[Lou Logan]

Please show the complete output of:

ffmpeg -i title -i main

Don’t forget to format it with the code button.

[Lou Logan]

[Fingal McGinnis] “but when I tried to run it all I got was an error message that said: “The procedure entry point_wfopen_s could not be located in the dynamic link library msvcrt.dll”

I believe that’s a problem with Zeranoe’s builds that has manifested recently. I don’t think the issue originated from FFmpeg, but I am not much of a Windows user.

[Fingal McGinnis] “I guess that I’ll just have to use one of the “elderly” versions. At least they function.”

That’s a bad idea and a waste of time. Other users (still using Windows XP!) with the same issue stated that ffmpeg-20150525-git-8ce564e-win32-static.7z is their last working version.

[Lou Logan]

[Fingal McGinnis] “When I convert an avi to an mpg, the quality is fine except that the colors in the new mpg are a bit lighter in tint than the original.”

This is probably due to the conversion from bgr24 to yuv420p.

[Fingal McGinnis] “ffmpeg version git-N-30610-g1929807, Copyright (c) 2000-2011 the FFmpeg developers”

This is elderly, and it’s not worth your time to use such an old version. There have been at least 41763 updates to FFmpeg since your version. Development is very active and you should use a recent version when possible. Using a static build of ffmpeg is an easy option.

[Fingal McGinnis] “Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg1video, yuv420p, 240×180, q=2-31, 200 kb/s, 90k tbn, 24 tbc”

Are you sure you want to use mpeg1video? What about mpeg2video?

[Fingal McGinnis] “I would rather make an .mpg.”

Why do you need this format?

Please use the code button to format your commands and outputs. It makes it easier to read.

[Lou Logan]

Late reply, but you need to actually show your command, the complete console output, and provide any required input files so we can attempt to duplicate the issue.

[Lou Logan]

Please use the code button to format your commands and console outputs.

I should have looked more closely at your second-pass command. It contains this:
-fs 4680000000

Which means the encoding will stop once the output reaches 4680000000 bytes. If you want it to fit a DVD then you have to do some math (unless -target ntsc-dvd handles it…I don’t recall):
bitrate = file size/duration
Or more specifically (source):
video bitrate = (target_size_in_Mbytes - sound_size_in_Mbytes) * 1024 * 1024 / length_in_secs * 8 / 1000

See example.

Also, your second pass contains “-async 48000”. Is this necessary?

[Lou Logan]

How can this issue be duplicated?
Does it occur with just one pass?
What are you using to determine the durations?
What does ffmpeg say about the output durations? ffmpeg -i input1 -i input2
Most importantly, can you provide the complete console outputs from your commands?

[Lou Logan]

Please provide a short sample video. You could probably make one with ffmpeg:

ffmpeg -ss 00:10:00 -i input.mkv -t 10 -map 0 -c copy output.mkv

[Lou Logan]

You should always include the complete console output from each command.

[Lou Logan]

If the problem is coming from ffmpeg then please show your command and the complete ffmpeg console output.

[Lou Logan]

Please show the ffprobe console output.