video stops on ipod converted files

[jweaver15]

I use tivo desktop plus to convert transfered files to ipod format. Since I've upgraded to the newest (2.7) version about 20% of the files I transfer will play on the ipod for about 5-20 minutes of an hour show then the video will freeze and the sound keeps going. If I try to advance the video it jumps back to the frozen point and again the sound keeps playing but the video is frozen at one point in the timeline.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any thoughts on how to fix/prevent this?

thanks

[davidmin]

I use tivo desktop plus to convert transfered files to ipod format. Since I've upgraded to the newest (2.7) version about 20% of the files I transfer will play on the ipod for about 5-20 minutes of an hour show then the video will freeze and the sound keeps going. If I try to advance the video it jumps back to the frozen point and again the sound keeps playing but the video is frozen at one point in the timeline.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any thoughts on how to fix/prevent this?

thanks

I'm having a similar problem with PSP converison.

[ggieseke]

Version 2.7 lowered the DirectShow 'merit' settings for some of the Plus codecs, which may have opened the door for another codec to take over. Have you tried the codec utility in the sticky at the top of this forum to force the MainConcept demuxer and codecs?

[jweaver15]

Thanks for the advice, but that seems a little over my head...I tried looking at the tread you posted and downloading the program, but was at a loss of what do do from there.

Over the last few days I've noticed that the problem is only on the cressed converted file, not the original transfered copy and it only happens with specific channels so I think your right that it is a codec issue. Not knowing what to do I just called tivo and they suggested going to www.free-codecs.com and downloading a codec pack called k-light mega codecs and installing that. I'll try that later and let davidmin know if that worked.

thanks for your help.

[ggieseke]

With Plus, you don't need ANY other codecs - that's what you paid for, and as long as something else isn't interfering with them you should be good to go. Customer Service strikes again...

If you just open a .TiVo file using the utility it will show you the entire graph that would be used to read the file for playback. The first four rows would also be used for converting to other formats. Ideally with Plus, you would see the "MainConcept MPEG Demultiplexer", the "MainConcept Audio Decoder" (the name's a bit different in 2.7) and the "MainConcept MPEG-2 Video Decoder".

[davidmin]

I am showing the MainConcept codecs on the graph.

Interestingly, the conversion always cuts out exactly where the cable company makes its local ad insertion.

[Yoav]

Not really what you're asking, but does it work fine when you use kmttg (http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/) ?

Seems like the TDP encoder might be generating bad files. Kmttg uses a different encoder so it should still work

[davidmin]

Not really what you're asking, but does it work fine when you use kmttg (http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/) ?

Seems like the TDP encoder might be generating bad files. Kmttg uses a different encoder so it should still work

Well, I was able to encode the entire file with kmttg, but it was at half-speed with no sound using the psp encoding.

[pops_porter]

I just recently purchased Desktop Plus last weekend. When I try to convert the file to H.264 or MPEG4 I get about 40 mins into the 3 hour sporting event and it freezes. I have gotten the sound to keep playing, but the video is stopped. I think I'm in the same boat as the OP.

So davidmin, did the kmttg not work for you? I might try that although it's annoying I paid cash because I thought dekstop plus would just be easier and it appears to not work.

[jweaver15]

I still haven't gotten the problem resolved...the installation of codecs that tivo recommended did nothing

I tried removing the program and reinstalling to no avail.

Since it's seems to only happen for certain channels so I don't know if it's worth following up again with tivo.

[davidmin]

I just recently purchased Desktop Plus last weekend. When I try to convert the file to H.264 or MPEG4 I get about 40 mins into the 3 hour sporting event and it freezes. I have gotten the sound to keep playing, but the video is stopped. I think I'm in the same boat as the OP.

So davidmin, did the kmttg not work for you? I might try that although it's annoying I paid cash because I thought dekstop plus would just be easier and it appears to not work.

I just went back to 2.6.2 and all is well again. I hope it gets resolved, though, I don't want to get stuck on that version.

[ggieseke]

Interestingly, the conversion always cuts out exactly where the cable company makes its local ad insertion.

That has been known to mess up a lot of conversions - sometimes the local ad insertion uses a different format or timecode and the converter can't adjust. You could try the Quick Stream Fix utility in the trial version of VideoReDo to see if it helps. One poster over at the TiVo forums even tracked down a national commercial that basically scrambles his S3 every time he plays it. Not Desktop, his TiVo. :eek:

I'm glad 2.6.2 is working for you. IMHO 2.7 ain't ready for prime time yet as far as the new codecs go. Heck, I still use 2.5 on my main PC, and I have 2.6.1, 2.6.2 and 2.7 on various VMWare virtual PC 'snapshots' for when I want to test something or need one of the new features.

[jweaver15]

After trying the tivo suggestions, I just switched back to 2.6.2 and it seems to work again