't always know when it has reached the end of the file and stop appropriately. Could there be something wrong with the format of the MPEG that prevents MCE from generating a preview image and knowing when it has reached the end of the MPEG?

Thanks
heffe

[phd]

For thumbnails:
Click on the menu: Tools>Options>MCE/dvr-ms, make sure the new option "Tag" DVR-MS stream types is checked.

For the time length, try this:
Click on the menu: Tools>Options>Stream Parameters and and check "Set header to video bit rate"

[heffe]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried these changes but they had no effect. I have also tried saving back to DVR-MS and see similar behavior, although it seems that MCE is able to figure out the length properly in this format.

Another observation I have is that the generated video, both DVR-MS and MPEG file have occasional strange video artifacts in the stream. Rectangular blocks from the previous video frame sometimes show up in the stream and then disappear.

I'm wondering what codec VideoReDo will use when encoding these files? Is there any codec involved at all since it seems to just be cutting and splicing MPEG video frames? I have ffdshow installed and have found that while it fixed video support for some things, it can cause trouble for others. Is there a possibility that VideoReDo is defaulting to using ffdshow and it is causing these troubles? Also, is it relevant that I am running this all on Vista Home Premium 64-bit system?

[phd]

What version of VideoReDo are you using? Help>About

Can you try the latest Beta available here:
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=6961

Are you seeing these artifacts in Media Center or another application?

Do you see the artifacts in both the original and edited file in VideoReDo?

VideoReDo uses it's own codecs for both playback and editing. It does not use ffdshow.

[heffe]

I am using VideoReDo version 3.1.5.564 - Aug 5 2008.

This morning I tried editing a DVR-MS file and saving back to DVR-MS and found that the edited version was the only file that had the strange video artifacts in the stream. The original file does not. I am observing all of these behaviors in Media Center.

[heffe]

FYI, I saved a project file with my edits in version 564 then installed the beta 572 version and re-opened the project file. I then saved the video to a new DVR-MS file to see if the edited video still had the same artifacts. It still does, no change from the output from 564.

[phd]

Do you see the artifacts in the original and edited file if you play them back in VideoReDo?

[heffe]

Interesting...

Playing back the files in VideoReDo results in the artifacts being visible in both files, while Media Center only displays the artifacts in the edited video file.

Another interesting tidbit, the artifacts as displayed in VideoReDo appear at the same spot in the video and in the same screen position (in both files), but generally are smaller than those displayed by Media Center in the edited video. Media Center tends to turn a small artifact (as displayed in VideoReDo) and display it as a larger horizontal rectangle in the frame.

[phd]

Is it just one file or all files?

What method of reception are you using?

Perhaps it is a corrupt transmission?

[heffe]

This problem has happened with every edited MPEG and DVR-MS file I have touched with VideoReDo. The source material always looks perfect. The source video is recorded via S-Video from my DirecTV receiver.

[phd]

Could you record a short 30-60 second sample and upload it to us?

Confirm that the file 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: 9761

[heffe]

I'm working on getting a short original recording that exhibits the problem. Given that it occurs periodically in the recordings I have, it's trial and error to get a short one that exhibits the problem. I have plenty of 30 minute recordings with the problem, but I'd have to edit it out around the problem and save it and I presume that defeats the purpose of what you're trying to check out.

[phd]

If it is difficult to record a short file that exhibits this issue you could send us a couple of full DVR-MS files on a DVD.

Email us at Support @ VideoReDo.com for mailing instructions.

Also include a reference to this topic number: 9761

[tallchap]

For thumbnails:
Click on the menu: Tools>Options>MCE/dvr-ms, make sure the new option "Tag" DVR-MS stream types is checked.

For the time length, try this:
Click on the menu: Tools>Options>Stream Parameters and and check "Set header to video bit rate"

I also have a problem with no video preview and no time length on Vista 64 using Media centre. The clips are being created on a vista 32 system and preview OK, but not when transferred for storage and playback on the 64 system.

Thoughts?

BYW I'm using 2.5.6.512 (23-10-2008) and the options shown above don't exist!

[phd]

You can Try the latest VideoReDo Plus Beta V602 available here:
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=6972

[tallchap]

You can Try the latest VideoReDo Plus Beta V602 available here:
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?t=6972

Thanks. That's sorted the length issue, but there's still no video preview.

BTW the files preview fine in Explorer, it's just Media Centre that is being troublesome.

[phd]

So you are seeing the thumbnails in MCE on the 32 system but not the 64 system?

[tallchap]

No, I can't see them in the 32 bit version of Media Centre either.

[phd]

You previously mentioned:
The clips are being created on a vista 32 system and preview OK, but not when transferred for storage and playback on the 64 system.

Try changing "Tag" DVR-MS stream types in Tools>Options>MCE/dvr-ms output.