neoDVD6.0  Troubleshooting
   

          Video Creation/Editing Issues

3-1

What file formats should I use to get the best results when creating a DVD?

For best results with neoSTUDIO use an MPEG-2 file created from the Capture Module. If you wish to use .DV, .AVI, .WMV, .VOB or .MOV files it is best that the video is formatted at 720x480, 29.97 Frames per second for NTSC (North America) and 720x576, 25fs for PAL (Europe), and the audio is uncompressed 16 bit with a 48KHz sample rate for both NTSC and PAL.

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3-2

Can I mix different video files such as DV, AVI, and MPEG to create a DVD?

Yes. neoSTUDIO allows you to import DV, AVI, WMV, MOV, VOB and MPEG files directly into the layout of neoSTUDIO.

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3-3

Can I export DVD files captured with neoSTUDIO? Can I edit these DVD files?

neoSTUDIO captures directly to DVD format. DVD video is stored in .VOB files in a folder called Video_TS. You can import the .VOB files into neoSTUDIO for further modification or to mix .VOB files from several different projects.
If you want to archive your video files for further editing, you can also save them as MPEG-2 files using the CAPTURE module. MPEG-2 files can be edited and be quickly processed by neoSTUDIO or other software.
neoSTUDIO also offers the possibility to capture files in AVI format. AVI files can be used for editing, however they consume a lot of hard disk space compared to MPEG-2.

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3-4

Can I convert my VHS tapes to DVDs or VCDs using neoSTUDIO?

Yes you can. Using an analog capture card supported by MedioStream, you can transfer the contents of your videotape directly onto a CD or DVD disc.

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3-5

The DVD-Video I created using neoDVD is out of sync between video and audio, what is the problem?

The source file that was used to create the DVD-Video may not comply with the DVD-Video Standard that would cause the sync problem, try re-encoding

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3-6

What file formats are supported in neoSTUDIO?

Video file formats which neoSTUDIO will recognize are as follow:
• DV
• Apple Quick Time (MOV)
• AVI
• MPEG-1
• MPEG-2
• Microsoft Windows Media Format (WMV)
• VOB
• XVD (Available Soon)

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3-7

My neoSTUDIO does not recognize WMV file I tried to import.

Does Window's Media Player play this WMV file? Windows Media Player may not contain the proper codec to play the file you're trying to import to neoSTUDIO. Make sure you have the latest Windows Media Player and try launching the WMV file from Windows Media Player as you need to verify that Windows Media Player can play it first.
Windows Media Player will download the correct codec for the file. If WMP cannot play it, neoDVD won't accept it.

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3-8

My mpeg-2 of DVD-Video plays back in fast forward mode or is dropping frames. How do I slow it down?

The fast-forward playback that you see is of video frames being dropped while you were capturing. First check and make sure that your system requirements are met:

System Requirements

  • Video Capture: 700MHz Intel Celeron or AMD Athlon processor or better (1.1GHz recommended for analog capture). Analog capture card or OHCI-compliant IEEE-1394 FireWire card.
  • Authoring: 560MHz Intel Celeron or AMD Athlon processor or better (1.1GHz required for real-time performance).
  • Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP
  • AGP graphics card with 8MB of memory
  • 5GB HD, 128MB RAM
  • DirectX 8.0 or above
  • Windows Media Player 7.1 or above

Then make sure that your system is optimized for video capturing.
Follow the link below to optimize your pc for best video processing performance. http://www.mediostream.com/support/qa6_neodvd.html#11

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3-9

How do I import files in neoDVD-Video or neoDVD+VR?

In the layout of either neoDVD-Video or neoDVD+VR, follow the steps below to import supported files.

  1. Click on ‘New Video File’ icon located on the lower part of the application.
  2. Locate the file you wish to import using the ‘Open File’ and select ‘Open’ button. If the file is supported by neoSTUDIO, you will see the clip on the layout with the name of the file. You can also drag the files from windows explorer onto the layout.

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3-10

How do I enable 'moving menu'?

Moving menu is only available in neoDVD-Video. Follow the steps below to enable the ‘Moving Menu’

  1. Import the clip to neoDVD-Video layout and highlight the clip.
  2. Click on the ‘Options’ button located on the top right of the application.
  3. Click on the ‘Misc’ tab and select ‘Moving menu on’ option then click ‘OK’. You can preview the moving menu by clicking on the ‘Preview’ icon.

Moving menu is only available for DVD-Video output. If you have 'Disc Format' set to DVD+VR, DVD-VR, or VCD moving menu feature will be disabled.

 

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3-11

How do I set the DVD project so that the DVD will playback one clip to the next without jumping back to the main menu?

neoSTUDIO allows you to set either return back to main menu or continue playing the next clip once the first clip is finished. Follow the steps below to change the option.

  1. Import the clip to neoDVD-Video or neoDVD+VR layout.
  2. Click on the ‘Options’ button located on the top right of the application.
  3. Click on the ‘Misc’ tab and select ‘Select end of clip’ button
  4. From the dialog, you can direct a clip to play the next clip individually or select the desire option then select ‘Apply selection to all video clips’ to apply the chosen option to all clips.

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3-12

I want to create a new DVD on my Hard Drive without erasing an earlier DVD. What can I do?

In order to comply with the DVD Forum industry standards, all DVD folders must have the same name: "Video_TS". To distinguish between different Video_TS we suggest that you create different folders for each DVD you create.

For example you can create a "Vacation" folder to save the DVD of your vacation and a "Birthday" folder to save the DVD of your birthday party.

You can create folders using Windows Explorer (click on My Computer) or simply type the folder name in the "write to" section of your neoDVD application.

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3-13

What kind of files can I import into neoDVD?

With neoDVD you may import .AVI, .DV, .MOV (QuickTime), .WMV, .VOB and .MPG:

  1. MPG: MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 files
  2. AVI: Make sure that the codec used by your .AVI file is on your PC. If you are not sure try to play the file with Windows Media Player. If the file plays back fine, it probably will be supported by neoDVD.
  3. MOV (QuickTime): You must have QuickTime 6.0 or better installed on your PC.
  4. DivX
  5. Xvid

    Note: To ensure maximum compatibility, make sure that the horizontal resolution of your file is bigger than the vertical resolution and try to use uncompressed audio format whenever possible.

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3-14

Why do I get the error that says: "neoDVD only accepts .avi, .mov, .mpg files" even though the file I am importing is an .avi (etc.) file?

Certain proprietary capture cards such as Canopus, Matrox, and Pinnacle create files with .avi extensions that do not conform to industry standards. These avi files use a codec that is readable only by the system that created them, and therefore, are not compatible with neoDVD.

However, most of these 3rd party capture cards will allow you to export the avi file using a codec that is supported by neoDVD, such as Microsoft DV AVI.

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3-15

Can I import widescreen (16:9) video file formats into neoDVD?

Yes, you can. neoDVD 7 supports both 16:9 and 4:3 viewing format.

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3-16

How do I import files in neoDVD?

Switch neoDVD to Create Mode (check the tutorial for instructions on how to switch to this mode). Press the "New File" button below the preview window, this will open a browser, select the type of file you want to import, select your file, click OK.

You can also drag files from Windows Explorer onto the Preview Window.

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3-17

Why isn't my video preview working?

  • Check that your video capture device is properly connected. Close neoDVD and make sure your video capture device is attached properly.
  • Verify cable and video capture board connections.
  • If you are using a camcorder, verify that it has adequate battery or AC power.
  • If the camcorder is in VCR mode, push the Play button in neoDVD to get a preview picture.
  • If you have an analog camcorder or VCR, you will need to push the Play button on the device to get a preview picture (neoDVD cannot control the navigational buttons such as Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Stop on analog capture devices).
  • There might be several video capture devices connected to your computer. Disconnect all devices except the one you would like to use. Restart neoDVD.

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3-18

Why can't I import a file that I made on one computer in a third party application and transfer it to another computer for burning with neoDVD?

It is best to use neoDVD on the same computer where the file was created. This is because some video compression applications have proprietary decoders that may not be available on systems where the hardware or software is not installed.

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3-19

Why is my audio out of sync when I import an MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 file from another application?

neoDVD does not support the editing of some third party MPEG-1/2 files.

We are working on a patch for this and will post it as soon as it is available to: http://www.mediostream.com/support/updates.html

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3-20

Why doesn't my VCD have audio?

neoDVD didn't receive the full audio stream from the file. This could be because the file is on a network. If the file is on local hard disc, there should be no problem.

It could also be that the file has an unsupported audio codec. Please re-process the file with uncompressed audio.

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3-21

When I use Dolby Digital Audio in neoDVD, the signal is distorted.

To fix this problem, set the video quality in neoDVD to "Best" and reduce any hardware acceleration settings on your sound card.

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3-22

The audio is out of sync when I trim an MPEG-2 or VOB file.

This is known issue that we are currently resolving. Make sure you have all the latest software updates for neoDVD available at http://www.mediostream.com/support/updates.html

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3-23

Why do I get the message "File not recognized" when adding an AVI file to the project?

The AVI file could possibly be using an MPEG-4 video codec or translator that is not installed on your machine. To check if the codec exists on your computer, use Windows Media Player to playback the file.

If the file can be played back using Windows Media Player, please contact our support team at: support@mediostream.com for further assistance.

If you are unable to playback the AVI file using Windows Media Player, you will need to install the appropriate DivX or XviD codec on your system in order for it to be recognized in neoDVD.

Here are links to some websites to find out more about these MPEG-4 codecs:

DivX: http://www.divx.com/divx/
XviD: http://www.divx-digest.com/software/xvid.html

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3-24

How do I set the DVD project so that the DVD will playback one clip to the next clip without jumping back to the main menu?

In neoDVD add a clip then double click on its thumbnail or press the edit button to go into edit mode. In the right panel of the application there is a "End of Clip" setting; click on the 'Select' button below it. When the dialog opens up choose "go to the next clip". What you've just done is direct this clip to play the next clip when it ends.

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3-25

I keep getting an error message when importing files, what is the problem and what can I do to fix this?

In most case, neoDVD supports DV, AVI, WMV, MOV, VOB and MPEG file but some format requires 3rd party codec or plugin for neoDVD to properly import to the layout. Please make sure you have the following application installed. Install any of the application that is not installed on your system:

  • Apple QuickTime
  • Microsoft Media Player 9 or greater
  • Microsoft DirectX 9 or greater
  • Any other 3rd party codec (i.e. DivX, XviD, etc)

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3-26

Why is the Direct-to-Disc options always enable when appending a disc?

When appending, neoDVD use physical information of the existing disc. If Direct-to-Disc were not used, neoDVD would need to copy the existing disc contents to the hard drive, append and rewrite the whole disc. This would not be practical.

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3-27

What is the minimum space requirement when using Direct-to-Disc recording?

The free space requirements for direct to disc are negligible. It does not depend on the disc size. In case of using DV camcorder, smart buffering will require 200MB of free space on the hard drive. This is only necessary for PC systems that cannot transcode DV to MPEG-2 in real time (approx. below 1.2GHz)

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3-28

Are MPEG-2 files always re-encoded?

MPEG-2 is the main video format used by the DVD specification, consequently, all your recording will be converted to MPEG-2. When you import files already in MPEG-2 format, neoDVD will check if their properties are compatible with the DVD requirements.

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3-29

What are the properties of MPEG-2 files that are not re-encoded?

  1. neoDVD+VR/DVD-VIDEO MPEG-2 Settings for DVD Compliance:
    neoDVD will re-encode all files if the video quality setting is set to “Good” or “Best”. If the video quality setting is “Best”, neoDVD will not re-encode the MPEG-2 files that have the following properties:

    • 720*480@29.97fps for NTSC
    • 720*576@25fps for PAL
    • Program Stream
    • Video Bit rate below 8.3MBps
    • GOP distance must be between 0.4FPS and 0.7FPS where FPS = 29.97 for NTSC, 25 for PAL. For NTSC 12 is a good value.
    • No dropped frames
    • Audio: PCM 16bit/48KHz or MPEG-1 Layer 2

  2. neoDVD-VR MPEG-2 Settings for DVD Compliance:
    neoDVD-VR will not re-encode files with the following properties:

    • 720*480/704*480/480*480/352*480@29.97fps for NTSC
    • 720-576/704*576/480*576/352*576@25fps for PAL
    • Every GOP’s duration is between 0.4s-1s (according to DVD Spec.)
    • Video Bit rate below 8.3Mbps
    • GOP distance must be less than 0.7FPS where FPS = 29.97 for NTSC, 25 for PAL
    • No drop frames.
    • Audio will always be re-recoded.

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