VSP X6 - "Conversion step got some problems"

[Vrye]

Using VSP X6 (32bit), attempted to create a Blu-ray 50GB disc of 2h:5m project incorporating many JPG and MP3 files, with some AVI and WAV files, but without success.

Initially, before suspecting any problems, I created a custom 4-page menu to display the project's sixteen chapters, selected "Create to disc". After about an hour of elapsed time the application rendered my first encounter with error message "Convert step got some problems. [257:0:0]", providing no clue as to what specifically was hampering the conversion process.

Seeking a remedy via Web forums, the only sensible resolution, aside from rechecking my project for track & function errors, was to segment my project by process of elimination.

1) used another menu style without altering menu and selected "Create Blu-ray folders:" -- same convert error occurred.

2) created separate project using only the AVI files used in my project with the custom menu I created earlier and selected "Create Blu-ray folders:" -- it worked WITHOUT ERROR!!!

3) attempted "Create Blu-ray folders:" of entire project again with custom menu and --- same convert error at 1h:1m elapsed time.

4) attempting to locate the error by selecting increasing time segments using "Create Video File">>Blu-ray>>Options>>"Create video file with specified duration:(H:M:S:f)">>Save. This renders M2T files (MPEG-2 Transport Stream). First, 1 hour's worth, then 1.5 hour, then all 2h:5m of the project. --All three times it rendered completely WITHOUT ERROR!!!

5) again, tried "Create to disc" the entire project WITHOUT ANY MENU and received same error message at 1h:7m:14s elapsed time.

In conclusion, I don't think there is a correlation with elapsed time and the point of time within my project. Regardless, I found no discernible error at that point in time.

So, the project appears to convert seamlessly when rendering to a video file, but does not when using the "Create to disc" function. Use of menu, custom or not, does not appear to generate an error. And the error is occurring well before being rendered to a disk.

Can anyone suggest what else to try? I'm at wits end after spending months creating this project. --- Thanks

[Ken Berry]

So, the project appears to convert seamlessly when rendering to a video file, but does not when using the "Create to disc" function.

...And that is the heart of it. That message you got refers not to conversion of the menu, but to conversion of the contents of the project. While not helpful in pinpointing the exact problem, it does at least indicate that there is something in the project a little past the one hour mark which the burning module has difficulty in converting to Blu-Ray compatible mpeg-2.

So, in situations like this, we usually recommend first creating a Blu-Ray compatible mpeg-2 transport stream or AVCHD file (also Blu-Ray compatible) from your project in the *Editing* module, rather than allowing the conversion to take place in the burning module as part of an already complicated enough burning process. And conversion is necessary, of course, since as you say, the video in your project is AVI. The problem with that, though, is that AVI is merely a wrapper extension, and there are over 800 widely different video formats which call themselves AVI, and not all of them are easily editable or convertible...

So in the editing module, when you have finished editing, you go to Share and select from the top category ("Create a video that you can play on a computer") either MPEG-2, then one of the Blu-Ray options when you click on the down arrow (1920 x 1080 or 1440 x 1080) or else AVCHD. Then give the new file a name and press START to convert the project to Blu-Ray compatible video. Do this as many times as you want separate clips on the disc -- though from the sounds of it, you only want one from your project, which you can then break down into chapters once you are in the burning module.

When the conversion is complete, you can play the new file on a software media player to make sure it is OK. If, on the other hand, you get another error message, again this will indicate that there is something incompatible within the project.

But if the new video is created, then go to File > New Project. Don't worry about giving it a name as the objective is merely to clear the timeline of your project.

Then you go to Share again, but this time to the disc options where you choose Blu-Ray. The burning module will open and its timeline should be empty. Click on the top left hand icon ("Add Video Files") and select your new video clip. Then go to the Options cogwheel icon in the bottom left of the burning screen and make sure the box beside "Do Not Convert Compliant MPEG files" is ticked. Then make your chapters and build your menu. This time you should not get the 'convert step got some problems' message (in its awful English!) But you might want to create a Blu-Ray folder instead of an actual disc, just to make sure everyone is OK. If it is, then you can use a program like Nero, Roxio or the freeware ImgBurn to burn the folder to a Blu-Ray disc.

[Vrye]

Mr. Berry,
Thank you does not seem adequate after having provided me with a perfectly viable alternative to the error message problem I was facing. Your directions resolved my dilemma by first having an m2t file created of my project, then later importing that file into VSP's "Create Disc" module. I was able to burn ten discs of my project's part 1 (2h:5m) and haven't had any problems creating the m2t file of part 2 (1h). My project will soon be appreciated by family and many relatives.

Thanks again, keep up the fine work you're providing, and have a Merry Christmas. :D

[Ken Berry]

Glad it worked!!