Blu-Ray~DVD Backup & Conversion

[laserfan]

Well, I did use your BAT and two passes etc. but yes it's blocky from the start (the orig is fine).

I just found the videohelp page for MeGUI that says "set keyint to 10x framerate" i.e. 240 and the minkey to 24 so now I don't know what to make of the profiles I mentioned.

I'll try the process again when I don't need my CPU for a few days! ;)

[G_M_C]

Well, I did use your BAT and two passes etc. but yes it's blocky from the start (the orig is fine).

I just found the videohelp page for MeGUI that says "set keyint to 10x framerate" i.e. 240 and the minkey to 24 [...]

Those arent Blu-ray compliant. Blu-ray compliant keyint are as i stated above in post #246.

ANyway; I've been trying to do with Blu-ray what DVD-RB does for DVD's (i.e. thake the "big" BR and re-encode+remux to smaller disk(s) ).

I take a AVC-encoded main movie M2TS, and index the video with DGAVCIndex. I demux the audio & chapters with EAC3to. Make a AVS, and encode that with the commandline and bitrate/specs i gave earlier in this thread. After encoding i mux the audio, video and chapters with TSMuxeR to blu-ray. Most work OK, but with the new audio-formats; I saw a post here on Doom9 how to fix that, cause is seems to be a tsMuxeR problem. And i havent got the hang of the subtitles yet.

What i want to say is that it should be possible to make a BR-Rebuilder (BD-50 ==> BD-25, and/or BD ==> BR-DVD9/5), since it looks like it is possible to do the same idea by hand atm. Too bad that some of the programms needed are not open source, so you cant get hints on their workings from their sources.

[laserfan]

Those arent Blu-ray compliant. Blu-ray compliant keyint are as i stated above in post #246.I'm confused--WHICH aren't BR compliant, the Sharktooth profiles or the 10x comments (http://forum.videohelp.com/topic333634.html)in videohelp forum.

Re: my blockiness, maybe has something to do with the version of x264 I used. Here's what MediaInfo says about it:

Writing library : x264 core 61 r955 d4265bb
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=6 / brdo=1 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=2pass / bitrate=4000 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=1.00 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=17500 / vbv_bufsize=14745 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=2:1.00

[jdobbs]

Here's the .BAT updated to limit key interval to 24 (to comply with the 1 sec limit).

@SET IN_TITLE=FILETITLE
@SET IN_BITRATE=5240
TIME /T
"E:\X264\x264.exe" "%IN_TITLE%.AVS" --bitrate %IN_BITRATE% --level 4.1 --sar 1:1
--aud --vbv-bufsize 14745 --vbv-maxrate 17500 --filter 0,0 --bframes 3 --direct auto
--keyint 24 --min-keyint 1 --subme 2 --analyse none --me dia --threads auto --thread-input
--progress --no-psnr --no-ssim --stats "stats2.log" --pass 1 --output NUL
TIME /T
"E:\X264\x264.exe" "%IN_TITLE%.AVS" --bitrate %IN_BITRATE% --level 4.1 --sar 1:1 --aud
--vbv-bufsize 14745 --vbv-maxrate 17500 --filter 0,0 --ref 3 --mixed-refs --bframes 3
--keyint 24 --min-keyint 1 --b-rdo --bime --weightb --direct auto --subme 6 --trellis 1
--analyse p8x8,b8x8,i4x4,i8x8 --8x8dct --me umh --threads auto --thread-input
--progress --no-psnr --no-ssim --stats "stats2.log" --pass 2 --output "%IN_TITLE%.264"
TIME /T
PAUSE

[laserfan]

Just had a disscusion about that elswhere on the board; Bluray specs say that a GOP can be max 1 sec long. Based on that I set my --keyint equal to the framerate, rounded off....My posting (and further discussion about --keyint): http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1178039#post1178039OK I looked at that thread and derive from it that 24 is the right answer as you've said already, and that the 250 that others have used (and wrongly state as BR compliant) have done so because it works on many-but-not-all BR players esp. the PS3 which is another beast entirely.

So I will use 24. I suppose maybe the 250 I used for my 1 & only encoding thus far may have contributed to blockiness but in any case I've looked further at my disc and it's unacceptable I would say as a "keeper". :o FWIW the movie is LiveFreeorDieHard Blu-Ray--not even sure it's worth a DL! :p

[jdobbs]

I found a spec summary online that says depending upon the bitrate you can have up to 2 seconds (if you stay under 15Mbs) -- but one second is what you should use. I sure would be nice if there were a single place to go for that, similar to mpucoder's DVD specification site.

I suppose maybe the 250 I used for my 1 & only encoding thus far may have contributed to blockiness. Not likely. If anything it would have made it better.

[G_M_C]

OK I looked at that thread and derive from it that 24 is the right answer as you've said already, and that the 250 that others have used (and wrongly state as BR compliant) have done so because it works on many-but-not-all BR players esp. the PS3 which is another beast entirely.

So I will use 24. I suppose maybe the 250 I used for my 1 & only encoding thus far may have contributed to blockiness but in any case I've looked further at my disc and it's unacceptable I would say as a "keeper". :o FWIW the movie is LiveFreeorDieHard Blu-Ray--not even sure it's worth a DL! :p

Just a reminder; It is not allways 24 ! I've made encodings of clips that were 29,97 fps (deinterlaced) that had nu duplicates that i could find, so no decimation/pull-down removal was possible.

Those clips should be encoded with --keyint 30 (29,97 rounded up). And offcourse there are the many PAL clips, that should be encoded as --keyint 25.

Thats why i stick to the definition that --keyint == framerate, rounded to the next integer (rounded up mostly).

[laserfan]

Not likely. If anything it would have made it better.
Well, I made the keyframe changes and upped the bitrate by 50% to 6000. Encoded the first 500 frames, and while it looks a lot better, it still is easily distinguishable from the original.

I'm decoding with ffdshow and I think jdobbs you use CoreAVC--can't imagine this would account for the weakness in my method but... well I'm just a bit disappointed so far. :confused:

[jdobbs]

CoreAVC definitely gave me a boost in speed, but I don't think it had any noticable effect on quality. If you are using my .BAT, make sure you are not using a psyRDO version of X264 -- because (as I understand it) trellis shouldn't be used with psyRDO.

[jdobbs]

Those clips should be encoded with --keyint 30 (29,97 rounded up). And offcourse there are the many PAL clips, that should be encoded as --keyint 25. Good point. But I don't think it would make a dramatic difference. Interestingly, I've done about 50 of these now (all with a GOP of 250, arrghh), and I have yet to have seen one that wasn't 23.976fps.

[G_M_C]

Good point. But I don't think it would make a dramatic difference. Interestingly, I've done about 50 of these now (all with a GOP of 250, arrghh), and I have yet to have seen one that wasn't 23.976fps.

I live in The Netherlands, so we get quite a lot of PAL stuff here ;)

Also there are offcourse some HD channels that use 1080i @ 50 or 60. It only makes sense to encode those caps @ 720p50 or 30 (no pull-down required mostly, cause in many of those streams there are no duplicates or obvious blends (so no pull-down to 23,976 possible).

And anyway; Your streams work fine, so it's not really a problem. The only (possible) problem occurs on layer-breaks, and we're not even shure thats caused by the long GOP's.

[laserfan]

CoreAVC definitely gave me a boost in speed, but I don't think it had any noticable effect on quality. If you are using my .BAT, make sure you are not using a psyRDO version of X264 -- because (as I understand it) trellis shouldn't be used with psyRDO.I used the latest build from the x264 site (then 955), which I don't think had the psyRDO feature, but also I found the --longhelp didn't have anything about --filter which is in your BAT. And after reading more a link from G_M_C wherein x264 builds are discussed I've gotten dizzy to say the least.

I think I am going to try instead the r938 build referenced by GMC and also his commands noted earlier. He also has mentioned much higher bitrates than you are using jdobbs.

[jdobbs]

The bitrate is finite and is determined by the size of the media you will use -- not preference.

Not sure why you are seeing blocking. All I can say is that I've done 50+ of these, most on DVD-5, and on my 52" Sony 1920x1080 LCD display using HDMI the output is indistinguishable from the original.

[G_M_C]

I think I am going to try instead the r938 build referenced by GMC and also his commands noted earlier. He also has mentioned much higher bitrates than you are using jdobbs.

I've updated to the newest pached version by techouse; http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1178835#post1178835

And the higher bitrate I use is because I mostly work with 1080p (1920x1080 progressive) HighDef material. On regular DVD's, you can use much lower bitrates; In fact the ~5000 used by jdobbs should be plenty (i've seen 720p encodings at that bitrate, so you might even go lower).

If you see (quantization?) blocking on your encodes, and their resolution (source) is indeed DVD, than it might be something else; It might even be the source or your AVS-script.

BTW: Comparing results with jdobbs doesn't really work, except when you work from the exact same source offcourse.

[laserfan]

And the higher bitrate I use is because I mostly work with 1080p (1920x1080 progressive) HighDef material. On regular DVD's, you can use much lower bitrates; In fact the ~5000 used by jdobbs should be plenty (i've seen 720p encodings at that bitrate, so you might even go lower).

If you see (quantization?) blocking on your encodes, and their resolution (source) is indeed DVD, than it might be something else; It might even be the source or your AVS-script.

BTW: Comparing results with jdobbs doesn't really work, except when you work from the exact same source offcourse.I thought we were talking here about backing-up BD (High Def) material, at least *I* was & have been. I took a 26Gb HD 1080p source to 4.7Gb HD 1080p DVD+5. "No worky".

[G_M_C]

I thought we were talking here about backing-up BD (High Def) material, at least *I* was & have been. I took a 26Gb HD 1080p source to 4.7Gb HD 1080p DVD+5. "No worky".

:p

That would indeed be (very) blocky ;)

See now why I wrote that you only compare encodes, if they're from the same source ;)

As iI stated somewhere in this thread; I try to use approx 10MBps for 1080p material, wich often comes down to approx 1 1/2 ~ 1 3/4 hours per DVD9 (with DTS audio, longer is possible with lower bitrate audio). Just use the bitratecalculator in Megui to figure out.

[jdobbs]

That would indeed be (very) blocky

Sorry... but I just don't agree, and neither do my 50 DVD discs containing HD content. I'll admit, though that I wouldn't have predicted it to come out so well a couple of months ago.

The H.264 codec is designed for exactly that kind of encoding. In most tests it is proven to require anywhere from half to one quarter the bitrate that an MPEG-2 needs for equivalent quality.

X264 does it well. And I'm very picky about my encodes...

[G_M_C]

Well, dont know what exactly you've encoded. For testing I've backed up a HDScape / HDWindow at 5mbps, and thats fine; But i think thats only because it mainy consists of static / verly low movement scenes. And I also tried one of my anime-disks, (and some animations) and those can be done at that bitrate (but i do see quality-loss in some).

But imagine to try and back up a very action packed movie, imagine something like "Batman - The dark knight" (wich is awesome in the theatre, a real tip to see it there !). Or a grainy movie like "The Prestige". You'll never get a movies like that backed up transparently @ 5mbps.

In my view bitrate isn't only based ont the target-medium, but also (and foremost) on its content. I've been thinking how to test the bitrate required, maybe a encode @ CRF 20 or so and than see what bitrate x264 comes up with on its own ?

[jdobbs]

Most of the movie encodes I do for DVD-5 come in with a QP in the low 20s. Most are at 21-22, which is well within the threshold of excellent reproduction and below the most commonly recommended value of 24. Of course in most cases the DVD-9's come in even better. DeathTheSheep's guides recommends somewhere int the range of 20-30. I see 21 used a lot in examples for very-high-quality reproduction.

[G_M_C]

Most of the movie encodes I do for DVD-5 come in with a QP in the low 20. Most are at 21-22, which is well within the threshold of excellent reproduction and below the most commonly recommended value of 24. Of course in most cases the DVD-9's come in even better. DeathTheSheep's guides recommends somewhere int the range of 20-30. I see 21 used a lot in examples for very-high-quality reproduction.

I'll try to get some form of "workflow" thought out this weekend. I have to make a backup anyway, and have the possibillity to try out some different approches. I'll keep your advise on QP in mind. When possible i'll post a few screenies to see the differences between some approches.

[laserfan]

FWIW this, my one/only attempt at BD backup so far, is being viewed on a 24" 1920x1200 PC display. It surely won't work on my 10' projection screen.

Someday I'll try converting to a DVD-9 but as I said already even upping the bitrate by 50% didn't make it acceptable to my eyes. Maybe the close-to 2x would though (guess I should test some more).

The movie LFODH does start with quite a challenging & dark Fox logo and credit sequence. Honestly I haven't looked past this at the conventional story portion; maybe it's alot better.

[laserfan]

The H.264 codec is designed for exactly that kind of encoding. In most tests it is proven to require anywhere from half to one quarter the bitrate that an MPEG-2 needs for equivalent quality.I should note also that the movie I did was h264 to start with. So I cut the bitrate to almost a sixth of the original. Honestly I didn't expect it to look great (and so it met my expectations!). :o

CORRECTION: Having gotten my standalone to play these discs, I finally watched LFODH in its entirety on my 1080p 10-foot screen and I could not find a single problem with it. Amazing quality on a DVD-5. Obviously my PC setup & decoder have badly misled me about the quality of re-encoding.

[G_M_C]

What do you think about this one;
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/7c13BeBemjTUHgyl3LcNFcBv/full.jpg

This one was backed up @ approx 11,7 mbps, resulting in 12 gigs approx (DVD9 + DVD5) with 1.5 mbps DTS btw.

[jdobbs]

The links says "You don't have permission" when I click on it.

[Sophocles]

This one was backed up @ approx 11,7 mbps, resulting in 12 gigs approx (DVD9 + DVD5) with 1.5 mbps DTS btw.

Nice! I would prefer to get the entire movie on a single disc.

The link worked just fine for me.

Jdobbs

What operating system are you using?

[Sharc]

What do you think about this one;
http://tweakers.net/ext/f/7c13BeBemjTUHgyl3LcNFcBv/full.jpg
Nice picture, but what should this single frame tell us? What has been the challenge?

[jdobbs]

The link worked just fine for me. It started working for me too.

What operating system are you using?
Windows Vista, SP1 on that one.

[G_M_C]

Nice picture, but what should this single frame tell us? What has been the challenge?

Well, its from the same movie laserfan is talking about, and he sees blocking @ 10mbps ... this is @ approx the same bitrate, and no blocking to be seen. So something else went wrong probably on his side ;)

It started working for me too.

I swiched to another (very fast) picserver ;)

[Sharc]

Well, its from the same movie laserfan is talking about, and he sees blocking @ 10mbps ...

Oh I see! Actually I was also wondering about laserfan's experience.
@laserfan: Perhaps you analyze the encode with avinaptic, just to make sure that the encoding parameters have been passed on to the encoder correctly.

[Sophocles]

Windows Vista, SP1 on that one

I kind of figured you were using Vista because of the message that you posted. I have Vista Home Premium on my dual core laptop. I've disabled many of the annoying Vista warnings.:D

[laserfan]

Well, its from the same movie laserfan is talking about, and he sees blocking @ 10mbps ... this is @ approx the same bitrate, and no blocking to be seen. So something else went wrong probably on his side That certainly went over my head! What frame is that--I haven't watched the movie yet!!!

You're wrong about my bitrate--I've said several times average bitrate I used was 4000kbps.

[dannyv]

The easiest way right now is to use the MOBILE encoding option with the "Experimental AVCHD, 1280x720" template. It will create a .TS file as output. Then just select that .TS from within TSREMUX (search DOOM9 for the TSREMUX thread) and tell it to output to Blu-ray format. Burn the contents of the output folder to DVD-R using ImgBurn in UDF 2.5 mode.

You may want to adjust the video bitrate depending on the movie size.

Greetings jdobbs,

Its been a while since I've been on the forum and was fasinated with your delving into H.264 and glad to see it added as an experimental template to the mobile profile.

As I have not looked at dvdrb in a while or completely read this thread my questions may be a bit premature so forgive me.

I've been capturing .ts streams from my cable DVR box for a while now in 1920x1080 and converting them down to 1280x720p divx using the divx HD profile. They look great but the compression is not as good as h.264.

I guess my question is the raw .ts files are 1920x1080 mpeg2 files. The file sizes are about 8GB per 1 hour of video.

Is there a way of getting the .ts file into RB and compressing them with the h.264 experimental template in the mobile profile?

[jdobbs]

No you wouldn't be able to input them into RB, as it only reads DVD sources.

But you should be able to convert the sources easy enough with FFDSHOW & the HAALI splitter, AVISYNTH, X264, and TSMUXER. If you install FFDSHOW and the HAALI Splitter it will allow you to play back the MPEG stream in .TS format. Then all you have to do is use DirectShowSource() within AVISYNTH to feed it to X264 for encoding. You can then use TSMUXER to mux into a TS or M2TS file. You could also reencode the audio.

[shon3i]

@jdobbs, where you find this values --vbv-bufsize 14745 --vbv-maxrate 17500? and can i lower it to for example --vbv-bufsize 8000-10000 --vbv-maxrate 8000-10000 forBD 5/9 encoding, and can be buffer be same as max rate 17500? I saw sharktooth's AVCHD profile uses both on 16500. Clearly did i can use --vbv-bufsize 14500 --vbv-maxrate 17500 and be totaly safe for BD 5/9.

btw x264 PsyRDO build work fine with both trellis 1 or 2 and even with conjuction off PsyTrellis.

[jdobbs]

The rules for BD on DVD-5/9 is to have a maximum that doesn't exceed 2x disc speed. That would mean the total read bitrate available is somewhere slightly under 20,000. So by setting the maximum to 17500 you've given yourself a little leeway for multiple audio tracks (up to a total of about 2000Kbs). Remember -- the maximum bitrate doesn't affect your output size, it only sets the highest peaks for VBR.

I got the buffsize from some reading somewhere, I can't recall where, but it is within the limit for AVCHD. I'm sure it can be modified a little one way or the other without any problems.

I'd be careful about lowering the maximum bitrate, as it could have a negative impact on output quality (especially in visibly complex or high-action scenes) without any real benefit.

[shon3i]

I got the buffsize from some reading somewhere, I can't recall where, but it is within the limit for AVCHD. I'm sure it can be modified a little one way or the other without any problems.So you recommendation that keep around 14000? i confused because Shark's profiles uses 16500 for buffer and max bitrate. Realy i want to backup my bluray/hddvd titles, but i am not 100% sure that i make 100% readable on any BD or playstation 3 device.

[G_M_C]

So you recommendation that keep around 14000? i confused because Shark's profiles uses 16500 for buffer and max bitrate. Realy i want to backup my bluray/hddvd titles, but i am not 100% sure that i make 100% readable on any BD or playstation 3 device.


[...]
I got the buffsize from some reading somewhere, I can't recall where, but it is within the limit for AVCHD. I'm sure it can be modified a little one way or the other without any problems.
[...]


The specs come from the AVCHD specs-site (here: http://www.avchd-info.org/format/index.html ).

Max bitrate for DVD = 18mbps, I subtract 2 mbps to allow for audio (1.5 mbps DTS) and some subs;
Sharktooth only subtracts 1.5 mbps. I like to leave some headroom to be shure.

VBV-buffer is calculated from the system bitrate as specified on that same site, also minus the 2 mbps (Sharktooth 1.5)

[jdobbs]

Ahhh, there you go. Thanks.

[Sophocles]

The rules for BD on DVD-5/9 is to have a maximum that doesn't exceed 2x disc speed. That would mean the total read bitrate available is somewhere slightly under 20,000.

I'm assuming that you mean standalone play back units? I've done a few set to 30,000 and they played just fine on my PC BD players. I've also encoded at 17,500 recommended by jdobbs and the quality seems equal to the eye to those set to the much higher bit rate.

I am of course still quite the novice so I expect to run into some difficulties. The current problem is encode time which I hope to reduce a little by adding a quad core to one of my systems.

[shon3i]

Max rate is equal to the system bitrate as specified on that same site, also minus the 2 mbps (Sharktooth 1.5)
jdobbs setting for max rate isn't good then?

My understanding now is to set max rate to 18000 or jdobbs recommendation (17500 to leave room for some oversize) and set buffer to maxrate - room for audio/subs etc.? like jdobbs use 14745 that gives almost 3mbps. Is that right

[G_M_C]

jdobbs setting for max rate isn't good then?

My understanding now is to set max rate to 18000 or jdobbs recommendation (17500 to leave room for some oversize) and set buffer to maxrate - room for audio/subs etc.? like jdobbs use 14745 that gives almost 3mbps. Is that right

Sorry i meant vbv-buffer. The two parameters in my x264 commandline are;

--vbv-maxrate 16000 --vbv-bufsize 22000

[jdobbs]

I'm assuming that you mean standalone play back units? I've done a few set to 30,000 and they played just fine on my PC BD players. I've also encoded at 17,500 recommended by jdobbs and the quality seems equal to the eye to those set to the much higher bit rate.

I am of course still quite the novice so I expect to run into some difficulties. The current problem is encode time which I hope to reduce a little by adding a quad core to one of my systems. It all depends whether you are worried about compatibility. For example, even through a large GOP works fine on my player, I've changed it to 24 so I can ensure it is within standards. If in your case that isn't important, then you don't need to worry about it.

I've been watching these backups and I gotta' tell you -- they look damn good. I'm very pleased with this whole concept of backing up BDs to DVD-5/9. :)

[G_M_C]

[...] I'm very pleased with this whole concept of backing up BDs to DVD-5/9. :)

Me too, and i've been expirimenting quite a lot lately. But it is more complex than backing up DVD's. Not only because you must process the audio-streams (extract core EAC3/DTS and/or transmux into DTS or AC3), but the converting/muxing subtitles isnt straightforward too (DVD-RB can just "copy over" those subtile,- and audio-streams).

But what bothers me most about the whole affair is that you need so many different apps, and that there is only one "main application" that can mux to Blu-raystructure and works comfortably. And the big shame about that is that it doesnt seem te be developed anymore, and there are several negative points and/or bugs left to attent to. The simplest bug beeing that you have to set the framerate (just swich the option on), cause else you cant seek in the final stream.

(strangely; tsMuxeR DOES know the correct framerate, but somehow doesnt apply it correctly if you dont set it manually. This bug is proven by the fact that you only have to set the swich on, tsMuxeR has allready filled in the correct rate ...)

Another point is that tsMuxeR only supports .SRT-subtitles, this is a big reason muxing subs is more difficult; Simply because you need some other apps to demux the BR-subtitles and convert them to .SRT etc. So you need even more apps to get things done. Also tsMuxeR doesnt work right with some audio-streams, so you need another app to get that corrected. And tsMuxeR cant do "episodic disks" and/or menus.

Also some other apps are only in the beginning of their development; DGAVCIndex is still in it's alpha stages, and up till now there is no reliable way to index & import VC-1 streams into Avisynth. MPEG2 is the only format that has good support, through dgMPGIndex offcourse.

Another app. that you really need is EAC3to, a very good app, and i like it very much (allthought it's getting a tat complicated atm). The problem is not EAC3to itself, but in the different decoders / encoders you need to have installed to get it to work optimal, some of them difficult to get at and/or expensive (Surcode DTS for instance). EAC3to does work with -libav offcourse, but that library is far from ideal, especially where modern high-def audio and/or more than 5.1 channels is concerned (DTS-MA 7.1) and I read that regular AC3 seems to be broken because of development on EAC3 (at least in ffmpeg, wich is -libav's base).

So there are many apps that you need, many depend on others to work, and some dont really work in theit default state. All-in-all it's complicated buissness, and i have only spoken about BR-2-DVD5/9, backing-up to BD-R(E) will undoubtetly have its own problems (tsMuxeR doesnt work right with TrueHD for a start).

It's time to put more resources into development of a single app. But the most needed is a a good working version of tsMuxeR (or rather an Open Source alternative of it) and further development & addition of features. The rest could be build around that I guess.

[jdobbs]

Also some other apps are only in the beginning of their development; DGAVCIndex is still in it's alpha stages, and up till now there is no reliable way to index & import VC-1 streams into Avisynth. MPEG2 is the only format that has good support, through dgMPGIndex offcourse.I haven't had any problems encoding VC-1 (into AVC) using DirectshowSource(). I guess that doesn't mean there isn't some problem out there that may come along, though.Also tsMuxeR doesnt work right with some audio-streams, so you need another app to get that corrected. And tsMuxeR cant do "episodic disks" and/or menus.Hmm... I haven't had any problems with audio -- but then again, I always demux, reencode into AC-3, and remux using that.Another point is that tsMuxeR only supports .SRT-subtitles, this is a big reason muxing subs is more difficult; Simply because you ened some other apps to demux the BR-subtitles and convert them to .SRT etcI guess I just don't understand this one. I demux the subtitles I want and then just remux them when I build the blu-ray structure.Another app. that you really need is EAC3toI don't use EAC3to (don't know much about it). I use AVISYNTH with nicaudio.dl to convert to a pcm stream, and a combination of wavi.exe (to feed) and aften.exe to reencode. I've also used ffmpeg.exe, but it's quite a bit slower.

[G_M_C]

I haven't had any problems encoding VC-1 (into AVC) using DirectshowSource().Hmm... I haven't had any problems with audio -- but then again, I always demux, reencode into AC-3, and remux using that.

AC-3 is OK, but EAC3 / DTS-MA is problematic. I mentioned this because I expect BD-R(E) / 25 & Blu-ray burners to get cheaper in the coming time. Backing up on those media will get more interesting than, and you get a situation somewhat like now (backup DVD9 -> DVD5 compared to BD50 -> BD25). And with more capacity and higher max.transferrates it gets more interesting to keep the Highres audio and only reencode the video (more or less like DVD-RB does now).

[shon3i]

--vbv-maxrate 16000 --vbv-bufsize 22000How you use that high buffer? i am bit confused :)

Also i agree with you about quality BD-5/9 encodes comparing to original's


Not only because you must process the audio-streams (extract core EAC3/DTS and/or transmux into DTS or AC3), Can this do losslessly and how? I am interest because on Blu-Ray EAC3 isn't mandatory format, and probably most players will come with DD+ support.

I haven't had any problems encoding VC-1 (into AVC) using DirectshowSource(). I guess that doesn't mean there isn't some problem out there that may come along, though.Me too. But i prefer VC-1 in MKV tought eac3to.

[G_M_C]

How you use that high buffer? i am bit confused :)

Also i agree with you about quality BD-5/9 encodes comparing to original's

Can this do losslessly and how? I am interest because on Blu-Ray EAC3 isn't mandatory format, and probably most players will come with DD+ support.

Me too. But i prefer VC-1 in MKV tought eac3to.

Sorry to be slightly rude and/or short: Read around this forum, everything i said can befound elsewhere on the forum. My big post even gives most search-arguments needed ;)

[Sophocles]

It all depends whether you are worried about compatibility. For example, even through a large GOP works fine on my player, I've changed it to 24 so I can ensure it is within standards. If in your case that isn't important, then you don't need to worry about it.

I've been watching these backups and I gotta' tell you -- they look damn good. I'm very pleased with this whole concept of backing up BDs

I will always use a homemade player because it does what I want it to do and subs as a DVR as well, but I've been taking your advice on Bit Rate settings since as you've stated the quality is amazing.

G_M_C

I don't save subtitles, or at least not yet, but my real issue has been with converting the HD DVD version of King Kong to BD. The video is perfect throughout but the audio goes funky about half way through. Since the darned thing with two passes takes about 16 hours I've decided to wait until my new Q9650 arrives before trying it again.;)

There will be more options for muxing and saving subtitles as interest in BD backups picks up. It's never easy when something is somewhat newly introduced.

[jdobbs]

I've made some progress on BD Rebuilder, so it may not be too long before some of the Rebuilder VIPs get access to the beta. No promises, though, I still have a few kinks to work out before I leave alpha stage.

I've done a small number of full backups -- but nothing too complex... and there are still a few issues. I have quite a bit of work left to do on the muxing code, though, right now I'm still using TSRemux (which isn't GPL) for that part.

I'm really getting spoiled. DVDs just don't seem to do it anymore after you watch a few of these BDs.

[shon3i]

@jdobbs, sorry if you alredy somwere told about features of BD Rebuilder, but i must ask, did BD Rebulder can preserve Menu's, and did rebulid HDDVD to Blu-Ray also preserving Menu's?