Adding blackspace to MPEG-2s

VegettoEX · Post by **VegettoEX** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 12:55 pm

I've got (at least) one submission for AnimeNext (in MPEG-2 format) that just doesn't have a single frame of blackspace at the beginning or end... it starts right up on the first frame of action, and abruptly ends the same way.

What's the best way for me to go about adding in a few seconds of blackspace?

- "Merge & Cut" won't work
- When I try running it through DVD2AVI and getting the video project file (*.d2v) and audio, just simply re-encoding this (say, as normal VCD specs in TMPG) without ANY alterations puts the audio out of synch...

I'm kinda at a loss. What would be the best method for approaching this?

Fungie½ · Post by **Fungie½** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 3:06 pm

Ah, I'm not exactly a tech guru here, but are you making a playlist and then putting it all to tape? Best bet would be to export some black screen out of Premiere, MPEG-2 it, and output that before the video. May sound kinda cheap, but it gets the job done fairly simple. By the way, I'm hoping that it's not mine or Anneke's videos

VegettoEX · Post by **VegettoEX** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 3:11 pm

See, that's the problem.

I'll be out-putting via the regular Hollywood+ card. The card resets the video signal after playing each video. So, it'd play the blackspace, blip for a second, and then start the video... pretty distracting.

I'd also like a way to just do it all digitally for future DVD authoring reference.. ^^;;

AbsoluteDestiny · Post by **AbsoluteDestiny** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 5:03 pm

are you sure you cant encode a section of black from an avisynth script with the same settings and attach it to the mpeg2?

VegettoEX · Post by **VegettoEX** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:10 pm

I'm not sure exactly what you mean (and no Ian, the video in question doesn't belong to you :P).

Do I need (probably) the exact same settings as the MPEG-2 in question to create the black space AVI/MPEG-2 that I'll be adding? Do I "Merge & Cut" it? AVS script combine them?

TaranT · Post by **TaranT** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 6:39 pm

Quu mentioned this once on another thread way back in April. Something called M2-Edit which he could use to delete the leading and trailing black space in MPEG2 files. M2-Edit is a native MPEG2 NLE. More info here: http://www.mediaware.com.au/framesets/3m2editcl.html.
MyFlix is the consumer version. The pro version of M2-Edit is expensive.

Another possible option might be to get the Netstream2000 card. They say it fixes the signal-drop bug (or whatever it's called). This place is selling it for $35: http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=EM8400

Tab. · Post by **Tab.** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:55 pm

VegettoEX wrote:I'm not sure exactly what you mean (and no Ian, the video in question doesn't belong to you ).

Do I need (probably) the exact same settings as the MPEG-2 in question to create the black space AVI/MPEG-2 that I'll be adding? Do I "Merge & Cut" it? AVS script combine them?

Get a black clip using avisynth's function

BlankClip(length=300, width=720, height=480, fps=29.97, color=$000000)

with whatever fps and resolution you're using. Encode it using the same settings (audio too) and then use merge and cut in TMPG.

VegettoEX · Post by **VegettoEX** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:03 pm

I was definitely planning on getting the Netstream card... it just won't be in time for my compiling the master tape for AnimeNext.

I'm pretty sure I've got a fix on this video through a long process that I needn't go into, but I'm defintely going to go about using these suggestions to do it the "proper" way...

Also, I know next year to place in huge bold letters, at the top of the rules

<B>DO NOT INCLUDE ANY CREDITS/BUMPERS, AND BE SURE TO LEAVE BLACK SPACE AT THE BEGINNING AND END</b>

Of course, it won't make any difference, because no-one ever reads the rules :P (*kicks dwchang*)