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

[deank]

I don't think I can make it atm. I can do it manually, of course. There are too many variables/variations per title/bd-rom that it is hard to code it in a tool.

@strad: NEVER remove ANYTHING from multiAVCHD output.

[strad]

Yes, Sir!

[turbojet]

I don't think I can make it atm. I can do it manually, of course. There are too many variables/variations per title/bd-rom that it is hard to code it in a tool.

I understand and you already have a lot on your plate.

The menu buttons are a complete mystery to me. However I think I know just about everything about the blanking/stripping except how to change the mpls correctly while keeping the navigation commands.

[deank]

Button graphics are stored in the menu m2ts files (not mpls). Navigational commands can be stored in the same m2ts or a linked (via subpath) m2ts file. Navigational commands for button actions can be also in the movieobject (and in the m2ts). It is not so simple, really.

[strad]

using TsMuxer GUI I can choose the chapter interval manually.
Is there a chance to get at least a second interval (like 10 min.) besides the 5 min. in multiAVCHD?

[deank]

Yes, read the 1st post. Use movie.txt with your movie.mkv and put chapter marks in it.

[strad]

Sorry, I tried to find out, what you mean, but don´t understand, only find multiCHAP.txt in the finished compilation with 5 movies.
Why not just put in your program a second line for 10 min.?

[deank]

If you load a video file called MOVIE.MKV put another file MOVIE.TXT in the same folder and edit it to contain:

00:10:00.000;00:20:00.000;00:30:00.000.... etc.

[strad]

now I get it - one has to make a new *.txt file for the movie. Forgive me, but "use movie.txt" sounded more like an already existing file.
Thank you!

[deank]

Upon your suggestion - I'll make this "Add each 5min" to be configurable to any value in minutes.

[strad]

Fantastic, that´s a lot more comfortable (I didn´t dare to ask for that) - again: Thank you very much!

[turbojet]

Button graphics are stored in the menu m2ts files (not mpls). Navigational commands can be stored in the same m2ts or a linked (via subpath) m2ts file. Navigational commands for button actions can be also in the movieobject (and in the m2ts). It is not so simple, really.

Oh menus are quite a bit different then the way I understand how titles work. Blanking/stripping titles with a blank m2ts only rarely works. Replacing the clpi and mpls from tsmuxer helps but if the original mpls has more then one title in the playlist it doesn't work. At least this is the conclusion I've come to after researching for about 6 hours I'd guess. I'm really caught on what really needs to be changed in the mpls to ensure playback. I could code something crude to move files within a few days but I'm clueless on editing files through code.

[deank]

Yes, mpls files keep entry/skip points with PTS time-stamps which change when tsMuxeR is used.

[strad]

one final thing on that chapter item:
I imported 2 movies (full BDMV structure on HDD) by playlist and added 3 other movie-files (2mts) choosing "keep original chapters". Result on disc was: the full movies still had original chapter marks, the files (before without chapters) became automaticly added 5 min. marks.
So what will happen, if I choose 10 min. with your intended free chapter configuration - will also the original chapters become changed?

[deank]

Check the guide/tutorial... You seem to have a lot of questions.

Logic is:

Original chapters (if (o) Keep original is selected)
Add each 5min (overrides the previous)
External (overrides previous 2).

[benchmarkjoe]

Your disc should have the BDMV folder at the top/root level and the following sub-folders and files.

BDMV
BDMV\BACKUP
BDMV\CLIPINF
BDMV\PLAYLIST
BDMV\STREAM
BDMV\index.bmv
BDMV\MovieObject.bdmv


I'm not sure if that file is a compatible frame rate. It might play and it might not. 720P files should be 60p, 50p or 24p to ensure compatibility.

See the AVCHD specs to determine if your file should be compatible:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD#Specifications

If the video doesn't play, make sure 24P Output is disabled in the Setup menu. (TV/Device Connection: HDMI Connection: 24P Output)[/QUOTE]

Davsim, my MKV file is 720/30p and this could be the problem. We are N. America. About the Panasonic Blu-ray player, I set this to 24p.
Do you think I should convert 720/30p to 24p?

[deank]

I don't know who was this pointed out to...

[strad]

If you don´t use quotation marks properly (beginning is missing), nobody will understand your post, which actually refers to one page before, especially when it has nothing to do with the current discussion. Pardon me!

[benchmarkjoe]

1) If you have SD card you can create a compilation for copying to SD/SDHC instead of burning.
2) Use the built-in option "Use ImgBurn" - it will make things easier.

It is better to use ImgBurn. Check it's settings, because the new version adds CERTIFICATE folder, which should not be added and is not present in the output.



I put the 'force resolution' drop-down just in case. Use "Original" and test if your file is not 1080i/1080p. If it doesn't work - try with 1080i.

1920x1080 is AVCHD. 1280x720 is AVCHD lite, so may be Panasonic TV is not compatible (directly) with AVCHD lite.

Dean

Deank, I love to use sd card for myself, but this DVD-R will be send to my friend to view.

[benchmarkjoe]

If you don´t use quotation marks properly (beginning is missing), nobody will understand your post, which actually refers to one page before, especially when it has nothing to do with the current discussion. Pardon me!

Sorry, I did not specific

[davsim]

Davsim, my MKV file is 720/30p and this could be the problem. We are N. America.

[18:55:02] C:\AVCHD\AVCHD folder created!
[18:55:02] Burn its CONTENTS to DVD-R/RW UDF 2.50/2.60 disc!
Did you already burn those files to disc exactly as I instructed? If not, try that first before converting the video. Your video might play as-is.

Deank, I love to use sd card for myself, but this DVD-R will be send to my friend to view.
The SD card should be used for testing to ensure compatibility before burning to DVD-R.

If you have an SD Card large enough, just add your video, then create Panasonic SDHC AVCHD output. Copy that to your SD card, then see if it plays.

If you don't have a large enough card, you can set the authoring option to just create and SD card file with a small segment of the video that will fit.

Otherwise, just burn the files to DVD-R as I explained and see if it plays or not.

If it doesn't play, then start re-encoding tests. 720P 24fps is a valid AVCHD resolution/framerate, so you should try that next.

About the Panasonic Blu-ray player, I set this to 24p.
Do you think I should convert 720/30p to 24p?
As I explained in my post the Blu-ray should NOT be set to 24P. Disable that in your player setting (the exact menu was described in my earlier post) if you want to play AVCHD files from SD card or DVD-R.

Depending on your video file, it might or might not work. I have seen people reporting that some AVCHD will NOT play with the player on 24P. If this is on in your player settings turn it off. After playing AVCHD, if you want 24P on for regular DVD and Bluray, then you can turn it back on.

24P is off on my BD60 player and compliant AVCHD files play from both SD card and DVD-R just fine.

[davsim]

@benchmarkjoe:

I just tested a 1280x720 29.97P clip on my BD60 and it plays fine, even though it is a non-compliant AVCHD frame rate.

If you test your video on SD card or burn your files as I described and it doesn't play, then re-read this thread and others in this forum to find many different settings and options you can try.

[deank]

Build 562+/563+:

* Updated: mediainfo to 0.7.15 in tools (full download (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/download.php) or download it yourself (http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?groupname=mediainfo&filename=MediaInfo_CLI_0.7.15_Windows_i386.zip&use_mirror=kent) and put mediainfo.exe/dll in tools)
* Added: audio delay in MKV is now processed (with updated mediainfo)
* Added: more warnings added in LOG tab if outputting AVCHD format with non AVC/H.264 video streams
* Added: BREAK/STOP will be inserted after last title if no menu is generated
* Added: Force framerate option in Author tab for Panasonic SDHC output (to overcome NTSC playback issues in PAL players)
* Fixed: major problem with playlist parsing if importing Blu-ray or camcoder structures
* Fixed: playlist may become broken and output unplayable
* Fixed: "Original" in Force resolution list for Panasonic - not working properly
* Fixed: Removed unnecessary files in clipinf/playlist/stream/+backup folders in selected output modes
* Changed: Force framerate and resolution default to 25.000/1080i and available only with Panasonic Viera TV output mode
* Changed: AVCHD index.bdm IDEX segment generated properly and set correctly for first playback playlist/stream
* Added info: Version history link (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/version_history.txt) in 1st post
* Added info: Contents info link (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/contents.txt) in 1st post

============================================================

Latest build is reported to be successful in processing input from and producing output for/to:

* Sony Vegas (output/save as Sony AVC, template AVCHD 1920x1080 NTSC/PAL 5.1 Surround)
* Panasonic HDwriter
* Camcoders (HD)
* Panasonic Viera TVs with AVCHD support
* Various brands/models of Blu-ray players and Playstation®3 (DVD and BD-R/RE media / SDHC cards / USB flash drives / USB HDD)

============================================================

These results all prove the compliance of multiAVCHD output with AVCHD/BD standards, which was the ultimate goal for the last month.
Thank you all for the patience, for all the testing and reporting back.

Guide / tutorial (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/tutorial.php) is updated. (May 3rd, 2009)

Dean

[espero]

Dean: I have a question regarding multiAVCHD and my Sony SR11 camcorder. My movie has 790 shoots. I would like to author it to Blu-ray disc. I am not sure if specification of Blu-ray format supports 790 titles? Will it play sequently without gaps between scenes?

[deank]

No, I don't think it supports so many titles. If it is 1 title with multiple mts files in 10-20-30-40-100 playlists - it will work.

[espero]

No, I don't think it supports so many titles. If it is 1 title with multiple mts files in 10-20-30-40-100 playlists - it will work.

So it is better not to import original (there is one) mpl but import all 790 mts (multiAVCHD will create 790 playlists). Am I right?
The question is if it will play smoothly without gaps between scenes...

I think I am lost... can you please tell me how to do this in the best way? :(

[deank]

1) Create a backup of your Sony AVCHD folder
2) Drag it to multiAVCHD
3) Create AVCHD for DVD/BD-R

and test. There should be no gaps. Don't import the mts files directly, because each mts will become title, and multiAVCHD will not process more than 40. If you import the original folder it will create one title with one playlist and up to 1000 mts files.

[deank]

multiAVCHD is now updated to identify and report:

* selected models of Panasonic camcoderс when importing AVCHD folders
* popBD input and
* the recording / creation date of your imported AVCHD folder

Dean

[aladdino]

Thank you Dean,

perfect work with delay audio vs video in mkv... It works perfect.

[jsffm]

multiupdate doesn´t work here. It asks for updating, if yes, it does something, starts the program again and aks for updating and so on, a loop.

[jagzjagz]

So this Batman Begins 1080p MKV file doesn't seem to want to work. Non standard video at 1920 x 800. However the other one I had did work. Any suggestions? The sample .mkv 50MB file converted fine, but the actual 4GB MKV files don't seem to work!

Log File:
*REMOVED*

[Jackal1985]

Quick question... I have a blank 4gb memory card and a Panasonic Vierra TV (TH-58PZ800u). What all do I need to do to get the set to recognized the card? multiAVCHD creates the AVCHD files just fine and everything and it says to put it in the folder "X:\Private" on the SD card. Does that mean I should just create those folders on the card? Because my computer doesn't let me use : or \ in the file names...

Aside from those questions, everything else is working great! Normally I just create a DVD with the files on them and it works beyond flawlessly (w/ my Sony BDP-S1), but this is the only issue I've run into so far.

[deank]

multiupdate doesn´t work here. It asks for updating, if yes, it does something, starts the program again and aks for updating and so on, a loop.

Sorry. 1 of the update servers was down.

@jagzjagz: Remove your post. You're breaking the forum rules!

Quick question... I have a blank 4gb memory card and a Panasonic Vierra TV (TH-58PZ800u). What all do I need to do to get the set to recognized the card? multiAVCHD creates the AVCHD files just fine and everything and it says to put it in the folder "X:\Private" on the SD card.

1) Go to Computer/My computer
2) Double-Click the icon with your SecureDigital Card
3) Right-click, select 'New... Folder'
4) Name it PRIVATE
5) Copy multiAVCHD's output AVCHD folder inside the PRIVATE folder.

http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/SD_private.jpg

[deank]

2 issues I found this morning:

1) new mediainfo reports chapters in different format and multiAVCHD does not detect them (fixed)
2) non-matroska muxers seem to produce EBML structure for MKV files in unexpected way and mkvinfo reports info which multiAVCHD cannot understand

I will remove mkvinfo from the package and will use only mediainfo in next build.

I'll post later when I make it all work fine.

[deank]

Build 564:

* mkvinfo is no longer used for obtaining info from MKV files
* fixed some bugs related to the former use of mkvinfo
* fixed chapters reported by mediainfo
* language tags in mkv are now properly set (if exist) - no more "und" languages

This should eliminate problems with localized versions of mkvtoolnix or new mkv muxers.

I hope nothing broke during the transition.

Dean

[jagzjagz]

Thanks deanK. Latest update is now processing my 1080p Batman Begins file correctly (!).

[deank]

Nice. Thanks for pointing out the problem, because probably more mkv files will appear around with the same problem.

multiAVCHD should have no problems with them from now on.

[mCmAl]

What can I do to get round this problem?

[18:50:29] ffmpeg refused to convert audio!
[18:50:29] Audio codec (A_AAC) is unsupported! Skipping track.

[deank]

1) Download eac3to (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=125966) (if you don't have it)
2) Enable it in Audio / Subtitles tab and select eac3to.exe
3) Try again

There should be more info in the log file. Paste all lines about this file (detected audio.... to the error).

It is the 1st time I see that ffmpeg will refuse to convert audio. It is possible that it is in some weird AAC format.

Dean

[jagzjagz]

Alright. Thought it worked great. MTS files generated but the audio lags behind the actual video by around 1-2 seconds max. AC3 for audio, MP4 for video. Any reason why this could be the case? MKV was split at 3900MB, into two files, 3900 and a 600MB file.

[deank]

1st suggestion: download the COMPLETE multiAVCHD package. It contains the new mediainfo which handles audio delays in MKV files.

2nd: post what (NEW) mediainfo says about your file.

[jagzjagz]

Ok. Mediainfo is being used. It is the complete multiAVCHD package up to date (as far as I am aware).

Mediainfo post:

General
Complete name : f:\torrents\batman~1\BatmanDisk1.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 4.25 GiB
Duration : 1h 7mn
Overall bit rate : 8 996 Kbps
Writing application : AVI-Mux GUI 1.17.7, Aug 8 2006 20:59:17
Writing library : matroska muxer by Alexander Noe, build date A
ug 8 2006

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 6 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@4.0
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 7mn
Bit rate : 8 369 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 8 225 Kbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.400
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.227
Stream size : 3.95 GiB (93%)
Writing library : x264 core 54 svn-620M
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=0:0:0 / analyse=0x3
:0x113 / me=hex / subme=6 / brdo=1 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / t
rellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=2 /
nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / d
irect=1 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc
=2pass / bitrate=8225 / ratetol=4.0 / rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)' / qcomp=0.60 / q
pmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_r
atio=1.30
Language : English

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 7mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 217 MiB (5%)
Title : Batman

[deank]

up to date means: download it now. This medianfo does not report any audio delays - so multiAVCHD won't process any.

Writing library : matroska muxer by Alexander Noe, build date Aug 8 2006

This is really old mkv muxer and it could be the reason for all the problems.

[jagzjagz]

I ran mediainfo through the command line. This is the latest multiAVCHD package offered at the beginning of this thread (v2.6 build 564). Why would it say this? What additional/other package am I supposed to download? Or did you mean the file itself was muxxed incorrectly using an old muxxer? I tried another file also and experienced the same audio lag issue.

[11:49:20] Initialising...
[11:49:21] Checking for new version...
[11:49:21] You have the latest build.
[11:49:21] [04/05/2009] build 564 (latest is: 564) - MKV files are processed with mediainfo. mkvinfo is no longer used.
[11:49:21] File consistency check finished!
[11:49:21] Initialisation finished. multiAVCHD is ready!

[11:49:21] 123 days since multiAVCHD was published.
[11:49:21] 67 people donated
[11:49:21] and you are the 206765 one to launch the program...
[11:49:21] Support multiAVCHD to extend its features and keep it free!

[11:49:21] This multiAVCHD build uses:
[11:49:21] SmartLabs tsMuxeR. Version 1.9.9

[Mike1029]

Hi Deank,
I failed to include over 28 titles in one multiavchd and the program only shows me first 2 pages but not 3rd. I also found that there are only two menus being built in Stream folder. Is there any way to workaround this so that I can consolidate over 28 titles in one go. Thank you.

[turbojet]

Speaking of updating external tools does mkvmerge 2.53 without TrueHD support hinder anything?

If so the latest release version 2.70 has a bug when splitting files but it's been fixed in this build (http://www.bunkus.org/videotools/mkvtoolnix/win32/pre/mkvtoolnix-unicode-2.7.0-build20090416-121-setup.exe)

[deank]

Hi Deank,
I failed to include over 28 titles in one multiavchd and the program only shows me first 2 pages but not 3rd.

If you check the guide (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/tutorial.php), you'll find something like:


- LIST MENU: two pages x 14 titles and another 12 RC accessible, or
- THUMBNAIL MENU: four pages x 7 titles and another 12 RC accessible (use your player's remote-control or info-menu)
- XMB style MENU: up-to 40 scrollable titles (similar to Playstation3 cross-media-bar XMB)

* RC accessible = using GO TO function with your Remote Control Unit.

You're best option is to use XMB styled menu.

***

@jagzjagz: You probably have the latest version of all tools. Another user reported that video-delays are handled properly if the writing application is at least mkvmerge v2.3.0 ('Freak U') built on Sep 9 2008 17:43:22...


Dean

[Mike1029]

Dear Deank,
Yes, I know the titles 29-40 are RC accessible and I tried to press all the buttons in my PS3 RC and no button can lead me to 3rd pages of menu. Would you please tell me which button in RC functions as "GO TO". So sorry for asking such a stupid question.

[deank]

In Classic menu (list menu) you have only two pages, each with 14 titles. There are NO other pages to go to.

This menu type was the initial/first menu type in multiAVCHD and has a restriction.

With your PS3 remote your can press:

1) TRIANGLE
2) there is an arrow with text "GO TO" - find it and press "X"
3) you'll see: "TITLE CHAPTER TIME" at the bottom
4) change "TITLE" to 29 for example.

If you have Blu-ray remote control - simply type "29" and title will change to 29 or use the joypad and the digits when you press "TRIANGLE".

I think it will work ONLY while playing a title, but I may be wrong.

***

Using XMB will be better for you I think.

[deank]

I read an article by Sydon777 at hdtv.pl.com:

http://hdtv.com.pl/forum/showthread.php?p=367424#post367424

I'm not sure if I understood it correctly, but there seem to be some misunderstanding about importing folders/playlists from camcoders.

multiAVCHD presents two options:

1) To import an AVCHD or BDMV folder and let you rearrange/remove individual playlists.

In this mode multiAVCHD will keep all MTS/M2TS files which belong to the selected playlists (the ones you see in AVCHD editor if you have [x] Edit AVCHD contents on loading option enabled).

2) To import INDIVIDUAL playlist files.

This option lets you import MPLS files. In camcoder/AVCHD you may have one MPLS file, containing 50 scenes for example in 50 different M2TS files.

If you import MPLS (connected to 20 scenes in 20M2TS+20CLPI) the result will be ONE MPLS + ONE M2TS + ONE CLPI - with all 20 scenes joined/merged (if you have a split setting you may get 2 or more clpi/m2ts pairs).

Here comes the important note: Usually your camcoder files will be in 8.3 file naming format, i.e. 00000.MPL, 00000.CPI, 00000.MTS.

MPLS import WILL NOT WORK if your files are not in long-name format - it is a restriction of tsMuxeR. I asked tsMuxeR's author to enable xxxxx.MPL playlist import, so probably in some of the next versions it will be available without renaming 8.3 to long filenames.

So, if you want to add a playlist from your camcoder AVCHD structure you need to convert all filenames (for example with AVCHD Manager or AVCHDme-undo). Then you can import the playlist you need.

Panasonic HDwriter stores all transferred AVCHD folders in AVCHDL with long filenames - that's why multiAVCHD has no problems importing playlists from folders already stored by HDwriter.

Nothing about playlist importing is changed between builds 540 and 564.

Dean