ZProcess2 not creating files and crashing MVP

[punchdrunk717]

I am running GBPVR 1.1.5 and the most current download of ZProcess2 from wiki. I have completely reinstalled gbpvr and zprocess to the default paths and installed all zprocess and gbpvr requirements. GBPVR runs fine and transcodes all files but the aspect ratio is bad so I decided to try zprocess.
I am outputting to a MVP connected to a NTSC widescreen tv.
When I try to transcode a video manually using the zprocess interface, the process starts and then stops, producing a 0 kb file. When I try through the MVP, first it causes a reboot, and then each successive attempt only brings me to the video menu after 5 seconds.
I have mencoder installed to the default c:\program files\mplayer directory. Additionally, the zprocess wiki page states the zprocess2.zip contains a new version of Trans2MVP.exe however the file downloaded does not contain this and I am using the version installed with gbpvr. Attached are all the relevant logs, if more are needed please let me know.

Pentium Q6600 | 4 GB RAM | NVidia GeForce 8600 GT | Hauppauge MCEPVR-150 | MCE2005

[zehd]

I am running GBPVR 1.1.5 and the most current download of ZProcess2 from wiki. I have completely reinstalled gbpvr and zprocess to the default paths and installed all zprocess and gbpvr requirements. GBPVR runs fine and transcodes all files but the aspect ratio is bad so I decided to try zprocess.

I am outputting to a MVP connected to a NTSC widescreen tv.
When I try to transcode a video manually using the zprocess interface, the process starts and then stops, producing a 0 kb file. When I try through the MVP, first it causes a reboot, and then each successive attempt only brings me to the video menu after 5 seconds.

I have mencoder installed to the default c:\program files\mplayer directory.

Additionally, the zprocess wiki page states the zprocess2.zip contains a new version of Trans2MVP.exe however the file downloaded does not contain this and I am using the version installed with gbpvr. Attached are all the relevant logs, if more are needed please let me know.

Pentium Q6600 | 4 GB RAM | NVidia GeForce 8600 GT | Hauppauge MCEPVR-150 | MCE2005

I'm going to look into this deeper, but I wanted to respond...

First, If it won't work manually on your computer, it won't work with the MVP. The MVP crashes because it won't work... so, just keep trying manually for testing... Less frustrating...

The Trans2MVP replacement is only for those trying to transcode dvr-ms files on the fly.

Mencoder, in most cases, works better than ffmpeg, (except when using the new features like center cut and dvr-ms transcode)

But if it worked with defaults in gbpvr, then you should setup ZProcess to use the same settings as GB-PVR and use ffmpeg. (ZProcess' defaults already do use the GB-PVR defaults, so you may want to run removeAllZProcess.reg, and start again)

[zehd]

I've looked into it a bit more...

The ffmpeg that ships with GB-PVR should be fine. I have also tried the version that's on the wiki.

When I left off development on ZProcess, I was in the middle of making MEncoder do the same tricks with centercut and dvr-ms transcoding. I knew that I needed a newer version of MEncoder.

That said, I'm pretty sure that it shouldn't matter whether you use the version of MEncoder suggested on the wiki, or a newer one, for just straight on the fly transcoding.

I would suggest as before, to reset to defaults, and then try with FFmpeg first, just to be sure.

If you have VLC installed, you can test your on the fly transcoding by starting a manual transcode, and then popping up the ZTranscode window (minimized to tray) and then click 'View'...

Hope this works!

[punchdrunk717]

Zehd,

Thanks for taking a look. I was able to transcode from a command line using mencoder just not through zprocess. I believe I did find a work around this morning and perhaps it is mencoder version specific.
I remembered I had another application on my pc that I used to transcode to my xbox 360 through Media Center (Transcode360) and it's installation contained a different version of mencoder. I pointed zprocess to this mencoder directory and all appears well from what I was able to test for 16x9 and 4:3. I did notice that a 2.21:1 movie was condensed instead of letterboxed but I will look at that more tonight.

Thanks once again. Zprocess rocks.

PunchDrunk717

[zehd]

Zehd,

Thanks for taking a look. I was able to transcode from a command line using mencoder just not through zprocess. I believe I did find a work around this morning and perhaps it is mencoder version specific.
I remembered I had another application on my pc that I used to transcode to my xbox 360 through Media Center (Transcode360) and it's installation contained a different version of mencoder. I pointed zprocess to this mencoder directory and all appears well from what I was able to test for 16x9 and 4:3. I did notice that a 2.21:1 movie was condensed instead of letterboxed but I will look at that more tonight.

Thanks once again. Zprocess rocks.

PunchDrunk717

Let me know more about your 2.85:1 video. It should be working fine...

I have worked pretty hard on making it wide screen aware. But can always improve it...

[punchdrunk717]

Zehd,

2 issues which may or may not be related. First, with the compressed 2.21:1 video issue. This occurs when I have the Output Dimensions set to 720x480 and the Force Aspect to 16x9. When I transcode using zprocess, it of course changes to 4:3. If I set the Force aspect to Auto, it is viewable but still compressed.
Perhaps I don't quite understand how everything works yet, but shouldn't there be an option to keep the original dimensions or at least transcode in 720x400 for widescreen? Wouldn't it be better to view 16x9 videos (720x400) in 16x9 resolution on a widescreen tv when possible?

When I look in the zprocess log I see the following entries for all of the videos I have tested
1/21/2008 9:29:39 PM : ZT: GetFileInfo: MPlayer cannot get File Information
1/21/2008 9:29:39 PM : ZT: GetFileInfo: Using some make-believe numbers

Is this normal? The video still transcodes, but I am wondering if this has something to do with the mencoder I had to point this too.
I hope this is just something I have done or failed to do which is correctable.

Thanks for your help.

[zehd]

Zehd,

2 issues which may or may not be related. First, with the compressed 2.21:1 video issue. This occurs when I have the Output Dimensions set to 720x480 and the Force Aspect to 16x9. When I transcode using zprocess, it of course changes to 4:3. If I set the Force aspect to Auto, it is viewable but still compressed.
Perhaps I don't quite understand how everything works yet, but shouldn't there be an option to keep the original dimensions or at least transcode in 720x400 for widescreen? Wouldn't it be better to view 16x9 videos (720x400) in 16x9 resolution on a widescreen tv when possible?

When I look in the zprocess log I see the following entries for all of the videos I have tested
1/21/2008 9:29:39 PM : ZT: GetFileInfo: MPlayer cannot get File Information
1/21/2008 9:29:39 PM : ZT: GetFileInfo: Using some make-believe numbers

Is this normal? The video still transcodes, but I am wondering if this has something to do with the mencoder I had to point this too.
I hope this is just something I have done or failed to do which is correctable.

Thanks for your help.

No. That's exactly why you're having problems. ZProcess needs to use mplayer to get dimensions of video. Without them, it has no way to adjust for aspect...

You solved the one problem by pointing ZProcess to the other mencoder, but my guess is, that that location did not have mplayer.exe.

I still don't know why you had a problem the first time around, but anyway.

What's the version of the mencoder that worked for you? I will download it and try. I'm sure it will be fine.

[punchdrunk717]

The version which is not working at all for me is MEncoder 1.0rc2-4.2.1
The older version which is working but not getting the dimensions is MEncoder dev-CVS-050928-16:38-3.4.2

You are correct on the your assumption that mplayer.exe is not contained in the directory with the older version.

[punchdrunk717]

I downloaded the MPlayer 1.0rc1 package from 2006 and everything is working fine now including the 2.21:1 videos.
I would be interested to find out if you have any luck with the current version 1.0rc2.

Thank You.

[FuzzyPapaBear]

Were you able to get MPlayer v1.0rc2 to work? This is my first time using ZProcess2 and was not successful (MVP goes back to the mvpmc screen). I reverted to v.1.0rc1 and now I get the "Sorry" video at least. I was able to play Dvix/Xvid files before installing ZProcess2 but the CPU utilization was very high (never below 98%). I was hoping ZProcess / Mencoder would be alittle better.

BTW, The Wiki said that ZProcess2 would ask to integrate with GBPVR. I didn't see a dialog pop up but I did go into the GBPVR and ZProcess settings to pick options to match the screenshots that were on the Wiki.