WinFF no longer converts Videos[solved pending Repo Update]

[Tony]

Hi,
I've searched the Forum, but no one has similar problem reported.
I installed WinFF a couple of months ago as a Video converter, and found it was excellent.

I must admit to not using WinFF for a few weeks so can't be sure that the following ffmpeg updates yesterday are to blame. I’m no expert, just guessing, and collecting info hoping someone with some experience with Video Conversion may help me troubleshoot.

Code: [Select]

Commit Log for Wed Sep 28 18:05:47 2011
Upgraded the following packages:
ffmpeg (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011
libavformats52 (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011
libavutil50 (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011
libffmpeg52 (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011
libpostproc51 (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011
libswscaler0 (0.6.3-2pclos2011) to 0.7.5-1pclos2011From Synaptic History.
I noted after recording with Audacity after these updates that WinFF would not convert my .Wav file, to .mp3.
Mainly I would convert Videos with WinFF.

I installed soundconverter (1.5.3-1pclos2010) via Synaptic and converted the.Wav file to .mp3 successfully, however I’d rather have WinFF do this job obviously, as it had in the past.

What I’ve done:
1.) Uninstalled WinFF.
     Logged out and rebooted.
     Reinstalled WinFF.
[SynapticMessage after reinstalling]:
"While installing package winff-1.2.0-3pclos2010:
Please remove your old .winff folder in home!"

Deleted .winff folder in home, then attempted converting a .mp4 Video to .Avi.
No success.

2.) Uninstalled
Completely removed the following packages:
soundconverter
gstreamer0.10-lame
As this was the last program I installed thought it may have conflicted with WinFF's codecs, or something ?

3.) Reinstalled the following packages:
winff (1.2.0-3pclos2010)
[SynapticMessage after reinstalling]:
"While installing package winff-1.2.0-3pclos2010:
Please remove your old .winff folder in home!"
Did so, again.

Sorry about this but this is the output I get when initiating a conversion of .flv, to .Avi.
Can't copy text, so snapshot.


Any ideas greatly appreciated,

francis

[Just17]

Seems the specified option produced by WinFF needs to change a little .......  

1800kb  maybe should be    1800k     (no 'b')

You can copy the command line from WinFF and try it in a terminal .....  and then try it with that option edited to remove the 'b' and see if there is a difference.

EDIT
          can you post your command line please?
I think the solution is to use a newer set of  edit the presets

[Tony]

Hi Just18,
thanks for your reply.
It's just one of those annoying things were it was so simple, it just worked.
I think this is the command line.
I've selected the same presets, to convert a .flv to an .Avi, with XviD widescreen [Device Preset]

No word wrap so this will be interesting 

Code: [Select]

#!/bin/sh
echo -n "\033]0; Converting Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1 (1/1)\007"
/usr/bin/ffmpeg -i "/media/BigGuy/Backstage TR Tour/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.flv" -f avi -r 29.97 -vcodec libxvid -vtag XVID -s 704x384 -aspect 16:9 -maxrate 1800k -b 1500k -qmin 3 -qmax 5 -bufsize 4096 -mbd 2 -bf 2 -flags +4mv -trellis -aic -cmp 2 -subcmp 2 -g 300 -acodec libmp3lame -ar 48000 -ab 128k -ac 2 "/home/jimi/Vid Conversions/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.avi"
read -p "Press Enter to Continue" dumbyvar
rm "/home/jimi/.winff/ff110930004129.sh"

#!/bin/sh
echo -n "\033]0; Converting Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1 (1/1)\007"
/usr/bin/ffmpeg -i "/media/BigGuy/Backstage TR Tour/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.flv" -f avi -r 29.97 -vcodec libxvid -vtag XVID -s 704x384 -aspect 16:9 -maxrate 1800k -b 1500k -qmin 3 -qmax 5 -bufsize 4096 -mbd 2 -bf 2 -flags +4mv -trellis -aic -cmp 2 -subcmp 2 -g 300 -acodec libmp3lame -ar 48000 -ab 128k -ac 2 "/home/jimi/Vid Conversions/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.avi"
read -p "Press Enter to Continue" dumbyvar
rm "/home/jimi/.winff/ff110930004129.sh"

‎
If any of that makes sense to you I'd be very interested. It's all learning. 
I probably have to open a Konsole ( laughs) and see  if 'help' brings up the parameters/settings.

1800kb  maybe should be    1800k     (no 'b')

can see:
" ...  aspect 16:9 -maxrate 1800k -b  ..."


I tried Avidemux - GTK2 which I have installed, which converted a .mp4 to .Avi, but the complaints it made which I had no idea to rectify, resulted in a not too great a conversion.
Sorry, whole other story.

[Just17]

Before I do anything with the above info ......  I noticed there are updates to some relevant packages today (for me) so it would be best to fully update to be sure you have those. I am not sure they make a difference, but it would be best to be sure.

[Just17]

I tested your command on a small  FLV file  here.

The   -flags +4mv  was refused in my case. This is only for use with  MP4 output it seems.

When that flag was omitted it worked .....  extremely slowly of course due to the settings.

I didn't yet try it from WinFF itself.

This is the media info for the FLV and the resultant AVI files .....

FLV   19.6 MiB
AVI   55.5 MiB

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General
Complete name                            : /Led_Zepplin.flv
Format                                   : Flash Video
File size                                : 19.6 MiB
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 330 Kbps
Writing application                      : YouTube, Inc.
Tagging application                      : YouTube Metadata Injector.

Video
Format                                   : Sorenson Spark
Codec ID                                 : 2
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Width                                    : 320 pixels
Height                                   : 240 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 4:3
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 fps
Bit depth                                : 8 bits

Audio
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Layer 3
Codec ID                                 : 2
Codec ID/Hint                            : MP3
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Channel(s)                               : 1 channel
Sampling rate                            : 22.05 KHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy


Code: [Select]

General
Complete name                            : /Led_Zepplin.avi
Format                                   : AVI
Format/Info                              : Audio Video Interleave
File size                                : 55.5 MiB
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Overall bit rate                         : 936 Kbps
Writing application                      : Lavf52.110.0

Video
ID                                       : 0
Format                                   : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile                           : Advanced Simple@L5
Format settings, BVOP                    : 2
Format settings, QPel                    : No
Format settings, GMC                     : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix                  : Default (H.263)
Muxing mode                              : Packed bitstream
Codec ID                                 : XVID
Codec ID/Hint                            : XviD
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Bit rate                                 : 794 Kbps
Width                                    : 704 pixels
Height                                   : 384 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate                               : 29.970 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.098
Stream size                              : 47.1 MiB (85%)
Writing library                          : XviD 1.2.1 (UTC 2008-12-04)

Audio
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : MPEG Audio
Format version                           : Version 1
Format profile                           : Layer 3
Mode                                     : Joint stereo
Mode extension                           : MS Stereo
Codec ID                                 : 55
Codec ID/Hint                            : MP3
Duration                                 : 8mn 17s
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 7.59 MiB (14%)
Alignment                                : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration                     : 24 ms (0.72 video frame)
Writing library                          : LAME3.98


EDIT
          Just had a look at the Man Page for ffmpeg .....

-4mv
Use four motion vector by macroblock (MPEG-4 only).

Your command has  +4mv   but I have tried both with no success. Not even sure what it does

It appears it does not like the V, so if  -4m  or  +4m  is used the command starts without error.

[Tony]

Hi Just18,
thanks for going to all that trouble.

Are you running the conversion through the commandline ?

I've recently quit windows altogether, I don't regret it but are inclined towards using a GUI .

A few weeks back I converted 10 to 15 .mp4's, and .flv's to .avi. just using the presets in WinFF.
Really simple.
I use them then on a USB flash drive on my Digital T.V. , in the comfort of the lounge room 
So figuring what has changed has me stumped.
I also upload compositions recorded using Audacity, and Videos (webcam quality) to Youtube. Thus the need for converting file types.

A small problem can take me hours of reading to learn the general environment I'm working in, and finding a fix. Obviously we all go through this learning stage.
The 'Man Pages' is somewhere I should be looking, thanks for mentioning.

I would be interested to know, if you don't mind, how you tried the conversion of the /Led_Zepplin.flv to .avi, as you say: "I didn't yet try it from WinFF itself."

The conversion of files that size would take 5 to ten minutes generally using WinFF.
I take it (guess) that the ffmpeg, and Lame, are the 'applications' that actually do the work, converting Video and Sound ?
Wondering if installing another program that uses those Apps could 'upset' another program, i.e. WinFF ?
Lots of questions, sorry.
I should mention I'm using PCLinuxOS 2011 MiniMe, and LXDE.
Intel 2.6 Ghz cpu
1 GB RAM.
I joined the Google group, WinFF, haven't had time to read much as yet.
http://groups.google.com/group/winff

Would I be right that you ran commands in a Konsole for your test ?

I know this is probably a really simple problem, and that reinstalling may fix WinFF, however I did try that already. Figuring the commands is obviously the best way to go about fixing, or re- setting the presets.

Before I do anything with the above info ......  I noticed there are updates to some relevant packages today (for me) so it would be best to fully update to be sure you have those. I am not sure they make a difference, but it would be best to be sure.

Yes, I've had some updates also.
Will keep researching and trying to get some Video Converter working, don't want to install any more programs though.
Minor problem, but when something doesn't work I get a insatiable drive to make it work.
I'm sure you know what I mean 

Thanks again Just18, if you have any further interest I'd be pleased to get your feedback.

[johnmart]

I just had a similar error. I have used winff for a long time & generally convert flv to avi or mp4. I have never had a problem before now.
It seems that every avi & mpeg4 preset I try has an error. So it seems unlikely to me that it is a preset problem.
Sorry, that sounds like I know what I am talking about, but I really don't. 
Seems wierd that all of a sudden it errors on all avi & mpeg4 conversions.

In the meantime, I installed Handbrake. It is a big gun, I prefer Winff, hope it can get fixed.
john

[Just17]

francis,
             this is the command you posted .....

/usr/bin/ffmpeg -i "/media/BigGuy/Backstage TR Tour/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.flv" -f avi -r 29.97 -vcodec libxvid -vtag XVID -s 704x384 -aspect 16:9 -maxrate 1800k -b 1500k -qmin 3 -qmax 5 -bufsize 4096 -mbd 2 -bf 2 -flags +4mv -trellis -aic -cmp 2 -subcmp 2 -g 300 -acodec libmp3lame -ar 48000 -ab 128k -ac 2 "/home/jimi/Vid Conversions/Backstage Pass Japan Pt. 1.avi"

If you change the "-flags +4mv"  to   "-flags +4m"   after updating the command should work.

First of all try copying and pasting the command into an editor, and then edit it as above, then copy and paste the edited version into a terminal.

If it does not run correctly it will show an error why ....  just like WinFF.
Paste the error here for us to have a look at.
You may need to change the name of the output file slightly so you do not overwrite an existing file.

It appears there have been some minor changes to something in ffmpeg options, as it no longer accepts the  "4mv" flag, but will accept "4m".
If this is the case then WinFF will need to be updated to take account of the changes.

What this update would do (if my theory is correct) is change the presets from 4mv to 4m where that flag is used.

Of course you could also change them yourself very easily.

If you open /home/<YourUserName>/.winff/presets.xml file in an editor ....  I use Kwrite .....  and
Edit - Find 
a Find line will appear along the bottom of the window.

There enter   4mv  and the locations of that flag will be highlighted.

Clicking Find All returns 11 matches here.

Clicking the green icon to the bottom right of the window gives you a place to put in a replacement ......  so you could put in 4m  there .......  and then select Replace All from the right side and save the file.

The next time you use WinFF the changes will be in effect.

regards

[johnmart]

Just19,

I tried editing presets.xml according to all the error messages returned, & couldn't get it to run.

I then checked out http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html

and followed their instructions to use an updated presets.xml. Success!

I copied their presets.xml to /usr/share/winff
deleted /<user>home/.winff
ran winff & voila! Converting now.

Just19-I realise this may go against the advice against installing outside the repo-----should I mention this in package request section?
francis-sorry if I hijacked your thread. But I read your post just minutes after mine failed & in the end it's fixed.
john

[Tony]

Just18:

If you change the "-flags +4mv"  to   "-flags +4m"   after updating the command should work.

First of all try copying and pasting the command into an editor, and then edit it as above, then copy and paste the edited version into a terminal.

Brilliant Just 18, it worked ! Thanks so much !!

I went onto your next instructions and edited /home/<YourUserName>/.winff/presets.xml.
Had the same 11 instances of "4mv" as yourself, and changed them to "4m".
Opened WinFF and converted a .mp4 to .avi, successfully. Brilliant that you picked up on the 'v' .

There was something different however.
When running WinFF the verbose, or output 'ff xxx.sh' text page, that runs till conversion completed, was laboriously listing line by line the output info, very unlike the Snap I posted as a thumbnail earlier. Probably 500 lines  

It actually seems better to run the command in Konsole, seemed less stressful on my system.
Except I wouldn't know how to run a conversion in the commandline.

Interesting to read johnmart's response, that he had no luck:

I tried editing presets.xml according to all the error messages returned, & couldn't get it to run.

I'm going to get the commandline output from WinFF,  use it in a Terminal, it worked really well.

Thanks for your help Just18, your my hero   Seriously much appreciated your help !

francis-sorry if I hijacked your thread. But I read your post just minutes after mine failed & in the end it's fixed.

No, you didn't HiJack the thread johnmart, seems there's additional changes needed if winff.org produced a fix to what seems a bug due to the update of ffmpeg couple of days ago.
johnmart:

Just19-I realise this may go against the advice against installing outside the repo-----should I mention this in package request section?

I think that's a great idea johnmart !

Still not sure if this is fixed, need some more time to experiment,
thanks again Just18  
 

[Tony]

I'm getting intermittent conversions 
Worked initially after going through the editing of /home/<YourUserName>/.winff/presets.xml.

Probably two out of six attempts have worked. Some pics, as I can't copy text out of that box.





francis

[Just17]

francis,
              there is more than one change apparently to the formatting of the options for conversion. Deleting the 'v' seemed to update one of them.
Johnmart had a different one show, and the reference to 'b' in your pic is another. There may be more.

So the solution will be an updated WinFF which will carry with it a new presets.xml file with (hopefully) all the changes needed.

In your situation I would do as Johnmart did .....  grab the updated copy of the presets file, rename your existing presets file to presets.xml.old so that it is not overwritten (in case of anything going wrong) and then copy the new file to the same location.

Launching WinFF will then use the new file with all the updates and all presets should work fine.

In the meantime a Package Request for the update should mean that this is made available for everyone.when it gets packaged.

Johnmart .....  yes a package request seems in order, thanks.

[Just17]

I should have mentioned .....  there is another front end to ffmpeg for conversion, very similar to WinFF in the repository .....  called  Sinthgunt in case either of you wish to try it.

I am not familiar with it, but it works just like WinFF using presets. It too likely needs an update.

[Tony]

I've had no luck.

1.) johnmart:

I then checked out http://winff.org/html_new/downloads.html

and followed their instructions to use an updated presets.xml. Success!

I downloaded what seemed after much looking the only file suitable, winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz
2.) Extracted the Archive, found a file "presets.xml"
3.) Renamed presets.xml in /usr/share/winff to 'old presets.xml'. The 'presets.xml' file remained, after I'd renamed as 'old'.
4.) Tried copying "presets.xml" from downloaded 'winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz'. Denied. ( Properties are root)
Just opened the new "presets.xml" in KWrite, selected all, copied.
"Edit as root" /usr/share/winff/'presets.xml' - it opened in KWrite, pasted new "presets.xml", saved it.
5.) Deleted  /<user>home/.winff
Didn't work when I tried running WinFF 

I maybe downloaded wrong file, i.e. - winff-1.3.2-source.tar.gz, or made mistake with replacing, or, actually, had to re-write, /usr/share/winff/'presets.xml.
Dunno ... beyond me 
 

[johnmart]

francis, you got the wrong file. Try this;
http://winff.googlecode.com/files/presets-libavcodec51-v5.xml.gz

install & instructions here;
http://code.google.com/p/winff/wiki/InstallPresetsxml

This procedure worked for me.
If you want to change the system wide presets.xml file, unzip/untar the downloaded file and copy the new presets.xml to /usr/share/winff/presets.xml. If you install to the system each user must delete /home/user/.winff/presets.xml for the new presets to take effect.  

note: In general installing outside the pclos repo is discouraged because all the repo files are custom fit to pclos. But outside sources are not necessarily so and can have unexpected results. Since this is only a preset file the risk should be minimal, imo. I posted a recommendation or the fix, so if it pans out a remedy may soon appear in the official repo.