MF4 crashes when joining mpg clips

macwino · Post by **macwino** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:23 pm

This has been a recurring problem for me and I was wondering if anyone has an explanation for what's going on and a possible fix.

I frequently join several short mpg clips together when I create an ISO file. I do this to avoid cluttering up the Main Menu pages and this enables me to use the sub-menu pages for the clips. I usually join no more than 4 or 5 clips, although I've done as many as 20 on occasion.

About half the time MF4 will crash when it reaches the "Converting Video Title" step for one of these sets of joined clips. I get the message "Ulead DVD MovieFactory has encountered a problem and needs to close." If I separate the clips, I can create the ISO file. I just can't create the ISO file if I join them.

All of the clips are from the same source video and all have the same specs except for duration.

Thanks for any assistance that can be provided. Robert

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:10 am

Try exporting the joined files from the timeline as a dvd compliant mpeg2 file.
After the file is created start a new project and import the new
dvd compliant mpeg2 file into the project.
(New Icon on the left side of screen)

MD

macwino · Post by **macwino** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 3:06 am

I've been doing basically what you recommend. I bring the clips into a movie editing program and join them and then bring them back into MF4. I'll give it a try using the timeline export mpeg procedure.

The problem with this procedure, however, is that I want each clip to be a separate chapter. Therefore, after bringing the joined video back into MF4, I have to go through the tedious process of manually locating and setting all the chapter points. If only MF4 would be able to handle properly the clips it joins then I wouldn't have to do this.

I just wonder why MF4 is so erratic in the way it handles joined clips. I can have 4 sets of joined clips - all from the same source material and all with the same specs. When I go to create the ISO file, at least half the time MF4 will crash when processing one or more of the sets of joined clips. Why it does this on some joined clips and not on others puzzles me no end. Indeed, sometimes I can take a set of joined clips that have crashed the program, import them into a new file with no other content, and I can create an ISO file without encountering a crash. Yet these same clips, if joined within MF4 and then included as part of a file with other material will cause the program to crash.

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:43 am

I've found that most MF errors are audio related. At least on my system.
I hope that when they release the patch it contains an update and uses
the same code as VideoStudio9 for working with mpeg files.

I did find out one reason MF4 wasn't joining mpeg2 files and giving an
error on my system. (Also for VS8).
The files I was importing were originally recorded VBR of approx 5000kbs.
The files were marked as either 9800 or 9550 Max_Bit_Rate under Properties.
After creating a custom template of approx 5000 VBR the files
would join without an error.
So I have to know the correct bit_rate or analyze the file first.
I'm hoping the update patch to MF4 uses the same code as
VideoStudio9 for working with Mpeg files.
I've been using VS9 and other programs to join mpeg's if need be
before importing into MF4.

MD

macwino · Post by **macwino** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:29 pm

An interesting insight about the bitrates. I'll look into it. Thanks.

daniel · Post by **daniel** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:53 am

Well for info, I get the same errors when joining files, and it makes no difference if they're MPEG or AVI (DV capture) files, so I doubt MPEG audio or bit rates are playing a role....

daniel · Post by **daniel** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:54 am

Well for info, I get the same errors when joining files, and it makes no difference if they're MPEG or AVI (DV capture) files, so I doubt MPEG audio or bit rates are playing a role....