Conversion Issue - Large Files

jd2005 · **2nd May 2006, 11:03 PM**

Hi everyone,
I am trying to convert my F1 content to MP4 through crunchie..
This is from a SD Channel 10 channel in AUS (brisie)

I have crunchied the first 2 shows perfectly like a charm (thanks arkay) but the third one converts but refuses to play (states codec problem can't play)..

The only difference between these shows is the file size. The first two where about 8Gb files when recorded where the 3rd eposide was about 22gb initially. As i said it converts but won't play.

Is there a size limit on conversion or something. It's really weird the 4th show was again about 8gb in size and converted perfectly.

Any ideas? BTW they where recorded on the same channels and no service packs or changes have occured on the box. And i don't get any error when encoding the large file it just won't play.

Thoughts appreciated.
Regards
Justin

arkay · **3rd May 2006, 12:55 AM**

Justin,

To be honest I don't know if there is a limit. I know people have crunched shows as big as 16GB without issues. I wouldn't have thought it would be a size issue. The only thing I can think of is that there is a larger chance of error the longer the show (as in errors in the received broadcast). Given that it completes I doubt that is the issue though.

There are a couple of things you could try.

1. Download divfix from the net and run it over the file. It may be able to repair the indexing on the resultant avi file (back it up first).
2. Pull it into Virtualdub and see if you can split it and fix the indexes.
3. Split the original dvr-ms file with dcut and encode in smaller pieces.

This is certainly the largest recording I've heard of anyone attempting so it is possible that you've found a limit in either mencoder or the playback software.

Perhaps some others can share if they have succeeded with files of this size?

Cheers,

Arkay.

jd2005 · **5th May 2006, 05:28 PM**

For those who are interested or read this..
Ended up trying the divfix software (stated it found no errors and just fixed the index's though still wouldn't play)..
Tried the Virtualdub file as per arkay idea and this still got me know where.
Finally used DCUT to shrink the file and presto it worked perfect..

I have now tried the following file sizes and the results are below.

21.3Gb Recording from CH10 SD -> Converted but wouldn't play
17.3Gb Recording from CH10 SD -> Converted but wouldn't play
13.3Gb Recording from CH10 SG -> Converted and played.
9.7Gb and less Recording from CH10 SD -> Converted and played.

So basically i can successfully convert anything under about 14gb anything over and the conversion always fails.. no matter what i do..
Probably a quirk either in MP4 or encoders or something..

Anyhow thanks for the direction arkay..
Regards
Justin

alanb · **16th May 2006, 07:40 PM**

I converted a 31 gig F1 recording last weekend, plays fine.

mppa · **17th May 2006, 09:13 AM**

I've compressed a number of 22gig files before with no problem.