multiplexer error

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Level 1

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multiplexer error

I'm getting an error pop up message:
Multiplexer Error - there was an error during muxing preparation (project conversion).

This is driving me nuts! I've spent more than a day trying to figure this out. I can't make a DVD in iDVD '08. I'm trying to make it with quicktime files generated in Final Cut Pro which are 9 minutes and 30 minutes long. I have plenty of disk space, my markers are fine, I have tried several types of DVD-R disks. I have re-generated the quicktime files. Re-built the DVD from scratch several times (deleting the encoded assets). And have tried other quicktime files. I also followed one of the forums advice for deleting and redoing the preferences.

I have no idea what it could be. The strangest thing is that it worked once. I was able to make one DVD. Thinking that everything was working with the test DVD I didn't make one for a few days. Then I come back and this nightmare happens.

I'm new to Mac and this isn't a kind entry.
If anyone has solved this I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks.

Message was edited by: BKenB

intel dual core iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Nov 13, 2007 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

SDMacuser

Level 6

13,585 points

Nov 13, 2007 10:54 AM in response to BKenB

Create a separate user account on your mac. Switch to it. And try your iDvd project again. If that fails, then make a very short 3 min. (or less) iMovie project => iDvd and burn that to DVD just to see if the app is performing as expected. Please also state the amount of available HD space on the boot volume (as opposed to saying you have plenty). Lastly, please run this short test after disconnecting all third party USB and /or Firewire devices from your mac (if any are currently attached to your computer).

http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/

Message was edited by: SDMacuser

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Answer 2

BKenB Author

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Nov 13, 2007 12:44 PM in response to SDMacuser

Thanks for the reply.
I have 125 GB available on the HD. I tried the user name technique. Makes no difference.

I was able to take some compressed quicktimes and successfully make a DVD - however these have no chapters. It seems that iDVD is having trouble with something in the quicktime that I'm making from FCP pro. Since writing the first message, I have burned a short file from FCP with the same settings as the others, the only difference I can think of is that it does not have chapters. None of the others that have worked in iDVD have chapters. The others that worked were compressed quicktime files that I made in compressor for broadband downloading - 800kbps.
I'm running a test now where I have taken out all of the markers from one of my projects and now iDVD works. So there is some problem with the markers. I really do need markers in my video unfortunately.

Any new thoughts based on those comments?

Message was edited by: BKenB

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Answer 3

SDMacuser

Level 6

13,585 points

Nov 13, 2007 12:46 PM in response to BKenB

I agree, not all QT chapter settings carry over to iDvd. I prefer using FCP => DVDSP where I do get all chapter marker settings without issue. Wish I could be of more help here and if I can think of something to help out I will certainly post back.

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Answer 4

cykz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 13, 2007 6:37 PM in response to BKenB

Try some of the options in the topic here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1203323&tstart=0
Somewhere at the bottom I have posted my findings as well.
Like restarting your mac and burn DVD immediately.
It's not a solution, but a workaround...

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Answer 5

BKenB Author

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Nov 13, 2007 7:27 PM in response to cykz

Did you find that the deleting the com.apple.idvd.plist and doing the repair permissions did anything?

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Answer 6

cykz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 13, 2007 7:39 PM in response to BKenB

Well, not for me though.
But it sure was good to repair the permissions as there was a lot to repair.
Have you tried restarting and creating an image disk immediately?
It works fine for me now. But of course I want an update soon to fix this correctly.

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Answer 7

BKenB Author

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Nov 13, 2007 7:54 PM in response to cykz

yes, I found a thread that suggested and followed the instructions to repair the permissions but it didn't seem to make any difference.
How does one create a disk image and what would I do with it afterwards?

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Answer 8

cykz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 13, 2007 8:14 PM in response to BKenB

In iDVD go to File or Archive (I have dutch version).
In the drop downlist choose "create disk image" or something like that. It shows as second from bottom in my menu.
With that you're creating an .img file in which the AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS files are for your DVD to work. This way you do the burning in two steps so you can check in between whether the encoding worked out fine. Afterwards you can burn the TS files straight to the DVD (he he, never tried that myself).

If you burn the DVD 'directly' then iDVD actually starts with the encoding and creates this image disk first before even touching the DVD. At the end it just automatically burns the DVD. But in my case because of the bugs, I prefer to create the image separate so I can check whether the encoding was ok before starting to burn on the DVD's.

Good luck.

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Answer 9

BKenB Author

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Nov 14, 2007 9:48 AM in response to cykz

So do you just use the disk image as a test to see if it is working?
You don't use the disk image file to do your burn, you start over and burn it.
Is that correct?

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Answer 10

Nov 14, 2007 10:09 AM in response to cykz

I am having the same problem, I am using iDVD 08 and have the same message keeps coming up. I have plenty of space on my Hard Drive and the project is 3.2 GB's. It takes 4 hours to burn and then gets to a point where the message comes up.

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Answer 11

BKenB Author

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Nov 14, 2007 10:42 AM in response to Sagedrummer

I would try outputting a small portion of your project with at least two markers and testing it. Once with and once without the markers. I'm trying to burn two short films in the same project. One works fine, the other has problems. When I delete the markers on the problematic project then it seems to work fine.

I'm still testing things. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting.

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Answer 12

cykz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2007 2:49 PM in response to BKenB

Hi,

No. I use disk image to see if the encoding works out well. If so, you don't need to encode anymore. You can directly burn the image to a DVD using Disk Utility (checkout spotlight to start the application, which is also used for permissions repair).

After you started the Disk Utility, open your imagefile from where you have saved it. Returning to Disk Utility, you will find the imagefile in the navigationpanel on your left. Select the appropriate file (older files remain there as well unless you rightclick them to remove) and press the Burn button. You will be asked to insert a DVD. By clicking the blue dropdownbutton (small triangular) you will have more options but default suits me best).

Burn the DVD. You will find that burning takes little time (1hour dvd will burn within 10 minutes on my iMac 4Gb).

If you want more copies, just repeat these steps. You don't need to go through the encoding process anymore.

Good luck!

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Answer 13

cykz

Level 1

5 points

Nov 14, 2007 2:51 PM in response to Sagedrummer

Again...

Try some of the options in the topic here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1203323&tstart=0
Somewhere at the bottom I have posted my findings as well. So you might want to skip page 1 and start reading my summary at the end.
Like restarting your mac and burn DVD immediately.
It's not a solution, but a workaround... I hope it works for you.

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Answer 14

Nov 25, 2007 11:17 AM in response to cykz

I still cannot get this DVD to burn and if I take out the Chapter Markers it is pointless to me. I need the chapter markers and can't even find a workaround for this issue.

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Answer 15

Shabba Q

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2007 10:40 PM in response to BKenB

I had the exact same problem. What worked for me was to change the "aspect ratio" setting in
Project -> Project Info. Seems that I recorded the video footage in widescreen format, but my project was setup for standard format. In my case, it appeared that iDVD had a problem converting the original ratio of the footage I shot over to the ratio dictated by the project setting. I believe if your project ratio matches your video ratio your problem might be solved. I made two very nice and shiny coasters before it dawned on me. I hope this helps. (BTW, the project I made took up 3.8 GB on the SL DVD)

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