HDTV to DVD

[dimasok]

Hey guys I'm a complete beginner in this so I'll just fire away what I'd like to do.

There a couple of posts here, but most of the info there is too convoluted for me and nothing I tried works...

I have the 300Trailer in 1080P and I need to re-encode it somehow so it would fit into a 4.8gb DVD... there are way too many methods, they're all scattered haphazardly on the forums and nothing I tried works...

Could anyone explain to me step-by-step what I should I do and which programs I need to have? I have an HDTV and an HDPlayer so there is no problem with that. All I need is to test a freakin free HD content found on the web and see how it works.

Why does everything has to be so hard:confused:

Any help appreciated:thanks:

[ilovejedd]

Maybe it would help if you told us what methods you tried. Anyway, what make/model player do you have? At the moment, I don't think there's an HD player that can handle HD content you just burned to a regular DVD. Hmm... wait, I guess the PS3 and Xbox360 can handle that but even those have limitations.

As of the moment, I don't believe there're free HD-DVD or Blu-Ray authoring programs available, so yeah, really need to know what player you have before anyone here can help you.

Hmm, only thing I can think of that you can do right now to view your downloaded HD content is to connect your HDTV to your PC.

[dimasok]

This is the player m8 :)
http://www.solutionsav.ca/oppo.html

[Pookie]

Exactly what ilovejedd said... Gotta know what formats your DVD player can handle. If it can play DivX/XVID at HD res, you can do the entire conversion with Mpeg StreamClip.

http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-win.html

Read the web page, as you'll have to install 3ivx as well as Media Player 10 in order to to convert directly to DivX

[dimasok]

Thanks for the help guys!
About the features... from the link above:
" Both machines feature:

* Playback of DVD Video, DVD Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), DivX/XviD/MPEG4 (DivX® 5, DivX® 4, DivX® 3, DivX® VOD, XviD and .SRT, .SMI, .IDX and .SUB formats), Audio CD, HDCD, WMA, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, and Kodak Picture CDs.
* Built in PAL to NTSC conversion - Region Free also available - play any movie from around the world. Though the 970 will convert PAL to NTSC, because the 981 does 2:2 cadence properly, we suggest these models if this feature is of great importance.
* One year direct exchange warranty with us as an upgrade to the factory warranty.

Included cables: 6ft HDMI/HDMI with the 970HD and 981.

Optional: Longer HDMI/HDMI cables, or HDMI/DVI cables as required. "

Would that be enough for Mpeg StreamClip?

[Pookie]

Yes, it should, although you'll have to test it. The documentation is pretty decent. Like any new piece of software, your first conversion will take forever as you figure out which buttons to press, the second one will take a little less time, and after a few more you'll know how to do it without thinking about it. Just RTFM with the docs - It's just a PDF file included in the download.

[dimasok]

OK I did the conversion and here are the results (to MPEG 4 as you said):

- DVD doesn't play it at all.
- Media Player Classic (on the other pc, since this one here is too weak to run anything like that) runs it but first warns me that it couldn't find a suitable decompressor and then runs slow like hell (the file size from 180mb source came out to be 600+mb.. took me about an hour).

Since there is no internet connection on that other pc, i have no idea what media player classic really wanted (what decompressor). Any advices which package might include it? Maybe the K Mega pack?

[ilovejedd]

From the Oppo Digital website (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_features.html), it seems as though your player doesn't support playing high definition content, although it upconverts the video signal from standard definition to hi-def.

Disc Types:

* DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), DivX®, XviD, Audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD
* Official DivX® Certified product, certified to the Home Theater Profile
* Plays all versions of DivX® video (including DivX® 6) with standard playback of DivX® media files with encoded video resolution up to 720x480 30fps and 720x576 25fps
* CD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL (Compatibility with user-encoded contents or user-created discs is on a best effort basis with no guarantee due to the variation of media, software and techniques used.)

It didn't specify if the player supports playback of high definition MPEG2 files but I'm guessing not...

[Pookie]

Don't install that K-Lite/Mega anything pack. Just install ffdshow and it'll play just about everything. http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=173941&package_id=199416

[ilovejedd]

Or you could just not install anything and download VLC to play your media. ;)

[Pookie]

VLC- An even better idea....


OK, here's another way to convert (I think I stole the syntax from you, ilovejedd)

1) Download and unzip ffmpeg -

http://tirnanog.fate.jp/mirror/ffmpeg/ffmpeg.rev8047.7z

2) Download pthreadGC2 and put in same folder as ffmpeg

ftp://sourceware.org/pub/pthreads-win32/dll-latest/lib/pthreadGC2.dll

3) Copy the following and paste it into notepad. Save the file with the name "transcode.bat" - make sure you include the " " quotation marks. Save it into the same folder as ffmpeg and pthreadgc2.dll

for %%i in ("*.mov") do ffmpeg -i "%%i" -vcodec xvid -vtag DIVX -qmin 2 -g 240 -b 2300k -s 720x304 -an -y -f avi "video.avi"
for %%i in ("*.mov") do ffmpeg -i "%%i" -vn -acodec ac3 -ac 6 -ab 256 -y "audio.ac3"

ffmpeg -i audio.ac3 -vn -ac 2 -ab 256 -y audio.mp3
ffmpeg -i "video.avi" -i "audio.mp3" -vcodec copy -acodec copy -y "300-Divx-File.avi"

4) Copy your MOV file into the same folder as Transcode.Bat, ffmpeg.exe, and pthreadgc2.dll

5) Double-click transcode.bat to convert file into DivX.

[dimasok]

Ok thx guys I'm going to try out playing that on a PC and if that doesn't work, then I should probably reconvert again after reading the pdf instructions...

It seems my player doesn't support H.264 codec. Is it essential for my case? I mean, I know that the quicktime HD content itself is based on H.264 (obviously) but can't something be done to preserve the same quality and yet make it work with DIVX or MPEG4?

p.s
thx pookie gonna try that now.

[Pookie]

dimasok - I just modified the code, delete what was in your Transcode.bat file and re-copy the boxed-in-grey contents above into it.


Edit - Argh! No go on that particular trailer clip. Not yet, anyway. Lemme try a few things. Stand by ....

[dimasok]

pookie - ok i did as you said and just like last time it created a file (albeit a different one) and the last message to be displayed at the end of the console was "press q to stop the conversion" (and it doesn't stop even if you do indeed press it)... no progress bar no nothing... you sure it's doing anything at all?

[Pookie]

Stop the process and get rid of the files with the AVI and AC3 extensions.

I've got the video working - looks glorious.


EDIT - Okay, now it is working for real.

"Transcode.bat"
for %%i in ("*.mov") do ffmpeg -i "%%i" -vcodec xvid -vtag DIVX -qmin 2 -g 240 -b 2300k -s 720x272 -an -y -f avi "video.avi"
for %%i in ("*.mov") do ffmpeg -i "%%i" -vn -acodec ac3 -ac 6 -ab 256 -y "audio.ac3"

ffmpeg -i audio.ac3 -vn -ac 2 -ab 256 -y audio.mp3
ffmpeg -i "video.avi" -i "audio.mp3" -vcodec copy -acodec copy -y "300-Divx-File.avi"

[dimasok]

Alrighty thx. Gonna try that in a jiffy :)

[ilovejedd]

Why are you resizing to 720x272? I thought he was trying to test playback of HD stuff on his player?

Anyhow, I made a customized Transcoding.ini for 3GP_Converter specifically for creating test clips. Just select the encoding setting you wish to use and drop your test videos to the 3GP_Converter window.

Download Custom 3GP_Converter (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TEFY9GD9)

There are 6 encoding settings, all at -qscale 3 so expect variable bitrates and large files:
XviD 1080p
XviD 720p
XviD 720x400 (SD)
MPEG2 1080p
MPEG2 720p
MPEG2 720x400 (SD)

Audio for all settings is MP2, 44.1kHz, 256kbps. I suggest creating a short test clip, maybe around 5 minutes, and encode using all 6 settings. Burn test encodes to DVD and try playing with your player just to test what works and what doesn't. Maybe you can try playing around with the Transcoding.ini to add some settings of your own.

[Pookie]

Because the player specs were unclear as to the source dimensions. Wasn't sure if it played or only upsized to HD.

There's something up with the AAC 5.1 to AC3 5.1 conversion on that source video. Muxing the AC3 to the transcoded video track resulted in messed up playback. Had to convert to 2 channel Mp3 for things to work, and had to transcode audio and video in different passes.

Thanks for the converter, ilovejedd. Wow, that simplifies things a tad.

[ilovejedd]

I think the weirdness with regards to the audio is a peculiarity of ffmpeg. I believe it doesn't handle AVI with AC3 audio very well. It might have been better to mux the AC3 to AVI with VirtualDubMod or something.

Actually, ffmpeg has several peculiarities. The reason why I still stick with it is because it's very convenient (as someone else said, it's the Swiss Army Knife for video conversions) and I've already spent a lot of time reading documentation to familiarize myself with the program. Although, 3GP_Converter does help my life a lot. :D

[dimasok]

Thx illovejedd, nice proggie ;)

[dimasok]

ilovejedd - it doesn't take the mov file as source. Should I reconvert it with some other program before dropping it into this one?

[ilovejedd]

Where'd you download the MOV file? Supposedly, QuickTime MOV is supported. If you can give me the url, I can test with my PC if it can't read it.

Nevermind. Found it on QT's webpage. Although it is a hassle to have to type in the full url of the file to my download manager. Why is it that a simple "Save as" of .MOV files from the internet require the Pro version? :confused:

[dimasok]

Sure mate, here you go:
http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbol/uk/movies/300/300_F2_1080P.mov

[ilovejedd]

Playing around with Transcoding.ini right now. Apparently, ffmpeg doesn't like 5.1 channel AAC.

[Pookie]

Yes indeed. Even the 5.1 AC3 it transcodes from the 5.1 AAC is messed up, and not just channel mappings. Tried a few different versions of FFmpeg, perhaps there will be a fix in the next build.

Trying to specify a stereo output file (-ac 2) . ffmpeg refuses to continue processing.

That's why that batch file I posted looked kinda ridiculous, but it does work with that particular source.

[ilovejedd]

Do you guys know of any command-line VOB muxers which support HD? Ffmpeg doesn't handle muxing m2v and ac3 very well. Output plays fine on MPC but not on VLC. Also, does anyone know if AVI-Mux_GUI supports command line parameters? Or if there are any command-line AVI muxers which support HD?

Anyhow, I made a modified Transcoding.ini (http://www.utterlyinsane.org/media/Transcoding.ini) so replace the one in the executable directory with this. It worked on my PC, hopefully, it would work on yours, too.

[Mtz]

Your player can not play anything up than 720x576, no h264.
For your conversion use the DivX or Xvid (max bitrate about 4500) codec with ac3 or mp3 sound. Also you can convert in DVD format.

enjoy,
Mtz

[Pookie]

The Mplex.exe in the link will do HD Mpeg2

http://tinyurl.com/2cckyp/mjpegtools_180_P4_Win32_Muxxi.7z

You'll need Cygwin1.dll

mplex -f 3 -b 1800 -r 19200 -o output.mpg input.m2v input.ac3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
for AVI (seems to work for me)

ffmpeg -i audio.mp3 -i video.avi -vcodec copy -acodec copy -y output.avi

mencoder -o Indexed_Output.avi -forceidx -oac copy -ovc copy output.avi


(You might be able to get away with just mencoder alone)

mencoder -o Indexed_Output.avi -forceidx -oac copy -ovc copy video.avi audio.mp3

[dimasok]

Thx guys, going to try all your suggestions. Probably will have to stock up with another player in the future...

[dimasok]

Mtz - how do you figure it can only play 720x576? I mean, it's an HD player and it upconverts to 1080p...

ilovejedd - thanks, with this ini it took the mov file as source without any problems and converted it successfully (pretty fast too).

I guess now I really have to buy another player lol

[ilovejedd]

The Mplex.exe in the link will do HD Mpeg2

http://tinyurl.com/2cckyp/mjpegtools_180_P4_Win32_Muxxi.7z

You'll need Cygwin1.dll

mplex -f 3 -b 1800 -r 19200 -o output.mpg input.m2v input.ac3


Thanks, will try that. I've got several cygwin1.dlls lying around parts of my HDD. :D

for AVI (seems to work for me)

ffmpeg -i audio.mp3 -i video.avi -vcodec copy -acodec copy -y output.avi

mencoder -o Indexed_Output.avi -forceidx -oac copy -ovc copy output.avi


(You might be able to get away with just mencoder alone)

mencoder -o Indexed_Output.avi -forceidx -oac copy -ovc copy video.avi audio.mp3

For avi with mp3, ffmpeg is fine. However, it can't handle avi with ac3 audio, which I was initially trying to do. Saves the extra step of converting from ac3 to mp3. Besides, ac3 in avi is supported by most standalone players and I'm assuming his Oppo Digital is the same.

Mtz - how do you figure it can only play 720x576? I mean, it's an HD player and it upconverts to 1080p...

It was mentioned on the website. Check my earlier post (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=967293#post967293) in the first page.

ilovejedd - thanks, with this ini it took the mov file as source without any problems and converted it successfully (pretty fast too).

I guess now I really have to buy another player lol

No problem. Glad to be of help. Although I guess it wasn't really much of any help considering the player is unable to handle the HD output... At least the non-HD encodes should work...

[dimasok]

ilovejedd - yeah, I guess you were right about the player not supporting any HD output... so what is the upconversion good for could you explain to me mate?

About the proggie. Well, i'll use it in the future for sure, it's really easy to use and damn effective so a million thanks again ;)

[jolson]

The upconversion is for playing standard DVD's and watch them on a HD TV/projector.

The best you can do with a SD-DVD player is to downconvert to DVD resolution. If the player (unlike yours) cannot play DivX/XviD you should use DVD2SVCD for creating a DVD with the AC3 audio included. It uses DVDAuthor's mplex for muxing .mpv + .ac3 to .mpg.

[dvr_woes]

Hi all,

Don't think I should start a new thread as I have probs going from HD to DVD ... my problem is the playback is choppy (even from the harddrive).

Here is what I do:

1) I firewire the movie (or in this case Superbowl) into my PC
2) Edit out the commercials with VideoRedo
3) Use either HDTV2DVD or ConvertXtoDVD to make DVD folders
4) Playback is choppy

I realize that my Superbowl ts is 16 gigs even after commercials are clipped so I tried to split it in half and then try to create a DL DVD ... but it is still choppy .. for both HD2DVD and ConvertX.

The original ts file, the clipped file and the file that is cut in half all play perfectly smoothly with TheatreTek. I just don't know why it gets choppy when I go to DVD