MP4Muxer - A MP4 Multiplexer w/ Quicktime support - Version 0.9.3 released

[crypto]

Hi SeeMoreDigital,

Thanks for your input and your layout suggestions. The GUI is now much cleaner. I will correct the typos soon. In the mean time the combo boxes allow a manual override.

The next major step will be AC3 in MP4.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Thanks for your input and your layout suggestions. The GUI is now much cleaner. I will correct the typos soon. In the mean time the combo boxes allow a manual override.My pleasure.

The next major step will be AC3 in MP4.I must admit I'm really looking forward to this. Currently there seem to be three viable muxing options (suitable for playback in hardware devices). The QuickTime player way, NeroDigital's way (which works very well with my Ziova CS615) and the soon to be release MPEG-4 spec compliant way....

EDIT: Here's a link to Bonds most recent post regarding AC3 in .MP4 (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1168961#post1168961)

Anyway here's a GUI proposal for you to ponder: -

http://i36.tinypic.com/xdc80n.jpg


Cheers

[NorthPole]

@crypto

Thanks for the update... I like the changes in the GUI.

FYI, still have different display sizes for anamorphic video in quicktime vs. itunes.

If i mux a anamorphic (16x9) h264 video and aac audio stream with yamb/mp4box, it plays correctly in quicktime, itunes and mpc.

If i mux the same streams with mp4muxer and add the quicktime size switches of 853 x 480, it plays correct in quicktime and mpc but plays at 1034 x 480 in itunes.

If i don't use the quicktime switches it plays correctly in itunes and mpc but plays at 704 x 480 in quicktime.

[crypto]

Hi NorthPole,

I see the problem. iTunes seems to honor both stream and container level signalling. Can you upload a sample? In my tests, I hadn't such an effect.

[NorthPole]

@crypto

here is a 30 second sample avc mp4 muxed with mp4muxer using a video size of 853 x 480. http://www.mediafire.com/?mmtyb3xz3vl

[NorthPole]

@crypto

I used the ogg style chapter format to add quicktime chapters to a mp4. When I go back and demux the mp4, I don't seem to be able to get it back out in a usable format. Should I be doing something differently?

input format:
CHAPTER01=00:00:00.000
CHAPTER01NAME=Chapter 1
CHAPTER02=00:01:00.000
CHAPTER02NAME=Chapter 2
CHAPTER03=00:02:00.000
CHAPTER03NAME=Chapter 3
CHAPTER04=00:03:00.000
CHAPTER04NAME=Chapter 4

[crypto]

@crypto

here is a 30 second sample avc mp4 muxed with mp4muxer using a video size of 853 x 480. http://www.mediafire.com/?mmtyb3xz3vl

Thanks, I can reproduce the wrong size in iTunes. I'll see what I can do about that.

[crypto]

@crypto

I used the ogg style chapter format to add quicktime chapters to a mp4. When I go back and demux the mp4, I don't seem to be able to get it back out in a usable format...
That's not possible atm. You should export the chapters from the chapter editor for later use.

[gwaitsi]

hmm..... chapter files don't work as OGG chapters.

When played through videolan they show as a subtitle

[gwaitsi]

Get the following error after the first video track is muxed. selecting continue seems to

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'D:\DVDs\13thwarrior\ISO_13th_Warrior.mp4'.
File name: 'D:\DVDs\13thwarrior\ISO_13th_Warrior.mp4'
at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
at System.IO.FileInfo.get_Length()
at mp4muxer.frmMain.timer1_Tick(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.OnTick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.TimerNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
mp4muxer
Assembly Version: 0.9.2.0
Win32 Version: 0.9.2.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/temp/mp4muxer.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
Accessibility
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Accessibility/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Accessibility.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[crypto]

@gwaitsi
Thanks for the info. I'll fix that in the next version.

hmm..... chapter files don't work as OGG chapters.

When played through videolan they show as a subtitle
The chapter info used by Apple is in fact a text substream. So it might be interpreted as a subtitle by other players. I have no idea how to stop that. Sorry.

[Oleg Rode]

OK. But how can I extract timecode data from mp4?
Well, The problem was solved. I know, that this info does not belongs to MP4 Multiplexer. But I hope it will be usefull someday for someone...
What do we need:
1. AviSynth
2. FFmpegSource plugin for AviSynth
Next, we need AVS script
FFmpegSource("<VFR file>.mp4", timecodes="<timecode file>.txt")
Open this scrypt in VirtualDUB or Media Player Classic and... the timecode file will be created in destinated folder!
Example of use:
FFmpegSource("C:\vfrmovie.mp4", timecodes="c:\timecodes01.txt")

[Ritsuka]

@crypto

Thanks for the update... I like the changes in the GUI.

FYI, still have different display sizes for anamorphic video in quicktime vs. itunes.

If i mux a anamorphic (16x9) h264 video and aac audio stream with yamb/mp4box, it plays correctly in quicktime, itunes and mpc.

If i mux the same streams with mp4muxer and add the quicktime size switches of 853 x 480, it plays correct in quicktime and mpc but plays at 1034 x 480 in itunes.

If i don't use the quicktime switches it plays correctly in itunes and mpc but plays at 704 x 480 in quicktime.

Anamorphic in QuickTime is traditionally done by setting the right width of the track in the tkhd atom.
QuickTime 7.1 introduced a new quicktime api to specified an aperture mode ( http://developer.apple.com/documentation/QuickTime/Conceptual/QT7-1_Update_Guide/Content/2NewFeaturesChangesa.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40003543-NewFeaturesChangesandEnhancementsinQuickTime71-SW3 ) , but this api is not used by every applications, for example quicktime player does not automatically enable the Clean aperture mode for mp4.
This new api uses the value stored in the pasp atom to calculate the width of the track, and in the end it just modified the value in the tkhd atom.

In HandBrake we ended adding a pasp atom to every video sample description (because quicktime only generates one for h.264 video, and only if it uses the standard apple h.264 decoder) and setting the right width for the track.

This methods works on every iPod, iPhone, AppleTV, QuickTime, iTunes, and with every player that ignores par in the mp4 container and read the par directly from the video stream. And it's what Apple uses for their anamorphic movie from the iTunes Store.

Sorry for my english, but it's not my native language :) Hopefully I made myself clear.

[refulgentis]

Anamorphic in QuickTime is traditionally done by setting the right width of the track in the tkhd atom.
QuickTime 7.1 introduced a new quicktime api to specified an aperture mode ( http://developer.apple.com/documentation/QuickTime/Conceptual/QT7-1_Update_Guide/Content/2NewFeaturesChangesa.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40003543-NewFeaturesChangesandEnhancementsinQuickTime71-SW3 ) , but this api is not used by every applications, for example quicktime player does not automatically enable the Clean aperture mode for mp4.
This new api uses the value stored in the pasp atom to calculate the width of the track, and in the end it just modified the value in the tkhd atom.

In HandBrake we ended adding a pasp atom to every video sample description (because quicktime only generates one for h.264 video, and only if it uses the standard apple h.264 decoder) and setting the right width for the track.

This methods works on every iPod, iPhone, AppleTV, QuickTime, iTunes, and with every player that ignores par in the mp4 container and read the par directly from the video stream. And it's what Apple uses for their anamorphic movie from the iTunes Store.

Sorry for my english, but it's not my native language :) Hopefully I made myself clear.Perfectly clear. If it wasn't for the last sentence, I wouldn't have even known. :)

[crypto]

@Ritsuka
Oh, many thanks for the insight. I'll check for the pasp atom.

[crypto]

A new version of mp4muxer is on its way. It will finally support AC-3 in MPEG-4 and a stream analyzer. Nothing new PASP atom wise though, that will follow next.

http://www.dvbportal.de/files/mp4muxer-analyzer.png

The new version is not yet on appcast. If you want to test it early, let me know.

[NorthPole]

A new version of mp4muxer is on its way. It will finally support AC-3 in MPEG-4 and a stream analyzer. Nothing new PASP atom wise though, that will follow next.

The new version is not yet on appcast. If you want to test it early, let me know.

I'm not sure what an appcast is but I'll give it a shot. I have plenty of content I can try it with.

[SeeMoreDigital]

The new version is not yet on appcast. If you want to test it early, let me know.May I try too please?

[crypto]

@NorthPole, SeeMoreDigital
Thanks for your help. The new version should now be available. I have updated the first post. If "Check for Update" still doesn't show the new version, use this link: http://dvbportal.dyn1.de/download.php?file=mp4muxer-0.9.3.zip

Just some other good news: The dev team has a new member, who wil maintain the OSX and maybe later Unix builds.

[b66pak]

thanks...this seems to work...i suggest you to include detalied descriptions when you roll over the mouse to various fields..
_

[Zarxrax]

Would it be possible to support rational framerates, such as 30000/1001?
Can it also be possible to automatically detect a framerate that already exists in an h264 file when you add it as a stream?

Also a question: How would I use mp4 creator with something like Nero AAC encoder, which outputs audio as mp4 instead of AAC? Could I simply add my video track to nero's mp4 file, and everything will be fine?

[Gabrielgoc]

Thx crypo for your tool!!

What version of MP4Creator you are using with your 0.9.3 version? is it MP4Creator 1.6.1c?

Thx again, goc

[SeeMoreDigital]

Thx crypo for your tool!!

What version of MP4Creator you are using with your 0.9.3 version? is it MP4Creator 1.6.1c?

Thx again, gocHere you go: -

http://i34.tinypic.com/2zf1yk4.png

[Gabrielgoc]

In sourceforge I found MP4Creator version 1.6.1c, where is the new version: 1.6.1d? Are the sources available? Thx

[crypto]

In sourceforge I found MP4Creator version 1.6.1c, where is the new version: 1.6.1d? Are the sources available? Thx
Hi Gabrielgoc, 1.6.1d is up now -> http://mp4creator.sourceforge.net/ (click SVN for sources, DOWNLOAD for win32 binaries)

[Gabrielgoc]

Thank you again, crypto!!

[NorthPole]

@crypto

I've been doing some testing of your muxer and I had a question on the 64bit addressing. Whenever I try to mux a .264 video stream that is larger that 4gb, the GUI automatically selects 64bit addressing. When I play the mp4, the only splitter that seems to work is neros. I also have seeking problems towards the end of the file and the total time for the video is wrong.

I guess I was wondering if it is possible to play 4GB+ files on a 32bit win xp platform or do you need visa?

I'll try some other files and players and let you know. I haven't been able to play a mp4 with ac3 yet because I haven't found a splitter yet that can handle it other than VLC.

[realityking]

@NorthPole

Did you try the most recent version of QuickTime?

[NorthPole]

I just tried MPC HC and it has the same time problem as the old mpc with the external nero splitter. It seems like the total time for the mp4 is exactly double what it should be. If you click on the seek bar anywhere in the first half of the mp4, it works correctly. Any seeking past the midway point results in a black screen. VLC has the correct total time and seek time. I haven't tried Quicktime yet. I'll let you know.

Edit:

Just tried quicktime and itunes and total time and seek time is OK. Nero showtime3 and powerdvd7 have the same total time problems as mpc.

[NorthPole]

@crypto

As far as mp4 with ac3, the only means of playback that I have found is VLC. However, it seems that I am only getting one channel (right) instead of 6. Quicktime, itunes, nero, cyberlink, mpc hc all have no audio.

[crypto]

Just tried quicktime and itunes and total time and seek time is OK. Nero showtime3 and powerdvd7 have the same total time problems as mpc.

Some players have problems with MP4 files >4 GB including Xbox 360.

One thing is for sure, >4 GB requires 64 Bit addressing and that's why I am enforcing it in the GUI. You can try to use 32 Bit addressing by using the command line for files > 4GB. None of these files was usable in my tests. When your player has problems with the time line, I believe it also requires 64 Bit time stamps. Those files however will not play in Quicktime.

As far as mp4 with ac3, the only means of playback that I have found is VLC. However, it seems that I am only getting one channel (right) instead of 6. Quicktime, itunes, nero, cyberlink, mpc hc all have no audio.


Quicktime and iTunes require an additional AC3 codec like Perian. Nero and Cyberlink do not understand AC3 in MP4 for now. The official release of the specs was end of August 2008 and they hadn't the time to include support for this. I am sure it will follow in their next releases.

VLC version 1.0 or later does play AC3 in MP4. It should play 5.1 but I beliieve VLC is missinterpreting the AC3SampleEntry Box.

Annex F.3 explicitly defines:

The layout of the AC3SampleEntry box is identical to that of AudioSampleEntry defined in ISO/IEC 14496-12 [i.6]
(including the reserved fields and their values), except that AC3SampleEntry ends with a box containing AC-3
bitstream information called AC3SpecificBox. The AC3SpecificBox field structure for AC-3 is defined in
clause F.4. The values of the ChannelCount and SampleSize fields within the AC3SampleEntry Box shall be ignored.

[b66pak]

hi

first thanks for this great gui...

is there a reason why interleve (in audio tab) and optimize (in streaming tab) are not set by default?

best regards
_

[[DB-FR] Nikko]

First thx very much for this good Gui.
I wonder why we cannot use AAC in mp4 as input, it's possible with H264 video part so ?

Second I have a little probleme after muxing a constant rate video, it becomes variable :confused:, indeed (with mediaInfo) :

before muxing :
Frame rate : 23.976 fps

After :
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.974 fps
Maximum frame rate : 23.981 fps

I'm sure the Variable Frame Rate box is disabled.

The last question is what do you mean by time scale ? I saw it is 90000 by default....

Best regards,
Nikko.

[crypto]

hi

first thanks for this great gui...

is there a reason why interleve (in audio tab) and optimize (in streaming tab) are not set by default?

best regards
_

Hi b66pak,

both cost additional time when multiplexing and when adding data to an existing multiplex. When playing back from seekable media, there is no advantage of using it, because the player can randomly access the data.

When using streaming however use at least "optimize", so the player can instantly access the media control information.

[crypto]

Nikko;1217402']First thx very much for this good Gui.
I wonder why we cannot use AAC in mp4 as input, it's possible with H264 video part so ?

Second I have a little probleme after muxing a constant rate video, it becomes variable :confused:, indeed (with mediaInfo) :

before muxing :
Frame rate : 23.976 fps

After :
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.974 fps
Maximum frame rate : 23.981 fps

I'm sure the Variable Frame Rate box is disabled.

The last question is what do you mean by time scale ? I saw it is 90000 by default....

Best regards,
Nikko.

1) The underlying mp4creator can only use elementary streams. I can however add a demux step in the GUI. I am thinking of adding it. Doing so also allows scenarios like .TS to .MP4.

2) About the VBR, I have no idea. Does the .MP4 file play ok? Does it happen with every file? I checked some of me muxes and they all display CFR.

3) Timescale denotes the clock setting during playback. All timings are derived from this. Higher settings give a higher granularity. I have seen values 60, 600, 30000 and 90000. You can lower the timebase, if you have no A/V sync problems, but I see no advantage if this.

[laserfan]

When using streaming however use at least "optimize", so the player can instantly access the media control information.crypto does MP4Creator have an option to place the moov atom at the beginning? This is necessary for streaming of MP4 files to a TiVo.

One has (only) to run the output thru qt-faststart (http://multimedia.cx/eggs/improving-qt-faststart/), but maybe its code could be incorporated in MP4Muxer?

EDIT: I apologize crypto, I'd thought qt-faststart was the key to getting these to work, but instead I needed only to turn-off Interleave, and with Optimize everything works, the atom's in the right place. SORRY!

BTW am I correct to assume that the 2nd file, the TMP file that is created-then-deleted after the .mp4 is muxed, is that file necessary for the "optimize" step? I ask cuz it looks like MP4Muxer is done, but then one has to wait for that tmp file at the end!

[[DB-FR] Nikko]

2) About the VBR, I have no idea. Does the .MP4 file play ok? Does it happen with every file? I checked some of me muxes and they all display CFR.

Yes the file plays ok, because as you can see, the maximum and the minimum are very close and the mean stays at 23,976.
I tested it on 3 different mp4 and I have the same thing.
That's not so horrible but strange isn't it ?

[NorthPole]

@crypto

FYI- I can't seem to demux an MP4 that has a AC3 audio stream and a h264 video stream. Works OK to demux the h264 track...but not the ac3 track.

Thanks.

[crypto]

@crypto

FYI- I can't seem to demux an MP4 that has a AC3 audio stream and a h264 video stream. Works OK to demux the h264 track...but not the ac3 track.

Thanks.
Yes, same here. I am trying to fix it.

[frl]

Hello,

I have a couple of questions on mp4muxer if I may...Firstly, thanks for this tool - it has allowed me to get closer than ever before to AppleTV happiness :)

Is there any way (preferably via the command line) to specify a delay on an audio track?

Secondly, is it possible to specify the aspect ratio as (for example) 1.77:1 - in the same way as mkvmerge works? I find this very useful when posting files to the mp4creator.exe through a script. Setting the qtw parameter works fine, but as my script contains an autocrop avisynth plugin, I can never be sure of the correct value for qtw.

Lastly, if I try to play a mux created with mp4creator in mplayer, vlc or media player classic, I find that none are able to play the file correctly. My main target platform is AppleTV, and this works fine - as does quicktime, but I wondered if there was a reason these other players do not seem to like the output from mp4muxer?

Thanks,
Chris

[b66pak]

@frl

you have to use "interleave" in audio tab and "optimize" in streming tab when muxing for players that use a buffer (this will double or triple the time and the hdd space needed for muxing!!!)...or disable the buffer in players as i do with XBMC (mplayer based mediaplayer)...
_

[frl]

you have to use "interleave" in audio tab and "optimize" in streming tab when muxing for players that use a buffer (this will double or triple the time and the hdd space needed for muxing!!!)...or disable the buffer in players as i do with XBMC (mplayer based mediaplayer)...
_
Thanks b66pak, I'll give that a go...

If anyone knows about the possibility of a delay on the ac3 track, or specifying a target aspect ratio, I'd be very grateful...In the meantime, I'll grab the source and see what I can figure out.

[crypto]

@frl
1) There is currently no way to specify a delay. I am not sure, but I think the MP4 container can specify delays for tracks. But if so, there are surely players, that don't respect the delay. The other way is to really cut the audio track, but that would be different for every supported track type (AAC LC, AAC HE, AC-3, MP3, MP2) and would require a good hand of code.

2) PASP support is on the list.

3) VLC reads the MP4s including the AC3 track. You need a current version. You can checkout from GIT or use a current snapshot.

[frl]

Thanks very much for the feedback crypto!

Great to hear PASP is on the list - if my understanding of it is correct, it would be exactly what I'm looking for.

On delays, I do believe it is supported in the MP4 container - at least mp4box appears to support it. I will do some digging on this.

Thanks again!

[chaynik]

Has anyone else experienced a garbled inspector display in QuickTime Player on OS X when playing back a mux done with MP4Muxer?

http://i41.tinypic.com/2mqu7ts.png

If I export to MPEG-4 using "pass through", the display returns to normal.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2u5g74l.png

[frl]

Hi chaynik,

I see the same in AppleTV. I've done well over 20 muxes now using mp4creator, all show this issue but it has not affected playback in anyway.

[chaynik]

Thanks to helpful people in the #mp4v2 channel, I was able to get some insight into what's happening:


<refulgentis_> well, here is a succinct description of what's happening for you: http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8385#p46433
<refulgentis_> unfortunately, crypto is still running on the "old" yet modified libmp4v2
<refulgentis_> he patched in some handbrake stuff but stopped around june


So looks like the solution is to simply use a newer version of libmp4v2 :) Crypto, can you hook us up?

[crypto]

Hi chaynik,
I cannot reproduce this. Is this a MAC-only effect? What is shown, when you run the test clip on Windows?

[chaynik]

Hi chaynik,
I cannot reproduce this. Is this a MAC-only effect? What is shown, when you run the test clip on Windows?

Hi crypto, thanks for the reply. Yes, this only happens on the Mac version of QuickTime Player. Windows QT just says 'H.264'.

Here's a quote from the HandBrake thread I pasted above.

...mp4v2 used to write [CompressorName of H.264 video tracks in MP4 files] with a string format QT couldn't read so it looked like garbage characters, so Yuvi gave us a patch to write it in the Pascal style QT wants, but that patch messed up MP4Read, crashing MP4Optimize, so for a year or so there we didn't write the CompressorName at all and let QT fill in "H.264" as a default value. But then eddy and kona fixed everything in mp4v2 in time for 0.9.3.

Hopefully you would be able to fix it. Thanks in advance!

[crypto]

Thanks chaynik,

for the detailed description. I have implemented a change for the compressor name (like Quicktime does when remuxing). As I cannot test it on Mac (currently), I made this a prerelease. ***If you say it is ok, i'll release it.***

You can download it from SourceForge.net by following this link:
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=232803&release_id=650741
or browse Release Notes and ChangeLog by visiting this link:
https://sourceforge.net/project/shownotes.php?release_id=650741