iVCD™ FAQ

1. What are the System Requirements for running iVCD™?
2. What types of movies (output video format) will iVCD make?
3. What types of movies (input video format) will iVCD make in to a DVD, VCD, SVCD, etc?
4. Is there an iVCD Tutorial?
5. Is there a free trial?
   
   Registration and Installation
6. How do I install / uninstall the program?
7. When I run the program, it displays the "Registration" dialog. What's wrong?
8. When I try to register, the "Invalid Registration Information" message is displayed. What's wrong?
9. I can't find a place to put the Registration Information. What's wrong?
10. How do I know if I've successfully registered the software?
    
    Operation
11. How do I convert and burn AVI, Divx or xVid to DVD?
12. How do I convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to DVD?
13. How do I convert and burn .mov, Quicktime, iMovie or iMovie HD to DVD?
14. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to DVD?
    
    
15. How do I convert and burn AVI, Divx or xVID to VCD?
16. How do I convert and burn mpeg (mpg) to VCD?
17. How do I convert and burn .mov, Quicktime, iMovie or iMovie HD to VCD?
18. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to VCD?
    
    
19. How do I convert and burn AVI, Divx or xVID to SVCD?
20. How do I convert and burn mpeg (mpg) to SVCD?
21. How do I convert and burn .mov, Quicktime, iMovie or iMovie HD to SVCD?
22. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to SVCD?
    
    
23. How do I convert to AVI to MPEG? (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)
24. How do I convert to Divx to MPEG? (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)
25. How do I convert to MOV to MPEG? (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)
26. How do I convert to xVID to MPEG? (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)
27. How do I convert to WMV to MPEG? (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)
    
    
28. How do I make a KVCD?
29. How do I make an XVCD?
30. How do I make an XSVCD?
    
    Features
    
31. How do I make a looping DVD, VCD?
32. How do I fix video that appears cropped on a TV screen?
33. How do I lighten dark video?
    
    Troubleshooting
34. Can I use the command line interface?
35. The program quits right after launch. Why?
36. I get an error when I try to burn. Why?
37. The SVCD I just made won't play in my DVD player. Why?
38. The MPEG-2 (SVCD) I just made won't play using a Quicktime movie player or MacVCD. Why?
39. How do I play the VCD I just burned?
40. Why is conversion to MPEG slow?
41. I exported my iMovie to Quicktime and converted it to VCD but it's pixelated, has wavy lines, or artifacts. Why?
42. How many minutes of video will fit on a DVD? What about a VCD or SVCD?
43. My source movie is too long to fit on one CD? What do I do?
44. My disk has no audio. Why?
    
    
45. Your FAQ doesn't answer my question / I need further help. What do I do?

1. What are the System Requirements for running iVCD™?

• on the iVCD Specifications Page
• in the iVCD ReadMe File (pdf)

2. What types of movies (output video format) will iVCD make?

iVCD will make the following movie types:

• DVD
• VCD (Video CD)
• SVCD (Super VCD)
• XVCD
• SXVCD
• KVCD
• mpeg
  

3. What types of movies (input video format) will iVCD make in to a DVD, VCD, SVCD, etc?

iVCD™ works with a variety of source movies, including:

• iMovies (iMovie HD, iMovie 2, iMovie 3)
• Quicktime movies
• .mov (MOV)
• MPEG movies (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VCD, SVCD)
• AVI, Divx, XviD, .divx
• wmv, .wmv
• For more input file types, see Specifications page

Note: To work with AVI, Divx, WMV, Xvid source files, you need a component. For further information, see the System Requirements

Note: To work with MPEG-2 source files, you need an MPEG-2 Playback Component. (Only required if you have MPEG-2 input files.) For further information, see the System Requirements

4. Is there an iVCD Tutorial?

5. Is there a free trial?

Yes. For complete instructions on how to use the free trial,

• go to the tutorial How to use the iVCD free trial
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

Registration and Installation

6. How do I install / uninstall the program?

7. When I run the program, it displays the "Registration" dialog. Why?

You haven't registered the software.

• If you want to quit, click the "Quit" Button
  
  
• If you are trying to run the demo, click the "Run Demo" Button. For further information, refer to the Read Me in the documentation folder.
  
  
• If you want to purchase the product now, click "Buy Now".

• If you want to register the program, enter the Registration Information and click the "Register" Button. If you purchased online, the Registration Information is in the email we sent you. If you purchased a CD, the Registration Information is printed on the CD jacket. For further information about registering, refer to the Read Me in the documentation folder.
  
  
• If you have already bought a Registration key/Serial Number, have entered it and are getting this message, there is an error in the registration information you have entered. For further information, see the "When I try to register, the "Invalid Registration Information" message is displayed" question in this faq.

8. When I try to register, the "Invalid Registration Information" message is displayed. Why?

1. Verify that you entered the correct License Type. If you purchased online, check that the License Type you entered matches the one in the email you received from us. If you purchased from a retail outlet, use the License Type "Individual"
   
   
2. Verify that you entered the correct Purchaser's ID/Email Address. If you purchased online, enter the Email address used when the product was purchased. If you purchased from a retail outlet, use the Purchaser's ID that came with the product.
   
   
3. Verify that you entered the Serial Number correctly. Check for the following common problems:
   
   - typing the letter O or I instead of the number 0 or 1
   - transposing 2 digits
   - adding extra spaces before or after the Purchaser's ID or Serial Number
   - entering the registration information more than once (click in the field and scroll with the arrow keys to see this)
   - entering the registration information for the wrong product.
   
   
4. If that didn't solve the problem, delete your preferences file and configure iVCD™ again. The preferences file's location is: "$HOME/Library/Preferences/com.mireth.ivcd.plist"
   
   
5. If that didn't solve the problem, send a copy of your preferences file to Product Support (support@mireth.com) so we can determine the nature of the problem. The preferences file's location is: "$HOME/Library/Preferences/com.mireth.ivcd.plist"

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9. I can't find a place to put the Registration Information. Why?

The Registration Dialog Box will be displayed when you start the program, only if it is not registered. If the Dialog Box is not displayed, your copy is already registered. This may happen if you are already a registered user and you have downloaded a free upgrade. Your old registration information is retained. You don't need to re-register.

10. How do I know if I've successfully registered the software?

To verify whether the product is already registered, choose "Register" from the "Help" menu. If the product is unregistered, the "Register" dialog will appear. If the product is registered, the "Already Registered" message will be displayed.

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Operation

11. How do I convert AVI, Divx or xVid to DVD?

12. How do I convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to DVD?

You need to convert the video files, create the disk image and burn the disc. iVCD will do it all for you. For instructions,

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to DVD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

13. How do I convert and burn .mov, Quicktime movie, iMovie or iMovie HD to DVD?

14. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to DVD?

You need to convert the video files, create the disk image and burn the disc. iVCD will do it all for you. For instructions,

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn WMV to DVD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

15. How do I convert AVI, Divx or xVid to VCD?

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn AVI, Divx or xVid to VCD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

16. How do I convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to VCD?

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to VCD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

17. How do I convert and burn iMovie, Quicktime, .mov to VCD?

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn Quicktime, (.mov), iMovie, iMovie HD to VCD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

18. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to VCD?

For step-by-step instructions,

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn WMV to VCD
  
  refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

19. How do I convert AVI, Divx or xVid to SVCD?

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn AVI, Divx or xVid to SVCD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

20. How do I convert and burn mpeg (.mpg) to SVCD?

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn mpeg (mpg) to SVCD
  
  
• refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

21. How do I convert and burn .mov, Quicktime movie, iMovie or iMovie HD to SVCD?

22. How do I convert and burn WMV (.wmv) to SVCD?

For step-by-step instructions,

• go to the tutorial How to convert and burn WMV to SVCD
  
  refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

23. How do I convert AVI to MPEG (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)?

24. How do I convert Divx to MPEG (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)?

25. How do I convert MOV to MPEG (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)?

26. How do I convert xVID to MPEG (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)?

27. How do I convert WMV to MPEG (DVD, VCD, SVCD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2)?

28. How do I make an KVCD?

29. How do I make an XVCD?

30. How do I make an XSVCD?

Features

31. How do I make a looping DVD or VCD that will play continuously?

go to the tutorial How to make a looping DVD, VCD


refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

32. How do I fix video that appears cropped on a TV screen?

go to the tutorial How to fix cropped video


refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

33. How do I lighten dark video?

go to the tutorial How to lighten dark video


refer to the iVCD Read me that comes with iVCD or download the iVCD Read me (pdf) now

Troubleshooting

34. Can I use the command line interface?

35. The program quits right after launch. Why?

36. I get an error when I try to burn. Why?

These CDRW drives are known to work:

• HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-41208
  
  
• LITE-ON LTR-52246S
  
  
• MATSHITA CD-RW CW-7121
• MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-815
  
  
• PIONEER DVR-105 (A05)
  
  
• SONY ATAPI DVD RW DW-U10A
• SONY CD-RW CRX140E
• SONY CRX820E
  
  
• TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD2002

These CDRW drives are know to require additional CD burning software (like Toast 5 - Toast 6 is *not* required to burn SuperVCD if you use iVCD™ - from www.roxio.com):

• PIONEER DVR-104 (A04)
• PIONEER DVR-103 (A03)
  
  
• USB Drives

If you don't see your drive on this list then please try the builtin Burn function and send an email to support@mireth.com telling us the drive information and if it works or not. Don't assume that because the PIONEER 103 and 104 drives do not work that other PIONEER drives will not work. You need to try the burn function with each model from each manufacturer.

Drives that are supported must be “generic-mmc” drives and while this includes most, it does not include all CDRW drives. Many third party external CDRW drives are supported so if your built in drive does not work its possible to purchase a low cost second drive that will work. You may be able to burn VCDs and SVCDs using Toast from www.roxio.com if you CDRW drive is not supported by iVCD™.

37. The SVCD I just burned won't play on my DVD player. Why?

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers.php

38. The MPEG-2 (SVCD) I just made won't play using my movie player. Why?

39. How do I play the VCD I just burned?

How to Play VCD on Mac/Windows computer, DVD Player (http://www.mireth.com/wt/v530.html)

40. Why is conversion to MPEG slow?

Conversion speed depends on quality and by default iVCD™ selects the Best quality. You can increase speed by selecting Good, or Better quality and in many cases the resulting video is good enough.

Having said that, conversion to MPEG is video data compression and the current state of the art takes time. There was a time when doing conversion was a job for additonal hardware. Now it can be done is software but it’s a bit slow – especially on a G3 CPU.

41. I exported my iMovie to Quicktime and converted it to VCD but it's pixelated, has wavy lines, or artifacts. Why?

VCD may still have some artifacts during fast pans and large areas of green foliage. SuperVCD will provide much better quality so use it if your DVD player supports that format.

42. How much video fits on a DVD, VCD, SVCD?

Because DVD uses a variable bit rate to encode video there is no exact answer. At the standard bit rate of 7500 you can get 2 hours on a DVD. However iVCD lets you adjust the bit rate, so if you changed it to 4500 as an example, you could get 4 hours

The VCD standard is 74 minutes on a CD.

The SVCD standard uses a variable bit rate with a maximum of 2500 so approximately 45 minutes on a CD.

43. My source movie is too long to fit on a CD? What do I do?

If the source video is too long to fit on a single CD, you need to manually split it into 2 or more Quicktime reference movies. You can use any application (like Quicktime Pro) that can save movies to do the splitting. Just select part of the Movie (shift-click in the movie controller), Edit->Copy, File->New, Edit->Paste and File->Save. Use each reference movie in a different iVCD Project.

44. My disk has no audio. What's wrong?

This problem commonly occurs when you download from the Internet if you click on a link to a .mpg, the browser uses the Quicktime plugin to play the movie, and you save the movie from the Quicktime plugin menu. The correct way to download MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video is to control click the link and save the movie as a .mpg.

45. Your FAQ doesn't answer my question / I need further help. What do I do?