multiAVCHD - author Blu-ray/AVCHD (Blu-ray players, camcoders, Viera TV) + (HD) DVD

[alex74.744]

Hello everyone. Can someone answer why the developer abandoned his program. I think multiAVCHD is one of the best blu-ray rebuilding software.

[tebasuna51]

I don't know.

Latest supported version: 4.1.771 (version 4.1 build 771) as of July 4th, 2012

Also in their forum (http://multiforum.deanbg.com/) I don't see post older than 26 Apr 2014 15:03

Last activity in this forum 28-10-2018
Last post in Doom9 (https://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1856265#post1856265)
Last post in this thread (https://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1581387#post1581387)

Without the sources, and after 9 years without a new version, we can consider this soft abandoned.
In tools folder there are many free soft (x264, ffmpeg,...) than can be replaced with new versions and see if still work for you.

We let this thread open for help between users but we can't hope read deank here.

[alex74.744]

good afternoon. I am trying to create a dvd from an mkv file. the disk structure is created normally, the video works, but there is no audio track. help to solve the problem
[05:51:26] Initialising...
[05:51:26] Checking for new version...
[05:51:28] You have the latest build.
[05:51:28] Consistency check finished!
[05:51:28] Initialization finished. multiAVCHD is ready!

[05:51:28] 12 years and 198 days since multiAVCHD was published.
[05:51:28] Support multiAVCHD to extend its features and keep it going!


[05:51:28] multiAVCHD.dat version: [04010767]
[05:51:56] WARNING: Path/File name contains non-ANSI characters. [D:\D\movie\Три богатыря и Наследница престола.mkv]
[05:51:57] Loading original chapters (D:\D\movie\Три богатыря и Наследница престола.mkv).
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:00:00.000]: Глава 1
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:06:57.240]: Глава 2
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:13:36.680]: Глава 3
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:20:13.700]: Глава 4
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:28:08.430]: Глава 5
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:34:48.150]: Глава 6
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:41:11.510]: Глава 7
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:48:03.330]: Глава 8
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [00:56:05.450]: Глава 9
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [01:04:41.300]: Глава 10
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [01:10:40.110]: Глава 11
[05:51:57] Chapter name at [01:15:04.090]: Глава 12
[05:51:58] Subtitle track #4 name: [SDH]
[05:51:58] Loading external subtitles: (eng) - Три богатыря и Наследница престола.mkv.chapters.eng.srt
[05:51:59] WARNING: Path/File name contains non-ANSI characters. [D:\D\movie\Три богатыря и Наследница престола.mkv]

[05:54:34] [DVD]: Title#1 "Три богатыря и Наследница престола" auto-configured for smart transcoding to DVD format (video bitrate: 6448 kbps).

[05:54:34] Checking for available space and drive types (FAT32/NTFS)...
[05:54:35] Destination [D:]: NTFS, 212002.15 MiB (207.033 GiB) free space
[05:54:35] Temp folder [D:]: NTFS, 212002.15 MiB (207.033 GiB) free space

[05:54:35] Log started for multiAVCHD v4.1 (build 771)
[05:54:35] Selected output mode: DVD player (DVD R/RW disc)

[05:54:35] Processing one title...
[05:54:35] Processing (D:\D\movie\Три богатыря и Наследница престола.mkv)...
[05:54:36] This title is marked for reencoding / uncropping...
[05:54:36] Encoding process may take 10 min to 10 hours, so be patient...

[05:54:36] *** Initiating video encoding:

[05:54:36] *** Original : 1920x1080
[05:54:36] *** Crop : 0
[05:54:36] *** Resize : 720x480
[05:54:36] *** Uncrop to : 720x480
[05:54:36] *** Sharpen : 0
[05:54:36] *** Bitrate : 6448 kbps
[05:54:36] *** Frame rate: 23.976 (24.000)
[05:54:36] *** Profile : SD-DVD (MPEG-2)

[05:54:36] *** Encoding : Two pass - content: [01:24:33] (MPEG-2 encoder: HCenc)
[06:46:26] *** Close to completion - closing preview...
[06:48:03] *** Speed : 37.93 fps (elapsed: 00:53:27 - Realtime x 1.58)
[06:48:03] *** Transcoding successful!

[06:48:03] Detected video: ID#0:V_MPEG-2 720x480, fps=23.976
[06:48:03] Display properties: 853x480 (AR:1.78)
[06:48:03] Detected audio: ID#2:A_AC3 (48000Hz 6ch 640kbps) Language: rus
[06:48:03] Attempting to convert A_AC3 audio track #2...
[06:48:03] Encoding A_AC3 to AC3...
[06:48:22] Trying to encode audio with ffmpeg...
[06:48:26] All attempts failed!
[06:48:26] Audio codec (A_AC3) is unsupported! Skipping track.
[06:48:26] No audio tracks present! HD-DVD mux is impossible.
[06:48:26] Creating SD-DVD structure...
[06:48:26] Applying pulldown...
[06:49:13] Authoring DVD structure (muxman)...
[06:50:45] SD-DVD muxing completed!

[06:50:45] SD-DVD title saved:
[06:50:45] D:\D\movie\AVCHD\[DVD]\Три богатыря и Наследница престола

[Emulgator]

The warning wants to tell something.
Maybe the old ffmpeg from 2008 chokes on cyrillian.
1. What if you rename all cyrillian pathnames to ANSI ?
2. If that does not work: Maybe you will have to take care by demuxing .mkv assets, and do the same again as in 1.

[RanmaCanada]

Hello everyone. Can someone answer why the developer abandoned his program. I think multiAVCHD is one of the best blu-ray rebuilding software.

I know I am necroing this, but Dean abandoned it so he could concentrate on his PS3 stuff.

[DreckSoft]

I doubt it will solve the problem for the disc is a mixture of standards.
Which, per se, is not illegal on BDs provided some minor contrains are observed.
The warnings only say what the amis should have known for long - unlike in Europe, whose players/TVs can do NTSC in US their players/TVs usually can't do PAL.

Selecting PAL 24p will allow you to mix clips with different framerates.

[DreckSoft]

I know I am necroing this, but Dean abandoned it so he could concentrate on his PS3 stuff.

Too bad he didn't make it Open Source. Another great program lost.

[deank]

Hey guys,

Well, I'm still around - I got some requests to "open source" multiAVCHD... I had no idea that anyone still uses it.

The problem is that multiAVCHD is created using a pseudo-language (calcIT) - can you believe that! I'm not sure anyone will have the time to work on it, but I may try to gather the files and put something out (if I find the source and the installation on my 2008 PC, sitting in the drawer for ages).

Happy holidays!

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hey guys,

Well, I'm still around - I got some requests to "open source" multiAVCHD... I had no idea that anyone still uses it.
Very nice to see you again ;)

[DreckSoft]

It is still the ONLY free software for creating BDs with Menus. I even use it to create UHD BDs.

I don't have any clue about calcIT, never even heard about it but it can never hurt to have a look. A few issues are likely easy to fix like the crash if program settings are loaded from the project file, that English is always detected as undefined an so on. It should also be possible to update it to use new versions of the libs and tsmuxer so UHD can be created directly (even if the menu stays 1080p) and so on.

If you find anything, just put it on GitHub or upload an archive somewhere and link it here. Would be greatly appreciated.

[deank]

GitHub is an overkill for a single file of plain text (what multiAVCHD is) :) My main concern is that the "code" is a mess and I'll be so ashamed forever.
But you can also send me some details on email how to fix the main issues and add that 4k thingy before I release anything.

[varekai]

Hey guys,

Well, I'm still around - I got some requests to "open source" multiAVCHD... I had no idea that anyone still uses it.

Happy holidays!

Hello mr Dean!

I am a big fan of your software! I still use multiAVCHD and also easySUP.
I just recently used easySUP to make lovely subtitles for a 1971-1972 classic Criterion Collection movie that lacked subtitles.
I used a favorite font for movies, Tiresias PCfont Regular, looks great on old classic movies!

Have du seen the gorgeous menus "Lowpro" creates with your multiAVCHD and some other apps?
"Quick-Play Menus, the hidden gem of BD Rebuilder."
https://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=182746
---
Years ago "a5180007" who works on tsMuxer helped me with an easySUP bug.
https://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1898556#post1898556
Alternatively, open the sup produced by easysup with an hexeditor:
- bytes 14-15 are width (0x0780 = 1920)
- bytes 16-17 are height (0x0438 = 1080)
- first nibble of byte 18 is fps: = (0, 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94) => change from "10" to "20"
---

Thanks, best regards and Happy Holidays,
varekai

[Emulgator]

Welcome back, deank !
Happy to hear that there is hope for development and going open source.

[malimuc]

@deank!
Welcome back.

I wish you could add a function to Re-author BD, namely to add the "blank all" button, because sometimes you come across a large number (150-300 mpls files) and you have to blank each one separately. If you add the "blank all" function, we would have less work, because I could re-blank only mpls files that I want to keep.
Thank you for yours hard work and I wish all users Happy New Year 2024!

[iambryanknowles]

Hi, I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake or if the program is. Trying to create an HD-DVD.

[15:33:39] Initialising...
[15:33:40] Checking for new version...
[15:33:40] You have the latest build.
[15:33:40] Consistency check finished!
[15:33:40] Initialization finished. multiAVCHD is ready!

[15:33:40] 15 years and 119 days since multiAVCHD was published.
[15:33:40] Support multiAVCHD to extend its features and keep it going!


[15:33:40] multiAVCHD.dat version: [04010767]

[15:34:22] File is encoded with HD-DVD compatible H.264 settings:
[15:34:22] hp1.264
[15:34:24] Loading external audio: (und) - hp1.ac3

[15:35:20] Checking for available space and drive types (FAT32/NTFS)...
[15:35:21] Destination [c:]: NTFS, 80508.26 MiB (78.621 GiB) free space
[15:35:21] Temp folder [c:]: NTFS, 80508.26 MiB (78.621 GiB) free space

[15:35:21] Log started for multiAVCHD v4.1 (build 770)
[15:35:21] Selected output mode: HD-DVD player (DVD R/RW disc)

[15:35:21] Processing one title...
[15:35:21] Existing c:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD\ cannot be used as destination folder!
[15:35:21] Output will be written to: c:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD-20240420-153521
[15:35:21] Processing (D:\hp1.264)...
[15:35:22] Detected frame reference count: 4 (max:4).
[15:35:22] Detected video: ID#0:V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC 1440x1080, fps=23.976, ref=4
[15:35:22] Display properties: 1920x1080 (AR:1.78)
[15:35:22] Adding AC3 audio track (ID#1)
[15:35:22] Total of 2 tracks found in this file.
[15:35:22] Creating clip and playlist info (tsMuxeR)...
[15:35:22] Media split set at 4000MiB point...

tsMuxeR (Version 1.10.6) output:
===============================================================================
Decoding H264 stream (track 1): Profile: High@4.0 Resolution: 1440:1080p Frame rate: 23.976
H.264 stream does not contain fps field. Muxing fps=23.976
Decoding AC3 stream (track 2): Bitrate: 448Kbps Sample Rate: 48KHz Channels: 6
H264 bitstream changed: insert SPS/PPS units
B-pyramid level 1 detected. Shift DTS to 2 frames
Processed 228506 video frames
Creation of Blu-ray playlist
Creation of Blu-ray stream info and seek index
Mux successful complete.
Muxing time: 19 sec
===============================================================================

===============================================================================
tsMuxeR meta:
===============================================================================
MUXOPT --no-pcr-on-video-pid --new-audio-pes --blu-ray --vbr --custom-chapters=99:99:99 --split-size=4000MiB --vbv-len=500
V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC, "D:\hp1.264", insertSEI, contSPS, track=0, fps=23.976
A_AC3, "c:\multiAVCHD\_TEMP\multiTEMP-20240420\extAUD-1-hp1.ac3", track=1, lang=und, timeshift=0ms
===============================================================================
[15:35:42] Media transfer: 00000 -> 00000.m2ts
[15:35:42] Media transfer: 00001 -> 00001.m2ts
[15:35:42] Processing playlist...
[15:35:42] Title #1 added: "hp1"
[15:35:42] Verifying title...
[15:35:47] Title has: 1 audio tracks and 0 subtitle tracks

[15:35:47] Preparing authoring information...


[15:35:47] Preparing menu pages...
[15:35:47] Setting main menu for 1 titles...
[15:35:47] Playback will end after title #1.
[15:35:47] Playback will start with title #1 (hp1).
[15:35:47] Setting menu properties...
[15:35:47] Selected TV system: [NTSC]
[15:35:47] Processing clip (CPI/CLPI) files...
[15:35:47] Completed.
[15:35:53] Done!

[15:35:53] Saving multiAVCHD quick-load project (mpf):
[15:35:53] c:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD-20240420-153521\multiAVCHD.mpf (OK!)

Compilation summary:
Format: HD-DVD player (DVD R/RW disc)
Name : multiAVCHD
===============================================================================
1. hp1 [02:38:50]
===============================================================================
Overall duration : 02:38:50
Output size : 7700 MiB (7.519 GiB)

[15:35:53] c:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD-20240420-153521 folder created (AVCHD/Blu-ray output)!
[15:35:53] Burn its CONTENTS to DVD R/RW UDF 2.50/2.60 disc!
[15:35:54] You may now remove temp folder (c:\multiAVCHD\_TEMP\multiTEMP-20240420\).
[15:35:54] Your compilation contains 2hrs 38min 50sec of video material.

[15:35:54] multiAVCHD finished in 33.375 seconds (00:00:33.375)!

[15:35:54] End of log.

[tebasuna51]

Hi, I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake or if the program is. Trying to create an HD-DVD.
And what is the problem? The log seems fine without errors.

Of course you must have a writer/support/player compatible with:

"HD-DVD - AVC/H.264 for 3xDVD compatible HD-DVD players (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD)"
until 15 GB (single layer)

Maybe you want other formats for standard DVD's:

AVCHD - AVC/H.264 - DVD/BD-R (optical discs)
SD-DVD - MPEG-2 for standard DVD players

[Emulgator]

[15:35:53] c:\multiAVCHD\AVCHD-20240420-153521 folder created (AVCHD/Blu-ray output)!
I would have expected HD-DVD folder structure.
IIRC tsmuxeR cannot create .EVOs, hddvdmux.exe does.
Maybe I have to try this feature once again after ~15 years

[DreckSoft]

IIRC tsmuxeR cannot create .EVOs, hddvdmux.exe does.

Yes, hddvdmux is the ONLY free EVO muxer. Unfortunately the regular version does not work at all. The modified version from multiAVCHD does work under certain circumstances but does not include the source with the modifications.

I only gave it a short try cause I was curious some time ago. The results are still pretty bad. Cut off end, no chapters, no seeking information (try fast forward in your player), ...

[sgscaffidi3]

GitHub is an overkill for a single file of plain text (what multiAVCHD is) :) My main concern is that the "code" is a mess and I'll be so ashamed forever.
But you can also send me some details on email how to fix the main issues and add that 4k thingy before I release anything.

I understand your feelings about, "messy" source code. As a self-taught programmer, but a formally-educated "Software Engineer" with over a dozen years of industry experience... I can tell you that you should feel no shame in developing such a useful and beloved tool, that still endures to this day.

I would be happy to contribute to the development of an opensource version of multiAVCHD, and I bet there are others here who would as well. I would also be happy to contribute to the extended development if you choose to keep the original source code private. I would honor your request and keep any changes to the original source private. But, for new development, I would prefer to create some Python wrappers/APIs/helper functions to extend it's capabilities and add features. And, if I did that, it might be helpful to make it opensource and have other people contribute / maintain it in the future.

I have taken up the hobby of creating compilations of cartoon TV shows and movies for my kids to watch on the rear-entertainment screen of their mom's SUV. A key tool in my belt is multiAVCHD. I started using it to share HD videos of my kids soccer games on cheap DVD media with relatives. In that case, I didn't need menus. But, when you're trying to put 120 episodes of Curious George or Pinkalicious on a Blu Ray or DVD9 AVCHD disc, working menus are essential. Recently I have faced problems with the menu compilation process. It is frustrating to go through the whole process of transcoding the videos only to have the menu compilation fail at the end. To be fair, I have been simultaneously trying to improve my multiAVCHD experience by incorporating the latest versions of as many libraries and tools as I can. I have encountered many compatibility issues along the way, which I am sure I could solve if I had access to the source code.

I'm also currently unemployed, so I have extra time to devote to side projects like this. But, I hope that changes soon... And, when it does I would still like to keep up my new hobby in a more efficient manner. Rather than try to reverse-engineer your existing solution, or come up with clever ways to trick it into kicking off a dozen or more transcoding tasks at a time to take advantage of modern CPU architectures (or GPUs), so I don't have to wait a day and a half for my 120-episode Blu-Ray compilation to fail at encoding the menus and then try again with different settings.

So, what do you think? Will you share your source code so I can I work on your super cool project for free? I really would love to help contribute to a modern version of this amazingly useful tool that is so appreciated by so many people in this community.

:script::thanks::)

[sgscaffidi3]

GitHub is an overkill for a single file of plain text (what multiAVCHD is) :) My main concern is that the "code" is a mess and I'll be so ashamed forever.
But you can also send me some details on email how to fix the main issues and add that 4k thingy before I release anything.

I just wanted to say thanks for providing such an amazing tool for free to the community. I would love to contribute, so please consider this another vote for you to opensource the project!

:)

[Marban]

Can anybody help me?

i have Win11 and installed the correct Versions, but i get this Error:

[15:08:03] Initialising...
[15:08:03] Checking for new version...
[15:08:03] You have the latest build.
[15:08:03] Consistency check finished!
[15:08:03] Initialization finished. multiAVCHD is ready!

[15:08:03] 15 years and 244 days since multiAVCHD was published.
[15:08:03] Support multiAVCHD to extend its features and keep it going!


[15:08:03] multiAVCHD.dat version: [04010767]

[15:08:07] Project name: multiAVCHD
[15:08:07] Project loaded: (G:\nightmare.mpf)
[15:08:07] Project created with build 770 (23/08/2024 15:01:34)
[15:08:17] Avisynth is not working properly! Menu will not available!
[15:08:17] Re/Install Avisynth 2.58, ffdshow, haali splitter.
[15:08:17] Download links: http://multiforum.deanbg.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17

[15:14:19] Visit http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/donate/ to support this project!

Avisynth 2.58
Haali
1.13.138.44 23062013 (June 23, 2013)
ffdshow
1.3.4533 (September 30, 2014)

[tandi]

is there a way to use different images for main menu, chapters, setup ?

[Emulgator]

Go to \multiAVCHD\templates and swap the assets (.jpgs, .bmps) to your liking.
Or even better: The .mmt scripts can be opened in a simple text editor.
Not too hard to modify.

[tandi]

Go to \multiAVCHD\templates and swap the assets (.jpgs, .bmps) to your liking.
Or even better: The .mmt scripts can be opened in a simple text editor.
Not too hard to modify.


got it, thanks alot

[tandi]

hello, have a problem here, hope anyone can help

menu button position : Play - Setup - Chapters
- From Play press right button go to Setup - press right button again from Setup it didn't go anywhere ( it should go to chapters ), but if i press down button it go to Chapters
- From Setup press left button it go to Play, press left button again from Play it go chapters,
from Chapters press left button it go to Play

my goal is from Play press right button go to Setup, press right button again go to Chapters
where did i do wrong ?


https://prnt.sc/vhPcGH3zymmu

https://prnt.sc/J1gUWpgxkM22

[jimbobub]

Do chapter markers have to be on an I-Frame for avc h.264 video? Does multiavchd place chapter markers on the nearest I-Frame? When inserting chapter markers on an already blu ray compliant video in multiavchd, most of the time there is no issue on my standalone blu ray player. On occasion, the player takes a while to reach a certain chapter and sometimes the audio will just play for a few seconds and then the video will play when going to another chapter. Is this due to chapter markers not being on an I-Frame? Thanks.

[TMM]

Just wanted to add my vote for making multiAVCHD open source. Dean, you've built a great bit of software and I have used it regularly for years. I don't know calcIT (yet), but it would be great to be able to contribute to some of the issues I've noticed over the years (e.g. update the included tools).

[TheStauntonLick]

This software was a life-saver for me getting media to my father, who doesn't use digital formats. Aside from this project, the blu-ray burning software landscape is bleak and unlikely to get better. I am also willing to contribute, should you make it open-source.

Whatever you decide to do, thanks for making such a great tool!

[El Capitain]

Anyone got a good template for season of TV show?