Possible Codec Problem?

[Squidina]

Hey Everyone,

I have a PVR150MCE which is recording from the Optus Cable STB. It seems to record ok, as I can play back the recorded file no problemo. Whenever I try and crunch the files, using Crunchie 1.1, I keep getting the same error ( see below ).

I'm guessing it's a codec issue, or something I've forgotten to set rather than a problem with the programs.

Anyways, here's my log file output:-

Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( STARTUP) C:\Program Files\Arksofts Crunchie\crunchie.exe Started.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( FILE SCAN) Scanning E:\Recordings for files to convert.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( FILE SCAN) Found Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( INCLUSION) Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms included for processing.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( CONVERSION) Processing Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( RENAME) Non standard dvr-ms naming convention (Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms), storing file to E:\Temp\Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.avi
Sat Sep 24 18:12:08 2005 : ( DVRMS->MPG) Converting Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms to mpeg.
Sat Sep 24 18:12:10 2005 : ( CROPDETECT) Unable to stat E:\Temp\Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.mpg : No such file or directory
Sat Sep 24 18:12:10 2005 : ( FINISHED) C:\Program Files\Arksofts Crunchie\crunchie.exe Completed.

Thanks in advance -- Stuart

[arkay]

Hi Stuart,

It would appear for some reason that DVRMSToolbox failed to convert the file to mpeg.

You can test this yourself.

Go to where you've installed DVR-MSToolbox and run the gui. DVRMStompegGUI from memory.

Double click in the source file box and point it at the file you want to convert.
Double click in the det file box and set it to where you want the mpg file stored.
Select DVRMStompeg and click run.

See what happens. If it's succesful then we'll need to look at your Crunchie setup. Otherwise we'll have found the error.

DVRMSToolbox should give you some good feedback. If it fails then post the output here.

Cheers,
Arkay.

[Squidina]

Hi Arkay,

After reading one of your other posts, I thought it may be a Toolbox problem. I'll have a play when I get home tonight and see what happens.

Thanks for the quick response!

Cheers -- Stuart

[Squidina]

Hey Arkay,

Well it looks like the toolbox is having issues with my DVR-MS file. I tried the steps as you suggested, and this is the output from the toolbox:-

Processing actions, this may take some time!!
Building default XML graph for DVR-MS to MPEG

Trying to create COM object 'filter graph' with guid 'e436ebb3-524f-11ce-9f53-0020af0ba770'
Created COM object 'filter graph'
Trying to create COM object 'mpeg muxer' with guid 'bc650178-0de4-47df-af50-bbd9c7aef5a9'
Created COM object 'mpeg muxer'
Trying to create COM object 'mpeg file writer' with guid '3e8868cb-5fe8-402c-aa90-cb1ac6ae3240'
Created COM object 'mpeg file writer'
Setting graph output file to 'C:\Temp\HTPC Stuff\crunchie\test.mpg'
Attempting to connect filter 'muxer' to 'dump'
Connecting pin 'Output' to 'Input'
Trying to create COM object 'decrypt filter' with guid 'c4c4c4f2-0049-4e2b-98fb-9537f6ce516d'
Created COM object 'decrypt filter'
Attempting to connect filter 'C:\Temp\HTPC Stuff\Network TEN Sydney_House_200509142030p258.dvr-ms' to 'decypt1'
Failed to connect the dvrms filter to the decypt1 filter


Could it be just the version of the toolbox I'm using? I'll check TGB and see if there's a later version and try with that. If you can offer any help in the meantime though, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again -- Stuart

[arkay]

The only thing I've seen cause this is codecs. If you have nero showtime installed then ditch it. It adds codecs to your system that break more than they fix.

You can find out if you go and download yourself a copy of graphedit.

Run it up and select "Render Media File" and point it to your dvr-ms file.

It will list all the filters required to display the picture and hear the audio.

It should use the Cyberlink Video Decoder and Cyberlink Audio Decoder.

If you don't see them then you have a codec problem.

Let me know if you need more help with the above.

Cheers,
Arkay.

[Squidina]

Hey Arkay,

Rightyo grabbed GraphEdit like you suggested. It looks like it's using the DScaler Audio Decoder and the Mpeg2DecFilter.

Could it be because I'm using MediaPortal to record these shows, the DVR-MS isn't true Microsoft standard or something??

Do you know when I can get the CyberLink codecs, or do they only come as part of a commercial app?

Thanks again for your help -- Stuart

[arkay]

It shouldn't matter if they were recorded with MP. The decoders are a problem.

Not sure if you've had much experience with graphedit but what you can try is to highlight the audio and video decoders and delete them.

Then go to Add Filters, select Directshow filters then try and add the Cyberlink Audio Decoder and the Cyberlink Video Decoder.

Once they're in the graph you'll have to connect the pins from the decrypt tag filter to the audio/video respectively, then the outputs of the audio/video to the audio/vmr inputs respctively. i.e. You're putting together a new graph with the cyberlink codec (you should already have these as I think DVRMSToolbox includes them). Once the graph is all correct press the play button and see what happens.

Directshow is a pig, that's why I recommend to install as little codecs as possible as the order in which they get selected is pretty much last in first out. You can download the radlight filter manager which allows you to set priorities for codecs but personally I think it's easier just to remove the ones you don't want.

The second option you have and one that would be even simpler is to use MP to do recordings in native mpeg format (ditch DVR-MS altogether).

Point Crunchie at the dir where your .mpg files are and it will just crunch those. It will accept any files with .dvr-ms or .mpg extensions.

You can also check the "mpeg only" checkbox in Crunchie to tell it that you only want to convert mpeg files. Doing this means you don't even have to install DVRMSToolbox to use crunchie (providing you only intend to convert mpeg files).

Cheers,
Arkay.

[Squidina]

Hey Arkay,

Hmmmm... sounds like a lot of playing around for not much gain. I think I may just set it to record in MPEG. Saves me playing around with converting it all over ( plus makes it easier to archive to DVD ).

As long as Crunchie works I'll be happy ( and from other posts here and on the MP forums, it looks like that won't be a problem ).

Thanks again for your help, have some rep points!!

Cheers -- Stuart

[arkay]

You're welcome

Cheers,
Arkay.