Looking for advice on how to convert camcorder video

[billclodude]

I recently bought a Samsung LED TV, and it has the capability to stream video/pictures from my main computer over a network. I am able to view mpeg/jpegs, but I have run into a problem.

I wanted to be able to view videos from my Canon high-def camcorder on the TV, but the TV does not recognize .m2ts files...

So I need some way to convert a ton of videos (100+ GB worth) to some format my TV will recognize. None are copywrited. It can play .avi, .mkv, asf, wmv, mp4, mpeg1+2, ts files. Most of these are unfamiliar to me.

I would prefer some software that do batch conversions, but it's not mandatory. I definitely don't want to lose significant video quality.

Can anyone help?

[2Bdecided]

First try: rename a .m2ts file to a .ts file, and see what happens. If this fails, try other supported extensions instead (e.g. mpg).

Second try: demux the m2ts file, and remux into mkv or avi or mp4.

If all this fails, then you'll have to think about re-encoding, but hopefully that's unlikely.

Cheers,
David.

[billclodude]

First try: rename a .m2ts file to a .ts file, and see what happens. If this fails, try other supported extensions instead (e.g. mpg).

Second try: demux the m2ts file, and remux into mkv or avi or mp4.

If all this fails, then you'll have to think about re-encoding, but hopefully that's unlikely.

Cheers,
David.

I have no idea as to how to demux/remux files. It's been a LONG time since I fooled with manipulating files ( old AutoGordian Knot days)...I've been using Ripit4me since...so assume I'm a raw noobie please. :)

edit, tried renaming to .ts, and the tv would play it, but there was no sound...

[2Bdecided]

OK, that's a good start.

Get the GSpot software to find out what audio codec is used in your files. Apparently your TV doesn't like it, so you're going to have to re-encode the audio at least.

Or just get AVIdemux, and set it up to keep the video, re-encode the audio to something like mp2, and mux it to mp4. AVIdemux has a nice GUI. Maybe someone who has actually done this can post appropriate settings (though you should be able to figure them out with a little trial and error).

Cheers,
David.

[billclodude]

Are there any good malware-free programs that'll convert each video w/o the effort of muxing/demuxing?

I've got 150-200 home videos to convert and doing them individually the way you describe will take FOREVER. At least my computer is up to the conversion task (Intel Q6600).

I'm willing to consider a commercial program that I pay for if anyone knows of a good one that's easy to use. Very easy to use, conversion w/o loss of quality and hopefully batch processing are desireable features. :)

[2Bdecided]

Are there any good malware-free programs that'll convert each video w/o the effort of muxing/demuxing?AVIdemux, despite the name, is exactly this.

I should think any solution to your problem is going to have to demux/process/mux internally - but you won't have to click through these steps as a user.

Cheers,
David.

[billclodude]

I played around with that program, and it's one of the most user-unfriendly programs I've ever had the misfortune of trying to use. Absolutely no idea how to use it, no help or documentation, and the forums weren't much help.

Thanks, but I don't think that program is going to be of any use to me at all.

[7ekno]

Ok, a few simple steps:
1) Ensure Haali Media Splitter (http://haali.su/mkv/) is installed
2) Ensure you have MKVToolnix (http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/downloads.html#windows) installed
3) Download and extract the H264TSto package (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=117806) to Windows\System32 folder (it needs to be in a path folder)
4) Copy and paste the follow text into a blank notepad, wordpad or word doc, and save it as CONVERT.BAT in the directory where your M2TS files are:
@echo off
for /f %%a IN ('dir /b *.M2TS') do h264tsto %%a %%~na.MKV
5) Double click CONVERT.BAT in your M2TS directory and it will go thru and generate MKV files ;)

7ek

[billclodude]

I think I'm not going to have to convert all those files as it turns out. Someone on another forum recommended me a Western Digitial media player that I can plug my backup hard drive with all those camcorder videos into and play off my HD TV...

$99, but if it saves me a week or two of my very limited time messing with file conversions, money well spent.

Thanks anyways for trying to help me out guys.

[mel2000]

Any Video Converter Free has a very simple interface and can batch encode m2ts to all the formats you listed.

OS: Win 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
http://any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/
www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5692

[audyovydeo]

I recently bought a Samsung LED TV, and it has the capability to stream video/pictures from my main computer over a network. I am able to view mpeg/jpegs, but I have run into a problem.

I wanted to be able to view videos from my Canon high-def camcorder on the TV, but the TV does not recognize .m2ts files...




First thing *I* would do is pull out the doc of each, and verify whether your camcorder's files are AVCHD (very likely) and whether your TV supports AVCHD / AVC / H.264 video playback.

*Then* you'll know whether you can get by with muxing to a new container, or re-encode.

cheers
a/v

[setarip_old]

@billclodude

Hi!

You indicated that your camcorder produces .m2ts files and that one of the acceptable formats for your TV is .ts.

If this is correct, here's an "extremely complex" procedure for conversion:

1) Start "tsMuxeR GUI" and drag and drop the .m2ts file onto it

2) Select ".ts" for output format

3) Click on "Start muxing"