Windows Media Encoder Broke

[Ron]

Hi everyone,

I've never had a problem with WME, but today I've been trying to convert a file (with settings I've used before) and the second pass doesn't happen. I've tried 3 or 4 times now. I also did a repair/reinstall, same thing. I'm just wondering if anyone else is having this problem. No errors, nothing. It's not the source file as I've tried a few different ones.

I haven't used it in a while, so I have have no idea about latest software installs because I've installed several I'm sure.

[Chuck Engels]

What actually does happen Ron, does the program freeze or crash or what?
Do you get an error message?

I haven't used WME in quite some time although I have been thinking about using it to capture tutorials maybe.

[Ron]

No errors, no crash, it gets to the 100% first pass mark, then you receive the window asking to play the output file/close, etc. Just skips the second pass and the output file is only 6Kb. SIngle pass works fine with the exact same bitrate/settings.

There's a little info out there via Google and the deduction is that one of the MS updates may have corrupted it. It's too bad because I always praised and relied on WME.

[Chuck Engels]

Keep up with this thread on Doom9
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s ... 587&page=2
They will probably have an answer as soon as anyone, it does seem to be a fairly major problem too and somewhat widespread.

If I find anything else I will let you know Ron

[RJ Johnston]

Something to check. Is the audio also set for 2-pass variable?

[RJ Johnston]

Forget my last post.

I just tried with a DV-AVI and it didn't make it to the 2nd pass. In Premiere Elements 4, the 2-pass CBR works. Then I can take that WMV and use it as source in WME and can convert to Windows Media Server with 2 passes.

[Ron]

I just tried with a DV-AVI and it didn't make it to the 2nd pass.

This confirms that it's not just me.

In Premiere Elements 4, the 2-pass CBR works. Then I can take that WMV and use it as source in WME and can convert to Windows Media Server with 2 passes.

Why would we do that? Or were you just testing? (encoding a wmv to wmv) Maybe encoding first WMV extremely high quality?

[RJ Johnston]

I was just testing to see if I could get anything to encode with CBR 2-pass in Windows Media Encoder. I also wanted to see if there was a similar problem in Premiere Elements, except there isn't a streaming server option in Premiere Elements. Were you going for the streaming server option with the Encoder?

[Ron]

I like the "Playback for computer" option. You can really customize the outputs using that option. But yes, I've used streaming as well.