Ever see this bad grammar error message?

[rwalker66]

Besides the fact that it should say "Convert step HAS/HAD some problems", what does this mean and how do I fix it?
They are just MTS files, which I have converted successfully and made DVDs from many times.

[Ken Berry]

Ron -- yes, I agree the grammar is appalling, but I am afraid it is a common message. As it otherwise makes clear, MF is actually converting the input video into DVD-compatible mpeg-2. This is something we have long suggested that people avoid. The multiplexing and disc burning process is already complicated enough without expecting it also to carry out a complex conversion process...

So my question to you is: are they .mts format when you insert them into MF; or have you already down-converted them to SD mpeg-2 in some other program? It doesn't sound as if you have since you get that message. If you have in fact down-converted them, then have you made sure the 'Do not convert compliant MPEG files' box is ticked in the Options icon in the bottom left of the MF screen?

[rwalker66]

They are from an HD hard drive Camcorder and are pulled directly from the camcorder to the computer and put into DVDMF as MTS files. No converting is done beforehand. Should I convert them first? If so do you know a free program that can do this? The 'Do not convert compliant MPEG files' box is always ticked since it is ticked by default. I just leave it that way. So any advice on how to successfully get this DVD made?

[Ken Berry]

Did the camera come with any rudimentary editing software of its own? That could be a possibility... Otherwise, you would need to use a freeware program such as SUPER: http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html Ignore other download links on that page as they are to commercial programs. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page until you see another link in relatively small print: "Download SUPER © setup file from our 2nd dedicated server "

[rwalker66]

The camera really didn't come with anything like that. I have a program called "Emicsoft FLV Convertor" which converts many video formats besides FLV format and can convert them to many different formats. I just did a test on one MTS file and it did convert it to MPEG-2. I checked the clip I converted with the free GSPOT program which gives video and audio qualities of video clips and it confirms the video is MPEG-2. So I will try to convert all the clips and just start over with a new project file, edit it, add text, etc. and try it all again. Hopefully it will work this time. Thanks.

[rwalker66]

After converting the MTS clips to MPEG-2 clips DVDMF had no problem making a DVD. But upon watching the DVD it was interlaced. Should I have deinterlaced it beforehand during the conversion process? There is a button in the conversion program for deinterlacing. I just though DVDMF would do it like it always does.

[Ken Berry]

Sorry, but unless you are talking about a slideshow, which can use Frame Based, a standard def DVD will always be interlaced... What did you expect...

Then again, you never told us what your camera was exactly... If it was one of the very recent ones which does high def in 60 fps/50 fps, then in any case X3/MF7 cannot handle that format correctly, and Corel tell me they have no idea when a fix might emerge for it...

[rwalker66]

I have a Canon Vixia HF M31. The properties of the video footage is 1920x1080 and the frame rate is only 29.970 fps.

None of the standard def DVDs I have made (hundreds, including many with this camera) show wavy lines during movement. They have all been clear of lines and played fine. I was just wondering why this one had lines during movement. If I went into properties and changed the field type from "no fields" to "lower field first" or "upper field first" would that make a difference? Which one should I choose if that's the case? Thanks.

[Ron P.]

MPEG is almost always UFF (Upper field first), so try that. Also Hi-def is going to reveal more little faults, that you managed to get away with using SD. But I would certainly use UFF for your video.

Just a side-note a little off topic, but I have a similar dilemma concerning field orders. I'm trying to take some old DV video clips that of course are LFF, and use some new footage shot with my Canon FS300, which records SD to MPEG-2, and of course it uses UFF. I've not reached a solution yet, as which ever way I go, one or the other will be affected.

[rwalker66]

Thanks Ron. Choosing UFF as the field order fixed the interlacing problem. In the past when I inputted MTS files into DVDMF I always chose "No Fields" and never had any problems. When I used to work with DV I always chose lower field first since next to "lower field first" in the field order it says "DV". Is the rule you should always chose a field order unless it's a slideshow? And does everything use UFF except DV?