Unable to edit DivX video

[PoBear]

Hi everybody

I'm trial'ing VS11.5.

I'm trying to edit a DivX 6.8 video file, just after five minutes into the file the preview window breaks up and goes blank (black) for the rest of the file. The file plays OK from any point, it's just when trying to edit it.

I've tried this with a number of files at different bit rates and break up occurs at 0:5:20:00 into each file on files with a bitrate under 3000Kb/s, files above this value appear to be unaffected. I've tested files of 2500Kb/s and below and 3000Kb/s and above.

Thanks

Steve

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the Forums,

First we are going to need some more information. Please view This Thread, it provides a guideline to the specific information needed to help you.

DivX is a very highly compressed format. It is not meant to be edited, just viewed over the internet. It is much easier to take a DV file and encode it to DivX than it is to edit DivX or Xvid. It is going to place a tremendous burden on your PC resources trying to edit highly compressed formats.

When you do get through editing, be prepared to wait a loooonnnggg time for your video file to be created in the Share>Create Video File, or if you try to go straight to the burn module (Share>Create Disc).

[sjj1805]

Try decompressing your DivX file to another format such as MPEG2 with a third party conversion program.

I would choose MPEG2 if your intended finished output is a DVD Video Disc because that is the format that the video will end up being in, so will avoid further format changes later.

[PoBear]

Here's an updated problem report.

Describe your problem:
I'm trying to remove the adverts from a one hour DivX encoded video file, however when I scan through the file, after 00:05:19:24 the edit window pixelates and goes blank for the remains of the file, making it impossible to use. I'be loaded several files and have found that those with a bitrate of less than 3000Kb/s have the this problem and that those above do not.

Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?):
The files were recorded on an ATI AIW 9800 Pro directly into DivX from a S-Video connection to the card. The files vary in size but are all about 1-1.2Gb. Audio is MP3 @48K on all of the files. Althouugh I'm recording from a PAL system at 720x576, I have auto crop enabled so that the actual dimensions are 672x574.

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?:
N/A

Project Properties (important):
I'm using the AVI file format with some modifications:
PAL (25fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits 672x574 25fps
lower field first
DivX 6.8 Codec (1 Logical CPU)
Interleave audio for every 25 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD):
I'm trying to output a DivX file with the same bitrate. This will not be converted to any other format.

PAL or NTSC:
PAL

Error Codes (if any):
None

Product Version: e.g. VS10 or VS11+
Ulead Videostudio 11.0.0157.0 Plus

I've used DivX for years so I know how long it can take to encode. Until recently I wasn't able to get sufficient throughput from my satellite box on a composite connection to get the bitrates I wanted so I've recorded in MPEG-2 and then converted, however, a change of box has meant I can connect with a S-Video cable. This means that I can produce a file directly in DivX that is worth keeping.

As both MPEG and DIvX are lossy formats I don't want to convert formats as I already spend more time than I can really spare tidying up the files I currently have. My hope was that VS would allow me to do the whole edit in one go.

Thanks

[Ron P.]

Are you wanting to burn your final product to DVD? If so unless you have a DivX certified DVD player, converting to DivX is costing you in quality, and the auto cropping to a frame size that does not meet DVD standards, is compounding the problems.

Since you're dead-set on using DivX, why not invest in their DVD authoring program?

I think you're making the process more difficult on you and your PC, by capturing to and trying to edit DivX. Nothing wrong with producing DivX, however to edit using that degree of compression, when you have a source that is much easier on your system, is like building a house by installing the carpeting first..

[PoBear]

Vidoman

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not going to be putting these files onto a DVD, except as a backup, so there will be no converting involved. If I was producing DVD's you're perfectly right, MPEG would be the way to go!

I've been using editing s/w on my DivX for several years, however, it is limited in the effects it can use, which is why I'm looking at VS. I probably have best part of 3Tb of Divx video and I've never found editing it a problem, just limited and often time consuming.

I don't want to be rude when you're trying to help me, but you seem to be ignoring the fact that VS supports DivX editing and that it actually works on some of my files but not others.

Why is the bitrate affecting the editing display? Why do all of the files fail at 00:05:19:24?

Thanks

Steve

[Ron P.]

I'm not trying to be rude, and not trying to evade the initial problem. I didn't know that you did not want to produce DVDs.

Yes VS is capable of editing them, and many others. I think this was due to market request, and manufacturers/developers will shovel out anything that the market wants, even if it doesn't work well..

Ok enough of that... The only DivX files I have are from downloading from the internet, a couple from the former Stage6. I can attempt to edit, and see if I get a similar result. This maybe a quirk with VS trying to encode at such low bitrates, and your PC struggling with resources.

Next question is that if this is in Previewing while editing, it's not that surprising. The preview in Instant Playback mode is rough enough using complex DV, or MPEG files. Everything must be thrown together "on-the-fly". I know it seems strange that dropping the bitrate causes this, and I really don't know the "tech aspects" as to why VS's Preview chooses to drop out at that specific point.

With some complex projects, I'll use the High-Quality Playback mode. To preview, I'll select a "Preview Range", that way VS does not have render the whole thing each time, just a very short segment.

You change the Preview Playback mode in the Preferences dialog, and to set a Preview Range, in Time-Line View, ensure that you're in Project Mode (Press the "Project" text above "Clip"). Then slide the little Pause/Duration or Mark-in/Mark-out triangles inwards so that the red line encompasses that part of the project you want to review. Press Play and it should render a temp file, that will play smoothly, and should be visible in the Preview window.

Or you can set up the Preview Range as described above, and then go to Share>Project Playback. In the dialog that opens, be sure to select Preview Range.

As far as the files failing at that point, could be due to some corruption. While files may play well, editing them is more strict on them, and even minor corruptions can cause the encoder to go tilt..

[PoBear]

Tried your suggestions but to no avail although I did find some additional information.

The problem seems to be limited to files that have come directly from my capture card and are below 2500Kb/s. I've tried files with a greater bitrate, currently 3000Kb/s and above (I don't know specifically where the break point is between 2500 and 300) and they work without problem and I've tried files with a low bitrate that have been previously edited and they're OK.

The resolution doesn't seem to be a factor as I have tried files at 720x576 and a low bitrate with the same error.

The fact that all of the files (that fail), fail at the same point exactly seems strange to me, yes it could be some sort of corruption, but I've checked them in another editor and it is not reporting any problems.
Even though I'm decribing the DivX bitrate as low it's equivalent to an MPEG bitrate of about 6000Kb/s so it's not that low,

Steve

[sjj1805]

It would be interesting to see what your system specifications are.

[PoBear]

Recording Machine
Windows XP Pro fully patched
AMD Athlon 64 3200
1Gb RAM
ATI AIW 9800
Divx 6.8 Pro

Editing Machine
Windows XP Home fully patched
AMD Athlon 64 3200
1Gb RAM
Sapphire X1950 Pro
Divx 6.8 Pro