Processing MPEG4 recordings

Dr.Mark

Is anybody using any decent software to burn terrestrial recordings to a DVD?
I've had various attempts with a number of different packages: tsremux and tmpgenc but the results are very disappointing. I have also used Super but it does not always work.
This is one of the reasons I am not particularly happy with the move to MPEG4. I use VideoRedo for all other recordings and it is top notch but Irish DTT recordings are a mess.

Any suggestions? TIA :cool:

gtg60

Dr.Mark wrote: »

This is one of the reasons I am not particularly happy with the move to MPEG4. I use VideoRedo for all other recordings and it is top notch but Irish DTT recordings are a mess.

SNAP! I use VideoReDo as well and it is a fantastic bit of software but (and I'm sure you're aware of this if you frequent the VRD forums) they are working on MPEG4 to be included very soon but MPEG4 is about 100 times more complex than MPEG2.

MPEG4 is the future and still quite new so you have to expect a lack of support in the beginning.

Apogee

The latest version of ConvertXtoDVD works fine - it was one of the few programs that could handle the HD trial as well.

Dr.Mark

Apogee wrote: »

The latest version of ConvertXtoDVD works fine - it was one of the few programs that could handle the HD trial as well.

i've tried ConvertX and IMO, it is dreadful. Large "blocks" in the middle of the screen.

i'm assuming that no solution exists

watty

Get a proper PVR. Wait a while though.

It can be done. But you need to buy the software and use a high bitrate. The created file needs to be at least twice as big if not more.

STB

Dr.Mark wrote: »

Is anybody using any decent software to burn terrestrial recordings to a DVD?
I've had various attempts with a number of different packages: tsremux and tmpgenc but the results are very disappointing. I have also used Super but it does not always work.
This is one of the reasons I am not particularly happy with the move to MPEG4. I use VideoRedo for all other recordings and it is top notch but Irish DTT recordings are a mess.
Any suggestions? TIA :cool:

Well I cant see RTE rolling back to mpeg2 because your computer cant handle a single mpeg4 standard definition recording Dr Mark. I have posted the solution several times in sevral threads here. I have succesfully converted several recording from DTT to various formats.

FFDShow within that Super program is not good enough to be using with H.264 SD recordings.

The TRP or TS files are transport stream files, within those can be MPEG2 or MPEG4 container files. The reason you are getting blocks is because you havent a suitable codec installed (CoreAVC). Coverting any type MPEG4 file requires a fast computer as it hogs resources. CoreAVC does cool it down a bit...

Apogee

Dr.Mark wrote: »

i've tried ConvertX and IMO, it is dreadful. Large "blocks" in the middle of the screen.(

Works flawlessly for me, both for MPEG4 SD and HD files. Have you tried the latest version - earlier ones can result in some artefacts in the processed files.

watty

Core AVC works good for me. Only €12 or so.

Dr.Mark

STB wrote: »

Well I cant see RTE rolling back to mpeg2 because your computer cant handle a single mpeg4 standard definition recording Dr Mark.

Dumb comment.

STB wrote: »

I have posted the solution several times in sevral threads here. I have succesfully converted several recording from DTT to various formats.

A link would be nice. I had searched before and have now searched again and cannot find these posts.

Dr.Mark

Apogee wrote: »

Works flawlessly for me, both for MPEG4 SD and HD files. Have you tried the latest version - earlier ones can result in some artefacts in the processed files.

OK, Core AVC might be the answer and yes my version is 2.99 so it might be out of date.
Thanks for the info .... i'll give these a try

STB

Dr.Mark wrote: »

Dumb comment.


A link would be nice. I had searched before and have now searched again and cannot find these posts.

No its not. However, This is.

Originally Posted by Dr.Mark
This is one of the reasons I am not particularly happy with the move to MPEG4



and its in the Mvision thread. Get Core AVC for yourself though.

Dr.Mark

watty wrote: »

Core AVC works good for me. Only €12 or so.

I've downloaded and installed the Core AVC but cannot figure out if it is being used. Anyway to check what codecs are in place?

ConvertX appears to be giving the same quality and other recommended software such as StreamClip hangs, even for small MPEG-4 files.

BTW, I am running an Inspiron 530, 2.44 with 4GB memory, XP Pro. Presume this is powerful enough?


TIA

STB

MPEG4 SD or HD recordings

So many simple programs out there if the TS/TRP file recording within that container is MPEG2. If its MPEG4 then its a slightly more difficult as you normally get times lags or no audio at all.

Vista

Easy solution for those using Vista (one you have CoreAVC or PowerDVD 8 installed codecs installed)

Windows Movie Maker can edit a recorded H264 trp file. You can then use Windows DVD Maker to burn it to DVD. Simple eh.

XP

For XP...... try handbrake.fr. Its meant to be the simplest. I havent tried it, but if it doesnt work, this will.

Its a mish mash of software, here is what you need (all free).

H264TS_Cutter
Net 2.0 Framework from Microsoft
DirectX 9.c from Microsoft
AVC / H264 DirectShow Decoder
Haali Media Splitter
Nero Vision 5 (allows AVC HD Authoring)

Open H264TS_Cutter. Under TOOLS, Convert TRP/REC to TS.

After creating your new "ts" files load them in Nero and burn.

Or use VSO ConvertxtoDVD (per Apogee)

Dr.Mark

STB,
I have used h264ts_cutter to convert from trp to ts, and then used ConvertX with the same result (blotchy frames). Previously I had used tsremux.

I have installed the trial version of Core AVC. Could this be the problem?

Is there any way of confirming that h264ts_cutter uses the Core AVC codec?

fat-tony

Hi Dr. Mark.

I'm somewhat confused at this stage.... offline editing tools need to be able to split (demux the video and audio) files and provide you with a means to cut out sections. Subsequently you need to re-join (mux) the audio and video and prepare it for final showing - whether it is in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 ((H.264) format. While you're editing the files it's not so important to have realtime rendering of the video, but while you're viewing the finished product it's obviously necessary to see clean video with synchronised audio.

In order to do that you must have a fast dual/quad-core processor if you are using solely free software-based codecs or a reasonable processor with GPU offload if you are using commercial codecs with a suitable ATI or Nvidia hardware H.264 decoder.

I'm not sure exactly where you have the issue? If you are seeing large blocks on the rendered data, then your codec/processor is not handling the H.264 properly.

Muxing and demuxing MPEG-2 data (and keeping it all in sync) is as much an art as it is a science and it takes a long time to gather a suitable set of tools to do the job if you are using open-source. I'm only just starting on MPEG-4 video and looking forward to the challenge. Certainly you can spend the bucks on commercial software, but where's the challenge in that.:)

watty

Find and install MS GraphEdit. It's free, but usually distributed by MS with giant SDKs.

It lets you install/remove codecs and shows when you load a file what transport (or program) stream demux, codecs, crosspoints, mixers and renderers are default. You can edit the parts used (like a flow chart).

It's invaluable to debug digital media issues.

Mostly you want to avoid re-encoding when editing as the quality suffers. Remuxing does not affect quality. Cut/edit at key frame boundaries to avoide re-encoding.

If you are making a video DVD or divX for data DVD or media player, only re-encode once after edit. Avoid changing sample rates or resolution or aspect ratio or masking as that seriously degrades quality.

ixtlan

watty wrote: »

If you are making a video DVD or divX for data DVD or media player, only re-encode once after edit. Avoid changing sample rates or resolution or aspect ratio or masking as that seriously degrades quality.

One must be realistic though. Converting broadcast TV to divx/xvid always (unless the file is completely non-standard), involves changing the aspect ratio (from 4:3 to 16:9 for widescreen programmes) and the resolution.

Any re-encoding degrades quality but if the source is good and the bitrate of the output file is high enough then the results can be very good.

I've been meaning to spend a bit more time trying to get the DTT transmissions recorded into something more standard. I have SkyHD so I don't need it, but someday I might... (it will be the first thing to go if I lose my job!). If avidemux could open the captured files properly I think it would solve many problems. It is getting better, but the interlacing of the H264 is not handled well (many crashes). I expect with a few more releases it will be usuable.


Ix.

STB

I have spent some time trying to find a free converter or combination of same that will handle both DTT (MPEG4 SD) and Sat (either MPEG2 or MPEG4 HD) files that are contained within the TRP or TS files that combo boxes produce.

The problem only arises with MPEG4 files regardless of whether they are sd or HD.

One thing is clear there are plenty that actually seem to do the job for the MPEG4 recordings. Convert to an avi - its fine ( but your coreavc is still doing stuff in the background making it appear flawless on screen).

Move to DVD and you notice that you loose quiet a lot of information, frame drop, pixalation and artifacts.

I have found a solution, but it is not free, it does work though as I have burnt to DVD formats and also Divx to view it seperately with no artifacts etc as previously experienced.

Its called Xilisoft HD converter.