Commskip batch file for creating XVID

[bug1124]

Well it converted successfully but the file size is still 805MB (different source file). I did see Lame run but it wasn't until after the 800 meg file was created. I guess I don't understand how it can use the mp3 after the fact. Virtual Dub appeared to run a second time after Lame ran. Though I think it might have crashed for some reason. It definitely didn't stay open as long as it did the first time.

Any more ideas? I can get you any output that would be helpful.

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by bug1124

Well it converted successfully but the file size is still 805MB (different source file). I did see Lame run but it wasn't until after the 800 meg file was created. I guess I don't understand how it can use the mp3 after the fact. Virtual Dub appeared to run a second time after Lame ran. Though I think it might have crashed for some reason. It definitely didn't stay open as long as it did the first time.

Any more ideas? I can get you any output that would be helpful.

There is Lame, which makes the mp3. Did you see a file called xxx.mp3?

There is a utility avi2wav, which extracts the wav file from the Avi. After that, lame runs and creates an mp3 sound file on the extracted wav file.

Besides lame, there is a utility called wavmp3.exe. This converts your mp3 file a wav header for Virtualdub to be able to remux the new mp3 with wav extension to the video.


The second time VDub is running, its only remuxing so it normally is very fast at doing that. Apeearently, in your case you are remuxing the same wav file generated by avi2wav, which is uncompressed. Meaning wavmp3 is not doing its thing on the mp3 file.

I recommend you start over and follow the instructions EXACTLY as posted WRT file paths,etc.

Use my Convert.bat EXACLTY as posted. Don't bother re-installing Avisynth but do verify that the Avisynth folder is located at C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5
(you did not modify the default install folder, did you?).

Your plugins as follows, need to be present at:

C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\DGDecode.dll")
C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\SimpleResize.dll")
C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\Leakkerneldeint.dll")


XViD is fine, don't reinstall that.

Besides making your life easier, you will be helping me out by testing the instructions as they are. If you still have problems AFTER following the instruction, then I know my instructions need to be made more clear for others.

Good luck.

[roxy99]

Thank you jds for the kind words.

Here is a two pass version which hopefully gets even better quality and a smaller file:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21737

[bug1124]

Well I found the issue. When WaveMp3 was extracted from the zip file it went into a subfolder within the Lame folder. I have moved it directly into the Lame folder and it seems to work. I am now getting a file size of 380MB with the single pass.

Am I correct in assuming that I can just use the new bat files (from the other thread) to make the same setup do 2 passes?

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by bug1124

Well I found the issue. When WaveMp3 was extracted from the zip file it went into a subfolder within the Lame folder. I have moved it directly into the Lame folder and it seems to work. I am now getting a file size of 380MB with the single pass.

Am I correct in assuming that I can just use the new bat files (from the other thread) to make the same setup do 2 passes?

Yes and I've simplified the install process. All plugins for the 2 pass method will be loaded into the C:\Project directory. No more worrying where the default plugin folder is. I borrowed your idea to consolidate the install as much as possible. Hence delaycut, lame, wav2avicmd are now in the c:\project folder.

Anyone using th 2 pass method should backup this 1 pass project folder. Rename C:\Project to C:\1PassProject. This way you can test the 2 pass method and go back later to the 1 pass method.

[bug1124]

Well I got both of the methods working (1 pass and 2 pass) and am seeing about a 65MB difference in final file size.

I have everything except AviSynth and Xvid operating from the Project directory so there are minimal additional folders on the C: drive (only Project). I renamed the two bat files that were formerly processmpg to something more specific so either method can be used on the same source/completed directories. Now you just have to populate source, pick the method/double click it, then wait for it to finish. If you are interested in seeing my project folder you can download it here.

This is a cool little setup you made. My only suggestion for improvement would be if the install could be simplified to one download and one extraction. As you said there may be legal issues... Good luck and I look forward to checking out what you come out with next!

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by bug1124

Well I got both of the methods working (1 pass and 2 pass) and am seeing about a 65MB difference in final file size.

I have everything except AviSynth and Xvid operating from the Project directory so there are minimal additional folders on the C: drive (only Project). I renamed the two bat files that were formerly processmpg to something more specific so either method can be used on the same source/completed directories. Now you just have to populate source, pick the method/double click it, then wait for it to finish. If you are interested in seeing my project folder you can download it here.

This is a cool little setup you made. My only suggestion for improvement would be if the install could be simplified to one download and one extraction. As you said there may be legal issues... Good luck and I look forward to checking out what you come out with next!

Nicely done, I've looked at your download.

Already taken care of in the 2 pass version. Avisynth has its own installer so I've left that as is as well as XViD. The only difference in my download of Project.zip for 2 pass, is that Besweet and Virtualdub have thier own folder trees. This is because you must install those apps first and I cannot repackage them in the zip for general download without author's permission.

However, I have incorporated your suggestion 90% with all the plugins etc in the project folder for the 2 pass variation (see other threadhttp://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21932 )

[davephan]

Roxy99,

I tried installing, then running your batch file several times. The batch file seemed to run OK, but no compressed file was created at the end. Only three files were in the c:\project folder with the extensions:
log
logo.txt
txt

What do you think might be wrong?


Dave

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by davephan

Roxy99,

I tried installing, then running your batch file several times. The batch file seemed to run OK, but no compressed file was created at the end. Only three files were in the c:\project folder with the extensions:
log
logo.txt
txt

What do you think might be wrong?


Dave

Nothing in the C:\project\converted folder? How long did it seem to execute? I need to know at what point it crashed.

[davephan]

I found the problem!

I very carefully examined each line at the beginning of the convert.bat file where the "set" statements occur. I discovered several of the paths did not match the locations of the files.

When I ran the batch file after modifying the set statements, I discovered that the VirualDub program was waiting for me to check a checkbox to acknowledge that it is beta software, before program would continue.

At the end, the 20 minute mpeg2 file that was 994 megs (set at the standard DVD quality level) was converted to a 106 meg AVI file. I have not tried comparing the Mpeg2 file to the AVI file yet on my 27" and 60" televisions yet to determine if the quality level is acceptable.

My test file was from PBS, so I will need to do more testing from a commerical channel to determine how well comskip works.

My computer uses an AMD XP+2100 CPU and has 1 gig RAM. The process might have taken about one hour to process a half hour show. The CPU was sustained near 100 percent for much of the process.

I plan to test offloading the process to an older seldomly used second computer which is a Pentium 3, 900 MHz.

The convert.bat has an area with many "AAAAA" and other text that look like garbage (but are probably not garbage). What does that area of the convert batch file do?


Dave

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by davephan

I found the problem!

I very carefully examined each line at the beginning of the convert.bat file where the "set" statements occur. I discovered several of the paths did not match the locations of the files.

When I ran the batch file after modifying the set statements, I discovered that the VirualDub program was waiting for me to check a checkbox to acknowledge that it is beta software, before program would continue.

At the end, the 20 minute mpeg2 file that was 994 megs (set at the standard DVD quality level) was converted to a 106 meg AVI file. I have not tried comparing the Mpeg2 file to the AVI file yet on my 27" and 60" televisions yet to determine if the quality level is acceptable.

My test file was from PBS, so I will need to do more testing from a commerical channel to determine how well comskip works.

My computer uses an AMD XP+2100 CPU and has 1 gig RAM. The process might have taken about one hour to process a half hour show. The CPU was sustained near 100 percent for much of the process.

I plan to test offloading the process to an older seldomly used second computer which is a Pentium 3, 900 MHz.

The convert.bat has an area with many "AAAAA" and other text that look like garbage (but are probably not garbage). What does that area of the convert batch file do?


Dave

Definately not garbage. That long string tells the Xvid encoder what to do and how to do it. It's generated by setting up manually Xvid setting in Virtualdub and then saving the processing settings as a script file (a vcf file). Then, in notepad I simply copy and paste that long string into the convert.bat file.

You can if you want try different bitrates, advanced Xvid feature and so on and create your own string.

Be sure to try the 2-pass version I made as well.

[davephan]

Thanks for the VCF file information.

I tried your link listed on message # 41 to the two-pass information, but the link is broken.

Dave

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by davephan

Thanks for the VCF file information.

I tried your link listed on message # 41 to the two-pass information, but the link is broken.

Dave

try
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21932

[calrisian]

hi there Roxy! I'm loving your script, I've been trying to do what it does for 3 months now. I was trying to just record the captured tv shows I have as avi's, but I'm getting such better quality using the hardware mpg encoder, and using your script to get them to avi format. I would rather it be one pass though for times sake, since my initial quality of the mpg's are really poor, and I don't really care about preserving dvd quality standards when there's even flecks and poor quality signal to start with. I've tried to read and comprehend each post in this thread, and figure out what i should do for about 8 hours total now, but a lot of it is out of my league at this point. i think i understand what to do above with the .vcf, i'm going to try that. i'm shooting for a 1 pass script, that does 800kbps, 640x480

[calrisian]

I'm trying the single pass right now, and trying to figure out what it's doing. the first error i see as the .bat file runs is the DGindex crashes, and has to close. Then it moves the /source directory to /misc/source, and then the .bat stops. This doesn't happen to anybody else? Or has everyone moved on the HQ scripts? I just wanted one to compress my poorer regular tv quality shows. Please help!

[roxy99]

Sorry for responding so late. I've been away. Have u tried HQ using one pass and does that work for you?

[calrisian]

yes, it does, but I don't want to resize to 612x whatever, and I want a lower bitrate since it's just lower quality t.v.. Also, when using the single pass version 1.4 which is what I'm using, it's still converting to 512xwhatever which is bearable for me, but the problem you had discussed earlier with it not accepting the compressed mp3, and having PCM uncompressed audio in the final .avi is happening. My note was, that it happens on any file over 322 megabytes. I had one at 322, has mp3 audio, 323, pcm, 324, pcm, so I could see it clearly. So you're saying using HQ version, and change the .vcf?

[roxy99]

Originally Posted by calrisian

yes, it does, but I don't want to resize to 612x whatever, and I want a lower bitrate since it's just lower quality t.v.. Also, when using the single pass version 1.4 which is what I'm using, it's still converting to 512xwhatever which is bearable for me, but the problem you had discussed earlier with it not accepting the compressed mp3, and having PCM uncompressed audio in the final .avi is happening. My note was, that it happens on any file over 322 megabytes. I had one at 322, has mp3 audio, 323, pcm, 324, pcm, so I could see it clearly. So you're saying using HQ version, and change the .vcf?

I suggest you try out the latest version 1.6 in my signature. That version will allow you to select by menu whether you want one or two passes. However the one pass low quality is still resizing to 512x. Get version 1.6 working for you first and then we'll customize it for you so the low-q 512x can be a low-q 640x.