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

[deank]

I tested on USB all possible options:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 titles LITE menu with PAL system selection
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 titles LITE menu with NTSC system selection

These are 10 different tests and they all play on my PAL Playstation3.

Try to download the whole PAL FULL or LITE.

[Glorioso]

I tested on USB all possible options:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 titles LITE menu with PAL system selection
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 titles LITE menu with NTSC system selection

These are 10 different tests and they all play on my PAL Playstation3.

Try to download the whole PAL FULL or LITE.

Ok, i'll erase-it and tray again.

I've used the skip menu option and it played fine, but when i press "top menu" it goes to the menu without options.

[deank]

The problem with non-showing-menu is fixed for DVD/BD recorded media. Probably it will fix the rare cases when menu is not shown during USB playback. (build 206).

I'm updating the full/lite links in the first post.

[rendez2k]

The problem with non-showing-menu is fixed for DVD/BD recorded media. Probably it will fix the rare cases when menu is not shown during USB playback. (build 206).

I'm updating the full/lite links in the first post.

Great news - I'll test tonight. Is there any chance you could add automatic burning with ImgBurn?

[coolalibaba]

do I have to download the full package to update?

[deank]

No, you don't, but sometimes downloads of important updated files fails. So it's better to download LITE package for your tv system and overwrite multiavchd folder.


Build 212: Now ImgBurn is supported. Check SETTINGS TAB.

[asherungar]

Hi dean,

any progress on the video alignment for NC videos in PS3?

thanks!

[deank]

Here is a brief tutorial for multiAVCHD. (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/tutorial.php)

[Glorioso]

deank, sorry if this is a doubled question. I've used this with true 720/180 files. Yesterday i converted one that's not 720p and my PS3 forced a PAL resolution, it's normal?

[deank]

PS3 tends to do strange things sometimes. If you see your movie :) so it is normal :)


Check this post. (http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1235782&postcount=309)

---

Please if someone can test if IMGBURN works for him.

[asherungar]

still aligned to the top of the screen though?

[B4tm4n]

@deank

Will there be an updated version of multiAVCHD_Mac.exe ?


Cheers.

[deank]

Yes. I was thinking of this today. Please download FULL package of your choice and I'll post a link for MAC in a bit.

The link is still the same. multiAVCHD version 1.5 (build 213) for WinEmu/Mac (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_Mac.exe)

[B4tm4n]

Yes. I was thinking of this today. Please download FULL package of your choice and I'll post a link for MAC in a bit.

The link is still the same. multiAVCHD version 1.5 (build 213) for WinEmu/Mac (http://multiavchd.deanbg.com/multiAVCHD_Mac.exe)


Cheers for that.

[deank]

Cheers for that.

Please let me know if it works, because I used another approach, so I can generate mac version with every win build.

[B4tm4n]

It seems to be working, I try out a short clip to make sure.

[deank]

If it is loading ok - it will work. All network functions are stripped, so no HTTP downloads of updated components is possible with _mac version.

I think that at this point (build 213) everything works as expected. Motion and static menu show okay via USB and optical media. Correct title count is shown for first 5 titles and all options work as expected.

Things to do:
* AVCHD split (it will split output to multiple AVCHD folders if certain size is reached for current AVCHD output). This was requested by turbojet while ago. It will help importing 8GB video (mkv/*ts) and multiAVCHD will generate two (or more) folders for two DVD9 discs.
* m2ts split while importing AVCHD/BD folders - requested by shv few days ago.
* custom menu and centered NC videos is delayed

[B4tm4n]

Yup working as you predicted.


Cheers.

[zoner]

hi, i have another req, if possible when you add AVCHD spit, make an option for split to DVD5s or DVD9s and not just dvd9
cheers :)

[kaid]

Funny post :) really. Read again what I've posted. (http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1235782&postcount=309) I don't "detect" anything, nor I decide either your PS3 will play anything at any resolution. I too, not force SD instead of HD, nor I will answer to similar posts anymore. For best AVCHD compatible results use COMPATIBLE INPUT.

And, NO, I personally don't have "problems" :) with movies... with ANY movie.

Haha, yeah, i also thought the wording was quite rude! ;-) Just ignore the boneheads!...
To avoid repeating the same things over and over again, maybe you should put a huge boilerplate in the first post that everything explained here will NOT be answered individually and that reading at least this first post is _absolutely_ mandatory before posting any "problems" with multiAVCHD...

[deank]

@zoner: It was just a figure of speech. It is value in MiBs, so you can put any value you like (of course - greater than m2ts split value).

@kaid: I doubt it will change anything :) and it is in all of my messages - in the tear-line

[zoner]

well i just made 2 tests and i have some interesting findings:

a. i've found a small bug in the app, when you load a MKV with alot(not sure how many is the minimum, mine had 12) of ASS, even if you uncheck 'Use ASS embeded subtitles' then click on multiBD then you'll get an error box that says "(RT) invalid array index (101). Valid range(1-100) - Line 1220. then it'll quit multiAVCHD
after i removed the ASS files using mkvextract the files work

b. the 2nd test was done on the same file, which is a backed-up 1920X800 h264 encode, with 5 ref frames, so my PAL PS3 isnt suppose to play it.
i took a small portion of it and burned it through multiAVCHD with 'Apply compliant...' and 'Force Black...' boxes check and 'Ignore MKV's...' unchecked(as i tried with the box checked it would just skip it saying no compliant files found).
i went to my PS3, and what do you know! it worked top aligned and everything! =)
so those are the encoding setting of my MKV, i hope it'll help on finding what really are the rules of an mkv to play or not:

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 50mn
Bit rate : 9147 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 9631 Kbps
Width : 1920 pixels
Height : 800 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.400
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.262
Writing library : x264 core 61 r965M 3d2983d
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:-3:-3 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=7 / psy_rd=1.0:1.0 / brdo=1
/ mixed_ref=1 / me_range=32 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=2
/ deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-4 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=16 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0
/ direct=3 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=2pass / bitrate=9631 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=1.00
/ qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=2:1.00
Language : English

i hope it will help!

cheers! :)

[deank]

After update you should get no error.

And about titles found incompliant - if it is a warning - just ignore it. Compatible ref count is calculated with a formula. That's why I added this option.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Thanks for the tests.

[zoner]

oh i thought its just ref>4=black screen on PS3
i think its unclear from the first post nor the tutorial that the formula isnt 100%, if ppl knew that some would probably checked their file by themselves as i did.

cheers :)

[deank]

ref

Default: 1

Controls the size of the DPB (Decoded Picture Buffer). The range is from 0..16. In short, this value is the number of previous frames each P-frame can use as references. B-frames can use one or two fewer, depending on if they are used as references or not. The minimum number of refs that can be referenced is 1.

Note, this setting used to control the number of refs used. See this doom9 post outlining the difference.

Also note that the ITU-T specification limits DPB and thus limit the ref for each level. If adhering to Level 4.1 specs, the maximum ref for full height 720p and 1080p video are 9 and 4 respectively. But if the video's height is not the full 720 or 1080 pixels, a higher ref can be used. Level 4.1 is the level implemented on Blu-ray and HD DVD, and the highest level supported in most consumer electronics which support H.264 playback, including Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Popcorn Hour A-100 Media Extender. The formula for calculating maximum ref is as follows, the value should be rounded down:

maximum ref = 12288 * 1024 / ( width * height * 1.5)

Recommendation: Around 4-6. Each increase has a reduced benefit and constant speed loss. Very large numbers of refs are normally not very useful, but even up to 16 can be helpful for animated content, video game capture, CGI, and other similar content.

And as you can see it is value, that depends on resolution. It happens that Playstation 3 handles values outside formula boundaries, but this program (multiAVCHD) is not for Playstation 3 only :).


***

Also, 1920x800 should not be affected by [x] Ignore high ref count as it fits formula range. You must be in an error, because formula returns int(5) and it is within specs.

[zoner]

oh now i see :)
i didnt know that :P

EDIT: well it seems that with a resolution of 1920X800 max ref frames would be 5.46 after that calculation
so now it all make sense

[Glorioso]

Hi, i'm having a problem. I've made a convertion to a USB device and it works fine, then made the same covertion to output multiBD and the PS3 dont open it...

[LDA2887]

hi Dean! first of all great tool, but I'm having a little trouble with a non standard resolution, great job with the black bar and the subs and the menu, but when I tested with a movie that is 1280x528, I think the output was set to 576p instead of 720p, and I'm in a NTSC zone, so the ps3 detected the video as a 480p movie, so the quality was downgraded, and the image also stretched a little, hope that you can help me with this.
And another question I have a movie also but missing black borders on the side (resolution 1200x720) and I get no video, can something be done about it? (I´m kind of a noob :P)

Cheers from Venezuela!:)

[deank]

Quick update for build 215:

* TS/MTS/M2TS/MKV files with no audio are accepted now
* no need to restart multiAVCHD if you're going for another compilation - just check media tab and rearrange/clear your input files/folders.

Dean

@lada2887: Please read the tutorial or check the first post of this thread.

[Anacletus]

I'm experiencing a weird behaviour with this app, when i launch it it just stays in the tray bar and i cannot see the proggy window at all :( Any clues?

TIA
Anac

[deank]

Do you have multiple monitors?
What is your desktop resolution?

If you still can't see it - open multiAVCHD.ini and change rows 36 and 37 to 0.

[Anacletus]

I'm using 1680*1050, but now i'm able to see the window; i had to maximise it and then reducing it again. Thanks anyway

Anac

[deank]

I think I figured out how to create custom TOP menu.

It allows you to:

* Select custom picture background
* Select audio file for BGM (this will be added later)
* See actual Title names

Requirements:
* AviSynth 2.57/2.58 installed (Download! (http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?group_id=57023&use_mirror=kent&filename=Avisynth_258.exe&6791458))
* x264 encoder

I will later post test version for those who want to test themselves.

[asherungar]

HURRAY!!!! truly a work of art!

[asherungar]

will custom TOP menu work on mac ?

[deank]

@asherungar: Please use [edit] and don't post after your own post.

If you have x264 and avisynth working in winemulator under macos - it will work, asherungar.

[Glorioso]

1 - deank, yesterday i posted a question that you didn't answer, is it normal that the same conversion works on a multi AVCHD output but with multiBD wont? I didn't change any settings.

2 - I'v tried to convert a MKV but it only worked with "Ignore MKV..." checked, the result was sound and black screen in my PS3. The same file in tsMuxer and 4.1 forced worked fine, why? (the tsMuxer output was significantly bigger)

3 - Nice work... count me in to test custom menu option.

[deank]

1 - deank, yesterday i posted a question that you didn't answer, is it normal that the same conversion works on a multi AVCHD output but with multiBD wont? I didn't change any settings.

No. The only difference is file naming. And of course, PS3 treats differently USB/SD AVCHD and DVD BD output.


2 - I'v tried to convert a MKV but it only worked with "Ignore MKV..." checked, the result was sound and black screen in my PS3. The same file in tsMuxer and 4.1 forced worked fine, why? (the tsMuxer output was significantly bigger)
I can't imagine how it could happen. multiAVCHD feeds tsMuxer with input MKV files.

You can send me the .meta file generated by tsMuxer and the meta file generated by multiAVCHD. Otherwise I can't help.

It is possible that the video stream in this MKV is of unknown type.... I have no idea.

[deank]

I'm glad to announce that SoftPedia added multiAVCHD in their database:

Congratulations,

multiAVCHD, one of your products, has been added to Softpedia's database
of software programs for the Windows operating system. It is featured with
a description text, screenshots, download links and technical details on
this page:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Other-VIDEO-Tools/multiAVCHD.shtml

The description text was created by our editors, using sources such as
text from your product's homepage, information from its help system, the
PAD file (if available) and the editor's own opinions on the program
itself.


"multiAVCHD" has been tested in the Softpedia labs using several
industry-leading security solutions and found to be completely clean of
adware/spyware components. We are impressed with the quality of your
product and encourage you to keep these high standards in the future.

To assure our visitors that multiAVCHD is clean, we have granted it with
the "100% CLEAN" Softpedia award. To let your users know about this
certification, you may display this award on your website, on software
boxes or inside your product.

More information about your product's certification and the award is
available on this page:
http://www.softpedia.com/progClean/multiAVCHD-Clean-118787.html

Feel free to link to us using the URLs above. If you choose to link to the
clean award page for your product, you may use the award graphic or a text
link: "100% CLEAN award granted by Softpedia".


If you feel that having your product listed on Softpedia is not a benefit
for you or simply need something changed or updated, please contact us via
email at webmaster@softpedia.com and we will work with you to fix any
problem you may have found with the product's listing.

--
Sincerely,
The Softpedia Team

[~bT~]

^ congrats mate. this tool deserves to be on them all :)

request: choose destination for log files or pls create path to LOG folder so all logs are kept away from main files. cheers!

[GenesisPT]

Hello Deank,

It's amazing what you have done, many congratulations.
At this moment the one thing that I would love to see "solved" is the fact that on the ps3 the image of non compliant resolutions is aligned at the top. In the computer the image is centered with black bars at the top and bottom but not on the ps3. I'm hopping that there is a way to solve this without reencoding the files.
Many thanks for your amazing work.

[deank]

I lost another day trying to make custom titles work...

So far - I'm disappointed.

Custom menu shows and works both on Playstation 3 and Nero Showtime.

The problem is that when played on PS3, navigational arrows don't show. It all works as if the arrows were there, but they don't show :(

Current test version contains 2 menu pages, each with 14 titles. Title names can be max 60 characters long, otherwise they will go off screen.

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

[deank]

If someone can test this AVCHD structure and see if it works for him:

multiAVCHD_v2rc (http://rapidshare.de/files/42936876/multiAVCHD_v2rc.rar.html) (3MB)

If you're going to burn the folder, use a tool to rename files to BD format.

[Razputin]

I think I figured out how to create custom TOP menu.

Woo-hoo! Keep this up and you can start charging for this tool!;)

[Solaris]

Hello Deank,

I play the folder with Cyberlink PowerDVD. It starts playback at the first selected title, then plays the rest of the files without going back to the menu. After the last file has played it comes back to a black menu screen. The arrows do show up when I move the mouse over the black menu.

[deank]

This is what it shoud do. Except for the black screen at the end. Can you 'pause' playback and select "go to top menu"? I don't have PowerDVD to test with.

[Solaris]

Yes, that seems to be working fine. I just tested it on my PS3 with USB and it seems to function as it does with PowerDVD

[deank]

Do you really have a black screen at the end?

[Solaris]

Except that on the PS3 I do get the menu with the 14 titles but not the arrow which shows which title I will be selecting. I can only type in the number of the file on my remote control.

[Solaris]

Sorry, I may have been impatient with PowerDVD. The arrow comes on first and after a few seconds I get the menuscreen with the titles. But I do not get the arrow on the PS3.