Simple Question about Avid Cinema to VCD

[Bixler]

I'd like to take my fully assembled home video (Created with Avid) and output it to a CDrom (VCD format, or the most compatible with another machine). I have a 2x burner and the cheezy little adaptec bundle program (3.5c)--which doesn't seem to understand this simple request

Do I need to convert the Avid to an .AVI file and then copy to CDR? I looked at the quicktime output and it was simply AWFUL.

Apologies to you heavyweights out there for such a seemingly simple request, but this will be my first time around the track with VCD--

OK OK --I'm an idiot HELP!

[Dr Mordrid]

First you have to export the video as an MPEG-1 file that is VCD compliant. Ligos makes an MPEG-1/MPEG-2 plugin for Avid Cinema that runs about $29.95. This lets you render the video direct to either type of MPEG. I believe this plugin also has VideoCD presets for the proper settings. This link takes you to their online store;

http://www.ligos.com/mpeg/store/

Once exported to the proper MPEG-1 settings you need to have burning software capable of making VCD's using the MPEG-1 file. Adaptecs VideoCD Creator works for this if you have the Deluxe version. If not then an upgrade is in order.

Dr. Mordrid

[Bixler]

Thank You Kind Doctor!

Solid information and much appreciated.

It does cause me a little heartburn that this simple need will take another $100+ to get the job done.

Let's go at the issue this way.

What is the Best way to transfer 15 minutes or so of Video to a CD?

[Frank Marshall]

You can use freeware bbMPEG encoder and record the resulting MPEG to CD just as you would regular data. The resulting CD will only be playable on computers though... Here's the bbMPEG URL:
http://members.home.net/beyeler/bbmpeg.html

HTH.

[Bixler]

Thanks Frank (And again to you Dr. M)

One last question...(I'm too cheap to buy the Ligos plugin)

Avid Cinema will output to an .AVI file which I can save...will converting this .avi over to MPEG with the bbMPEG utility result in any significant loss of picture quality? I mean really, this is just home video anyway

Thanks again for the quick responses...this is the BEST help forum I've found anywhere!!

[dchip]

I used Avid Cinema quite a bit last year and I still use it to do JPG slide shows with transitions and music. I think you mentioned that you are saving to Avid Cinema AVI format. If so, that IS the best format. As for MPEG compression I cannot attest to the quality from bbmeg or ligos today. I used trial versions of these programs a year or so ago and was not impressed.

Now I use the Panasonic software encoder. The results I get from it are outstanding. I know you made it clear that your pockets are closed on this, but if you want to make your efforts in Avid (all that clipping and positioning of effects, titles and sound) really payoff, consider the Panasonic MPEG encoder. It's $79.95 downloaded http://www.networkserve.co.jp/mpeg/index_e.html and, in fact, just the other day Panasonic Digital Networkserve released another upgrade to it which reportedly gives even better RGB color control, helping to eliminate the very kind of loss of quality you asked about. I would feel bad if I didn't mention this encoder. It's so very good at MPEG-1 and VCD. Good luck.

[Bixler]

Thanks DChip:

I think I know where I can find an 'evaluation' on the Panasonic. I'll let you know.

For the other helpsters out there, the bb package delivered badly scrambled output...probably my own ignorance with settings and such. The .avi's play nice, but apparently I've got to know something technical about ratios, etc. to get the .mpg right. Oh, well, nothing worth knowing is ever easy.

Thanks again for the timely tips and support. This is the best help forum on the web.!!

[dchip]

You will not have to fiddle with settings in Panasonic except telling it what dimensions you are seeking and what frames you want to encode. It lets you preview the AVI and locate a particular frame as a starting and ending point. Also, VCD is a preset option. Once you select it, all the VCD settings occur automatically.

[Bixler]

Dchip:

Thanks for staying close by.

Just "acquired" the Panasonic (standalone ver 2.5)

I've created a small .avi as a test, but when taking the defaults, I get an "illegal operation" error when attempting to encode. The program then quits back to the desktop with no other damage to the system, but the problem is consistent. Will the "stack dump" and other illegal operation info help you discern my problem? The .avi is at 704X480 which is default...no cropping, and I'm not asking the program to select any frames.

very consistent

info follows below

PWIMPEGE caused a divide error in module PWIMPEGE.EXE at 016f:00429b93.
Registers:
EAX=00000000 CS=016f EIP=00429b93 EFLGS=00010246
EBX=00000000 SS=0177 ESP=007beed0 EBP=00000000
ECX=00000000 DS=0177 ESI=007bf6ac FS=337f
EDX=00000000 ES=0177 EDI=000012e3 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
f7 f1 8b 44 24 08 f7 f1 8b c2 33 d2 eb 50 8b c8
Stack dump:
00000000 0041f839 00938d70 00000000 00000000 00000000 007bf6ac 007bf6ac 007bef58 00000001 000003c6 00000000 00000000 00000000 408e3800 0041ebed

[dchip]

What size did you request the result be? Make sure it divides evenly by 16. Example:
640x480 = 307200 /16 = 19200 would be acceptable, but 643x481 = 309283 /16 = 19330.187 would wreak havoc.

Try making your selection of output MPEG-VCD and see what happens. It would make your resulting file smaller but since VCD is what you ultimately want, that should work fine. Don't change any other settings. I generally don't try to make huge 704x480 MPEGs. I just don't have the computer horsepower to do them. I don't know what hardware you have but if your movie is of any length, then you're proabably just overloading your system. Try to reduce the size you ask Panasonic to make the result. If you don't want to try VCD then try asking for 320x240.

[Bixler]

DChip:

Thanks again!

The output file was requested at the same aspect as the input, and my calculator says that both those numbers divide by 16--so no go there.--Although an .avi at 704x480 should look a little tall and skinny?????? HMMM.

You may have the problem nailed with my system though. A K6III 400 @ 428 on an early VIA chipset. (yeah, I know! Greebe is tweaking me a new athlon right now and I can't wait. )

I backed down to the 5.25 WHQL PD version looking for stability...do you suppose that I should play around with another Driver? Prior to this adventure I was running on the beta 6.x's and doing OK, I suppose... Whadya think?
----------edit--------------
Just tried it, and "Illegal Operation" as above popped on "encode" on an attempt at VCD/NTSC output. Time for a reinstall...

Going to later drivers too...I was happy with the beta 6.x's --just a little toooooo careful this time.



[This message has been edited by Bixler (edited 10 July 2000).]

[dchip]

It is possible that your system isn't strong enough to do the crunching AVI to MPEG requires. For what it's worth try creating a shorter AVI clip and loading it into Panasonic. Say a minute or so long. Also whatever you do keep those emails from Panasonic that contain your passwords. You'll need those to do any reinstall or moving of the program to another machine.

[Frank Marshall]

Hi,

I've been reading your problems with Panasonic and bbMPEG. Hmmm, I haven't hit a glitch with either of them yet so I can't help directly but you may want to browse the VCD Q&A forum. Check out the archives on making VCDs first; the forum isn't as friendly as this one Hope you find some answers there...
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-an...pic=Video%20CD

[Bixler]

I'm 90% sure that it's my own ignorance on these matters--I'll just have to bone up on this stuff.

I did bite the bullet and plunked down the $30 for the LSX/Avid plugin...I've already wasted more time than that for God's sake!

Wanna take any bets on whether it works?? My money is that it won't, and there's some cryptic setting that isn't tweaked just right.

Thanks for the link. I'm off to school.

Don't go far guys...I'll try to keep the questions reasonably intelligent.

[This message has been edited by Bixler (edited 10 July 2000).]

[Bixler]

Well, the bet was a wash...the LSX plugin works

and it doesn't

Easy, painless install, very fast rendering, and cleanly plugs in to the Avid software. I'm thinking for my money, I got what I paid for. Outputting to "highest" quality (they call it "TV output" gives me garbage, but VCD, and MPEG1 & 2 'standard' do render.

This little plug-in is not recommended for tweakers though. But just as advertised...simple, clean and cheap.

My dim recollection is that Dr. Mordrid reported some problems with AVID and the latest VidTools (which I'm now running)...that's my next angle of attack, but progress is being made.

Thanks for all the pointers! This stuff is 'way too much for plug&players though.