New HD Format - AVCHD (By Sony and Panasonic)

[leowai]

Is this only for MPEG-4 Part 10 video? This video format uses AC-3 or Linear PCM for high-quality sound (stated in the link)! Will this be new container for AVC video?
:
:
The interesting part is that both Sony and Panasonic are backing Blu-Ray. Yet, the AVCHD format does not incorporate Blu-Ray technology. One would think that Sony would use this as an advantage to get its Blu-Ray technology into more consumer homes, much like they are doing with their Playstation 3. However, there is talk of the two formats (Blu-Ray and AVCHD) coexisting together. Sony also stated that since the two technologies use the same compression methods, “you should be able to play back an AVCHD disk on a Blu-Ray disc player.”

http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=33183

[foxyshadis]

So it'll be the new (S)VCD... Well, I'm glad, it'd cut burn costs way down, and avc 720p will look at least as good as current dvds. 1080p on dvd... We'll have to see if that looks better than SVCD or not.

No AAC support unfortunately, but then again AAC is absent from HD specs too. Apparently only LPCM and AC3 are in the spec, perhaps AC3+ and DTS as well, since they're part of bluray.

Supposedly they're working on SD cards too (make sense, they're bigger than DVDs now!), my main reaction was "Wait, you mean Sony isn't pushing MMC down our gullets?" =p

[leowai]

More information from DailyTech:
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2278

Specification in table:
http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/1406_large_avchd_specs.png

[b9AcE]

At the risk of getting off topic a bit earlier than usual, I have to ask:
Why do all these new HD-standards keep avoiding AAC?

[foxyshadis]

Because then George Lucas wouldn't get his cut of every DVD made, and who wants to piss him off?

Actually I think it's just because audio quality is nearly about as good as it'll get when many DVDs use 512 or 640 kbps AC3/DTS, 2-6 mbps AC3+, or even LPCM; even if you could get the same quality at half the bitrate, or much better quality than they could at 1/4, it doesn't actually increase the quality, so the primary incentive isn't there. And there are many optical AC3/PCM SPDIF decoder systems available to prevent signal degradation from interference, but AAC and MP3 are lacking in that area. Of course if AAC actually made it into a standard, that would change, it isn't that much harder to decode. =\

[_ck_]

What's really silly is that Divx could have beat every HD format to the market by a year with existing chips and standard DVD9 format.

All they needed to do was use the existing h.263 standard and keep the total bitrate just under 4000kbps or so and most (non-ESS) chipsets would support 1280x720p or even 1920x1080i on the better ones. They could have offered svideo output and eventually HDMI as some models are now.

But without DRM ability I guess Hollywood wasn't interested.

[SeeMoreDigital]

... and most (non-ESS) chipsets would support 1280x720p or even 1920x1080i on the better ones. Actually no they can't.

Currently only Sigma's EM8620L chip-set offers playback of (high-def) 1280x720 and 1920x1080 resolutions, in stand-alone players/devices.

MediaTek, Vaddis and ESS only offer standard-def capable chip-sets supporting maximum resolutions of 720x576 (414,720 total) pixels.


Cheers

[siddharthagandhi]

This codec....will it remain a private codec or will it be released for public use?

[SeeMoreDigital]

This codec....will it remain a private codec or will it be released for public use?I don't understand!

[layer3maniac]

:confused:
Sony and Panasonic announced today that they have co-developed a new high definition DVD format created specifically for camcorders. The new format, dubbed AVCHD, captures video onto 8cm DVDs using the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 compression system.

Camcorders? 8cm DVDs?

[foxyshadis]

It's sony's pet proprietary dvd, they've been making mpeg2 dvd camcorders for a while now, since mini-cd has been fading away. This extension may well never make it to mainstream because of that...

[bond]

yet another pseudo format by sony?

sounds pretty much like what you could also do with hd dvd

[unmei]

The only good thing in that news i see in "Sony also stated that since the two technologies use the same compression methods, “you should be able to play back an AVCHD disk on a Blu-Ray disc player.”". OK so sony tells us basicly, "as long as its avc on your disc, BD players will be able to deal with it" -- cool, probably too cool to be that simple. It would already be great if there was no fixed stupid directory folder naming like on DVDs. With a limited set of resolutions et all i can live (well, if i ever get a BD device in near future anyway..).

[_ck_]

Actually no they can't.

Currently only Sigma's EM8620L chip-set offers playback of (high-def) 1280x720 and 1920x1080 resolutions, in stand-alone players/devices.

MediaTek, Vaddis and ESS only offer standard-def capable chip-sets supporting maximum resolutions of 720x576 (414,720 total) pixels.

Thanks for the info. I can always count on you to set me straight - appreciated!

With all the tricks it can do I suspect my next player will be EM8620L chipset based, I just hope they can be made eventually for $100 or less!

[siddharthagandhi]

"I don't understand!"

The article describes that there is a new AVC codec used in this format.

[bond]

avc is not a codec, its a format every avc compliant codec is compliant with :D

[SeeMoreDigital]

Indeed... As long as the "new AVC codec" conforms to MPEG-4 Part 10 I fail to understand what can be so new about it!

Some of us on the forum have been saying for quite some time that there's no reason why MPEG-4 AVC can't be burned onto regular DVD (instead of Blu-ray/HD DVD) blank media.... Seems like somebody has finally taken the hint.

Now, if Sony started manufacturing DVD/HDD combo's with MPEG-4 AVC recording, that would be really useful.... but I highly doubt they'll ever do it because they want to force feed us with Blu-ray/HDD recorders :scared:


Cheers

[siddharthagandhi]

But isn't this a different AVC codec? Like x264 and Nero Digital. Two different codecs....with different quality and compression algorithms and all that...

[darkavatar1470]

I actually quite like SVCDs before we got cheap DVD blanks & burners , (like, 3 years ago)
'cause max bitrate @ 30 min is pretty good enough for an episode of anime.....

so with the same reasoning, if standalones can play AVC off normal DVDs,
it might be a good compromise before the price of blu-ray/HD blanks comes down...

But then again, miniDVDs never worked for me.....
always lagging and way too short....

[SeeMoreDigital]

But isn't this a different AVC codec? Like x264 and Nero Digital. Two different codecs....with different quality and compression algorithms and all that...Both AVC encoders conform to "Part 10" of the MPEG-4 ISO/IEE 14496 specification, so "codec wise" they are the same!


Cheers

[GodofaGap]

I think siddharthagandhi means if the codec will be available for us to use. All h264 encoders follow the same standard and all streams should be decodable by any h264 decoder, but this does not mean that all h264 encoders produce the exact same output.

Since it is for camcorders I assume it will only be available on hardware chips, so not as a separate software. Although, I don't know if Sony has it's own AVC implementation and if the camcorder format would be limited to one implementation of AVC only. It could very well be that different camcorders also have different encoding chipsets, making the question siddharthagandhi posted a bit difficult to answer.

[SeeMoreDigital]

As far as I can see the proposed storage method (ie: AVC video with AC3 or PCM audio within .TS) is essentially the same as we Europeans will be getting for HDTV.... So it's hardly, a new HD format!


Cheers

[siddharthagandhi]

Godofagap- That's exactly what I mean. Just like the output video of x264 is different in terms of quality at a given bitrate than Nero Digital AVC (Ateme AVC), and the same for Sony AVC and MainConcept AVC and Xvid AVC, this new format was said to contain a new AVC HD codec made by Sony in the article. Will we be able to encode in it, public release of the codec?

[foxyshadis]

If it's AVC, then any AVC codec can encode it, barring certain restrictions (interlaced, extended profile). Most likely sony would just rebrand someone else's codec anyway.

The encoding quality makes no difference when it comes to being able to play it back, when the same features are used. Unless sony chose to rebrand quicktime's decoder. Ick.

[DarkNite]

You just had to say it... Now you know it will come true! I can just see it now:

"Sony releases next generation AVCHD camcorders bundled with QuickTime Pro (trial version)."

[siddharthagandhi]

"If it's AVC, then any AVC codec can encode it, barring certain restrictions (interlaced, extended profile). Most likely sony would just rebrand someone else's codec anyway.

The encoding quality makes no difference when it comes to being able to play it back, when the same features are used. Unless sony chose to rebrand quicktime's decoder. Ick."


The article said a totally NEW codec was used for the disc. Like x264. A NEW codec. Either I am miscomprehending or you are not reading.

[robU*4]

Is this only for MPEG-4 Part 10 video? This video format uses AC-3 or Linear PCM for high-quality sound (stated in the link)! Will this be new container for AVC video?


http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=33183

From what I read, the container will be MPEG Transport Stream (.ts).

[GodofaGap]

@siddharthagandhi:

I don't see the article mentioning a new codec at all, only that AVCHD is a new format. But with this the storage method of AC3+AVC in TS (?) on a DVD is meant, not a new video codec.

[kururu]

Errr... I think you all are misinterpreting the article. It's meant to be a replacement for HDV. Not for broadcast or movies, but for prosumer camcorders.

[SeeMoreDigital]

The article said a totally NEW codec was used for the disc. Like x264. A NEW codec. Either I am miscomprehending or you are not reading.Like GodofaGap mentioned I don't see anywhere in that article where it says "new codec". Even discribing Sony's AVCHD as a "new format" is purely marketing hype... nothing more!

I know... lets just think of Sony's AVCHD as being "new" to Sony.... Even though it's based around the same codec/specification some of us here have been playing around with for two years or so already!


Cheers

EDIT: In my opinion, Sony would have been better letting us capture to an high capacity memory stick instead of using an 80mm Mini DVD with an 1.4Gb capacity.... I take it these Blu-ray players will include a memory stick slot?

[CruNcher]

As i expected it and on the Professional Cams (HDCAM) they gonna replace it with AVC Losseless in the next years for sure :P now Microsoft is again 1 step behind with VC-1 on broadcast but still there is Panavision as a Partner for them, will be funny to see what happens in the coming years :D Definately the era of Film as we know it is slowly fading away too :)

[siddharthagandhi]

"Like GodofaGap mentioned I don't see anywhere in that article where it says "new codec". Even discribing Sony's AVCHD as a "new format" is purely marketing hype... nothing more!"

I quote:

"HD video using the above codec at twice the efficiency of the current MPEG 2 and MPEG4 codecs"

[SeeMoreDigital]

I give up!

[GodofaGap]

With "above codec" only the "MPEG4 AVC/H.264 compression system" can be meant, which is not that new or a codec. And it is said nowhere that Sony or Panasonic developed a new codec based on this standard. I think someone is trying to read a little too much in the article here. But this is for camcorders... would have been better placed in the hardware section methinks.

[siddharthagandhi]

Yea I probably misunderstood. But isn't AVC HD the same thing as an AVC encoded Blu-ray disc?

[Backwoods]

Sounds good to me. Like mentioned eariler, I hope Blu-Ray players play these discs back.

[siddharthagandhi]

The article said that they do playback in Blu-Ray Players.

[Backwoods]

Well there I go reading the thread instead of the article again. Nice to hear though.

[max-pain]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/zooma268.htm

AVCHD files:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezhqp1.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezhqp2.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezsm02.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezsm03.m2ts

[pierdeux]

WMP refused, VLC player didnot show video, so ??

( XP Pro , lightweight CPU.. which plays WMV@ 9Mbps perfectly well...)

[vsv]

MPC ok

[SeeMoreDigital]

From what I can see, the AVCHD files max-pain has linked to are "interlaced" with a resolution of 1440x1080/88.

Media Player Classic (MPC) will be able to play them, provided you have the correct MPEG-4 AVC direct-show decoder and .TS parser/splitter installed and configured.


Cheers

[Backwoods]

MPC was crashing for me, which splitter are you using?

[Schmendrick]

With PowerDVD7 installed you will have codecs installed to be able to play this format. It is just a regular transportstream container like also used for DVB-S2 satellite transmission from ASTRA in europe containing an AVC/H.264 video and AC3 5.1 audio stream.

[SeeMoreDigital]

MPC was crashing for me, which splitter are you using?CoreAVC 1.1 Pro (which includes Haali's new .TS splitter) ;)

[bond]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/zooma268.htm

AVCHD files:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezhqp1.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezhqp2.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezsm02.m2ts
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060809/ezsm03.m2tsthanks a lot for the links! :)

the files are .ts with avc video and ac3 audio

the video streams cause problems for libavcodec as they use a paff/mbaff combination
they also use cabac, loop and 2 reference frames (b-frames?)

also the streams seem to somehow not work with mpeg4ip's h264_parse tool which might indicate a wrong bitstream?

[guada2]

Hello,

Media Player Classic (MPC) will be able to play them, provided you have the correct MPEG-4 AVC direct-show decoder and .TS parser/splitter installed and configured.

Nero Show Time Too, and plays it perfectly (better) than MPC with CoreAVC 1.1 (Two green bands on the top and bottom of the video).??????


the video streams cause problems for libavcodec as they use a paff/mbaff combination
they also use cabac, loop and 2 reference frames (b-frames?)

Bond, do you think it is only that?

[guada2]

Just 2 questions:

- it is possible to convert this format AVCHD (.m2ts) to AVI ?
- Does exist softwares able to deal with this file or to convert it in another format (DivX, Wmv, DVD, AVC....etc).

Thanks.

[bond]

.m2ts is yet again a new pseudo format from sony. it seems to be very similar to .ts, but something is wrong with the headers

[SeeMoreDigital]

.m2ts is yet again a new pseudo format from sony. it seems to be very similar to .ts, but something is wrong with the headersIndeed.... I'm still trying to get my head around the need for their .M2T file extension (as used in their MPEG-2 HD camcorders)!

[bond]

making people think they invented a new format? and then charge for that new format?

[guada2]

m2ts is yet again a new pseudo format from sony. it seems to be very similar to .ts, but something is wrong with the headers

:thanks:

[guada2]

2 other questions:

- With the arrival of the AVCHD, can one say that the HDV is an intermediate solution?
- ( The market of the camcorders would be it in crisis? )

Thanks.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I don't think so..... MPEG-2 will be a popular format for many years to come, especially as it's roots are firmly embedded in the business/professional sector

In many respects the use of "DV Tape" in high-def MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC camcorders could be considered as an intermediate solution....

[drmpeg]

The .m2ts files appear to be captured over 1394 incorrectly, as the 1394 timestamp is present before each 188 byte packet. If the tool or demuxer can't handle 192 byte packets, it will have problems.

Otherwise, the stream is just a normal Transport Stream with H.264 video. The first stream "ezhqp1.m2ts" contains H.264 video that is field only, no MBAFF.

Ron

[drmpeg]

Here's the properly demuxed elementary streams:

http://www.w6rz.net/ezhqp1.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezhqp2.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezsm02.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezsm03.264

Ron

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi Ron,

I've got to ask.... How did you manage to de-mux the AVC streams?


Cheers

[drmpeg]

I just modified my xport demuxer tool. The normal 188 byte version is here:

http://www.w6rz.net/xport.zip

It will demux 188 byte Transport Streams with H.264 video. For H.264 video, it does not perform bitstream cutting to the first I-frame and first audio frame associated with that I-frame like it does with MPEG-2 video. I'd like to add the feature, but not enough time these days.

BTW, I was wrong on my previous post. The 192 byte packets are not 1394 packets, they are Blu-ray HDMV packets. This became obvious when I tried to demux the audio. Instead of the AC-3 stream being on stream_id 0xbd, it's on 0xfd. Also, there are specific Blu-ray HDMV descriptors in the stream. In fact, one of them spells out "HDMV" in ASCII.

The PID's also follow the HDMV specification:

0x0 = PAT
0x100 = PMT
0x1001 = PCR
0x1011 = video
0x1100 = audio
0x1200 = Presentation Graphics

There is a "Presentation Graphics" stream in these clips.

UPDATE: the modified version for HDMV streams is here:

http://www.w6rz.net/xporthdmv.zip

Ron

Hi Ron,

I've got to ask.... How did you manage to de-mux the AVC streams?


Cheers

[bond]

Here's the properly demuxed elementary streams:

http://www.w6rz.net/ezhqp1.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezhqp2.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezsm02.264
http://www.w6rz.net/ezsm03.264

Ronthose are not correct raw avc streams. there is something wrong with the headers the same way as they are wrong when demuxing with other tools

try to run h264_parse from mpeg4ip over them

[drmpeg]

They work fine with my in-house (LSI Logic/VideoLocus) bitstream analyzer. However, I'll try h264_parse.

Ron

[guada2]

those are not correct raw avc streams. there is something wrong with the headers the same way as they are wrong when demuxing with other tools

Yes.

drmpeg,
I saw your post:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=114679
Very interesting....

but say to me, where did you find these working tools. ;)
Do you know other method to demux .m2ts ?


To soon.

[Sergey A. Sablin]

Do you know other method to demux .m2ts ?
To soon.
Demuxer used inside Elecard player could do this without a problem - http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/consumer/mpeg-player/

[SeeMoreDigital]

Elecard's AVC DSdec v1.0.27 Build 60705 (2006-07-12) with Haali can also decode Ron's elementary streams muxed into MP4 using YAMB

[guada2]

"SAS" & "SMD"

:thanks:

[SeeMoreDigital]

I neglected to mention...

Elecard's AVC DSdec v1.0.27 Build 60705 (2006-07-12) can also decode the original .M2TS sources, using MediaPlayer Classics internal .TS splitter ;)

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm hopeless with commandline tools. Can anybody make a GUI?


Cheers

[max-pain]

New videos:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezsm.m2ts

15Mbps
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezxp.m2ts

9Mbps
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezhq.m2ts

7Mbps
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezsp.m2ts

5Mbps
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezlp.m2ts

[bond]

looking at this (http://www.blu-raydisc.com/assets/downloadablefile/5th_japan_04-13342.pdf) on page 21, it seems .m2ts is the extension for the video streams on bluraydiscs, so propably this sony cam tries to create bluray compliant files

[SeeMoreDigital]

That would seem logical ;)

[posdnya]

it seems .m2ts is the extension for the video streams on bluraydiscs, so propably this sony cam tries to create bluray compliant files

.M2TS is usual exetension for MPEG2 Transport Stream files. MPEG2 Transport Stream is used in Blue-Ray, HD DVD, DVB S2, DVB T/C/S, in other models of Sony cams with MPEG2 Video both SD and HD resolutions, and in many more cases.

[bond]

hddvd afaik uses program streams

[drmpeg]

hddvd afaik uses program streams
That's correct. It should also be noted that .m2ts files are for Blu-ray and AVCHD only.

The typical Transport Stream used in broadcast (ATSC, DVB-T,S,C, cable QAM and others) is a constant rate bitstream. However, the .m2ts format is intended for storage on blue or red laser optical discs.

It would be a waste of space to use a constant rate Transport Stream, so a variable rate Transport Stream is used instead. In order for the PCR (and clock recovery) to make sense, a 4-byte timestamp that represents arrival time is added to each 188-byte packet.

The timestamp allows playback that can reconstruct a constant rate (and T-STD compliant) Transport Stream from a variable rate stored bitstream.

Ron

[guada 2]

drmpeg,

then Blu-ray would uses .m2ts in VTS?
If i choose a day to use "CTS" mode, could you say me the space that i would take with a movie 90min?

[diogen]

It should also be noted that .m2ts files are for Blu-ray and AVCHD only.Ron,
Given that each blue laser camp uses its own - and different - format: program and transport stream, do you find any of them preferrable for the task at hand: reliability, security, encoding, etc.

Does HD-DVD use "standard" program streams?
What could be BD's reasoning for coming up with a new VBR trasport stream?

Thanks.
Diogen.

[Trahald]

you should look at the directory of a bluray disk and the directory of a hddvd disk. the hddvd directory (HVDVD_TS) is just the video_ts structure with different filenames. (ifo, bup and evo(vob)) the ifo files are even still stamped with text of the type (hd-dvdvmg100 or standard-vts) at the beginning like dvd ifos. the vobs(evos) and ifo internally are similar as well. vobedit can read a .evo (although it interprets most of the data wrong.. it gets some of it is right)

blu-ray disks carry a completely different structure. hddvd was built on top of dvd. blu ray was built from scratch (as a disc format i should say)

[drmpeg]

Ron,
Given that each blue laser camp uses its own - and different - format: program and transport stream, do you find any of them preferrable for the task at hand: reliability, security, encoding, etc.

Does HD-DVD use "standard" program streams?
What could be BD's reasoning for coming up with a new VBR trasport stream?

Thanks.
Diogen.
Yes, HD-DVD .evo files are exactly like SD DVD .vob files. They are standard MPEG-2 program streams with an additional audio stream id in the audio PES.

The choice of TS for Blu-ray is about recording. It's easy to make a .m2ts file on the fly. Just discard stuffing packets and add the arrival time timestamps before you store to optical or hard disk.

Ron

[pstdenis]

How do I use xport to demux the ac3 audio? The readme says to use the -d but I can't get that to work.

[drmpeg]

How do I use xport to demux the ac3 audio? The readme says to use the -d but I can't get that to work.
Sorry, it's a mistake in the readme. It is supposed to say the -n option.

For example:

xporthdmv -n ezsm.m2ts 1 1 1

The -d option dumps the PID for each packet.

Ron

[pstdenis]

Thanks Ron, that worked! I don't know if anyone can help with the next question I have. I am trying to get a workflow on OS X to convert it into something usable by Final Cut, your tool compiles and works without a problem, but I haven't found anything that will decode the CABAC interlaced video. Has anyone been able to play or convert the demuxed elementary streams using linux tools?

[bond]

every time i demux the avc stream to raw, the raw stream seems to be borked

[drmpeg]

every time i demux the avc stream to raw, the raw stream seems to be borked
The reference decoder has no problems with these streams.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060920/ezxp.m2ts

http://www.w6rz.net/xporthdmv.zip

http://www.w6rz.net/jmfrextdecoder.zip

xporthdmv -n ezxp.m2ts 1 1 1

ldecod -i bits0001.mpv -o decode.yuv

decode.yuv is planer 4:2:0.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4964/avchdlz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Ron

[bond]

still h264_parse from mpeg4ip isnt able to show all the nals, therefore i think there is something borked with the streams

[drmpeg]

still h264_parse from mpeg4ip isnt able to show all the nals, therefore i think there is something borked with the streams
Isn't it possible that h264_parse is what is actually "borked"?

Ron

[bond]

Isn't it possible that h264_parse is what is actually "borked"?

Ronit works perfectly on all files except those sony samples

[pstdenis]

Thanks for your help Ron!
Using your tool, the H.264/AVC Reference Software available here
http://iphome.hhi.de/suehring/tml/download/ (jm11.0.zip was the latest version the last time I checked).
and the YV12 Quicktime codec available here:
http://www.unthinkable.com/yv12codec.htm
By compiling xport and ldecod using xCode there is now a complete workflow from .m2ts to a Quicktime reference movie (playable in Final Cut without the need for rendering) using only OS X

The only gripe I have is how slow ldecod is, I guess that is to be expected for a reference implementation.

[drmpeg]

Thanks for your help Ron!
Using your tool, the H.264/AVC Reference Software available here
http://iphome.hhi.de/suehring/tml/download/ (jm11.0.zip was the latest version the last time I checked).
and the YV12 Quicktime codec available here:
http://www.unthinkable.com/yv12codec.htm
By compiling xport and ldecod using xCode there is now a complete workflow from .m2ts to a Quicktime reference movie (playable in Final Cut without the need for rendering) using only OS X

The only gripe I have is how slow ldecod is, I guess that is to be expected for a reference implementation.
Cool! I was hoping you would pick up on the reference decoder. Of course, like all reference decoders, it's slower than cold molasses. Now that you've got the workflow going, you can search for faster decoder source code.

Ron

[drmpeg]

it works perfectly on all files except those sony samples
h264_parse is a little buggy. The AVCHD streams fail because they have Picture timing SEI messages with cpb_removal_delay and dpb_output_delay fields. If you look at the code in the Picture timing SEI message parser, there's an obvious bug:

case 1: // picture timing
if (dec->CpbDpbDelaysPresentFlag) {
printf(" cpb_removal_delay: %u\n",
payload_bs.GetBits(dec->cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 + 1));
printf(" dpb_output_delay: %u\n",
payload_bs.GetBits(dec->cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 + 1));
}

It's incorrectly using the size of cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 to get the dpb_output_delay field.

It should be:

case 1: // picture timing
if (dec->CpbDpbDelaysPresentFlag) {
printf(" cpb_removal_delay: %u\n",
payload_bs.GetBits(dec->cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 + 1));
printf(" dpb_output_delay: %u\n",
payload_bs.GetBits(dec->dpb_output_delay_length_minus1 + 1));
}

The variable dpb_output_delay_length_minus1 isn't in the original code. It needs to be added to mp4av_h264.h and needs to be updated in h264_hrd_parameters() like so:

void h264_hrd_parameters (h264_decode_t *dec, CBitstream *bs)
{
uint32_t cpb_cnt;
dec->cpb_cnt_minus1 = cpb_cnt = h264_ue(bs);
uint32_t temp;
printf(" cpb_cnt_minus1: %u\n", cpb_cnt);
printf(" bit_rate_scale: %u\n", bs->GetBits(4));
printf(" cpb_size_scale: %u\n", bs->GetBits(4));
for (uint32_t ix = 0; ix <= cpb_cnt; ix++) {
printf(" bit_rate_value_minus1[%u]: %u\n", ix, h264_ue(bs));
printf(" cpb_size_value_minus1[%u]: %u\n", ix, h264_ue(bs));
printf(" cbr_flag[%u]: %u\n", ix, bs->GetBits(1));
}
temp = dec->initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 = bs->GetBits(5);
printf(" initial_cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1: %u\n", temp);

dec->cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1 = temp = bs->GetBits(5);
printf(" cpb_removal_delay_length_minus1: %u\n", temp);
dec->dpb_output_delay_length_minus1 = temp = bs->GetBits(5);
printf(" dpb_output_delay_length_minus1: %u\n", temp);
dec->time_offset_length = temp = bs->GetBits(5);
printf(" time_offset_length: %u\n", temp);
}

Also, the size of bitstream chunks that h264_parse is reading is too small for higher bitrate streams. Change:

#define MAX_BUFFER 65536

to

#define MAX_BUFFER 65536 * 4

Ron

[bond]

sounds interesting, can you make a patch for mpeg4ip?

[drmpeg]

sounds interesting, can you make a patch for mpeg4ip?
Here's the two updated files:

http://www.w6rz.net/main.cpp
http://www.w6rz.net/mp4av_h264.h

Ron

[bond]

Here's the two updated files:

http://www.w6rz.net/main.cpp
http://www.w6rz.net/mp4av_h264.h

Ronthanks! i linked the mpeg4ip devs to this fix

[pstdenis]

What is preventing the existing open source tools from decoding these AVCHD files? is it lack of support for parts of the AVC specification or a buggy implementation of these parts? Googling HDMV brings up very little other than it is part of the Blu-Ray specifcation is HDMV different than AVCHD?

[bond]

What is preventing the existing open source tools from decoding these AVCHD files? is it lack of support for parts of the AVC specification or a buggy implementation of these parts? Googling HDMV brings up very little other than it is part of the Blu-Ray specifcation is HDMV different than AVCHD?useage of interlaced propably

[pstdenis]

PAFF interlacing is not implemented is the error
and
BAFF + spatial direct mode is not implemented
from today's svn of mplayer.

Is there any open source project which does AVC decoding without using libavc?

[bond]

PAFF interlacing is not implemented is the error
and
BAFF + spatial direct mode is not implemented
from today's svn of mplayer.

Is there any open source project which does AVC decoding without using libavc? nope :)

[kensystem]

Finding the stream demuxer in open source tools sure has been hard. Also finding the PAFF interlace support. I broke down and paid $20 for CoreAVC which does the interlace, but doesn't come with a demuxer.. had to use one that came with another shareware product.

BTW I can generate and post these files at any of the bitrates that sony's HDR-SR1 can create, if anyone wants samples to play with. mail me at ffmpeg-user at onnet.cc.

Small one at http://onnet.cc/20061022153649.m2ts

[kensystem]

BTW, it's noteworthy I think, that these m2ts files are also the stream containers being used on Bluray discs.. In fact the software that comes with the sony camcorders has an option to 'Create AVCHD disc', which (after performing some file modification) basically places the raw m2ts files into the 'stream' folder on disc. The entire resulting file/directory structure looks just the like the documented Bluray one. It uses the simpler HDMV menu system. So, it seems to really be creating a 'Bluray' disc, except that if you do this with 4.7 GB media, it may not be on the UDF filesystem (I haven't yet checked if it's UDF, ISO, Joliet)

[SeeMoreDigital]

Thanks Ken,

Lots of "feet" in your sample...


Bond, do you know if anybody has asked whether .M2TS support can be added to MP4Box?


Cheers

[kensystem]

Thanks Ken,

Lots of "feet" in your sample...



Yes, it was just the smallest file I could find from what I'd shot that day. It shouldnt be used to get a feel for the video quality -- I can make some samples for that if anyone asks.

BTW I think the codec efficiency is really good. Pictures are stunning even though the camera controls (iris and focus namely) are very disappointing. From what I can tell, the stream is VBR (as has been discussed) - but the Quality (MB/s) setting you choose is actually the mean peak one (not mean average), and it only drops bitrate for low motion/complexity scenes. In other words 15 Mb/s will peak up to around 16MB, and drop to maybe 10 for simple video. I will actually test that tonight.

[bond]

Thanks Ken,

Lots of "feet" in your sample...


Bond, do you know if anybody has asked whether .M2TS support can be added to MP4Box?


Cheers
afaik .ts is already supported

[SeeMoreDigital]

afaik .ts is already supportedYes indeed, regular .TS is supported.

However, I've had little success using MP4Box to de-mux streams placed within .M2TS - It reports: "File has no selectable tracks" :(

On a more positive note MP4Box is able to de-mux (MPEG-2 video/ MP2 audio) streams placed within .M2T :D


Cheers

[easy2Bcheesy]

How difficult would it be to be able to encode and mux our own .m2ts files? Could any of the recognised HD formats be used, eg 720p/59.94?

[mikeathome]

Hi,
I am lost with these .m2ts. I don't get any audio playback using CoreAVC Ver. 1.1 + Haali.

I did demux with xporthdmv.exe and get the 3/2 AC3. But no sound when playback a .m2ts with MPC. MPC is using the internal MPEG-2 Splitter which does not recognise the AC3 audio in these streams.

In Graphedit Haali does not accept the .m2ts, not supported... What is the trick? Does it work at all with Haali, or do I need to install Nero Showtime or PowerDVD 7? Elecard did gave me an Error Message as well, may be my early trial version. Which exact versions are you using?

mike

[pstdenis]

mikeathome,
the filter graph in graphedit for me contains
m2ts Elecard MPEG Demultiplexer Version 1.0.1.9 (Build 51017)
Elecard AVC/h.264 Decoder DMO
the audio part comes from
AC3Filter v1.01a 2002-2004 by Alexander Vigovsky

[easy2Bcheesy]

I have an AVCHD disk image here, about 92mb. It is a UDF 2.5 Nero NRG image. I burnt the file and am using Nero InCD to view it on Windows XP. It was generated by the new Sony HDR-UX1 camera.

As AVCHD could be an invaluable way to produce very easy, homebrew high definition DVDs playable on any Blu-ray player (including PS3) is there any appetite amongst the more talented people here to reverse engineer it so we can produce our own high definition DVDs?

The File structure is very straightforward:

BDMV
|_BACKUP
|_CLIPINF
|_PLAYLIST
|_STREAM
index.bdmv (1K)
MovieObject.bdmv (1K)

There is nothing in the BACKUP folder.

There are a series of files between 500-800 bytes long in the CLIPINF folder - filenames correspond to the streams into the STREAM folder, but the files have a CLPI suffix, eg 00000.CLPI

In the PLAYLIST folder is one file - 00000.MPLS. Hex-editing it I can see all the filenames in the STREAM folder so I guess this is a playlist object that runs all the videos on the disk in sequence.

In the STREAM folder you find all of your AVC .mt2s files, in the case of this image 00000.M2TS to 00006.MT2S

If you look on this (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.watch.impress.co.jp%2Fav%2Fdocs%2F20061111%2Fps3.htm&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools) page you can see the PS3 playing back an AVCHD disk from the same camera as my disk image. A googled translation of a feature on this camera can be found here. (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.watch.impress.co.jp%2Fav%2Fdocs%2F20061111%2Fps3.htm&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)

If any one wants the image, please let me know and I'll post you a link. It is not copyrighted material being derived from the camera and a couple of moments' worth of shooting.

[SeeMoreDigital]

If any one wants the image, please let me know and I'll post you a link. It is not copyrighted material being derived from the camera and a couple of moments' worth of shooting.Well.... I'm certainly interested in the "image" file ;)

[mikeathome]

mikeathome,
the filter graph in graphedit for me contains
m2ts Elecard MPEG Demultiplexer Version 1.0.1.9 (Build 51017)
Elecard AVC/h.264 Decoder DMO
the audio part comes from
AC3Filter v1.01a 2002-2004 by Alexander Vigovsky

pstdenis,
THANK YOU!

I installed latest Elecard Player and AVC Plugin. The Demultiplexer version is 2. The Elecard AVC/h.264 Decoder DMO does not show up anymore in any filter tool. They probably blocked it from being used by any other soft than the Elecard Player. With the Player the clips play w/o prob incl. AC3 sound.

The AVC filter can't be chosen in Graphedit either ... blocked. Need to get hold of an old version. The new version shows Mainconcept as authors.

mike

[max-pain]

Panasonic HDC-SD1 AVCHD files:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20061213/zooma284.htm

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20061213/ezsm_sm.m2ts
13Mbps CBR:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20061213/ezsm_hf.m2ts
9Mbps VBR:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20061213/ezsm_hn.m2ts
6Mbps VBR:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20061213/ezsm_he.m2ts

[kensystem]

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=118220&highlight=avchd

[DJ_Izumi]

I'm using MPC with Haali (I think it's using Haali) and CoreAVC Pro 1.1 to decode these m2ts and some M(2)TS streams off the Sony HD camera in question. I'm not getting any audio decoded, is the splitter just not capable of parsing that?

[aolmos]

Hi,

For those of us using Linux, I put together a readme and some sample scripts on how to convert .m2ts files to a format playable with mplayer.

Here's a link to the package I put together:
http://www.olmosconsulting.com/m2ts.tar.gz

Here is the procedure used:
1. Use xporthdmv to convert the file into .mpv and .mpa files.
2. Use ldecod to convert the .mpv file into a .yuv file.
3. Rename the .mpa file ldecod created to .ac3
4. Convert the .yuv file into a .y4m file using yuv4mpeg.

At this point, you have a .y4m file and .ac3 file which should be
standard.

5. Use ffmpeg to create a .avi file that contains the .y4m
transcoded to something else and the .ac3 file.

Sample commands:
xporthdmv -nh FILE.m2ts 1 1 1
ldecod -i bits0001.mpv -o /tmp/FILE.yuv
mv bits0001.mpa /tmp/FILE.ac3
yuv4mpeg -w 1440 -h 1080 -x 420mpeg2 < /tmp/FILE.yuv > /tmp/FILE.y4m
ffmpeg -i /tmp/FILE.y4m -i /tmp/FILE.ac3 -acodec copy -vcodec h264 -sameq -s 1440x1080 -aspect 16:9 -b 15000000 FILE.avi

If there is anyone out there who knows what they are doing with ffmpeg and
has suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Axel

[Adub]

@aolmos
Nice work. I look forward to testing on my linux box.

[ib84]

i successfully converted several AVCHD-files on my Mac as described several times before, using xporthdmv, ldecod and ffmpeg.

As it has been stated several times now, ldecod is extremely slow (1ghz G4Powerbook 1 second becomes 1minute Processing!!).

I have been searching doom9 and google about x264 support of PAFF interlacing, hoping for a considerable perfomance boost.

According to
http://www.via.ecp.fr/via/ml/x264-devel/2006-06/msg00018.html
and
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=111527&highlight=PAFF+x264
>there is< x264 support for PAFF-interlacing.

Still, i did not find any post about the actual process of decoding/transcoding AVCHD-mt2s-files using x264/libavc instead of ldecod. There was some discussion about a x264_parse-patch for mp4ip that i did not understand completely, but demuxing is not the problem.

maybe i am too stupid to read it out of it, i am not an export, but to me it seems there is only support for PAFF-encoding, but not PAFF-decoding. is this true?

could someone please clarify this?

Is it possible to decode AVCHD-files (H.264/HighProfile/PAFF-Interlaced) with Opensource?
when yes, how exactly do it, given the bits0001.mpv output form xporthdmv?

thank you very much for any answers

[toytown]

Not sure if your aware, but encoding to HDAVC can now be done in the newest nero, i was trying it today and its quite quick and good quality.

[ib84]

@toytown: yeah, i know there already exists something on windows. sometimes it would be good to have a normal PC...

however, i´m sitting on a mac, so i would like to know, if with the recent PAFF-support included into x264, you can transcode demuxed AVCHD-files into i.e. MJPEG?

Besides speed boost, i hope also that this will provide me with more control on the transcoding process, such as H.264 deblocking, scaling& deinterlacing from 1440x1080i/60fps to 1920x1080p/30fps, desaturate, etc.
But this is not the question here.
I just want to know how to do transcode the demuxed AVDHD-files with x264 , ffmpeg, mencoder or any other Opensource-tool.

thank for any answers!

[jchunter_2]

I am trying to import an .m2ts file that was originally taken from a Sony SR1 into Ulead Video Studio version 11. However, it won't do it without most / all of the AVCHD DVD directory structure.

I don't have an SR1 and so don't know exactly what the dir structure is and what are the essential files and file formats. I have tried the dir format listed by easy2Bcheesey (posted in this thread, earlier) but no cigar, yet. VS needs something in the other folders.

Has anyone worked out the file organizations of the auxilliary files e.g., in CLIPINF and PLAYLIST folders?

[Konstantin]

Hi All,
For movie file conversion from Sony AVCHD format to MPEG-2 HDV and MPEG-2 DVD compatible formats you can use Elecard Converter Studio AVCHD Edition.
Read more here:
http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/consumer/converter-studio-avchd/

[jagaskywalker]

Not sure if your aware, but encoding to HDAVC can now be done in the newest nero, i was trying it today and its quite quick and good quality.

I have created several AVCHD tests DVDs using Nero Vision, testing AC3 and LPCM tracks. I play them using the Playstation 3.

My experience is that audio is always out of sync (it seems that AC3 is worse than LPCM). I would expect this to be an "issue" of Nero, but I cannnot confirm as I do not have any other source for AVCHD discs (i.e. with the full AVCHD disc image).

In PS3 it seems that 5.1 AC3 multichannel is kept (when using AVCHD discs). Unfortunatelly, when playing the m2ts files directly in the XMB audio is sent to the optical output as PCM 2.0....

In addition to the audio problems, Nero Vision offers little "tunning" of the output (e.g. no 720p to save some space). Is there any other AVCHD authoring software allowing such control ? (and with 5.1 AC3...)

Thanks

[Konstantin]

Hi All,
Elecard AVCHD to DV Transcoder is an incredibly easy and handy tool for digital camcorder owners who want to convert their videos from AVCHD® to DV format. This tiny program will do the exact conversion you have wanted since you bought your camera.
All you have to do is to open an AVCHD® video file or folder that contains your AVCHD® videos taken with your digital camcorder (for example, Sony® HDR-SR1E, Panasonic® HDC-SD1) and click the Convert button. Now you have a DV video file that you can open in any audio/video editing application such as Microsoft® Windows® Movie Maker.
Read more here:
http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/consumer/avchd-dv-transcoder/

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi All,
Elecard AVCHD to DV Transcoder is an incredibly easy and handy tool for digital camcorder owners who want to convert their videos from AVCHD® to DV format. This tiny program will do the exact conversion you have wanted since you bought your camera.
All you have to do is to open an AVCHD® video file or folder that contains your AVCHD® videos taken with your digital camcorder (for example, Sony® HDR-SR1E, Panasonic® HDC-SD1) and click the Convert button. Now you have a DV video file that you can open in any audio/video editing application such as Microsoft® Windows® Movie Maker.
Read more here:
http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/consumer/avchd-dv-transcoder/And it costs $35.00 US :eek:

[Konstantin]

Yes it cost 35$. You can read more info here: http://www.elecard.com/products/products-pc/consumer/avchd-dv-transcoder/

Best Regards
Konstantin

[vlada]

Hi, I have a question regarding AVCHD and libavcodec. Today I got some videos from Panasonic AVCHD camcorder. Unfortunately it is 1080i with PAFF. I expect there is no free player/editor which would be able to work with this video. Are there any plans to implement PAFF support in libavcodec?

I think it is quite an important feature if there are cmacorders using it.

[Gotchaa]

Has anyone tried streaming the raw m2ts file to the PS3 using WMP11 or Zune and the media server connection on the PS3?

[B4tm4n]

Has anyone tried streaming the raw m2ts file to the PS3 using WMP11 or Zune and the media server connection on the PS3?

try renaming the *.m2ts file to *.mpg and it should work, i works with m2ts files off Blu-ray discs.

[LigH]

If you'd like some more material for testing:

Wedding shot (http://www.holzon.de/PRIVAT/wedding.m2ts) (~20 MB -- SONY HDC, AVCHD = 192 bytes TS packets, 1440x1080 anamorphic, interlaced)

I was able to demux it using xport (http://www.w6rz.net/xport.zip) (note the new URL):

xport.exe -h wedding.m2ts 1 1 1

(*.mpv => *.264 / *.mpa => *.ac3)

Now, unfortunately, there is no support for PAFF in libavcodec for DGAVCDec yet.

[vlada]

LigH
The good news is, that there is already a patch for ffmpeg to support PAFF. So we might soon see it in ffdshow, DGAVCDec, Avidemux etc.

[Schmendrick]

The last build of ffdshow (libavcodec.dll Version 51.43.0, gcc 4.2.1, x86 (Oct 2 2007 19:04:28)) still has not incorporated a proper PAFF-support even though a PAFF-patch has been published. I tested the above clip and it was not properly decoded by this build of ffdshow in contrast to the CoreAVC codec.

Schmendrick

[LigH]

DGAVCDec 1.00a8 works quite well with libavcodec from ffdshow-tryout builds around mid-November (tested: 2007-11-16 by clsid) on material made by a SONY AVCHD camera. At least forward converting; VirtualDub disappeared when jumping around in the AviSynth script forth and back.

And now that I found the richt-click feature in tsremux, I prefer that to demux the AVC stream.

[Guest]

VirtualDub disappeared when jumping around in the AviSynth script forth and back. I'll see if I can fix that.

[smok3]

there is now also AVC-intra (seems like only panasonic and only for 'better' camcorders)
http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/home.asp

[BENtheTEN]

I just checked the latest mplayer svn (svn update about 30 minutes ago) and it still seems to have a problem with the files from my Sony CX7.
mplayer tells me the reason, but as I am not a coder and have no ideas about codecs I can't help :-(
(Interlaced pictures + spatial direct mode is not implemented)


http://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00000.mts
http://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00002.mts
http://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00064.mts
are these samples helpful here, or do I have to post them at the mplayerhq somewhere?

[0ctane]

BEN, you will have more results (although slim) if you post this to the ffmpeg or mplayer mailing lists. If you searched a bit, you would find out that neither can properly handle AVCHD content yet.

For linux and Mac users, you can go here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789775) to get more info on converting AVCHD content to something usable.

[foxyshadis]

there is now also AVC-intra (seems like only panasonic and only for 'better' camcorders)
http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/home.asp

Weird, I wonder why they've started using it when they have so much invested in DVC Pro already. Does anyone else use it?

[communist]

Weird, I wonder why they've started using it when they have so much invested in DVC Pro already. Does anyone else use it?
Its only a change to a more efficient codec to get more on the media (P2 Cards). They have to compete with Sony's latest move to use flash memory too. Sony while entering the record to flash-media market very late has the advantage to use a newer standard (google 'SxS') and start with way higher capacities and lower prices than what was available when P2 was introduced.

The only other company I know of using AVC-Intra is Hitachi with their HD-Studio cameras, the video output via Triax is encoded with AVC-Intra ~130-150 MBit/s.
I'm not sure if this is the standard method to transport HD/4:2:2 over regular Triax (not optical fiber).

[foxyshadis]

Are you sure it's more efficient, though? Both use bitrates of 50mbps or 100mbps, aside from hitachi's even higher bitrates, and while AVC has some block-to-block intra prediction modes, I can't imagine them making any real dent on quality at those bitrates.

Seems like a change for change's sake, unless it's much cheaper than DVCPro or everyone's agreed to make it a new standard.

[communist]

DVCPro: 25MBit/s, 4:1:1 or 50 MBit/s, 4:2:2 (8 bit depth).
'Normal' DVCProHD runs at 100 MBit/s, 4:2:2, the recorded resolution is 960x720 for 720p and 1280x1080 / 1440x1080 for 1080i-59.94i / 50i.
The AVC-Intra option will allow you to use 50 or 100 MBit/s. At 50Mbit/s the resolution recorded is the same as with DVCProHD. At 100 MBit/s you get the full-raster HD image , 4:2:2 and 10 bit depth.

I dont know if it really is better - never used DVCPro Gear higher than 25 ;)

[Yod4z]

for those who use Windows 2K or XP don't use the last build (18/11/2007) of halli matroska splitter. I have a Canon HR10 and i have a black screen on MPC using this build but this build work correctly on vista.

Use the 03/06/2007 build for Windows XP or 2K.

[smok3]

Are you sure it's more efficient, though? Both use bitrates of 50mbps or 100mbps, aside from hitachi's even higher bitrates, and while AVC has some block-to-block intra prediction modes, I can't imagine them making any real dent on quality at those bitrates.

Seems like a change for change's sake, unless it's much cheaper than DVCPro or everyone's agreed to make it a new standard.

it is weird, i have no idea what was the point of it.

[BENtheTEN]

I actually can convert the files using xport and ffmpeg

but no matter what setting I try audio always gets out of sync.
It starts perfectly in sync but it gets more and more out of sync the longer the movie is ..

(my cx7 is a europe edition - means 25fps .. or 25000/1001 .. I don't know)

[BENtheTEN]

btw. I can actually play audio in sync using the command:
mplayer -audiofile audiofile.ac3 videofile.avi

so there must be a problem in my joining command line which is:
ffmpeg -r 25000/1000 -s 1440x1080 -i /tmp/$1.yuv -i /tmp/$1.ac3 -acodec copy -vcodec libx264 -sameq -aspect 16:9 -b 15000k $1.avi

Has anyone else the same problem or even better a solution?

[0ctane]

Try "-r pal". Although, some NTSC cameras ("-r ntsc") have been known to hit the european shores, and I have heard of some pal cameras in the USA.

[BENtheTEN]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I tried -r 25, -r 24, -r pal, -r ntsc, -r 25000/1001, -r 30000/1001 and -r 24000/1001 and none of these work.

The only way to play it, is to leave the ac3 file seperated and play it with the -audiofile option.

(FYI it's pal/25fps)

Thanks
Ben

[BENtheTEN]

I'm still stuck converting my avchd files to something usable/editable without loosing the sync of the audio.
Could anyone try to do the same an check if it's just my problem or ffmpeg, please? (already posted to the ffmpeg mailing list)

Example:
00009.mts
-------------
Splitting the file
xporthdmv -h 00009.mts 1 1 1
convert video file to yuv
ldecod -i bits0001.mpv -o 00009.mts.yuv
rename audio file to ac3
mv bits0001.mpa 00009.mts.ac3
merging the two files in an avi file
ffmpeg -r pal -s 1440x1080 -i 00009.mts.yuv -i 00009.mts.ac3 -acodec copy -vcodec libx264 -sameq -aspect 16:9 -b 15000k -deinterlace 00009.mts.avi
-------------

now when I start "mplayer 00009.mts.avi" then the audio is out of sync
BUT when I start "mplayer 00009.mts.avi -audiofile 00009.mts.ac3" the
audio is perfectly in sync. I tried converting only the audio, only the
video, both, none .. but no matter what I do, if I merge them with
ffmpeg or mencoder(svn) which should be more or less the same, the audio
moves out of sync.

The files:
original: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts
conv. a/v: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts.avi
audio only: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts.ac3


Thanks
Ben

[0ctane]

I'm still stuck converting my avchd files to something usable/editable without loosing the sync of the audio.
Could anyone try to do the same an check if it's just my problem or ffmpeg, please? (already posted to the ffmpeg mailing list)

Example:
00009.mts
-------------
Splitting the file
xporthdmv -h 00009.mts 1 1 1
convert video file to yuv
ldecod -i bits0001.mpv -o 00009.mts.yuv
rename audio file to ac3
mv bits0001.mpa 00009.mts.ac3
merging the two files in an avi file
ffmpeg -r pal -s 1440x1080 -i 00009.mts.yuv -i 00009.mts.ac3 -acodec copy -vcodec libx264 -sameq -aspect 16:9 -b 15000k -deinterlace 00009.mts.avi
-------------

now when I start "mplayer 00009.mts.avi" then the audio is out of sync
BUT when I start "mplayer 00009.mts.avi -audiofile 00009.mts.ac3" the
audio is perfectly in sync. I tried converting only the audio, only the
video, both, none .. but no matter what I do, if I merge them with
ffmpeg or mencoder(svn) which should be more or less the same, the audio
moves out of sync.

The files:
original: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts
conv. a/v: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts.avi
audio only: https://www.bentheten.com/cx7/00009.mts.ac3
It will make people's lives easier if you change https to http in your links.

Anyhow, I converted your sample. Yes, I agree that it is PAL.

Interesting... Using:ffmpeg -r pal -s 1440x1080 -i 00009.yuv -i bits0001.ac3 -acodec pcm_s16le -vcodec mpeg4 -sameq -aspect 16:9 -b 15000k -deinterlace 00009.mov I notice the sync problem too. If I take the film into Quicktime Pro and export it back out, the sync is fixed. Anyhow, I suggest you take this to the ffmpeg mailing list.

[BENtheTEN]

Thanks for the answer.
I already posted it to the ffmpeg developer mailing list: http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2007-December/039572.html

[bond]

moved, as avchd seems to be bluray compatible and therefore better fits here

[kartu]

Any updates, did anyone find solution? I still get error with the lates ffmpeg when encoding mts file from Panasonic (AVCHD). :(

[Atak_Snajpera]

Did you try DGAVCDEC?