DVBViewer->PVAStrumento->MPEG2Schnitt - Couple Questions

[Airw0lf]

Hi,

I've been using the guide http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/DigiTV/dvb-basics.htm to try and capture DVB video "properly".

So far this is what I've done:
1. Use DVBViewer to capture as PVA.
2. Use PVAStrumento to demux. I have chosen the option to make .idd files for MPEG2Schnitt. So I have files like "05-12 14-29-15_TV2_00.mpa" and "05-12 14-29-15_TV2_00.mpv" plus .idd files.
3. When I load the .mpv file into MPEG2Schnitt, I've worked out that the .idd files just act as indexes to help load the file moe quickly. Am I to assume all the sync offsets/delays are taken care of for me? If I use PVAStrumento to demux for Cuttermaran it writes a comment about audio delay to the mpa filename...
4. After finishing cutting, what is the best tool to use to mux my streams together? I'm not really that interested in converting to a DVD compliant video, I just want a .mpg file that will play on a PC. I've tried using Mplex but I'm not sure if I'm doing it quite right. Should I turn VBR off, and just go with the max computed bitrate? I don't think Align Sequence Headers is necessary since I am not going to DVD/SVCD. The resulting filename after muxing seems to play back ok, but the muxed file is a hell of a lot bigger than the size of the mpv + mpa. The mpv + mpa is about 400 mb, and the resulting mpg ends up around 500 mb.

Can anyone comment on whether my approach is on the right track? I'm mostly unsure about getting MPEG2Schnitt to do the right thing, or if my muxing settings are right.

[Pookie]

There are a lot of ways of doing this. I guess you're cutting the file to remove commercials? The easiest way by far is to use VideoRedo Plus, which at $50 is worth every penny. No need to demux or remux.

You could also try Mpg2cut2, http://www.geocities.com/rocketjet4/ . I don't know if it will load .PVA files, but test it out.

If you decide to do the demux-cut-remux procedure, then consider using ProjectX for the demuxing. It will compensate for any A/V delay. http://download.videohelp.com/download/ProjectX_090.4.00.zip

Your mplex settings aren't that important if you only plan on playing back on the PC.

[Airw0lf]

Yup, I'm trying to remove commercials, or keep just a few extracts that I need and discard the rest.

If you decide to do the demux-cut-remux procedure, then consider using ProjectX for the demuxing. It will compensate for any A/V delay. http://download.videohelp.com/download/ProjectX_090.4.00.zip

Doom's guide implies that both PVAStrumento and ProjectX can compensate for delays. I'm not sure exactly how either of them do it though. All my tests so far with PVAStrumento have ended up in sync, although that could be just good luck.

Your mplex settings aren't that important if you only plan on playing back on the PC.

I agree.

[ronnylov]

MPEG2Schnitt is a little bit more accurate in the cutting compared to cutting directly in ProjectX because MPEG2Schnitt can set cut out points on P-frames, not only I-frames.

But a quicker way to do it is to do the commercial removal, fixing and remuxing in the same step with ProjectX. It can output to program stream (mpg) directly. I prefer to output to transport stream (TS) in projectX because it can keep ac3 audio in ts (I do not think mpg format supports ac3 audio).

Regarding DVBViewer I prefer to record in TS format because then I can include subtitles and ac3 audio too (which is not supported by PVA format).

[Airw0lf]

Regarding DVBViewer I prefer to record in TS format because then I can include subtitles and ac3 audio too (which is not supported by PVA format).

I guess you're using the full version of DVBViewer. I'm using the Technisat edition that comes with the Skystar2. It can only do MPG or PVA.

[ronnylov]

Yes I am using DVBViewer Pro with Digital Everywhere FireDTV. The Technisat edition does not work with my hardware.