How do I convert to a format that my PS3 understands?

[Cornflower]

OK, I'm desperate... I've tried Magic Video Converter, MeGUI, PS3Video9, RipBot and all the others, but I can't find anything that works flawlessly. Here's my problem:

I have a 3.6 Gb file with a (legally obtained) sports event on my computer. It claims to be MP4 and Windows Media Player lists the following:

Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 1136x640 [Video]
Audio: AAC 48000Hz stereo 1536Kbps [Audio]

When I transfer the file to my PS3, it won't play it. It says "unsupported data". What I want to do is convert this file into something that my PS3 will play, without losing too much quality and preferrably keep the resolution.

How do I do this? Don't say "use MeGUI", because when I do, the audio lags compared to video. Don't say "use RipBot", because it crashes (more specifically MP4Box crashes). Don't say "use TVersity" because my PS3 won't acknowledge the TVersity server, despite the fact that TVersity can see the PS3 and I can download files via TVersity using the web browser in the PS3. In short, I've tried almost everything, so I need a step-by-step newbie guide.

Please, somebody, help????

[dat720]

PS3's file support is kinda flakey, it needs to be jsut right!!!

I would try AVIDemux goto the auto menu and select PSP, then setup the filters the way you want, you will end up with a MP4 that will play just fine on a PSP.

Note: i have not been able to encode a HD MP4 that the PS3 likes yet...

[dat720]

So i've been doing some testing today and i've gotten working 1080 MP4's

It's kind of involved tho, using the following programs

mktoolnix: to demux my test files, testing my hd rip of Transformers....
eac3to: convert eac3 audio in the mkv to pcm wav
faac: convert pcm wav to 448kbps aac file
mencoder: convert video stream to h264 @ 9mbps profile 4.1
mp4box: mux audio and video to a mp4 file

I have a sample file if you want, no idea where to host it, it's 160mb.

[Cornflower]

So i've been doing some testing today and i've gotten working 1080 MP4's

It's kind of involved tho, using the following programs

mktoolnix: to demux my test files, testing my hd rip of Transformers....
eac3to: convert eac3 audio in the mkv to pcm wav
faac: convert pcm wav to 448kbps aac file
mencoder: convert video stream to h264 @ 9mbps profile 4.1
mp4box: mux audio and video to a mp4 file

I have a sample file if you want, no idea where to host it, it's 160mb.

Thank you. This is way over my head, though. But it gives some clues to what settings I can try in the less complicated tools I can use. If I can only get mp4box to run, I can try the RipBot again.

[dat720]

Try downloading a newer build of mp4box....

[Cornflower]

Try downloading a newer build of mp4box....

Already tried that, but thanks.

[Cornflower]

By the way, since the mp4 is supposed to be supported by the PS3, what's the problem? Here's what I know about my mp4-file:

Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 3.50 GiB
Duration : 2h 10mn
Overall bit rate : 3839 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-04 05:45:11
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-04 22:37:27
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.2 2008022300

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L5.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 2h 10mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 3700 Kbps
Width : 1136 pixels
Height : 640 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Minimum frame rate : 29.963 fps
Maximum frame rate : 29.981 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.170
Stream size : 3.38 GiB (97%)
Writing library : x264 core 58 svn-736M
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=umh / subme=6 / brdo=0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=6 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=300 / keyint_min=30 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=abr / bitrate=3700 / ratetol=1.0 / rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)' / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-04 05:45:11
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-04 22:37:27

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 10mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 128 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 166 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 119 MiB (3%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-04 05:45:11
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-04 22:37:27

[dat720]

What version?

btw the PS3 is picky as shit when it comes to video's they have to be just right! maybe sony need to hire some of the XBMC devs!

[dat720]

I'm still working out the mp4 settings required to make the PS3 happy but by the looks of it your file is Main Profile 5.1 i don't think the PS3 likes anythign over 4.1.....

[Cornflower]

I'm still working out the mp4 settings required to make the PS3 happy but by the looks of it your file is Main Profile 5.1 i don't think the PS3 likes anythign over 4.1.....

OK. I'll make a testrun with MeGUI and convert to 4.1 and 25 fps without changing anything else.

You do realize that if we can fix this, we will be heroes. Every forum I search there are tons of people who needs a solution to their ps3 woes...

[dat720]

Don't change the frame rate, it's unnessecary!

BTW if MP4 continues to be a dog then i'm happy to stick with AVI, tho it'd be nice to get native 1080 AVC working!

[Cornflower]

Don't change the frame rate, it's unnessecary!

You sure? I read on another forum that the PS3 is very picky with framerates. If it's off with 0.001, you're farged.

I'll try both and see if there's any difference.

[dat720]

as long as it's one of the major rates your fine... ie 23.976, 25, 29.97... all the rates considered normal......

one of my working mp4's:
General
Complete name : M:\Mater.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 321 MiB
Duration : 7mn 9s
Overall bit rate : 6261 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:05
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:05

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 7mn 9s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 6099 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 9216 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 20.4 Mbps
Width : 1280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.276
Stream size : 312 MiB (97%)
Writing library : x264 core 59 r818 d4b7d2b
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=6 / brdo=1 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=4 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=abr / bitrate=9216 / ratetol=1.0 / rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)' / qcomp=1.00 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=2:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:05
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:43

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 7mn 9s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 162 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 210 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 8.30 MiB (3%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:41
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-08 12:16:43

[Cornflower]

OK, I've tested a bit. It looks like it's the level-thingy that makes it not work. If I set the level to 4.1 and don't change anything else, it works with Video9. I'm still having synch trouble with MeGui, though.

Any suggestions for a nice and FAST mux/remux application that I can use?

[dat720]

Anything that doesnt have a PS3 profile is gunna require the contents run through mp4box

[Cornflower]

Anything that doesnt have a PS3 profile is gunna require the contents run through mp4box

Yup. And I can't get it to work with my file. I tried new version, old version and even older version. No go. Oh, well, I'll have to settle for Video9 for now. Even if it's slow, it works.

Thank you for all the help!

[dat720]

does mp4box finish/results not playable? or is it crashing?

So i just tried an easier way that plain works with minimal stuffing around and fiddling....

Use tsMuxeR to mux the video and audio stream to a m2ts file, i just tried it with a transformers trailer from the HD DVD and it worked first go, took about 30 seconds to mux a 440mb m2ts.

Im doing a x264 encode of the video stream cropped and encoded at crf 22 setting, when it finally finishes i'll let you know the results.... damn slow ass c2d e6300! i think i need a big bad quad for x264

My compressed m2ts turned out at 179mb and looks just as good as the 440mb copy.....

[Cornflower]

mp4box newest release crashes. Older releases never finishes, it runs forever without producing anything.

m2ts seems interesting, but what containers/filetypes does the PS3 accept with m2ts content? I'll fiddle around with it for a while.

[dat720]

m2ts is the container, and so far i have tried the following formats:
h264 ac3 works
h264 aac not working
h264 dts not working
mpg2 mp3 works <= dvd mpeg2 streams
mpg2 ac3 works <= dvd mpeg2 streams

i will add more as i test them

[Cornflower]

OK, now I'm even more confused... How come one file doesn't play on the PS3, but the other one does?

Will play:


Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 3.67 GiB
Duration : 2h 2mn
Overall bit rate : 4269 Kbps
Movie name : NFL Preseason Football Dallas V San Diego HD H262
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03
Writing application : Lavf51.12.1

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 2h 2mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 4099 Kbps
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 400 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.475
Stream size : 3.52 GiB (96%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 2mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 165 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 146 MiB (4%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-12 07:13:03


Will NOT play:


Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 4.58 GiB
Duration : 2h 34mn
Overall bit rate : 4244 Kbps
Movie name : Redskins vs Bills
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03
Writing application : Lavf51.12.1

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Codec ID : avc1
Duration : 2h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 4093 Kbps
Width : 768 pixels
Height : 432 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.412
Stream size : 4.41 GiB (96%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 2h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 144 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 158 MiB (3%)
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03
Tagged date : UTC 2008-08-14 08:34:03

[setarip_old]

I don't have a PS3, so I'm speculating here:

Could the "Height" and "Width" differences (Good 720x400, No Good 768x432) be the reason?

[Cornflower]

I don't have a PS3, so I'm speculating here:

Could the "Height" and "Width" differences (Good 720x400, No Good 768x432) be the reason?

Don't know, but will test.

[dat720]

Try muxing the streams into a m2ts container.....

PS3's MP4 support is very picky

[manono]

You might give XviD4PSP a try:

http://www.winnydows.com/page.php?2

Here's a guide:

http://forum.videohelp.com/topic352374.html

[Cornflower]

Try muxing the streams into a m2ts container.....

PS3's MP4 support is very picky

You might give XviD4PSP a try:

http://www.winnydows.com/page.php?2

Here's a guide:

http://forum.videohelp.com/topic352374.html

I'll try. Right now I can get most of my files converted with PS3 Video9 using the default profiles. (It crashes when I try to edit or add a profile. Go figure...)

[DarkZell666]

@Cornflower : what exact version of MP4box did you use, and where from ? Here's the one I'd suggest you use : http://kurtnoise.free.fr/mp4tools/MP4Box-0.4.5-dev.zip

If that doesn't work, maybe give mp4creator (http://mp4creator.sourceforge.net/download/index.htm) a try ?
You can also use h264info (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/H264info) to rewrite the level without re-encoding the video track.

All that needs to be done is :
- Demux tracks from mp4 (either mp4box or mp4creator)
- Use h264info on the raw .264 file and set level to 4.1 (+tweak whatever the PS3 needs, but this tool is definitely what you're looking for)
- Remux audio and video into mp4 (same as for demux).

(PS: I don't have a PS3, so this is just some ideas off the top of my head :p)