Convert Step Got Some Problems…

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:33 pm

…So do I, but that’s for another forum.

I am producing a sports highlight DVD for paying customers and am just about finished with this large project, but I keep running into this roadblock.

I have 20 separate mpegs with the following properties:

NTSC DVD
MPEG-2, Lower Field First
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 4:3
29.97 frames/sec
Variable bit rate (5500 kbps)

Dolby Digital Audio
2/0(L/R)
256 kbps

(FYI, I had to use that bit rate because the project is 1 hour and 38 minutes long, plus a ton of titles, effects, etc.) As most of you know, I follow the Recommended Procedures by creating my video files and then inserting them from the Share/Create Disc step. I then chose my text menu, customized it, and set the Project Settings to match my mpeg settings. I then proceeded to the Burner module where I chose to create a DVD folder instead of burning the actual DVD. It did its thing for several minutes then came back with the dreaded Convert Step… I searched the forum and found that many problems are due to incorrect settings so I went back and double and triple checked my settings and still got the message, after numerous attempts.

Since I was confident that the mpegs were not the problem I went back to the menu stage to eliminate some things in hopes of pinpointing the problem. The first thing I did was uncheck the Create Menu box. I went to the Burn module, chose DVD folders, and wouldn’t ya know, it worked! "Operation Successfully Completed". Ok, so now I’m getting somewhere. I went back and checked the Create Menu box, as I need the menu. I then chose one of the stock menus and made no changes to it. Went to the Burn module…Convert Step Got Some Friggin Problems.

So as it stands at the moment, the menus are causing my problem. (I would like to note that in the past month I have successfully created two DVDs, one with a menu (customized) and one without, and there have been no changes to my computer during the interim.) I couldn’t investigate any further, as I had to leave for my real job. But my HD is defragging at the moment and if that doesn’t cure it I will try a repair/reinstall. But beyond that, does anyone have any other ideas as to what might be causing this, or am I missing something that is painfully obvious (except to me)?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:47 pm

It does in fact sound as though it is a corrupt MPEG file.
The reason you were able to create a DVD with no Menu and not suffer the error message is because the MPEG file is DVD compliant and so not being converted in any way.

When you create a DVD Menu it must take bits from your MPEG file to create the moving thumbnails of the DVD Menu.

As a double check, create a small DVD to a hard drive folder using a few of the sample videos that are provided with VideoStudio.
The default location for them is
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 10\Samples\Video
or if using Version 9
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 9.0\Samples\Video

The sample videos come in handy for a variety of bug testing purposes.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:56 pm

When you create a DVD Menu it must take bits from your MPEG file to create the moving thumbnails of the DVD Menu.

I used a text-only menu, but will try your suggestion anyway.

If it is, in fact, a corrupt mpeg file, how would you suggest I determine which one? By using the same Create Disc steps but insert my mpegs one at a time until I find the naughty one?

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:15 pm

Try just turning off Motion Menus (which I find annoying and time conuming anyway) That way you still have DVD menus to navigate with.

Moreover, it might help pinpoint the underlying cause.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 3:01 am

I am happy to say I found what was causing the problem.

As I stated earlier, through a little trial and error I came to the conclusion that, somehow, the menu was causing my problem. The way I had it set up was to have an introductory video, so I had Use First Clip As Introductory Video checked. Under Project Properties>Navigation Controls I also had Auto Fade Out First Play To Menu checked. By process of elimination I was able to pinpoint that as the problem. Consistantly, if Auto Fade Out was checked I would get the Convert Step error. If unchecked the project completed sucessfully.

If anyone else can duplicate this I will be happy to report it to Ulead. If not, I'll just chalk it up to one of those things.

I am once again a happy camper.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:47 am

I just completed a project yesterday, where I did choose the Auto fade-out, and had no problems. However I did not use the Introductory Clip. So now could it be something to do with using both of those?

StewartTurner · Post by **StewartTurner** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:07 am

If anyone else can duplicate this I will be happy to report it to Ulead. If not, I'll just chalk it up to one of those things.

Black Lab,

To my frustration I experienced this when trying to use all the whizzy new aspects of VS10+ menus (just upgraded from 7).

My project does have an introductory video. I left it and everything else the same and unchecked "Auto Fade Out First Play To Menu" and it now works fine.

If that isn't confirmation of the problem then I don't know what is!

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:36 pm

I will report it.

Thanks.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:48 pm

Hi Jeff

I have burned a few Dvd’s using VS 10 and each time I get the warning message re-render will take a long time.

Providing your Mpeg properties match, and I am sure yours do. hit ok.

The render is the creation of the menu structure, and using VS 10 does not seem to be avoided. I realise this did not occur using earlier versions.

After creating the menu structure it then starts to multiplex as normal with NO rendering of the main video files. Same as normal.

The pre-render of the menu seems to take different forms and time depending on the type of menu used.

A bit worrying when you first see the warning, I expected no such warning when my properties match.

Maybe its because VS 10 uses Smart Menu and Text Menu rather than just Thumbnails and the render process is required.

I think with VS 10 its something we are going to have to live with.

Regards

Trevor

StewartTurner · Post by **StewartTurner** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:36 pm

Thanks for this Trevor. I had concluded that that was happening.

However, I think you may have missed the main message being discussed, i.e. that "Auto Fade Out First Play To Menu" causes the disc creation process to crash out if you have an introductory video.

Stewart

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:46 pm

Trevor, Jeff,
It is the Motion Menu that iis being rendered in the burn module. If you turn this off you will stop the rendering and you can still have a full DVD menu.

However, turning it off is complicated:
In the Burn module, screen 1:
1) Check Create Menu
2) Click "Add/Edit Chapter" Select your menu entry points.
3) Click Next on Burn Screen 1 toMove to Burn screen #2
4) Select the "Edit" Tab.
5) Uncheck "Motion Menu"

There are a lot of controls in Burn screen #2 for customizing the DVD menu and controling navigation. The preview window lets you experiment until you get it right. IMO, the VS10+ DVD Menu creation has a terrible, non-intuitive user interface. I much prefered the one in version 9.

Unfortunately, when Motion Menus are enabled, our old warning flag ("Converting videos, this will take a long time") that notified the user that his DVD-compliant video files were being re-rendered, is no longer valid.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:53 pm

I don't know...I was using a text menu, not a motion menu. All I do know is by unchecking Auto Fade Out First Play To Menu solved my problem.

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:04 pm

Jeff,
When you uncheck Motion Menu, the Fade-in option on the Edit Tab is no longer enabled. Therefore, you must have had it enabled, even though you were making text menus. Or is there yet another method of enabling Fade-in?

IMHO, there are way too many bells and whistles on these screens. No wonder people are having trouble with it.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:05 pm

Hi John

I agree with you re:- the VS10+ DVD Menu creation has a terrible, non-intuitive user interface
I understand all you are saying.

I assumed that Jeff the OP was referring to rendering during the burner module.

This seems to be normal using VS 10 when creating the menu structure.

Hi Stewart

The auto fade and first play being a part of the menu may require rendering, But Afaik Jeff has not complained about any crashes only rendering!

I think I have just had a senior moment.

Think I will make the tea.

Regards Trevor

StewartTurner · Post by **StewartTurner** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:13 pm

Afaik Jeff has not complained about any crashes only rendering!

On re-reading his post, he doesn't implicitly mention a crash but unless I am mistaken he experienced the same problem I did, i.e. that part way through rendering the menu phase it halts abruptly and gives a message box saying "Convert step got some problems" (the title of this thread).

If you hadn't seen that message box before you can be forgiven for not understanding that the disc creation had actually failed.

Stewart.