DVDMF4 shows wrong size

[Arnie]

On the bottom bar showing the estimated size to be burnt to DVD, a problem. If I import MPG files, it shows the correct size.
If I import an .avi file, it always seems to assume I am encoding at 7000 kb/s, irrespective of my compression setting. I.e. when I want to encode at 5000 kb/s, it dows not allow me to add as much video at it should for 5000 kb/s.
So when I add (say) 1 hr 45 minutes of .avi video and select 5000 kb/s, which should fit nicely, DVDMF4 refuses to burn as the file is "too big". If I create the 5000 kb/s .MPG file of 1 hr 45 minutes in MSP7, and then bring it into DVDMF4 for burning, all works fine.

In DVDMF2. the problem does not occur. It works perfectly (but does not support dual-layer disks). As I change the bit rate for mpg compression, the change in size is immediately and correctly reflected on the size bar.

In DVDMF3, I have the same problem as with DVDMF4.
Any others seen this? Any solutions / work-arounds? Is this a known bug?
Cheers,
Arnie.
P4-3.0
MSP7
DVDMF4
Working with PAL video

[JoReneA]

I just tried bringing in a avi file on a project to test your problem. When I changed the compression from 7000 (the default, as you said) to a lower setting, the size of the project on the bar went down right away. I've heard there are all kinds of avi files, so I don't know if that could make a difference, but at least for me it works as it should.

[GeorgeW]

What type of audio do you have in your template? to have 5000kbps for 1 hr 45 min, you won't be able to use lpcm audio.

I would start a new project. And setup a new template with your desired settings. Then hit the gear icon, and select your new template for your project.

[Arnie]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

I use MPEG 2, 224 kb/s. Standard DVD-PAL, and 5000 kb/s fixed video rate. When rendering to MPG in MSP7, I get 1 hr 55 minutes on a 4.7 G DVD, works perfectly. Burn to DVD using either DVDMF2 or DVDMF4, both works OK, plays perfectly in my DVD player.

The problem occurs when I add .avi files to DVDMF4 (using files captured from my Sony Digital-8 camera on Firewire port). If I drag in the 1 hr 55 min .avi file into DVDMF4, there is no way I can set compression settings to show <4.7 (4.3) GB on the meter, or be able to render and burn it. It shows around 7 - 8 GB, irrespective of complession setting. I tried video rate of 2500, 5000, 7000 kb/s, and different audio settings, all showing ~ 8 GB on the disc meter (actual number shown varies slightly between settings of 2500 and 8000 kb/s). As indicated earlier, in DVDMF2, this problem does not occur at all, it works perfectly.
My workaround is to not do any rendering at all in DVDMF4, just do it in MSP7. I would like to use the DVDMF4 engine, as it seems to be better than the one in MSP7.
Any advice / help is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Arnie.

[Vercada]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

I use MPEG 2, 224 kb/s. Standard DVD-PAL, and 5000 kb/s fixed video rate. When rendering to MPG in MSP7, I get 1 hr 55 minutes on a 4.7 G DVD, works perfectly. Burn to DVD using either DVDMF2 or DVDMF4, both works OK, plays perfectly in my DVD player.


Any advice / help is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Arnie.

Hi,
I have the same problem. Any help will be appreciated.

[Markos]

Same problem here.

I'm a complete newbie at this and I have a bunch of .avi files to make a DVD with and I see the same behavior - when I add the avi files the size bar at the bottom will not change with different compression settings I choose for the project.

I now have to convert the avi files to mpeg2 (I have no idea about what specific settings I'm converting to) import them to MF4 and then choose a compression setting and MF4 will show the size the converted files will take.

There is a 'do not convert compliant mpeg files' setting somewhere in MF4, so I assume that if I do convert the initial avi files to the exact same mpeg type I'm using in MF4 (I'm choosing the lowest quality preset in the 4:3 ratio) then MF4 won't need to do any conversion itself.

Any suggestions for a conversion program that would be easy to use and be able to take the same mpeg settings as MF4 is using will be welcome although I'd much rather prefer to do everything in MF4 to minimize the unending hassle of creating a DVD.

[heinz-oz]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

I use MPEG 2, 224 kb/s. Standard DVD-PAL, and 5000 kb/s fixed video rate. When rendering to MPG in MSP7, I get 1 hr 55 minutes on a 4.7 G DVD, works perfectly. Burn to DVD using either DVDMF2 or DVDMF4, both works OK, plays perfectly in my DVD player.

The problem occurs when I add .avi files to DVDMF4 (using files captured from my Sony Digital-8 camera on Firewire port). If I drag in the 1 hr 55 min .avi file into DVDMF4, there is no way I can set compression settings to show <4.7 (4.3) GB on the meter, or be able to render and burn it. It shows around 7 - 8 GB, irrespective of complession setting. I tried video rate of 2500, 5000, 7000 kb/s, and different audio settings, all showing ~ 8 GB on the disc meter (actual number shown varies slightly between settings of 2500 and 8000 kb/s). As indicated earlier, in DVDMF2, this problem does not occur at all, it works perfectly.
My workaround is to not do any rendering at all in DVDMF4, just do it in MSP7. I would like to use the DVDMF4 engine, as it seems to be better than the one in MSP7.
Any advice / help is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Arnie.

SONY again what about the two other guys, also SONY camcorders?

It may be something with the avi codec used in SONY camcorders. SONY are known for using all sorts of tricks to try and make you use their proprietary software, not that that is any good, mind you.

[Markos]

SONY again what about the two other guys, also SONY camcorders?

I have no idea how my initial avi files were created. If I load them in MF4 I may be able to see some info about them as far as frame rates or compression settings or whatever in case this is useful info to anyone.

[Arnie]

Hi Heinz-Oz,
Is it really possible that the Sony is doing something silly? In any case, MSP7 has no problem dealing with it, and converts it perfectly every time.
In DVDMF2 (that came with MSP7), likewise it works perfectly. Always showing the correct size.
In DVDMF3 and 4 however, the disc meter shows the wrong size and says "file won't fit on DVD" when I know it will fit.
To me it smells of a bug in DVDMF3 and 4.
Any other ideas appreciated.
Cheers,
Arnie.

[ruggy1]

MF3/4 have all sorts of problems with project sizes, so when you are ready, just ouput to ISO files and the size will be right. Then you can use a reliable burner like Nero to burn to DVD

[Arnie]

Hi Ruggy1,
I just tried what you suggested. Here is the outcome:
1. I selected an .avi file of 9.0 GB, length 43 minutes. PAL format capturd from the Sony camcorder.
2. I converted to MPG using MSP7, set to 5000 kb/s for video, MPEG audio: Resulting size 1.6 GB (exactly what I expected).
3. I then brought the .avi file into DVDMF4. It reported it would fill 2.28 GB. (this is about right for the DVDMF4 default of 7000 kb/s).
4. I changed compression to 5000 kb/s and MPEG audio, same settings as for MSP7 above.
5. DVDMF4 now reported size of 2.30 GB (gone UP slightly!!)
6. I burnt the video to an ISO image, expecting a size of 1.6 GB.
7. The actual resulting file size: 2.3 GB!!!
So it seems your suggestion sadly did not work. Thanks anyway, certainly worth trying .
My conclusion: DVDMF4 has a bug
And, DVDMF3 has the same bug.
And, DVDMF2 does NOT have this bug.
Ulead folks, any ideas / advice?
Cheers,
Arnie.

BENQ 16-speed dual-layer burner
P4-3.0, hyperthreading turned OFF
ASUS P4C800 deluxe mobo
WinXPSP2
MSP7SP3
DVDMF4 (and 3 and 2)

[bubbear]

I have the same problem. mpg's from my Panasonic set top recorder show up fine in DMF at the right size for the settings used to record them. If I use a converted Xvid (avi to DVD compliant mpg) then the size almost doubles no matter what bit rate I set for the encoding.

eg 350 Mb Xvid encoded avi file of a TV show (42 mins) converts to around 700 Mbs mpg at 4000 kbs max bitrate yet when this comes into DMF it says the size is 1.2 Gb. I have tried two different converters, different bitrates, ac3 and mp2 audio encoding, different project settings in DMF - it seems just about every combination.

BTW the same converted mpg's show fine in TMPGEnc Author 1.6 - it does not inflate the file size at all. Definitely something in the DMF4 program causing it to misread file sizes.

cheers,

Bubbear

[Alan Roberts]

I have the same problem. A 1 hour 22 minute DV programme imported as either QuickTime MOV or AVI occupies 4.38GB (at least that's what it claims) irrespective of compression settings. Even more strange, if I recapture the same movie from tape, using Sony DV Gate Motion (which splits into 2G files), the same number of frames and Gigabtytes occupies 6.5GB acaacording to MF4 and it falls over.

Not only that, but it's a 16:9 movie, and MF4 insists that it's 4:3. The "Clip Media Properties" correctly reports it as 16:9 but the windows show it as 4:3.

It seems there's no way I can get this programme on to DVD using Ulead products. And that's a shame, because it claims it can.

[maddrummer3301]

When you import a MOV or AVI file what happens when you
"UNCHECK" -> "Do Not Convert Compliant Mpeg Files"
Does that change the filesize to the correct estimated value?

MD

[Alan Roberts]

When you import a MOV or AVI file what happens when you
"UNCHECK" -> "Do Not Convert Compliant Mpeg Files"
Does that change the filesize to the correct estimated value?

MD

Makes no difference at all, still exactly the same oversize report. No surprise really, because it isn't importing MPEG files.