x264/ffmpeg HD MPEG2 to H264

[Tephra]

Hi All,

I am a mythtv user - and as such I have LOTS of large MPEG2 file floating around.

Since I am running out of space - I want to reencode these to H264, so far I have decided to use ffmpeg/x264 for this - however I need some advice.

The command I am using thus far is:

ffmpeg -qmax 26 -i input.mpg -f mpegts -vcodec h264 -acodec copy output.mpeg

Now this seems to work ok - quality isn't bad (almost 99% of the original), but it seems for interlaced input (ie 1080i) ffmpeg doesn't write interlaced output.

Anyone have any ideas?

Cheers
Dave

[GodofaGap]

x264 doesn't support interlaced encoding yet, so you will have to deinterlace.

[bond]

there has been a patch for interlaced encoding, but it was experimental

you can try it but be very careful and read how its limited

or deinterlace

[Tephra]

ok - so that patch isn't really meant for mainstream yet?

[Blue_MiSfit]

Right. If you need interlaced encoding, try XviD, which is pretty bulletproof with Interlacing IIRC, as long as you set the field dominance correctly.

Decoding interlaced H.264 isn't ready for primetime also IIRC...

~MiSfit

[Tephra]

hrmm thats a shame!

oh well i guess ill just wait for interlaced x264... shouldn't be too far away - a lot of people would use it :)

cheers
dave

[Jay Bee]

A new version of Nero is due to be out today which may support interlaced AVC. Apart from that I only know of Elecard Mobile Converter which I couldn't get to work properly though.