Squished video

[Catherwood]

Well, the Toast 10.0.6 update cleared up the green blobs on the videos transferred from Tivo. But now when the videos are burned to a DVD, the picture is squished into a vertical column.

 

The picture (originally 4:3 off a Series 2) looks fine in the Media Browser and the Main Window thumbnail. Selecting the show in the Media Browser opens the Toast Video Player where it also looks fine.

 

But after the show is either burned to a DVD or even saved as a Disc Image, upon playback the Disc Image in DVD Player and the burned DVD in a regular player both show the picture as a tall narrow column. Playing the burned DVD in DVD Player also shows a squished picture.

 

In the Toast Video section under Options at the bottom of the left column, I've clicked on More and selected: Encoding - Automatic. I don't understand all of the settings under Custom, but Automatic always worked fine before.

 

Under Menus, I've tried setting Aspect Ratio to both Automatic and Standard but both give the squished picture.

 

What can I try next?

 

TIA.

 

OSX 10.6.2

Toast 10 Titanium 10.0.6

DVD Player 5.2

 

 

 

[tsantee]

My Tivo is connected to cable. I've transferred .tivo files from it to my Mac from quite a few different channels, including TNT, PBS, and the local Fox affiliate. When I put them in Toast 10, they all show up 480x480 - even the ones I transferred from the Tivo box when I was using Toast 8 and the version of Tivo Transfer that went with it.

Some how you need to get in contact with Roxio's technical support and send them a clip from one of those source videos so they can troubleshoot this. I've tried transfers from several networks and they all are 528 x 480 via my Comcast provider. I also created a 480 x 480 MPEG 2 file (the format for an S-VCD) and had Toast re-encode it for DVD and the aspect ratio is fine. So it isn't the 480x480 itself that is the problem with Toast.

[Zachary]

The Series 3/4 TiVo boxes are able to directly handle the digital stream coming to them from either digital cable or OTA sources -- and, in those cases, there's no re-encoding on the TiVo. With Series 2 models, the stream is always re-encoded -- and depending on the "quality level" (Basic, Medium, High, and Best) of the recording there will be a different pixel size to the recording. I think there might be a difference among the Series 2 models in that the DVD recording capable models might be slightly different from the non-DVD recording models as well.

 

I don't happen to know which recording quality level yields a 480x480 recording -- and it might be good to know this to see if it is reproduceable as well as seeing if using a different recording quality level avoids this issue.

 

- Bob

 

I just have to note that this thread saved my butt today after hours and hours of trying to solve this same problem. I have a TiVo Series 2 connected to DirecTV. Running a new MBP with Snow Leopard (10.6.3) and Toast 10.0.7.

 

I had transferred one program to my Mac a month or so ago when I bought Toast, but had never tried to burn to DVD or convert to MPEG or anything else. Today, when I tried to do either, I got the same 480x480 issue in the end result.

 

The program was a normal network program (Grey's Anatomy) which looked fine on my TiVo, and showed up normally in Toast after it was sent there by TiVo Transfer. But as soon as I tried to export it from toast, I got this issue.

 

Hallelujah for this workaround! And this is ABSOLUTELY an issue that Roxio should address. Even if it's a tip to end users to turn off re-encode if their aspect ratios are off. It should be in the FAQ at the very least.

 

HUGE THANKS TO YOU TSANTEE, FOR PASSING THIS ALONG.

[bedelman]

Reading your post makes me realize that your TiVo is doing the MPEG encoding whereas mine is simply capturing the already-encoded digital stream. That's why we're getting different resolutions. If that is accurate then anyone with a TiVo that is encoding the MPEG video will end up with these 480x480 videos that don't convert properly in Toast 10.

 

The Series 3/4 TiVo boxes are able to directly handle the digital stream coming to them from either digital cable or OTA sources -- and, in those cases, there's no re-encoding on the TiVo. With Series 2 models, the stream is always re-encoded -- and depending on the "quality level" (Basic, Medium, High, and Best) of the recording there will be a different pixel size to the recording. I think there might be a difference among the Series 2 models in that the DVD recording capable models might be slightly different from the non-DVD recording models as well.

 

I don't happen to know which recording quality level yields a 480x480 recording -- and it might be good to know this to see if it is reproduceable as well as seeing if using a different recording quality level avoids this issue.

 

- Bob

[tsantee]

While I am very happy that I can now convert or burn my .tivo files, I agree that the workaround is seriously kludgy. I would never in a million years have figured that out on my own, or through Roxio's support pipeline.

 

I was able to do all these converison tasks easily using Toast 8 before Snow Leopard forced me to upgrade to Toast 10.

 

I assume that Toast's pool of Mac users is small and the subset of Snow Leopard users smaller yet. And the subset of those people who use a Tivo Series II purchased five years ago is tiny. Might only be me. I don't think I'll upgrade my Tivo, though, until the tube tv we bought when Clinton was president finally gives up, and it seems to be hanging in there.

 

So, putting it in perspective, I can understand why Roxio is still catching up. It would be tough to accommodate every wacky configuration out there.

Reading your post makes me realize that your TiVo is doing the MPEG encoding whereas mine is simply capturing the already-encoded digital stream. That's why we're getting different resolutions. If that is accurate then anyone with a TiVo that is encoding the MPEG video will end up with these 480x480 videos that don't convert properly in Toast 10.

 

Toast definitely is a patchwork. They keep revising it to make it work with new systems and new formats which, as you've seen, can cause problems with the older stuff that used to work. I'm one of those people who get the new version of Toast each time it comes out so I can always use an older one if that's what it takes to get something done. For instance, Toast 8 and 9 can do DiVX encoding but that's not in Toast 10. Toast 10.0.2 is the last version of Toast that creates video DVD menus properly on a G4 or G5 Mac. Nutty but true. I wish Roxio would post a list of known issues because then we'd know what they know doesn't work.

 

There is no problem having multiple versions of Toast on your Mac including multiple increments of the same version. If you have Toast 8 then I suggest using it for those TiVo transfers but use Toast 10 for it what does better.

 

As for my kludgy workaround, that's why I'm here in this forum. I can provide the unofficial way to get things done. I long ago gave up any frustration about why the workarounds are needed in the first place.

[Prairiegirl227]

There is not two levels of conversion. Choosing Save as Disc Image in the Video window when Never Re-encode is selected is a very fast process. Consider it preparing the video for conversion. I hardly think it is convoluted to add one step. Also, this only is needed with certain video files. I don't need this step for any of the video my TiVo records from my Concast provider. But if your provider is encoding at 480x480 then you may need to do one additional step before conversion.

 

I'm not certain it is a bug in Toast. I tried that 480x480 video straight in a digital media player connected to my TV and the picture's aspect ratio appeared wrong. This is without Toast even touching it. So something is missing from this file to tell some systems how to play it.

 

Yes, it shouldn't be necessary to do the additional step. But this step has no detrimental affect on quality and only takes a few minutes to complete.

 

While I am very happy that I can now convert or burn my .tivo files, I agree that the workaround is seriously kludgy. I would never in a million years have figured that out on my own, or through Roxio's support pipeline.

 

I was able to do all these converison tasks easily using Toast 8 before Snow Leopard forced me to upgrade to Toast 10.

 

I assume that Toast's pool of Mac users is small and the subset of Snow Leopard users smaller yet. And the subset of those people who use a Tivo Series II purchased five years ago is tiny. Might only be me. I don't think I'll upgrade my Tivo, though, until the tube tv we bought when Clinton was president finally gives up, and it seems to be hanging in there.

 

So, putting it in perspective, I can understand why Roxio is still catching up. It would be tough to accommodate every wacky configuration out there.

 

 

 

 

[tsantee]

That's a seriously convoluted workaround for a feature Roxio highlights as a main selling point. This is clearly a bug that breaks an advertised capability: "With just a few clicks you can locate, convert and burn your favorite shows, music and data to CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs, or sync to your iPhone™, iPod® and other mobile devices." (from Toast overview page)

 

Also, this process is basically two levels of video conversion, thereby making the process very long and significantly more disk intensive.

 

Does anyone know if Roxio is actually working on fixing this?

There is not two levels of conversion. Choosing Save as Disc Image in the Video window when Never Re-encode is selected is a very fast process. Consider it preparing the video for conversion. I hardly think it is convoluted to add one step. Also, this only is needed with certain video files. I don't need this step for any of the video my TiVo records from my Concast provider. But if your provider is encoding at 480x480 then you may need to do one additional step before conversion.

 

I'm not certain it is a bug in Toast. I tried that 480x480 video straight in a digital media player connected to my TV and the picture's aspect ratio appeared wrong. This is without Toast even touching it. So something is missing from this file to tell some systems how to play it.

 

Yes, it shouldn't be necessary to do the additional step. But this step has no detrimental affect on quality and only takes a few minutes to complete.

[Null Register]

It should work to export for iPod if you use the video from the disc image or the DVD you burned rather than from the source TiVo file. It worked for me. Start with the DVD video setting in the Video window and choose Save as Disc Image. Then use the Image File setting in the Convert window to select the .toast file. Your resulting iPod export should look correct.

 

That's a seriously convoluted workaround for a feature Roxio highlights as a main selling point. This is clearly a bug that breaks an advertised capability: "With just a few clicks you can locate, convert and burn your favorite shows, music and data to CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs, or sync to your iPhone™, iPod® and other mobile devices." (from Toast overview page)

 

Also, this process is basically two levels of video conversion, thereby making the process very long and significantly more disk intensive.

 

Does anyone know if Roxio is actually working on fixing this?

[tsantee]

This worked great. Many thanks!

 

I had hoped that I could also convert the .tivo files for use on an ipod touch, but it doesn't work in Toast 10 - the resulting videos are still squished. And Toast 10 won't accept the .toast files for conversion.

 

However, I can still use Toast 8 for conversion to ipod videos. So! My problems are solved. Again, many thanks for your help.

It should work to export for iPod if you use the video from the disc image or the DVD you burned rather than from the source TiVo file. It worked for me. Start with the DVD video setting in the Video window and choose Save as Disc Image. Then use the Image File setting in the Convert window to select the .toast file. Your resulting iPod export should look correct.

[Prairiegirl227]

I've completed some tests using one of your 480x480 videos. I get the same result as you unless I do a fairly simple workaround.

 

Add your video to the Toast Video window with DVD video selected as the format. Click the More button on the lower left, click the Encoder tab and choose Custom. Next to Re-encode choose Never. Now edit the video if you like and prepare to make your DVD. But don't click the burn button unless you really do want to make a DVD. If what you really want is to export the video in another format choose Save as Disc Image.

 

When the disc image is done go to the Convert window and choose Image File and select the .toast disc image you just created. Now export to whatever format you want.

 

Your video DVD and your exported video will have the correct aspect ratio.

 

This worked great. Many thanks!

 

I had hoped that I could also convert the .tivo files for use on an ipod touch, but it doesn't work in Toast 10 - the resulting videos are still squished. And Toast 10 won't accept the .toast files for conversion.

 

However, I can still use Toast 8 for conversion to ipod videos. So! My problems are solved. Again, many thanks for your help.

 

[tsantee]

My Tivo is connected to cable. I've transferred .tivo files from it to my Mac from quite a few different channels, including TNT, PBS, and the local Fox affiliate. When I put them in Toast 10, they all show up 480x480 - even the ones I transferred from the Tivo box when I was using Toast 8 and the version of Tivo Transfer that went with it.

I've completed some tests using one of your 480x480 videos. I get the same result as you unless I do a fairly simple workaround.

 

Add your video to the Toast Video window with DVD video selected as the format. Click the More button on the lower left, click the Encoder tab and choose Custom. Next to Re-encode choose Never. Now edit the video if you like and prepare to make your DVD. But don't click the burn button unless you really do want to make a DVD. If what you really want is to export the video in another format choose Save as Disc Image.

 

When the disc image is done go to the Convert window and choose Image File and select the .toast disc image you just created. Now export to whatever format you want.

 

Your video DVD and your exported video will have the correct aspect ratio.

[Prairiegirl227]

You're on the right track. Now to figure out the source for those 480x480 videos. Is your TiVo recording from cable or over-the-air? What network is it?

 

My Tivo is connected to cable. I've transferred .tivo files from it to my Mac from quite a few different channels, including TNT, PBS, and the local Fox affiliate. When I put them in Toast 10, they all show up 480x480 - even the ones I transferred from the Tivo box when I was using Toast 8 and the version of Tivo Transfer that went with it.

[tsantee]

It looks like the resolution of the .Tivo files, as I look at them in Toast 10 before I actually start burning or converting them, is 480x480. But I don't see any setting in the Tivo Transfer software, or in Toast 10, that would change that. Am I on the right track?

You're on the right track. Now to figure out the source for those 480x480 videos. Is your TiVo recording from cable or over-the-air? What network is it?

[Prairiegirl227]

It looks like the resolution of the .Tivo files, as I look at them in Toast 10 before I actually start burning or converting them, is 480x480. But I don't see any setting in the Tivo Transfer software, or in Toast 10, that would change that. Am I on the right track?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a TiVo Premiere and chose to give this issue a tryout. I ran my tests using my MBP running OS 10.6.3 and Toast 10.0.6 from the 10.0.6a download. My transferred video from TiVo is 528x480 resolution.

 

For making a video DVD I chose Never re-encode in the Toast custom encoder settings window and the video remains correct in the resulting DVD. When I chose the Automatic setting Toast re-encoded the video but it still produced the correctly scaled picture.

 

In the Convert window I exported for AppleTV and it also retained the correct ratio when using the ElGato Turbo.264HD to speed up the encoding. My next test was to convert for iPhone/iPod without using the Turbo.264 and the result again correct.

 

I cannot reproduce the problem you are experiencing.

 

What I understand from reading the other posts in this topic is the problem happens with standard definition (4:3) videos which is what I tested. What is the resolution of those videos you tried (e.g. 528x480)?

 

[tsantee]

I have a TiVo Premiere and chose to give this issue a tryout. I ran my tests using my MBP running OS 10.6.3 and Toast 10.0.6 from the 10.0.6a download. My transferred video from TiVo is 528x480 resolution.

 

For making a video DVD I chose Never re-encode in the Toast custom encoder settings window and the video remains correct in the resulting DVD. When I chose the Automatic setting Toast re-encoded the video but it still produced the correctly scaled picture.

 

In the Convert window I exported for AppleTV and it also retained the correct ratio when using the ElGato Turbo.264HD to speed up the encoding. My next test was to convert for iPhone/iPod without using the Turbo.264 and the result again correct.

 

I cannot reproduce the problem you are experiencing.

 

What I understand from reading the other posts in this topic is the problem happens with standard definition (4:3) videos which is what I tested. What is the resolution of those videos you tried (e.g. 528x480)?

[Prairiegirl227]

Same thing for me - when I transfer a file from my Tivo DVR and try to burn it to a DVD with Toast 10, the aspect ratio is messed up. I either get a tiny small video with large black bars around the whole thing, or a video stretched vertically with large black bars on the side.

 

So disappointing, because Toast 8 worked great for this. But when I upgraded to Snow Leopard, I had to get Toast 10.

 

I corresponded at length with Roxio tech support; they gave me many bad suggestions and nothing worked. Finally, I asked for a refund and got one.

 

I'd buy the software again if I they could fix it. In the meantime, however, I'll complain about Roxio product to everyone I know.

[rutuag]

I can only report having an identical problem with the update and the problem with aspect ratio of converted TIVO show. I too send an email to technical support so they should see it is a general problem affected many users. So, here is hoping it will get attention and be fixed. In the meantime, I suppose I could reinstall the previous version but that is not a fix as such.

 

Best,

[Null Register]

I just upgraded and transferred a show over (Series2). It plays fine in the video player software but when I try to convert it for my iPhone it squishes the horizontal badly. It is like the aspect ratio is turned 90 degrees.

[kingcjr]

I've had the same problem with the 10.0.6 update. Though I usually just save my converted videos to my hard drive, then take them into iTunes, rather than burn them.

 

When I opened a help ticket with Roxio explaining the issue, I just got a response saying that there was no fix to the problem and that I should use the previous version of Toast that DID work for me. That was not really the response I was expecting, needless to say. (and I wrote back telling them so...)

 

I'm hoping that another user (or Roxio representative) on this forum will have a better answer for this problem. At the very least, I'd like to find out whether this is a widespread issue that people are having with this latest version of Toast. ...Fingers crossed.