ZProcess: FFmpeg or MEncoder not finishing

[zehd]

I've actually tried with 2 or 3 different .avi's, same effect.

NTSC

I hate wrestling too, but this is UFC!

The only thing in that commend line that should be different from default is the padding, I can zero that out too if you think it will make a difference.

What I'm going to do is create a reg file that will overwrite your settings for the Trans2MVP. Really, you it should work the same on your computer as mine...

I'm still waiting for the Torrents... while I wait, you might want to restart from scratch completely. In Regedit, remove this key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ZERITECH\ZProcess

Restart ZProcess, give it the Backup and Override directories and let it Intialize settings. Do not change anything. Go ahead and transcode a file...

Edit, looking at your logs, you'll have to tell ZProcess where your MEncoder is too

[fmanji]

Do you think it could be the version of FFMpeg or Mencoder?
If so, maybe you could tell me what version you have and I will get the same ones? Or provide a link to them? Also should I use your latest zprocess version or something else (1000)

[zehd]

Do you think it could be the version of FFMpeg or Mencoder?
If so, maybe you could tell me what version you have and I will get the same ones? Or provide a link to them? Also should I use your latest zprocess version or something else (1000)

For the last few versions, I have a file version function that tells me that you're using the same versions of files, I use. You don't have to change anything.

I would always get the very latest version from my sig, as currently most of the tweaks and changes are being worked for your issue...

[zehd]

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

OK At this very moment I'm barely getting through watching the Ultimate Fight that I downloaded.

I reset the Trans2MVP to defaults but had to change the dimensions to 352x240 almost right from the beginning. I looked at the file in GSpot, but couldn't see anything. But something makes this file transcode harder than ANYthing I've transcoded before. At 720x480, 640x480 and 480x480 the transcode couldn't keep up with the viewer... I also selected MEncoder and turned off 'Force Deinterlace'

I click VLC after 5 secs, and clicked Transcode. I restored the transcode window so I could look at the values while I also 'watched' the video. (Screen shot couln't actually capture the video from that moment, but somebody's getting hurt)

OK From the beginning the FPS was about 52 and then at about ten minutes of recording (not ten minutes real time - about 600 secs) the fps dropped to 42 FPS. That just killed my overhead right there...

at 1686 secs, the its 45fps...

I know that having VLC simulate a MVP session is actually gruntier then the MVP itself. I like that. If I get through this on the desktop, it should be fine with the MVP...

at 2100 secs or about 85 % its still 45 fps... The VLC window still has plenty of file in front...

Finished Transcoding in 00:26:36 The VLC window is continuing to the end of the show...

I'm doing this on a xp2100= chip (1.7 Ghz) OC'd to 2.1 Ghz, with 1 GB of RAM. Currently it's also recording tonights shows, downloading 'The Queen' (For test purposes only) and serving a MVP session, (idle)

If you have a faster machine than this, and you can't do this test just like I did or better, then you have some optimizing to do....

So far, I think your transcodes failed because the Transcoder couldn't keep up...

I'm now going to try and Transcode through to the end, actually with the MVP...

[zehd]

Transcoding the UFC video on the fly with the MVP gives me a starting FPS of 60fps

at 870 secs its 59 fps and so on...

The video transcodes fine

Now, I know that transcoding locally on the computer with VLC getting a 5 sec headstart, is more processor intensive, so what I could do is at least try a higher dimension like 480x480 and not test locally. Only test with the MVP...

Just for examples, I transcode at 480x480 locally on the computer and I get fps of 44 and drops to 37. When using the MVP it doesn't go below 43 fps

Using 640x480 fails when transcoding locally. With the MVP I get 35fps. That might be touch and go and I might not get to the end on this one. We'll see...

[zehd]

I'm viewing the UFC file on the MVP at 640x480

MEncoder was stable at 35-33 FPS until about 17 % then it dropped to 31fps

30fps is my 'not-so-magic' number. that's when the file doesn't get created in better than realtime and the end of file crash starts to gain...

I'm at 21% and 31fps. This could easily be the point at which I should prepare for a end of file crash...

25% at 30.5fps,

To be fair, I am working my computer a little, stealing CPU... I am trying to simulate a non optimized Windows, where there are small silly things happening all the time robbing the CPU blind...

Heaven knows what would happen if a Show finishes and the PVR starts to ComSkip a show right now...

As we approach the 30fps, we can see the bad guy is not losing ground anymore. The gap stays the same. The headstart and the time distance gained by the slight extra speed earlier, has given a fairly decent buffer. But will it hold out?

I'm at 41 % and 30.25 fps

And it died about 45% There just wasn't enough overhead...

29/03/2007 8:33:48 PM : Process spawned. Waiting for process window to close.
29/03/2007 8:52:52 PM : Hunter says ZProcess has closed. Kill Transcoder window too

This indicates that ZProcess didn't know what hit it. GB-PVR said no file to play anymore, then I'm killing you... rat at tat tat...

Hunter was just there as a witness

[zehd]

In summary, The UFC video you suggested I work with, was much tougher on the CPU than other stuff I have downloaded. I don't know why.

But this shows that scaling down and then slowly working up, you can take your system to the limits...

You'll notice that the only dimensions that caused a failure on the MVP also caused a failure with VLC when I tested locally.

I'm currently transcoding onthefly with the MVP an episode of Stargate I'm using 640x480 and I'm getting an fps of 40...That will probably be enough headroom, so that I won't have much trouble...

Another file 'In Case of Emergency' also plays well...

'The Queen' is also 23.97 and so transcodes quite fine onthe fly... When 'Force Deinterlace' is turned off

Wait, I saw the difference. My files are either PAL 25 Frames per sec or Film fps of 23.97 your video is 29.97. That WOULD make for a more difficult transcode...

[fmanji]

I have a 2800+ to your 2100+, my FPS count does not drop below 45fps...
And "The Queen" does not decode fully either...
But let me get back to you after doing a clean install of ZProcess and see if I can come up with more info...

[zehd]

I have a 2800+ to your 2100+, my FPS count does not drop below 45fps...
And "The Queen" does not decode fully either...
But let me get back to you after doing a clean install of ZProcess and see if I can come up with more info...

You probably didn't catch my mention of it.. I knew that you have a faster machine. But if I'm able to outperform it in the transcode, then it merits some optimization.

I will bet that GB-PVR thinks it's dropping below 45... All the pointers are toward GB-PVR running out of file, and that means you aren't transcoding fast enough. The only way to speed it up is to drop the dimensions...

There is a good chance that the transcode has some competition with other processes on your computer. DO NOT change ZProcesses CPU away from 'Below Normal' (It needs to be passive aggresive in order to allow other things to still have feel...) But have you modified the CPU priorities from any other processes?

[fmanji]

In 1001 it doesn't seem that you can add the mencoder path because there is no... after the windows in the directory tab...I tried just pasting the info in the window, but it does not save it...