OK,

I'm trying to encode some long format (2.25 Hrs) lectures to .mp4 files via Premiere CS3 and AME. I complete the encode and the video plays for the first hour. After that, the screen freezes while the audio continues along.

I've tried different compression settings, importing my edits into a new timeline, into a new project. The same thing happens every time at roughly the 45min-1hr mark.

what gives?!?!?!?!

I'm really getting frustrated given that it takes me 1.5 hrs to complete an encoding and I won't know if i'm successful until the end!

Have any of you run into this before, if so how did you work around it?
~Mike

I have not seen that before, and I've done the same thing you describe more times than I want to recall. Normally, my experience is that if an encode has issues it will abort before the process completes.

You don't state whether you've tested your output files on other machines. If you haven't, it might be a playback issue. If you have... oh well.

Can you describe your workflow and settings? Also, have you had success with this workflow on other projects? Any other details you can provide will help us get to the bottom of this with you.

One other thing... I find that the trial and error approach ends up in a 1:1 equilibrium. One trial, one error.

I would try putting the material on 2 discs instead of one. Your DVD might be too full.