[jyl]

I have a problem. See, there's this video I downloaded from clubbox that has an .avi format, but can't be played in wmp nor winamp. it plays perfectly fine in GOM player though. But the thing is, I want to cut the video because it's too long, however, virtualdub cannot recognize the file. And when i checked the file on GSpot, it said the codec needed is FLV1. So I downloaded a codec pack that contains that. But still, virtualdub can't recognize it... can anyone help me with this? ^^;;

[DaRkViEt73]

Method#1
Download Super located here http://www.erightsoft.com/Superdc.html then convert the file into an AVI file using XviD and your desired settings. Then open up Virtualdub and cut it however you want, using Direct Stream Copy to trim it down a bit without having to re-encode twice.

Method#2
You can open and edit it DIRECTLY in Virtualdub. Chances are, since you downloaded a codec pack, you probably have AVISynth already installed on your computer. If not, goto http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=57023 and download AVISynth v2.5.7 or something like that then install it first.

Once you've got AVISynth installed, open up Notepad and write this one line command:

DirectShowSource("C:\Your Folders\your filename.avi")

Obviously, substitute the full path and filename into the line above. Save the file with an AVS file extension by saving it as "your filename.AVS" and remember to put the quotes in there!!! That will force Notepad to save it with an AVS file extension.

Now open that AVS file you just created into Virtualdub and you should be able to edit the video now with absolute freedom.



Method#1
Advantage: Generally you get perfect video/audio syncing and it's relatively easy.
Disadvantage: Cutting videos is not gonna be precise due to the nature of video compression and the existance of "keyframes". Basically you can cut the end of the video anywhere you want, but the BEGINNING of the video will be to the nearest keyframe which could be up to 10 or more seconds away from where you actually want it to start. This isn't an issue if you want to keep everything from the very beginning but just cut off the end of the video. It IS an issue if you start the beginning of your cut anywhere other than the very beginning of the original video... like starting the cut 15 seconds into it for example.

Method#2
Advantage: More flexibility. Higher picture quality due to filters/custom settings you can use in Virtualdub. You can edit ANY video you've got a codec for using ANY video editing program, not just Virtualdub. Cutting is also precise (because AVISynth is actually streaming the raw, decompressed video to Virtualdub.)
Disadvantage: Some videos may have the video/audio be out of sync or the last few seconds of the video might repeat or other weird errors. That is due to the craptastic nature of all VFW (Video for Windows) codecs which DirectShow-based programs use to playback your videos. You cannot do anything about that and it's hit or miss. Most videos will be fine but a few others will have some form of problem. Video/audio sync errors are easily fixable. Other weird errors are not.

[jyl]

yey, finally, someone replied!

I actually tried method # 1 before, but the video quality became so poor. as for method # 2, I just tried it, but it doesn't work >.< An error message pops out of virtual dub XD

[DaRkViEt73]

An error message pops out of virtual dub XD

If the error is what I think it is, then here's the solution.

When you installed your codec pack, hopefully you had ffdshow installed as part of it. If not, go to http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_so...ers/ffdshow.cfm and download it there. Once you've got it installed, go to Start > Programs > ffdshow. Run both the video decoder configuration AND the VFW configuration if you've got it. Find the FLV1 entry and set it to libavcodec as shown below.



At this time, it may be a good idea to right-click and select "Set all stable formats to libavcodec" as well too. Hit Apply, OK to close, then go test it by trying to play your video using Windows Media Player or Media Player Classic. You may or may not need to rename the file extension to FLV instead of AVI for it to play properly. If you're able to play it using either of those two players, then you know you did it right. If that's the case, go ahead and try to reopen your AVS file again in Virtualdub again as described in Method#2.

The reason why the error occurs (if the error's what I think it is) is because you don't have a Flash "VFW codec" installed. What you're basically doing is configuring FFDShow to allow playback of flash videos in normal video players like WMP or MPC. Virtualdub, with the help of AVISynth, will now be able to play/edit Flash (.FLV and flash embedded in .AVI) videos now. Good luck.

I actually tried method # 1 before, but the video quality became so poor.

You can make the video look better by setting the bitrate to a high level like 2000-4000kb or something like that. Needless to say, your filesize will be much bigger but at least you'll retain more of the original quality that way.