More Video Coding Comments

[jevans]

This is a follow up to the posting on video codecs in the main PTE forum. I hope it may be useful but apologise if it is "old hat" to forum members.

I have undertaken further experiments with PTE video output in an attempt to produce a permanent AVI file so that multiple shows can be burned to a DVD without opening multiple copies of PTE. I know that there are other methods including the use of third party coding software. But, looking at the dropdown list of alternative codecs in PTE, I wondered whether any of these could be used.

The results of these tests show that the only codec that produces satisfactory results is the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2. If this is selected via the "Custom" option in PTE, then a permanent AVI file results.

Running this AVI file in Windows Media Player results in an acceptable video presentation. However, if the AVI file is imported into Nero Vision Express so that menus etc. can be added, the resultant video files do not work correctly. The synchronisation between pictures and sound is lost and the pictures finish well before the sound. If however the AVI file is imported into Ulead Movie Factory and burned to a DVD disk, the correct video result is achieved.

Another interesting point is that the standard PTE temporary AVI file (using the standard PTE codec) produces a more stable video image when processed by Nero than by Ulead Movie Factory. In the former program, there are no "flickers" on the TV screen, whereas with Ulead, these can be clearly seen.

I tried to attach a copy of my test results to this post but apparently am not allowed to attached Excel files. However I will email the file to anyone who may be interested.

To summarise, if you want a permanent AVI file from a PTE show, use the "custom" option with the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 and import the resultant AVI file into Ulead Movie Factory.

Jeff Evans

[Ken Cox]

Jeff

I am running xp home sp2 c/w all updates

For this test I have a fairly large show - picts from the web - that i have set up and run with ver 4.5 to make sure

everything works -- i cannot do custom sync so it is set auto sync with full control -- ordinary fades -- the exe is 62

mb -runs +- 20 mins - been saving it for ver 5.

I read your entry about the codecs

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3992

and i had never looked at the list before so i went looking

I could not find your Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 in the list

I found WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER 9

ran it -- it created an avi 2.4 gb in 45 mins -- nothing would run it

then tried

MS VIDEO 1

4.194 gb in 54 mins -- nothing would run it

errors - needed different codecs

went to MS

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme...ecdownload.aspx

got pkg for xp and installed

still no go

also got

Codec Installation Package for Windows Media Player 6.4

but did not install -- as 6.4 is on my system

so

then i picked from avail codecs in the p2e drop down list - attached screenshot

FFVFW MPEG-4

ran it and it created an avi in 30.4 mins that would run

non interlaced 348 mb

but as in some instances in the past i get a screen chunk viewer - attached screenshot - when i run it with wmp 10 or

windvd viewer

so i made another interlaced but got same error

tried to do a DIVX 6 CODEC -- was 1/2 way thru and it crashed - stackoverflow

then i ran xvid mpeg 4 codec -- default settings -- interlaced

it made an avi in 30.44 mins 354 mb file that plays but chunk screen error again

I burned the 2 ffvfw mpeg 4 avi's as well as one avi that i had ran thru WinAvi to convert to a mpeg -2 -- this gets

rid of the chunk error when played on wmp 10

i used nero 6.6 to burn with default settings with menu - show set to return to menu at competion of show -- as per

Hawk's discovery of this trick

ran the shows on the dvd / tv with perfect transitions and music runs as it does on the exe

Since this was composed Jeff has contacted me off list with his spreadsheet and he is of the opinion that the codecs available in the p2e dropdown list are computor specific and after seeing his spreadsheet list of codecs, am of the same opinion

Igor, any comments here?

oh and BTW the av's that would not run have been disposed of - space on my video drive is getting tight

ken

[Lin Evans]

Hi Ken,

You can download most if not all Microft codecs here:

http://www.wmplugins.com/ItemList.aspx?typeid=8

Lin

Jeff

I am running xp home sp2 c/w all updates

For this test I have a fairly large show - picts from the web - that i have set up and run with ver 4.5 to make sure

everything works -- i cannot do custom sync so it is set auto sync with full control -- ordinary fades -- the exe is 62

mb -runs +- 20 mins - been saving it for ver 5.

I read your entry about the codecs

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3992

and i had never looked at the list before so i went looking

I could not find your Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 in the list

I found WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER 9

ran it -- it created an avi 2.4 gb in 45 mins -- nothing would run it

then tried

MS VIDEO 1

4.194 gb in 54 mins -- nothing would run it

errors - needed different codecs

went to MS

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme...ecdownload.aspx

got pkg for xp and installed

still no go

also got

Codec Installation Package for Windows Media Player 6.4

but did not install -- as 6.4 is on my system

so

then i picked from avail codecs in the p2e drop down list - attached screenshot

FFVFW MPEG-4

ran it and it created an avi in 30.4 mins that would run

non interlaced 348 mb

but as in some instances in the past i get a screen chunk viewer - attached screenshot - when i run it with wmp 10 or

windvd viewer

so i made another interlaced but got same error

tried to do a DIVX 6 CODEC -- was 1/2 way thru and it crashed - stackoverflow

then i ran xvid mpeg 4 codec -- default settings -- interlaced

it made an avi in 30.44 mins 354 mb file that plays but chunk screen error again

I burned the 2 ffvfw mpeg 4 avi's as well as one avi that i had ran thru WinAvi to convert to a mpeg -2 -- this gets

rid of the chunk error when played on wmp 10

i used nero 6.6 to burn with default settings with menu - show set to return to menu at competion of show -- as per

Hawk's discovery of this trick

ran the shows on the dvd / tv with perfect transitions and music runs as it does on the exe

Since this was composed Jeff has contacted me off list with his spreadsheet and he is of the opinion that the codecs available in the p2e dropdown list are computor specific and after seeing his spreadsheet list of codecs, am of the same opinion

Igor, any comments here?

oh and BTW the av's that would not run have been disposed of - space on my video drive is getting tight

ken

[Ken Cox]

Lin

after Jeff had brought the subject up i had got the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2

at

http://www.free-codecs.com/ACE_Mega_CoDecS_Pack_download.htm

after i had searched of all of ms codecs links

from what i have read it is an old codec that has since been updated -- same was not on my system at the time

but it does the job -- i had a 4.5 gb avi file that one son in law had made that would not run until the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2

was installed

thks

ken

thks

[Lin Evans]

Lin

after Jeff had brought the subject up i had got the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2

at

http://www.free-codecs.com/ACE_Mega_CoDecS_Pack_download.htm

after i had searched of all of ms codecs links

from what i have read it is an old codec that has since been updated -- same was not on my system at the time

but it does the job -- i had a 4.5 gb avi file that one son in law had made that would not run until the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2

was installed

thks

ken

thks

LOL - great resource! If you can't find a codec in that collection you probably don't need it - HA!

Best regards,

Lin

[txctxc]

Having downloaded the MPEG 4 codex and installed it on my desk top, can any one please tell me where to install it so as it appears in the custom dropdown list of PTE? I presume it has to be installed in the PTE folder but where can I find the folder. I am using window XP.

When using the create custom AVI video file method with what sizes are the size and FPS boxes completed Thanks in advance for your replies.

Ted

[Ken Cox]

when i download a codec package it generally has it's own installer and in siome cases it is installed in the system program file s section

did you install it

what is on your desktop -- is that what you down loaded

see

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3943

for some details re screen/picture settings

ken

[txctxc]

Hello Ken,

Thanks for your reply.I downloaded the zipped file of mirosoft MPEG 4 codex to my desktop. I also unzipped it on the desktop with the intention of removing the unzipped file to the oppropriate file so that it would appear in the Pte "create custom AVI dropdown list" for use.

I would very much appreciate some one letting me know where the Pte file is located. I am using windows xp.

I assume the codex must be in the said list otherwise how can the codex be used?

Thanks again;

Ted

[Ken Cox]

using google i located this

see

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-codecs.html

but the codec you downloaded should have an installer

if you installed it the drivers are likely in the system32 folder

pte, nero etc that make programs will look at the system and ID all the codec's on your system as necessary

where did you get it from

you should not have" a program " on your desktop as desktops have been known to crash

see

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-006

ken

[Ken Cox]

Ted

get this proggie

http://avicodec.duby.info/

it will tell you where every codec is installed on your system

ken

[txctxc]

Ken,

I have now installed the codecs in the appropriate folder and they now appear in the Pte custom create dropdown menu. Unfortunately,for me, there was no file marked, "install" , in the zipped file which I downloaded.It was marked set up information it simply needed a left click of the mouse and not a right click which showed merely the contents.

I visited www. free- codecs. com web site several times for the install instructions. Don't worry Ken I was only using my desktop as a temporary measure for the zipped file.Many ,many thanks for your help.

Finally, what is mostly used to place a PTE slide show on a web site, a executable file or a video file?

Ted.

[Ken Cox]

ted

i will leave that up to more knowlegeable people but if you are trying to share your exe show with the rest of the forum see

http://beechbrook.com/pte/

http://beechbrook.com/upload/

but Bill's site seems to have reached it's limit at present -- some people need to volunteer to take their shows down and let other new ones be posted

you could always write Bill

cottage@beechbrook.com

and ask him when he expects to have free space.

ken