MediaCoder

I am trying to combine 2 files into a single file. I found a topic that said to Group the 2, and it would combine them into a single output file. That did not work.

Can someone please tell me the process for combining 2 files into a single file?

You can group (merge or join) a number of files together provided they have the same resolution and frame rate.
Simply load them in the desired order in the main panel, select them all (sweep cursor over them) and R-click > Group.
Then onconverting them to the desired format they will merge.

Do I set them to have the same Output file, or leave it blank?

All I seem to get is a file that is the combined size of the 2 videos, but the second part has no video.

Just to test, I selected 2 videos, same resolution etc. I set both to start at 0 minutes, and end at 2 minutes; thinking this would give me a 4 minute video of the first 2 minutes of each stream.

What I got was a 6 minute video. The first 2 minutes were the first 2 minutes of the first video; the next 4 minutes had no video. What am I doing wrong? I grouped them and left Output File blank.

Trimming may not work if you use Group?

The settings on the Container and Picture tabs should be the same for both and be practical.
I suggest you start by trying one of the suggestions in the Encoding Guide. It is listed under Tips & Guides (link below).

I tried the tips I found searching for Group and it still did not work.

I took a single file; and then made two 2 minute files from it for testing to make sure they had the exact frame rate etc.

I grouped the 2 files; and encoded to Xvid and MP3 audio. The result was a single four minute file. The first 2 minutes were the first stream of vidoe and audio. The second 2 minutes had just the last frame of video from the end of the first file, and no audio.

They both state as being Done, but only the first file has a speed. I have done this with VirtualDub many times, but would prefer to just stick with this program as it does so much more that I used to use 3 or 4 programs for (tmpge, Blaze, Goldwave) etc.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I used to routinely test the MediaCoder builds in the Test Report but on changing to x64 I stopped doing so.
I just checked the x64 build of 5355 for Group and it worked.
I used three short VOB files, as I did previously, grouped them and converted to Xvid/Mp4/AVI using the settings given in the Encoding Guide.
It worked.

I also tried two MP4 files, grouped and converted to Xvid/MP3/AVI. It also worked!
There is one feature that may have made a difference. Both the VOBs and the MP4 files have a GOP of 12 frames --some files have large values. The default in MediaCoder allows up to 250 frames.

Your second file may not have been cut at an I-frame. Does it play on its own ?

By the way: MediaCoder shows only progress data on the first line in the queue panel (first file) even though all are encoded.

Both files play, I tried making an .avi, and an .mp4. Both do the same thing; the first 2 minutes were the first stream of video and audio. The second 2 minutes had just the last frame of video from the end of the first file, and no audio.

Do I have to select an output file for both?

Could you possibly send me a preset that I can try? I have tried every possible combination I can think of, always with the same results

I can get everything else to work with this program except that!

Your earlier or someone else's Preset is not reliable since it may not work for builds very diffent from the one it was created with, see viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8521&start=0.

The best I can suggest is to use one of the offerings in the Encoding Guide, as mentioned above.
If you were not able to follow the instructions, try: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=9643

Thanks for all your replies, but I honestly give up. I have tried dozens of different ways; the ones that finish give me the same file.

I tried changing container, Format (both video and audio), Picture ... etc. Not sure what I am missing; I read all the guides and links you sent me. It seems it should be nothing more than grouping and encoding, but no luck.

Thanks again for helping!

I use Joyoshare Video Joiner to combine media files. It's easy to use and a free version is given. Maybe you can try it if there is something wrong with the tool you are using.