AVCHD / MPEG2 (SD_VIDEO) support in Panasonic SDHC BD players & Viera TV (multiAVCHD)

[deank]

You asked:

...maybe there is some switch inside bdm's to have NTSC material?

and I answered:

No, there isn't such 'switch'.

I said that there is an octet in CPI/CLPI about resolution and an octet for FPS. But...

I was confused with aspect ratio (4:3 or 16:9) when I said 'it is only in CPI', I admit... May be I've been tired of 100 updates per day :)

Dean

[espero]

I also asked about this few times, but... doesnt matter :)

Maybe there is some switch inside mpl or cpi which have to be on?


Do you know what is the offset of fps setting in cpi and mpl? Maybe we can do the same cheat with fps setting?

The most important think is... we have a full success.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi Dean,

Just to let you know, I've made an announcement over on the AVForums (in a couple of threads) regarding the "AVCHD SD card" muxing functionallity of multiAVCHD...


Cheers mate :)

[deank]

:) Thanks SMD!

@espero: You'll find (not only you, of course :D) a new option in author (build 563)! And it is not as simple as "just offset $82".

Report back on success :) or faliure.

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_vieraFPS.jpg

[espero]

:) thank you

I think we can remove these options "force" and set these values as constant. Viera TV's seems to accept only 1080i and 25fps in AVCHD. How do you think?

[deank]

I don't know... Did it work after all?

There are other regions - PAL is not the only one :) And these options affect BD players too, not only Viera TVs.

[espero]

I don't know... Did it work after all?

There are other regions - PAL is not the only one :) And these options affect BD players too, not only Viera TVs.

OK, here goes my report:

SD_TEST_DS001 29.97 fps 1920x1080 WORKS
SD_TEST_DS002 59.94 fps 1280x720 WORKS
SD_TEST_DS003 24.00 fps 1280x720 WORKS
SD_TEST_DS004 29.97 fps 720x480 DOESNT WORK - ITS OBVIOUS
SD_TEST_DS005 29.97 fps 720x480 DOESNT WORK - ITS OBVIOUS
SD_TEST_DS006 29.97 fps 720x480 DOESNT WORK - ITS OBVIOUS

and two of my NTSC films 1280x720 29.97 fps - WORKS

So, it looks we have almost full featured ;) AVCHD player :)

It is also great that on one card can be films in NTSC in different fps and also PAL thanks to separate mpls and other great code made by you :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Viera TV's seems to accept only 1080i and 25fps in AVCHD. How do you think?My TV has no problems playing 1920x1080p AVC sources

[espero]

My TV has no problems playing 1920x1080p AVC sources

I see, well... I haven't got any 1080p sample so I couldn't test it. If it works - great. Panasonic wrote in the manual that AVCHD playability in their TVs is for playing movies from the AVCHD cameras (they are all 1080i) therefore I assumed that 1080p is not working...

[SeeMoreDigital]

I see, well... I haven't got any 1080p sample so I couldn't test it. If it works - great. Panasonic wrote in the manual that AVCHD playability in their TVs is for playing movies from the AVCHD cameras (they are all 1080i) therefore I assumed that 1080p is not working...Actually, a few of Panasonics AVCHD camcorders offer a "1080 progressive" capture mode

[deank]

There are AVCHDlite camcoders and 1080p camcoders, so I'd rather leave both forced "resolution" and "framerate" to user's choice.

I'm glad it finally looks like almost all options are covered for Panasonic.

[espero]

There are AVCHDlite camcoders and 1080p camcoders, so I'd rather leave both forced "resolution" and "framerate" to user's choice.

I'm glad it finally looks like almost all options are covered for Panasonic.

Yes, I think this option is finished :)
If you have some free time please think about this small proggy for MPEG2 and Sd_video (we were talking about this few days ago).

[Mtz]

:Viera TV's seems to accept only 1080i and 25fps in AVCHD.
Because of that I think the best defaults for Viera setting to be 1080i and 25FPS. Many users don't know what to set on that fields and most of them assume the default cand be a good option.
And if these 2 options are used only for Viera, than to be available only when checking the Viera output.

enjoy,
Mtz

[SeeMoreDigital]

Here's something unexpected....

I created some AVCHD SD card muxes with 6Ch DD+, 6Ch DTS and 8Ch DTS MA. The all play fine on my BD35 and push the correct audio bit-stream via HDMI to my Onkyo amplifier :)

Very impressive!

[deank]

Because of that I think the best defaults for Viera setting to be 1080i and 25FPS. And if these 2 options are used only for Viera, than to be available only when checking the Viera output.

Are you saying that there are no NTSC Viera TVs that support AVCHD playback?

Both options affect panasonic sdhc output (not only Viera output). I can default the fps to 25. The resolution is 1080i by default anyway.

Here's something unexpected....

It seems Panasonic BD switches to normal blu-ray mode even via SD - that was what I expected.

Did you have any chance to test AVCHD for DVD-R output with [x] Strict AVCHD folder mode?

Dean

[deank]

I updated multiAVCHD so now 1080i and 25.000 are default and will be used only in Viera TV mode.

[B2K24]

@espero I don't know if you solved your audio problem yet but I had very similar experience to yours and registered to give you solution but this forum makes you wait 5 days before can post.

To get 29.97 to 25, 24 or 23.976 is very simple. play the video file with VLC player and by default the J and K keys on keyboard apply a positive or negative delay in MS by 50 to audio.

adjust until you get perfect sync then note the difference. For example lets say -2000 MS

Next you need a program called Delaycut open the audio file with Delaycut and put -2000 into delay column start box
leave crc errors to silence and hit process.

Remux fixed ac3 to MKV and should solve your problem.

[espero]

@espero I don't know if you solved your audio problem yet but I had very similar experience to yours and registered to give you solution but this forum makes you wait 5 days before can post.

To get 29.97 to 25, 24 or 23.976 is very simple. play the video file with VLC player and by default the J and K keys on keyboard apply a positive or negative delay in MS by 50 to audio.

adjust until you get perfect sync then note the difference. For example lets say -2000 MS

Next you need a program called Delaycut open the audio file with Delaycut and put -2000 into delay column start box
leave crc errors to silence and hit process.

Remux fixed ac3 to MKV and should solve your problem.

Thank you very much for your reply. This problem is not actual since Viera TV's accepts also different fps videos. There is no need to convert anything...

[deank]

As I posted (http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1282601&postcount=2570)in multiAVCHD's thread - you can now add up-to 255 titles in Panasonic SDHC output mode (max of 1000 mts/m2ts files).

Can anyone test what is the maximum supported title count in Viera TVs and Panasonic BD players via SDHC card?

Playstation3 handled 200 titles without a problem.

Dean

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi Dean,

I've just downloaded an "AVCHD-Lite" (1280x720p50) sample created from a Panasonic Lumix camera. The sample plays perfectly with my (PAL) Panasonic Viera PZ81B TV...

Here's a link to the 86MB sample: http://www.teknosrealm.com/examples/SDCard.7z


Cheers

[turbojet]

What players and tv's are confirmed to work and with what settings?

Would it be possible to get this info in the original post so it's easy to find?

[deank]

@SMD: Thanks. I'm downloading it now and will look into it tomorrow. Do you have any videos that won't play after multiAVCHD processes them?

@turbojet: I'll go through the thread to find all reports, but it is a fact that all Panasonic players have no problems playing AVCHD output from multiAVCHD via SD card. Few models of Viera TV also manage to play it.

[davsim]

As I posted (http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1282601&postcount=2570)in multiAVCHD's thread - you can now add up-to 255 titles in Panasonic SDHC output mode (max of 1000 mts/m2ts files).

Can anyone test what is the maximum supported title count in Viera TVs and Panasonic BD players via SDHC card?
BD60 results with build 566v2 are:

180 titles plays fine. 18 pages of playlist are shown.
220 titles also play. 22 pages of playlist.

255 titles doesn't play. AVCHD files are not detected at all.

So, the limit is somewhere between 220-254. 220 titles should be enough for most, so I'll let others test if they want to narrow it down further.

[turbojet]

@turbojet: I'll go through the thread to find all reports, but it is a fact that all Panasonic players have no problems playing AVCHD output from multiAVCHD via SD card. Few models of Viera TV also manage to play it.

After searching the thread I found working reports of BD30, 35, 50, 60. Is it safe to assume BD10, 55, 80 play SDHC as well?

[SeeMoreDigital]

@SMD: Thanks. I'm downloading it now and will look into it tomorrow. Do you have any videos that won't play after multiAVCHD processes them? To be honest I have not tested....

Personally my primary interest is working with AVCHD/Lite sources...


Cheers

[deank]

BD60 results with build 566v2 are:

180 titles plays fine. 18 pages of playlist are shown.
220 titles also play. 22 pages of playlist.

255 titles doesn't play. AVCHD files are not detected at all.

So, the limit is somewhere between 220-254. 220 titles should be enough for most, so I'll let others test if they want to narrow it down further.

I did a test with my Playstation 3. 255 titles don't play. 254 is okay. So top is 254.

Dean

[SeeMoreDigital]

Do you have any videos that won't play after multiAVCHD processes them? Funny you should mention this....

After re-muxing the above mentioned "AVCHD-Lite" (1280x720p50) sources with multiAVCHD v566, they no longer play in my Viera PZ81B TV :(

[deank]

Is this with "Panasonic Viera" option and "Original" for FPS/resolution?

I created a compilation with the sample (1 title) and all files are identical - nothing is changed in the source.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Is this with "Panasonic Viera" option and "Original" for FPS/resolution?Hi Dean,

Yes the "Force Resolution" and "Force Frame Rate" options are set to "Original".


Cheers

[WilcoBxl]

After searching the thread I found working reports of BD30, 35, 50, 60. Is it safe to assume BD10, 55, 80 play SDHC as well?

I can confirm that 55 (euro version) also works fine ;)

[jason_peters010]

Update your multiAVCHD to 562 and try again.

There were some serious problems with playlists (if multiple scenes/mts files are present) but now it is all fixed.

I did a lot of tests (with 562) and even 720x480 (with forced 1080i) is recognized by and editable in HDwriter 2.5E:



Deank,
Once again I have this problem where my BD-35 reads the SDHC card fine but my HD Writer software does not. I did a full version download of build 570 and am using HD Writer 2.5E. What can I do to get HD Writer recognize multiavchd output? Thanks!

[deank]

All of them? Using full download (with tsmuxer 1.9.9) and viera options?

I just tested and 1280x720 with forced 1080i opened fine with HDwriter from my SD card.

[jason_peters010]

That worked. My native resolution was 720p. Thanks!

[deank]

A user reported some problems with 574:

1. Panasonic Blue-ray players à I don’t see the clips. Only audio

2. Vieira TV & camcorders à HDC-SD5 inform that there is an error in the preview and correct the errors. Then I see the preview and the clip. (Added DCIM an MISC directory)

3. AVCDHC compatible players à OK (DMP-BD35)

Can anyone test to see if it is true?

Dean

[SeeMoreDigital]

A user reported some problems with 574:

Can anyone test to see if it is true?

DeanHas he confirmed the resolution and FPS of his video streams on his SD card?

European Panasonic Viera TV's only seem to like, 1920/1440x1080 AVC/AC3 sources at 25fps. Or 1280x720 AVC/AC3 sources at 50fps (aka: AVCHD Lite).

By contrast, Panasonic Blu-ray players are far more flexible with resolutions, FPS speeds and audio stream types!


Cheers

[deank]

I have no idea what is going on.... here is his next email:

My equipment is all PANASONIC:
. Camcorder HDC-SD5
. Blue player DMP-BD35
I found the version 574 very interesting for me, but I must confirm how much said previously. My aim is to make editing of my clips recorded with my camcorder with Adobe Premiere CS4 and to transfer the clips obtained: or on SDHC for my Camcorder or DVD-R for my bluray player or on SDHC for my bluray player. It is obvious that this last option is the more convenient.
I have adopted the parameters for the respective options indicated in your tutorial, and I found that:

SDHC for Bluray player DMP-BD35 = No preview in Direct Navigator, no video, only audio
SDHC for Camcorder HDC-SD5 = Camcorder find errors in thumbnails and correct them. Then it shows the clips.
Program HDWriter read the SDHC without thumbnails.
DVD-R for Blue player DMP-BD35 = all Okay

The last version functioning for me was the 564.

Ciao


multiAVCHD hasn't changed to a point to induce such problems.

I anyone else has such problems - let me know if something needs a fix.

[Keysi_2]

Version 574 works with MKV file converted to AVCHD on SD card Panasonic TV ...PZ81B
640x352 avc1/AAC 25fps OK
1280x720 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
1280x528 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
1280x720 avc1/AC3 25fps OK
1280x528 avc1/AC3 25fps OK

[deank]

Thanks :) That's comforting to know.

A question: when you play 1280x528 is it stretched to full screen or has black bars on top/bottom?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Version 574 works with MKV file converted to AVCHD on SD card Panasonic TV ...PZ81B
1280x720 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
1280x528 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
This is odd... I don't seem to be able to get ant 23.976fps files to play on my PZ81B... Are you able to upload a test sample please?


Cheers

[deank]

espero posted that with force 25.000 fps he was able to play 23.976 files. Did you try it?

[Keysi_2]

when you play 1280x528 is it stretched to full screen or has black bars on top/bottom?

It is on full screen ( anamorphic ) but TV can't change format, plays only 16/9

As you said deank with force 25.000 fps able to play 23.976 files
The only problem is some color horizontal line on the bottom of the screen. They are only with direct convert by multiAVCHD, when I convert first on MKVmerge to 25 frames and speedup audio, screen is clear

[Keysi_2]

@SMS Here is a sample for you http://rapidshare.com/files/232446347/AVCHD.rar.html
Can you send me a setting to convert file with 1920x1080, I can't play it.

[espero]

Version 574 works with MKV file converted to AVCHD on SD card Panasonic TV ...PZ81B
640x352 avc1/AAC 25fps OK
1280x720 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
1280x528 avc1/Vorbis 23.97fps OK
1280x720 avc1/AC3 25fps OK
1280x528 avc1/AC3 25fps OK

Hi Keysi :)

It plays SD in AVCHD??? 640x352 is SD material. WOW! How did you do this? :)

[SeeMoreDigital]

@SMS Here is a sample for you http://rapidshare.com/files/232446347/AVCHD.rar.html
Can you send me a setting to convert file with 1920x1080, I can't play it.Many thanks... The 23.976 file does indeed work.

Using the "Force" options, I've been doing some experimenting of my own with 720x480@23.976 AVC sources.

If you select Force: 1080p and 25.000 together with "Force AR to 16:9" (via the "video" tab), it's possible to play these files.... However, although the top and width of the image is visible, the bottom 30 pixels or-so is missing...


Cheers

[Keysi_2]

espero yes it is SD 640x352 25.00 fps H.265 (MPEG-4 AVC) coded
multiAVCHD forced with 1080i and 25.000 fps and it plays well

[megalon]

I too get some ugly colored stripes on the screen of my Panasonic Viera LCD (see attachment).

http://www.dse.nl/~megalon/Test.jpg

I am testing with de short movie Burn-E which is a 23.98 movie. MultiAVCHD is version 565 with the default options for Panasonic Viera (1080i/25.000) and generated this log:

[17:49:49] Processing 1 input file/folder.
[17:49:49] Temp folder does not exist. Set to D:\_TEMP.
[17:49:49] Converting file to BDMV (D:\Freecom\Video\Diversen\AVCHD\Burn-E\BDMV\STREAM\00001.m2ts).
[17:49:51] Detected frame reference count: 4 (max:4).
[17:49:51] Detected video: ID#4113:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1920x1080, fps=23.976, ref=4
[17:49:51] Track has 6 channels.
[17:49:51] Adding AC3 audio track (ID#4352)
[17:49:51] Adding subtitles (ID#4608)
[17:49:51] Total of 3 tracks found in this file.
[17:49:51] Generating meta file for tsMuxer...
[17:49:51] M2TS stream split set at 3999MiB...
[17:49:51] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[17:49:51] Creating Blu-ray folders (tsMuxer)...
[17:50:41] Done!
[17:50:41] Processing playlist (00000.mpls)...
[17:50:44] Preparing authoring information...
[17:50:44] Top menu skipped. Playback will start from Title#1.
[17:50:44] Setting menu for 1 titles...
[17:50:44] Forced sequential playback from Title#1 forward.
[17:50:44] Completed.
[17:50:44] Applying Panasonic SDHC for TV parameters...
[17:50:44] Renaming files to FAT compatible 8.3 filenames...
[17:50:44] Done!
[17:50:45] D:\Temp\SDHC\AVCHD folder created!
[17:50:45] Copy D:\Temp\SDHC\AVCHD to X:\PRIVATE\ of SD/MMC card.
[17:50:45] Deleting only files in temp folder (D:\_TEMP\)...
[17:50:45] You may now remove temp folder (D:\_TEMP\).
[17:50:45] Your compilation contains 0hrs 7min 35sec of video material.
[17:50:45] End of log.

[deank]

I'm sorry, but there is hardly anything that can be done about these stripes. Use compliant video files @25fps - then I guess all will be okay.

[encyclopedia]

I have met a similiar situation, using Davsim's sample video no.1, with forced 1080i & 25p. There is always a strip of purplish noise of short verticle bars at the bottom area of the screen. It is the same in the preview window.

[encyclopedia]

I have met a similiar situation, using Davsim's sample video no.1, with forced 1080i & 25p. There is always a strip of purplish noise of short verticle bars at the bottom area of the screen. It is the same in the preview window.

And when I convert the video to 25ftp (I used AVCware video converter), the problem disappears!

Can or will multiAVCHD intergrate any solution to this?

[deank]

Video conversion is something multiAVCHD won't ever do (I hope).

[encyclopedia]

I wonder whether that implies that Panasonic viera tv does not support NTSC (29ftp) at all, only PAL(25ftp) are supported? Or is it because of where you buy your TV, that TV sold in a certain area supports only certain scheme?

[deank]

Correct, although if video is really what it should be it will show fine (as from ntsc camcoder).

[encyclopedia]

If the TV, bought from whatever region, is supposed to be able to display any Panasonic camcorder video (PAL or NTSC; 25 or 29.97ftp) fine, why can't it display AVCHD 29.97ftp video on SDHC?

[deank]

Because multiAVCHD is not a magic tool :) and probably something is not right. Try to find a 29.97 sample and test it in your TV.

[encyclopedia]

I used Davsim's sample video No. 1, with 29.97, with forced 1080i 25p, and no luck. I tried with 23.x video and also failed. Everytime the interlaced vertical noise bars will show up at the bottom of the screen. So far the only solution is to have them converted to 25p . Although convertion usually takes a long time, but at least it works, thanks to MultiAVCHD!!

[deank]

You're saying that the video is in fact playing, right?

Those artifacts are related to the original encoding, which Panasonic doesn't like. I think it's the best multiAVCHD can do, without re-encoding.

Dean

[encyclopedia]

Yeah, when I converted the 29.97 video to 25p video (I used AVCware converter and re-encoded with 'PS3 profile'), after packing with MultiAVCHD, it PLAY very well on my panasonic tv.

[Ghitulescu]

Yeah, when I converted the 29.97 video to 25p video (I used AVCware converter and re-encoded with 'PS3 profile'), after packing with MultiAVCHD, it PLAY very well on my panasonic tv.

I think there might be a solution to find out if the file was itself defective or the output.

I'm thinking of a change of fps in the header (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=113595), so the video will be untouched (it will play however slower) - if there are any artifacts they are clearly from the camcorder.

[deank]

Yeah, when I converted the 29.97 video to 25p video (I used AVCware converter and re-encoded with 'PS3 profile'), after packing with MultiAVCHD, it PLAY very well on my panasonic tv.

What I asked was if the sample play without reencoding (with artifacts).

@Ghitulescu: It is not the video that is broken or something, it's just that Panasonic Viera AVC decoder is picky and won't like some things in h264 streams.

[encyclopedia]

I think there might be a solution to find out if the file was itself defective or the output.

I'm thinking of a change of fps in the header (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=113595), so the video will be untouched (it will play however slower) - if there are any artifacts they are clearly from the camcorder.

you mean panasonic tv can actually play 29.97 video? or does it only support 25p? I remember my TV user manual says something like '...supports video clips recorded with 50hz vertical frequency and data modified using computers might not be displayed properly on TV.....'

[encyclopedia]

What I asked was if the sample play without reencoding (with artifacts).




Yes, it does play very well except for the artifacts. in fact, it seems the part of the video underneath the artifacts is also played ok. those noise/artifacts is somewhat like a transparent cloth overlaid on the lower part of the video and the video/audio plays just fine.

[Ghitulescu]

you mean panasonic tv can actually play 29.97 video? or does it only support 25p? I remember my TV user manual says something like '...supports video clips recorded with 50hz vertical frequency and data modified using computers might not be displayed properly on TV.....'

I do not own a Panasonic. I suggested you to force 25fps upon your 29.97fps file. This way you do not reencode the video and Panasonic will display the image. So you can notice if there's something wrong with the video before blaming the software solution.

[deank]

That's okay... we've discussed the subject a lot and Panasonic users know what to do.

[espero]

If the TV, bought from whatever region, is supposed to be able to display any Panasonic camcorder video (PAL or NTSC; 25 or 29.97ftp) fine, why can't it display AVCHD 29.97ftp video on SDHC?

If we had sample from AVCHD NTSC camcorder (all files and folder structure) we could test some things...

[deank]

There are a lot of samples in 29.970 format over the web... I used one earlier.

[encyclopedia]

There are a lot of samples in 29.970 format over the web... I used one earlier.

I couldn't find any NTSC camcorder video samples that works on my TV. Did anyone test any that really worked on their panasonic TV?

[SeeMoreDigital]

I couldn't find any NTSC camcorder video samples that works on my TV. Did anyone test any that really worked on their panasonic TV?I can confirm the "Force Framerate" option does indeed work with 1920x1080 NTSC (23.976 and 29.970fps) sources.

[encyclopedia]

I can confirm the "Force Framerate" option does indeed work with 1920x1080 NTSC (23.976 and 29.970fps) sources.

did you use force "25ftp" "1080p"? and did the video play well without any artifacts? and did your TV user manual mentions anything like 'only supports video recorded with 50hz vertical frequency'? many thanks!

[SeeMoreDigital]

did you use force "25ftp" "1080p"?Yes.. I "forced" the framerate to 25.000fps

and did the video play well without any artifacts?No "artifacts".... However, some people have reported some "line" distortion at the very bottom of the image when playing 1920x1080 sources.

and did your TV user manual mentions anything like 'only supports video recorded with 50hz vertical frequency'?My Panasonic Viera PZ81B's user manual does not mention anything specific.

[deank]

I'm reading some weird posts all over the net that AVCHD playback is in Viera and Panasonic BD players is broken or something. I can't see how this can happen, so please let me know if anything is wrong with version 3.0.


I'd like to warn new users and those visiting from other forums, that you can't expect Viera TV to play 100% of your files. It is JUST a TV, not a BLU-RAY player. It has many restrictions and you can't expect to be the lucky one, who had won the jackpot by buying a TV to watch all your (may be downloaded?!) videos. If you want all features - buy a blu-ray player or playstation (better).

Dean Kasabow

[Eyedoctor2]

First, thanks for a great program. It works wonderfully with my PS3.

I just bought a Panasonic BD60 and followed my usual routine for PS3 except I chose the Panasonic output option.

The SD card is showing up as "Picture" on the BD60 menu.

I apologize if I am doing something wrong. I am attaching my mediainfo file in case it will help. The Streams folder has two files in it.

The original file was a blue ray movie file that I shrunk to 7.25 gb using BD Rebuilder. It works fine on the PS3 even though Panasonic SD output was selected.

Thanks!

[deank]

Try with some other (small) files to check if it will work.

I can't be of much help, because I have no way to test panasonic output.

May be other users will check if something is wrong with panasonic output in 3.0.

[Eyedoctor2]

MultiAVHCD didn't create a PRIVATE folder. I don't know if it was my fault the way I set it up or not.

When I checked out my camcorder sd that works fine I noticed it had a PRIVATE folder but otherwise the contents were the same.

Hope that helps.

[deank]

Yes, your fault is that you do not care of the messages in the LOG tab.


[23:51:56] D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD folder created!
[23:51:56] Copy D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD to X:\PRIVATE\ of SD/MMC card.
[23:51:56] You may now remove temp folder (D:\_TEMP\).

[Eyedoctor2]

I thought

Copy D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD to X:\PRIVATE\ of SD/MMC card

meant that the PROGRAM had copied it to the SD card. I thought it was logging something it had done rather than instructing me to do so.

My bad.

[deank]

I tried to use as much as I can possible can "user-friendly" messages in multiAVCHD.

If I was to say that it was created I would have used 'PRIVATE\AVCHD is created", not "Copy ... to"...

Sorry if your English skills get in the way. I could've written log messages in Bulgarian.

[Eyedoctor2]

What confused me was that I was writing directly to the SD card with the program rather than to my hard drive and then transferring to the sd card.

Maybe you can add an option to write directly to sd card and automatically create the PRIVATE folder and you will get less of these posts?

[deank]

Yes, I may add such an option. But it is not really a good idea to use the SD card as medium for direct output, because it is slower and may suffer from multiple read/write cycles needed to create a compilation with multiAVCHD.

I think it's better to just use your HDD and then put multiAVCHD's AVCHD output into an empty \PRIVATE\ folder of your SDHC card.

Dean

[Eyedoctor2]

You are right that hard drive is faster than sd card

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4258

but you need to add time for multiavhcd to repackage video from hard drive to itself and then the time to transfer from hard drive to sd card.

When I have done it the direct transfer from multiavhacd to sd card is always faster.

hard drive seagate 7200.12
sdhc card kingston 8gb class 6

[serendiptiyfish]

Hi there,

I have been following this and other threads for the last 7 days trying to get my American TC-p50G10 to play from its sdhc slot.

I went to town and used a camcorder to film a little film on the sdhc this little clip worked perfectly and can be found below:

http://download.yousendit.com/U0d4ZFhzNnk4Q1JMWEE9PQ

Next I dropped the mts file from the clip in to multiAVCHD and processed it for viera tvs setting the default refresh to 29 (also tried 24) and resolution to 1080i.

It created a nice AVCHD structure that I then placed under a PRIVATE directory on a new sdhc card. The tv did not recognize that there was a movie on the card. This has been the default behavior of the tv on all test movies apart from the one from the camcorder.

I compared tex data on the two mts files and they were identical except that the language went from <empty string> to <und> and file went from 14.7 megs to 14.6.

If anyone with an American viera G10 tv has gotten it to work could you process the file and link a down load of the resultant file and subdirectories and perhaps screen shots of settings?

I feel so close to getting this to work and yet so far.

Dean. . .thank you for all your work on this program, you are doing an unbelievably good job.

Cheers

Steven

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi Steven,

Just to let you know. Dean has recently started his own forum, so he'll be spending less time here. His forum can be found here: -

http://multiforum.deanbg.com/index.php

EDIT: After running your sample thru' multiAVCHD I was able to play it on my "UK" Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ81B - which, "by default" only supports PAL 25.00fps sources.

My Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu-ray player was able to play your sample without having to run it thru' multiAVCHD. And was even able to display the "time code" information. Which is stored as a PGS stream.


Cheers

[len0x]

Who's got Viera plasma around here - what kind of AVCHD are you able to play on it?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Who's got Viera plasma around here - what kind of AVCHD are you able to play on it?Essentially, anything that an AVCHD camcorder (and AVCHD Lite Lumix cameras) can puke out. Such as: 1440x1080 (with 4:3 PAR), 1920x1080 AVC video up-to 24Mbps high@L4.1 with 5.1 (6Ch) AC3 audio up-to 640Kbps.

The AVCHD and AVCHD Lite specifications offers more variations. However, I'm yet to receive any official samples to test with my Viera TV.

By contrast, Panasonic Blu-ray players are far more flexible when it comes to playback from an SD card ;)

[serendiptiyfish]

Hi there,

At present my viera G10 USA model has only managed to play movies directly from a cam corder.

I have faith that multiAVCD will get there, I suggest go to the new forums and volunteer your help.

Cheers

Steven

[len0x]

I'm eyeing up the new V10 model with support of DivX as well as DLNA, so wonder if that version would allow more flexibility as all I really want is to play is SD Xvid and HD x264 1080p material on it and wonder what container that woud need to be in (especially for DLNA).

[SeeMoreDigital]

Sadly, the TV's specification is a bit lacking: -

http://i42.tinypic.com/35bxhtd.png

[len0x]

Which all makes me wonder if I really want to go the route of investigating and making it work intead of just feeding everything via HDMI from the PC... (althought streaming from the PC would be nice, latest Samsung LCDs for example actually able to play MKV files out of the box...)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Which all makes me wonder if I really want to go the route of investigating and making it work intead of just feeding everything via HDMI from the PC... (althought streaming from the PC would be nice, latest Samsung LCDs for example actually able to play MKV files out of the box...)Yep... Some of Samsung's Series 7 range of TV's are very well featured indeed: -

http://i42.tinypic.com/mj8ode.png

Looks like our TV's will soon become the ultimate convergence playback device, able to play, stream and display anything. Personally I'm going to wait for products supporting HDMI v4.x to arrive...

[len0x]

Yep, that was the one I considered before Panasonic, but decided not to go for... But codec support is just too good...

[deank]

Does "Supported Resolution" mean "only in this resolution"? Because if it is, it's not fancy at all. It seems this manual/translation is made by 5th grade German student.

[len0x]

I bet its maximum supported resolution (I actually read some reviews saying its hard to find something that Samsung is not able to play).

[deank]

multiAVCHD 3.0 build 636

* Added [Viera (PAL)] and [Viera (NTSC)] output modes. multiAVCHD output is now compatible with NTSC Pansonic Viera TV sets.

If anyone can test (or had problems before), please report the results in AVCHD thread of multiAVCHD forum:

multiForum (http://multiforum.deanbg.com/viewforum.php?f=10)

[psme]

Sorry for a off topic question.

With this software we can put almost anything to play on Panasonic device. But SDHC card is small in size and much expensive than a regular USB HDD. Is there exist a "adapter" which can convert a USB HDD to SDHC interface? Then we can use a big USB HDD with multiAVCHD to store all the content, play through SDHC interface on a Panasonic blu-ray player and gets 1080p24, TrueHD, DTS-MA bitstream output?

[SeeMoreDigital]

... Is there exist a "adapter" which can convert a USB HDD to SDHC interface?No there isn't...

Thankfully SD cards are getting cheaper. Who knows, they might even be used to replace retail audio CD's one day :eek:

[setarip_old]

@deank
(While this may evoke negative responses from other members, I feel it's important for me to state this)

Hi!

Although I chose not to post anything about it, I was fully in support of your thinking and decision (To avoid a nagging troublemaker) to stop posting at the Doom9 Forums and set up your own independent self-controlled forum. I also thought it was brave to state your willingness to give up direct communication with the entirety of the Doom9 Forums membership.

Therefore, it was somewhat surprising to see your June 7th post to this thread, not only announcing an updated version of one of your very useful programs, but also seeking feedback from Doom9 Forum members regarding problems and testing - and requesting that this feedback be made at your forum.

It would, therefore, appear that you are attempting to "have the best of both worlds", "having your cake and eating it too", etc., by using the Doom9 Forums to reach out to its members, but asking them to not respond to you at the Doom9 Forums.

For what it's worth, it's this (old) man's personal opinion that such mixed behavior is inappropriate...

[deank]

I was wondering when I'll read a post like yours... and I agree with you to a point. But IMO having "the best of both worlds" is only a benefit for the users, and it is not me who eats or will eat the 'cake'... All I'm getting for all my tools are tons of questions, problems and no free time for the last 6 months, so using my own forum makes things a bit easier for me.

I was and I'm trying to be helpful in many threads here at doom9 and other forums and I think I contributed a lot and no one is stopping users from posting or commenting anything in multiAVCHD, popBD or uncropMKV's threads. I think it is time for users to start helping each other a bit, and not relying on me to answer all their posts and questions.

Dean

[setarip_old]

@deank

As my final post to this thread, I'll first thank you for your polite response. However, it actually doesn't address the points I highlighted in red (that represent the essence of my post).

In any event, congratulations on creating several effective and useful tools - even though you've not created one to convert BluRays and MKVs to HD-DVD format for those of us who would like to get more use out of our wonderful Toshiba HD-DVD players ;>}

[deank]

I've read your post few months ago in the 'free hd-dvd tool' thread. I don't own any HD-DVDs and have no idea about structures and specifications. If I only had, I would've added this to multiAVCHD (or programmed a separate tool) long time ago.

Few times I browsed the 'code' programmed by the author of the tool... but it is not that easy.

***

If a moderator decides to strike/warn me or/and delete my threads/posts/links - I wouldn't mind. I'm a guest here anyway.

[deank]

OK it reads:

Video: MPEG2 Video 544x576 (4:3) 25.00fps 9000Kbps [Video]
Audio: MPEG Audio 48000Hz stereo 256Kbps [Audio]

audio - stops for a while and starts again
video - super


Video: MPEG2 Video 720x576 (4:3) 25.00fps 9382Kbps [Video]
Audio: Dolby AC3 48000Hz 6ch 448Kbps [Audio]
no audio - DD is not supported
video - super

Video: MPEG2 Video 720x576 (4:3) 25.00fps 8000Kbps [Video]
Audio: PCM 48000Hz stereo 1536Kbps [Audio]
no audio - PCM is not supported
video - super


Video: MPEG2 Video 720x576 (4:3) 25.00fps 9800Kbps [Video]
Audio: MPEG Audio 48000Hz stereo 224Kbps [Audio]
audio - super
video - super

I tried about 10 different files INCLUDING files with lower resolutions (SVCD) like 544x576 and it worked well.
MPEG1 - is not supported

End here goes the best part: NTSC clips are supported!

TV switches automatically to NTSC (when you enter NTSC clip screen goes black for one second and we are in NTSC). So it have to work also for AVCHD...

Video: MPEG2 Video 720x480 (4:3) 29.97fps 8210Kbps [Video]
Audio: MPEG Audio 48000Hz stereo 256Kbps [Audio]

Dean, is it possible to make such function in multiAVCHD to author many chapters in SD_VIDEO folder? menu is of course not important...

After some tests it is a fact now that multiAVCHD produces correct SD_VIDEO for Panasonic VIERA (PAL) TV sets from MPEG files with MPEG video + MPEG or AC3 audio.

Dean

[setarip_old]

@deank I don't own any HD-DVDs and have no idea about structures and specifications. If I only had, I would've added this to multiAVCHD (or programmed a separate tool) long time ago.Did you know that:

1) MANY HD-DVD titles can now be purchased (new, via Amazon "associates") for as little as $2.00US each?

http://hddvdboxsets.com/hddvd1-387548011-pr-1-HD_DVD.html

2) "PowerDVD v.7.3", free weith virtually every BD-ROM, (WITHOUT updates) plays HD-DVDs (and "AnyDVD" will eliminate copy protection from HD-DVDs)

[Capsbackup]

@deank;
Even though I have not tested your programs personally, I believe you are providing an excellent program and support for many people. I also appreciate your responses to many questions that are asked in these forums, and think you have helped and provided very valuable information for many, and not just regarding your programs. I appreciate that.
I was initially disappointed with your leaving this forum for what had happened, since I think there was unnecessary criticism aimed your way, and did not want you to cut and run. But I also understand we must do what we must do.
That said, I am glad to see you are still around!! Your views and opinions and experience are welcome here! :thanks: :)

[deank]

Thanks for the kind words!

***

SD_VIDEO (MPEG2) is now supported in both Panasonic Blu-ray players and Panasonic Viera TV sets.

Imported MPG files have to be recorded with either a JVC or Panasonic camcoder / Panasonic DVR, otherwise BDPs may not accept the file. Vieras seem to take anything (I think).


[16:38:05] Log started for multiAVCHD v3.0 (build 659)
[16:38:05] Selected output mode: Panasonic Blu-ray player (SDHC)

[16:38:05] Processing 7 titles...

[16:38:05] Switching to output mode: SD_VIDEO folder mode (MPEG only)
[16:38:05] Processing 6 titles...

[16:38:06] MPEG Title : #1
[16:38:06] Video duration : 00:00:02
[16:38:06] Video DAR : 4/3
[16:38:06] Video bitrate : 8400 (VBR)
[16:38:06] Audio codec : AC3
[16:38:06] Audio bitrate : 384 kbps
[16:38:06] Copying video : mov040.mpg
[16:38:06] Recorded with : JVC

[16:38:06] MPEG Title : #2
[16:38:06] Video duration : 00:00:02
[16:38:06] Video DAR : 4/3
[16:38:06] Video bitrate : 8400 (VBR)
[16:38:06] Audio codec : AC3
[16:38:06] Audio bitrate : 384 kbps
[16:38:06] Copying video : mov041.mpg
[16:38:06] Recorded with : JVC

[16:38:06] MPEG Title : #3
[16:38:06] Video duration : 00:00:02
[16:38:06] Video DAR : 4/3
[16:38:06] Video bitrate : 8400 (VBR)
[16:38:06] Audio codec : AC3
[16:38:06] Audio bitrate : 384 kbps
[16:38:06] Copying video : mov03f.mpg
[16:38:06] Recorded with : JVC

[16:38:07] MPEG Title : #4
[16:38:07] Video duration : 00:04:25
[16:38:07] Video DAR : 16/9
[16:38:07] Video bitrate : 8340 (VBR)
[16:38:07] Audio codec : AC3
[16:38:07] Audio bitrate : 320 kbps
[16:38:07] Copying video : vts_02_1 - coppgy.mpg

[16:38:18] MPEG Title : #5
[16:38:18] Video duration : 00:00:20
[16:38:18] Video DAR : 16/9
[16:38:18] Video bitrate : 4032 (VBR)
[16:38:18] Audio codec : MPEG
[16:38:18] Audio bitrate : 256 kbps
[16:38:18] Copying video : mov00a.mpg
[16:38:18] Recorded with : Panasonic

[16:38:20] MPEG Title : #6
[16:38:20] Video duration : 00:00:26
[16:38:20] Video DAR : 4/3
[16:38:20] Video bitrate : 5500 (CBR)
[16:38:20] Audio codec : AC3
[16:38:20] Audio bitrate : 384 kbps
[16:38:20] Copying video : mov007.mpg
[16:38:20] Recorded with : JVC

[16:38:21] Overall video duration: 00:05:17

[16:38:21] SD_VIDEO folder structure created!
[16:38:21] Copy D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD_SDMPEG-2\SD_VIDEO folder to the root of your SDHC card!

[16:38:21] Switching back to AVCHD mode: Panasonic Blu-ray player (SDHC)
[16:38:21] Processing (D:\bluray.mkv)...
[16:38:21] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[16:38:21] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=24.000, ref=3
[16:38:21] Detected audio: ID#2:A_PCM (48000Hz 16bit 2ch) Language: und
[16:38:21] Attempting to convert A_PCM audio track #2...
[16:38:21] Extracting audio track #2 (mkvextract)...
[16:38:22] Converting PCM audio to AC3 (eac3to)...
[16:38:23] Added audio: A_AC3, "d:\multiavchd\_temp\bluray.mkv.t2.und.ac3", lang=und
[16:38:23] M2TS stream split set at 3999MiB...
[16:38:23] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[16:38:23] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[16:38:24] Setting vertical resolution value (720p).
[16:38:24] Media transfer: 00000 -> 00000.m2ts
[16:38:24] Processing playlist...
[16:38:24] Title #1 added: "bluray"
[16:38:24] Verifying title...
[16:38:26] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[16:38:26] Preparing authoring information...

[16:38:26] Setting menu for 1 titles...
[16:38:26] Playback will start with title #1 (bluray).
[16:38:26] Setting menu properties...
[16:38:26] Selected TV system: [PAL]
[16:38:26] Processing clip (CPI/CLPI) files...
[16:38:26] Completed.
[16:38:26] Applying Panasonic SDHC for BD parameters...
[16:38:26] Setting FAT compatible 8.3 filenames...
[16:38:26] Done!

[16:38:27] Saving multiAVCHD quick-load project (mpf):
[16:38:27] D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD_SDMPEG-2\PRIVATE\AVCHD\multiAVCHD.mpf (OK!)

Compilation summary:
Format: Panasonic Blu-ray player (SDHC)
===============================================================================
1. bluray [00:00:10]
===============================================================================
Overall duration : 00:00:10
Output size : 2 MiB (0.002 GiB)

[16:38:27] D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD_SDMPEG-2\PRIVATE\AVCHD folder created!
[16:38:27] Rename D:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD_SDMPEG-2\PRIVATE\AVCHD to AVCHD and copy it to X:\PRIVATE\ of SD/MMC card.
[16:38:27] You may now remove temp folder (D:\multiAVCHD\_TEMP\).
[16:38:27] Your compilation contains 0hrs 0min 10sec of video material.

[16:38:27] multiAVCHD finished in 22 seconds (00:00:22)!

[16:38:27] End of log.

[davsim]

I just created a new AVCHD compilation of 5 titles. The "Direct Navigator" playlist loads in the SD card menu and all 5 titles are listed with name and duration, but there are no thumbnails (black frames). None of the titles play when selected. "Cannot play file."

So, I exited the SD playlst menu and pressed Return to go out to the Panasonic blue Blu-ray logo screen. Then I pressed Play and the video played (after a green flash on screen). I was able to skip forward and view all 5 titles.

I remember running into a similar problem like this early on when I was first testing the newly added Panasonic SD card support (old 2.5.x builds):

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1277967&postcount=2413

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1278694&postcount=113

My earlier playlist problems seemed to be fixed in Dean's 2.5 build 549:

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1278721&postcount=121

Using the workaround playback method works fine for me, so I am just reporting this in case it will help you troubleshoot. Please let me know if you can suggest any other settings changes to try to get the playlist working.


using multiAVCHD v3.0 build 666, testing playback on Panasonic BD60 US NTSC:

source: 1280x720, 25fps, level3.1, AC3 .mkv

5 x 60 min titles (8 gb total), each title 1.6GB

I tried with the following options: 1) PAL, AVCHD version 001, then 2) NTSC, AVCHD version 001, force level 4.1 with the same results both times.

All 5 titles are encoded with the same settings. MediaInfo:

General
Complete name : video1.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 1.46 GiB
Duration : 58mn 30s
Overall bit rate : 3 566 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2009-06-23 22:03:34
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.4.1 ('Use Me') built on Dec 5 2008 18:30:05
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@3.1
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 58mn 30s
Bit rate : 3 111 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 3 180 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.135
Stream size : 1.27 GiB (87%)
Writing library : x264 core 67 r1173M f6d3166
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113
/ me=hex / subme=6 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 /
chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 /
chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 /
bframes=3 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / wpredb=1 /
keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / rc=2pass / bitrate=3180 /
ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 /
cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 58mn 30s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 161 MiB (11%)
Language : English


log:

[02:17:39] Log started for multiAVCHD v3.0 (build 666)
[02:17:39] Selected output mode: Panasonic Blu-ray player (SDHC)

[02:17:39] Processing 5 titles...
[02:17:39] Temp folder does not exist. Set to G:\multiAVCHD\_TEMP.
[02:17:39] Processing (video1.mkv)...
[02:17:39] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[02:17:39] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=25.000, ref=3
[02:17:39] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 6ch) Language: eng
[02:17:39] Added audio: A_AC3, "video1.mkv", track=2, lang=eng, timeshift=0ms
[02:17:39] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[02:17:39] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[02:18:29] Processing playlist...
[02:18:29] Title #1 added: "video1"
[02:18:29] Verifying title...
[02:18:32] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[02:18:32] Processing (video2.mkv)...
[02:18:32] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[02:18:32] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=25.000, ref=3
[02:18:32] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 6ch) Language: eng
[02:18:32] Added audio: A_AC3, "video2.mkv", track=2, lang=eng, timeshift=0ms
[02:18:32] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[02:18:32] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[02:19:21] Processing playlist...
[02:19:21] Title #2 added: "video2"
[02:19:21] Verifying title...
[02:19:24] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[02:19:24] Processing (video4.mkv)...
[02:19:24] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[02:19:24] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=25.000, ref=3
[02:19:24] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 6ch) Language: eng
[02:19:24] Added audio: A_AC3, "video4.mkv", track=2, lang=eng, timeshift=0ms
[02:19:24] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[02:19:24] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[02:20:15] Processing playlist...
[02:20:15] Title #3 added: "video4"
[02:20:15] Verifying title...
[02:20:18] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[02:20:18] Processing (video5.mkv)...
[02:20:19] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[02:20:19] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=25.000, ref=3
[02:20:19] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 5ch) Language: eng
[02:20:19] Added audio: A_AC3, "video5.mkv", track=2, lang=eng, timeshift=0ms
[02:20:19] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[02:20:19] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[02:21:12] Processing playlist...
[02:21:12] Title #4 added: "video5"
[02:21:12] Verifying title...
[02:21:15] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[02:21:15] Processing (video3.mkv)...
[02:21:16] Detected frame reference count: 3 (max:9).
[02:21:16] Detected video: ID#1:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1280x720, fps=25.000, ref=3
[02:21:16] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 6ch) Language: eng
[02:21:16] Added audio: A_AC3, "video3.mkv", track=2, lang=eng, timeshift=0ms
[02:21:16] Chapter marks ignored in Panasonic SDHC mode...
[02:21:16] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...

[02:22:02] Processing playlist...
[02:22:02] Title #5 added: "video3"
[02:22:02] Verifying title...
[02:22:06] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[02:22:06] Preparing authoring information...

[02:22:06] Setting menu for 5 titles...
[02:22:06] Playback will start with title #1 (video1).
[02:22:06] Selected TV system: [PAL]
[02:22:06] Completed.
[02:22:06] Applying Panasonic SDHC for BD parameters...
[02:22:06] Setting FAT compatible 8.3 filenames...
[02:22:06] Done!

[02:22:07] Saving multiAVCHD quick-load project (mpf):
[02:22:07] G:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD\multiAVCHD.mpf (OK!)

Compilation summary:
Format: Panasonic Blu-ray player (SDHC)
===============================================================================
1. video1 [00:58:30]
2. video2 [00:58:15]
3. video4 [00:59:31]
4. video5 [00:58:14]
5. video3 [00:58:40]
===============================================================================
Overall duration : 04:53:10
Output size : 7970 MiB (7.783 GiB)

[02:22:07] G:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD folder created!
[02:22:07] Copy G:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD to X:\PRIVATE\ of SDHC/SD/MMC card.
[02:22:07] or SD_VIDEO and PRIVATE to root of your SDHC/SD/MMC card.



Thanks for any suggestions.

[deank]

Does the problem appear when you use 23.976/29.970fps video files?

[davsim]

Does the problem appear when you use 23.976/29.970fps video files?

No. For some reason, I thought my earlier testing with 2.5 had allowed me to see PAL videos in the playlist, but maybe I was wrong.

I just did a series of tests with still images encoded at various framerates and compiled them together with multiAVCHD. You can see the results in the image below:

23.976p - thumbnail displayed and plays fine
24p - thumbnail displayed and plays fine
25p - no thumbnail, does not play, "P" next to playlist item
50p - no thumbnail, does not play, "P" next to playlist item
60p - thumbnail displayed and plays fine

http://www.cdupload.com/files/60788_zwtbm/screencaps.jpg

As before, the workaround: returning out to the Blu-ray logo screen allowed me to play all videos by pressing play, then skipping through the videos.

Despite the mixed framerates, the 23.976p, 24p and 60p clips played fine from the Direct Navigator playlist. Additionally, when playing the first clips (23.976p and 24p) from the playlist, I was able to skip forward and play the "P" marked 25p and 50p clips, even though I couldn't select and play them directly.

So, this seems like a good second workaround possibility, I can just add a short NTSC format clip at the head of PAL compilations, then I can see the playlist.

I suppose this is probably just a limitation of the NTSC region player. It's disappointing that they locked out playlist playback, even though the videos play perfectly through two different workaround methods.

I would be interested to hear if European players display the opposite behavior with NTSC AVC formatted videos, do they lock out NTSC format clips from the Direct Navigator playlist?

Here is my sample compilation, in case you want to try for yourselves. (Note the audio plays longer than the video, but it shouldn't be a problem.)

PRIVATE.zip (http://drop.io/rqxujgn)

[Emulgator]

Some Panasonic DVD/HDD/VCR/SD combos (mine is a -95EX) can be set up by user to act either
as generic PAL device, outputting real PAL 50i 4.43Mhz through video out
or as generic NTSC device, thus outputting real 59.94i NTSC 3.58MHz through video out.

If the direct navigator encounters an opposite system object,
it will be flagged with the opposite sign and thus will not be playable nor editable.

So if the player is set up as NTSC and finds a PAL object, this will be flagged as P and blocked from playing.
If the very same player some seconds later is set up as PAL player and finds the before playable NTSC objects,
these will be flagged as N and now these are blocked from playing.

Panasonic seem to see this as a feature and maybe this behaviour has found its way into BD-player firmware as well.
Haven't checked this mixed behaviour (which will be visible only when playing mixed systems from SD card)
on my BD-50 yet, no time now, but I will.

I guess I will find the same as you did
and I guess it is not multiAVCHD's fault, just Panasonic's diligence to follow the "either PAL or NTSC" system scheme.

You may try to mux a AVCHD PAL volume with the same mixed system content on your SD card and watch if the player now blocks NTSC out, it would be interesting.
If it turns out this way then it's just the NTSC/PAL system flag of the AVCHD volume alone
which leads to this behaviour, not the actual clip's stream properties.

[deank]

@davsim:

A simple test you can make: download version 2.6 or 2.7 from videohelp.com (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/multiAVCHD/old-versions#download) and try to see if there is a difference.

Make sure you roll-back your system clock to 23-Apr for 2.6 and 13-May for 2.7.

late edit:

Before trying the older versions try this (in current 666 build): Select "Viera (NTSC)" as output mode (not Panasonic) and check if "P" will show again in the list. The difference between Panasonic SDHC and Viera modes is that multiAVCHD will force PAL/NTSC + FPS in Viera modes, but won't do it in Panasonic SDHC mode.

another edit:

Did you update your player FW? Another user reported that his BD-55 won't play multiAVCHD compilation with FW 2.0. I don't know what files he used, so I'm not really sure where the problem is.

[davsim]

Thanks for the replies.

A simple test you can make: download version 2.6 or 2.7 from videohelp.com (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/multiAVCHD/old-versions#download) and try to see if there is a difference.
I just tested two older versions, 2.6 build 549 and 2.6 build 566 with the same results as 3.0 build 666. Both older builds will label the videos as "P" in the playlist and will not play directly, but will play with the workaround methods.

I must have misremembered being able to play PAL video from playlist.

Before trying the older versions try this (in current 666 build): Select "Viera (NTSC)" as output mode (not Panasonic) and check if "P" will show again in the list. The difference between Panasonic SDHC and Viera modes is that multiAVCHD will force PAL/NTSC + FPS in Viera modes, but won't do it in Panasonic SDHC mode.
I also tried this on 3.0 build 666. I used Viera NTSC mode. The playlist listed all video tracks (both PAL and NTSC) without "P" and I could press play on the PAL tracks, but the video did not play on any tracks (neither NTSC nor PAL), but the audio did play for all tracks.

Did you update your player FW? Another user reported that his BD-55 won't play multiAVCHD compilation with FW 2.0. I don't know what files he used, so I'm not really sure where the problem is.
I have upgraded from FW v1.5 to v1.7 since my earlier testing with multiAVCHD 2.6, but I don't think that has changed SD card playback. Again, I think it's most likely that I was never able to play PAL video except with the workaround.

You may try to mux a AVCHD PAL volume with the same mixed system content on your SD card and watch if the player now blocks NTSC out, it would be interesting.
If it turns out this way then it's just the NTSC/PAL system flag of the AVCHD volume alone
which leads to this behaviour, not the actual clip's stream properties.
I tried both ways earlier. My playlist blocks the PAL streams only, regardless of whether the volume is marked as PAL or NTSC.

[deank]

Thanks for the testing, because the results show that nothing is broken with SDHC output from multiAVCHD :)

[deank]

multiAVCHD build 677 includes an option for hard-encoding the subtitles into the video. Since Viera TV do not support subtitles, and most of the time 'encoding' is involved, now Panasonic Viera users can get subtitles - option is in "Transcode" menu. Full update may be required or VSFilter.dll in tools folder.

http://multiAVCHD.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_transcode.jpg

[krzyszcz]

Is it possible to create subtitled AVCHD with multiAVCHD so that subtitles show while playing over BDP-60's SD card? What settings should I apply?
Cause I finally managed to convert my 720p MKV video with srt advanced processing and no errors (thanks to yours recent update - 709), but they still don't show.
Btw, your app is great even without such a function, thanks so much :)
Regards,
Krzyszcz

[deank]

Panasonic BD60 US v1.5 results:

SD_TEST13: Plays perfectly. Two titles show up in the playlist and play consecutively. Skip forward and back moves between titles. Subtitles work and stay on through title changes as well as after you go back to the playlist, then start playing another title again.

Amazing work!


Before I start sifting through all the MeGUI (http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=78) and x264 (http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?f=77) encoding discussions, does anyone have any detailed suggestions for the best encoder settings for optimum bitrate, image quality and Panasonic compatiblity?

Here is a post from BD60 owner few months ago...

[deank]

Some news:

I think I finally managed to make CHAPTERS to work with Panasonic/Viera (SDHC) modes (using the so called SCENES), so no more FF/REW but a nice chapter skip should work for you.

I'll try to prepare a sample for someone with Pansonic BDP (SDHC) or Viera TV to test.

Post if you want to test it.

Dean

// I guess there will be no need to test it... HD Writer accepts the output and shows all chapters :) (scenes) allowing you to play each one, to join or merge scenes. It means that now multiAVCHD has no chapter restriction when producing AVCHD output for SDHC players (BDP, camcoders and Viera TV). You'll get this in the next update and I hope someone shares with me if it is working properly.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Now, I'll also try to get rid of that "multiAVCHD.deanBG.com" scene/thumbnail preview and use the real chapter thumbnail for each scene cut. Then all will be complete for SDHC. Nice, eh!

:rolleyes:

Dean


// YES :)

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_SDHC_scenes_2.jpg

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_SDHC_scenes.jpg

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_SDHC_scenes_3.jpg

:p

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

No one posted with a will to test it, so it is going in the update in few minutes. I hope it works.

Dean

[shaun9129]

Have a panasonic BD35 to try a sample on if you still want it testing?

[deank]

There is no sample :) It is already published with multiAVCHD so you can try to create one yourself.

Did you use multiAVCHD before?

[shaun9129]

Will try one later thanks :)

Yeah been using it for a while - great piece of software :) don't know how you manage to keep the great work going but thanks for all the updates.

As an aside there is a new firmware out for the BD35 but still no go on the motion menus for version 4 - still great to use though :)

[shaun9129]

Quick update - tried the new output to SD card on my BD35 and i can use the << skip >> buttons on the remote to jump between chapters - great work Dean :)

[deank]

It will be nice to know if thumbnails show properly, too.

[shaun9129]

Hi Dean

Yes the thumbnails show too - although on my player (BD35) they are in a seperate gallery ie you choose to watch the video or see a gallery of the thumbnails :)

Excellent work :)

[deank]

:) Well... I didn't mean the "PHOTO/PICTURE" mode of the player... Once in the movie mode the main (first?) thumbnail for each title should display there... there where you click "OK"/"PLAY" to play the title. I don't have a player to test with, that's why I'm asking for details...

:) Dean

[shaun9129]

Sorry - misunderstood. There is a motion thumbnail of the title playing alongside the title itself ( where you select the title to play ) and yes it shows fine :)

[deank]

Is there anyone out there to test with a VIERA TV the latest build 748?

[deank]

Another one.... Are there people who wish to have soft subtitles for Viera authoring without hard-burning?

[b66pak]

of course...this is a HUGE think...i am planing to by a viera soon...
_

[deank]

Yeah, well I need someone who owns a Viera at the moment so we can test. :)

I have a Viera, but it doesn't support AVCHD so I cannot test it.

[b66pak]

do you plan to do this by making subs "forced"? i don't remember to see any "subtitle" button on the viera tv remote control...
_

[deank]

Viera TV will accept AVCHD SDHC only from camcoders. Most camcoders store date/time information as PGS (subtitles). I was wondering if anyone managed to display these 'subtitles' in their Vieras. I may buy a new 2010 Viera model and I'll test it, but afaik no one posted about pre 2010 models subtitle support.

Dean

[deank]

I got myself today a PANASONIC TX-P50G20 which is capable of AVCHD :) + a lot more... So finally I'll be able to see the result of my work.

I'll do some tests to see if it is possible to add subtitles at all.

Dean

[deank]

After three weeks of testing, all I can come up with proved that (atm) there is no way to make a Panasonic Viera TV to display PGS (soft subtitles) while playing AVCHD structures.

Vieras won't even show the PGS created by the AVCHD camcoders, where subtitles are naively present in the m2ts as "recording date/time" stamps, so it makes all pointless to further try anything. Panasonic provides firmware updates for G20 series and may be at some point they'll post an update about that.

There is a bright sky though, because the newer PAL region Vieras (G10/G20 and 3D models V10/V20) can play 23.976fps videos, without speeding up to 25fps.

To utilize the feature and keep the 24p playback with such sets, you'll need to enable [x] Convert DTS to AC3 option in Subtitles&Audio tab and use [AVCHD for solid media] output for [Panasonic Blu-ray players]. It is needed just in case you use DTS audio with your video files.

This way you'll get the original video + audio (if audio is DTS it will be converted to AC3). Basically it is a complete pass-through for compliant AVC/H.264 video + AC3 audio sources.

Dean

[deank]

Here is a link to a torrent file with x264 Blu-ray DEMO disc, prepared for SDHC/SD/MMC/MS/USB playback.

It can be directly transferred to SDHC card to play in Panasonic Viera TV sets, Panasonic BDP players (using SDHC card) and Playstation 3. For PS3 you can use USB/MemoryStick, but then you'll have to copy the contents of PRIVATE folder (AVCHD) to the root of your USB stick/HDD or MS card. The same goes for Viera TV if you use USB stick.

Tested to work in Panasonic 50G20E model, PS3, Nero Showtime, Arcsoft TMT. The content uses NTSC framerates and should work with NTSC-region TV models, too.

Download torrent file (40KB) (1.8GB content). (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/x264_SDHC_AVCHD_demo.torrent)

You'll need 2GB SDHC card (or bigger).

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/x264_demo_Viera_01.JPG

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/x264_demo_Viera_02.JPG

Dean

[Emulgator]

Some updates about Panasonic Blu-ray player compatibility to play multiAVCHD authored AVCHD volumes from DVD+R discs.

multiAVCHD 4.1.770: Mode strict, welcome screen, carousel menu with chapter stills.

Video & Audio sources:
various AVC @ L4.0 @17Mbps +AC-3 @192kbps streams 000xy.mts from various Panasonic AVCHD cameras:
AVCHDlite 1280x720x25p flagged as frame-repeat to 50p from FT-2,
AVCHD Full HD 1920x1080x25i from GH-2.

Plays fine in old Panasonic DMP-BD50 tested under firmwares 1.3, 1.4, 1.7
Plays fine in newer Panasonic DMP-BD65 tested under firmware 1.50

Hangs in newest 3D-Panasonic DMP-BDT110, tested under firmware 1.47 and 1.65

Plays welcome screen almost ok (first second of audio seems to be missing),
then hangs before reaching first carousel menu screen.
Writes repeatedly HDMI, then PLAY on display.

Seems like Panny (hopefully unintentionally) have blown their AVCHD-from-DVD-disc implementation in their latest players.

[bred3]

Hey guys new to the forum. I am having some difficulties creating some AVCHD movies for playback on a SDHC card on my BD60. I have tried 3 separate movies and each of them have had the same result. For some strange reason the movie will play fine until just after an hour and playback stops and goes back to the menu screen. It seems to be that the movie stops once the second clip in the BDMV/STREAM folder is supposed to play. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)