MP4 merging. Max file size?

[nicolasonline]

I just ripped my Blu-Ray version of Planet Earth to MP4's.

Each Chapter was burned from handbrake as a separate MP4 file.

There are 10 Chapters in total, so I have 10 separate MP4 files.

Each file is around 1.78GB at 3700kbps at 720p.

What I want to do now is merge them together into one file. Then add custom chapters. Anyways, I have Quicktime Pro 7 and basically have been copying them all into one file, but once I try to copy the 7th file/chapter into the cumulative 6 previous files that are now in one continuos file, it doesn't really add anything.

Is it not working because there is a limit on the file size of the file of an MP4? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cogman]

AFAIK, there is no MP4 limit. More likely is that you are running into filesystem limitations.

2 GB is the maximum file size for a FAT32 filesystem.

The other possibility is that the software you are using isn't built to handle 2+ GB files.

[kemuri-_9]

2 GB is the maximum file size for a FAT32 filesystem.

don't spread misinformation:
(4GB - 1byte) is the filesize limit for FAT32.

[Dark Shikari]

32-bit MP4s max out at 4GB. You need 64-bit MP4 to go over 4GB. It's quite possible that some tools don't support the latter.

[nicolasonline]

Ok. Because the 10 Chapters I have for Life are each 1.6GB in size so it would be a cumulative size of 16GB if I could successfully join them together.

When I reach to file 6 of having joined all first 6 files, I get around a 9GB file size and 5h50mins. As soon as I try to add the 7th file, nothing happens (it just doesn't add).

How can I check if my MP4 is 32 or 64 bit?

[kypec]

Have you tried MP4Box? Use some recent development version and perhaps Yamb if you're not CLI user.

[nicolasonline]

I haven't. Is that Windows only? I'm not a CLI user. If it is Windows only, would there be a Mac equivalent? Thanks.

[Selur]

mp4box works fine on mac/windows/linux you can download the sources at the gpac homepage (http://gpac.sourceforge.net/home_download.php).
There's also a mac binary at http://www.tkn.tu-berlin.de/research/evalvid/

Cu Selur

[b66pak]

@nicolasonline i think is audio related...what kind of audio is in your .mp4? (ac3 multichannel, aac stereo, aac mutichannel)...
_

[nicolasonline]

The audio is AAC Stereo. I actually tried deleting the audio tracks from every file as they were open in quicktime and started the copy paste process (with the audio tracks not being present) it stopped at the 7th file (wouldn't paste the 7th file). Just for information it got it was just at 8.9GB at that point (with 6 first files in a row) and 5h50m.

Do you know if there is a Mac GUI for Mp4Box that I can find. I tried looking for one, but I think Yamb is only for windows. Thank you for everyone for your constant feedback, it means a lot.

[Ritsuka]

What timescale are you using? QuickTime has got a 31bit limit, but mp4box should let you use a 64bit one.

[cogman]

don't spread misinformation:
(4GB - 1byte) is the filesize limit for FAT32.
My mistake. The last time I ran into a maximum filesize problem was in the days of FAT16 and Windows95.. I pretty much went straight to windows XP and NTFS from windows 95.

[b66pak]

@nicolasonline i think is something wrong with your files...today i make a simple experiment (Win XP sp3 with QT 7.6.5 Pro)...i take a 43min 1.31gb mp4 (h264 + aac stereo) and duplicate it 14 times with QT Pro and i get a 10h 9min 56sec 18.3gb mov witch play OK!!!

source:
General
Complete name : saple.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 1.31 GiB
Duration : 43mn 34s
Overall bit rate : 4 296 Kbps

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=2, N=32
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 43mn 34s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 4 112 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 23.810 fps
Maximum frame rate : 76.923 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.186
Stream size : 1.25 GiB (96%)

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 43mn 34s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 177 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Stream size : 55.2 MiB (4%)



destination:
General
Complete name : sample.x.14.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 18.3 GiB
Duration : 10h 9mn 56s
Writing library : Apple QuickTime 7.6.5

_

[AlekseiV]

Okay, now make that .mov into a .mp4.

[nicolasonline]

Ok that is crazy, I have been trying absolutely everything. Here is the information of one of the files.

General / Container Stream #1
Total Video Streams for this File.................1
Total Audio Streams for this File.................1
Video Codecs Used.................................AVC
Audio Codecs Used.................................AAC LC
File Format.......................................MPEG-4
Play Time.........................................51mn 20s
Total File Size...................................1.41 GiB
Total Stream BitRate..............................3 926 Kbps
Encoded with......................................HandBrake 0.9.4 2009112300
Video Stream #1
Codec (Human Name)................................AVC
Codec (FourCC)....................................avc1
Codec Profile.....................................High@L3.1
Frame Width.......................................1 280 pixels
Frame Height......................................720 pixels
Frame Rate........................................23.976 fps
Total Frames......................................73846
Display Aspect Ratio..............................16:9
Scan Type.........................................Progressive
Color Space.......................................YUV
Codec Settings (Summary)..........................2 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot)............................0.167
Codec Settings (CABAC)............................No
Codec Settings (Reference Frames).................2
Video Stream Length...............................51mn 19s 999ms
Video Stream BitRate..............................3 700 Kbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode.........................VBR
Bit Depth.........................................8 bits
Video Stream Size.................................1.36 GiB (96%)
Video Encoder.....................................x264 - core 79 r1347 5ddd61b
Video Encoder (Settings)..........................cabac=0 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=0 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=0 / wpredp=0 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=abr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=3700 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-05-29 12:29:58
Color Primaries...................................BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer Characteristics..........................BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix Coefficients...............................BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177
Audio Stream #1
Codec.............................................AAC
Codec (FourCC)....................................40
Audio Stream Length...............................51mn 20s 21ms
Audio Stream BitRate..............................132.3 Kbps
Audio Stream BitRate Mode.........................VBR
Number of Audio Channels..........................2
Audio Channel's Positions.........................Front: L R
Sampling Rate.....................................48.0 KHz
Audio Stream Size.................................48.8 MiB (3%)
Audio Stream Language.............................English
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-05-29 12:29:58

[poisondeathray]

You encoded the clips as VFR (variable frame rate). I suspect it's going to be very difficult to join

[nicolasonline]

I've always done so, the joining works perfectly but stops at just under 10GB of cumulative file or 6 hours.

Also looking at @ b66pak's file info, he uses variable frame rates as well and has had no problems joining them.

Do you guys know if there is a GUI for mp4box on the mac? If not, is there an easy command line tutorial just to join files?

[b66pak]

@nicolasonline i will presume that the problem is with the 7th section...open it in QT Pro and go to: window>show movie properties...you should see the overall, video and the audio info (duration/data size/format[codec])...post this info please...also try to concatenate this file to its self more than seven times to see if its a mac QT problem...be creative!!!
_

[nicolasonline]

Yeah I've already tried that with each individual file. Meaning I try concatenating a file with itself more than 7 times and it would stop at just under 6 hours. I've tried it with all of the ten different files. The only other difference I see between mine and yours (besides windows qt) is the fact that mine uses the high profile while yours uses basic. What I am going to do is try to find myself a windows machine with qt7 or yamb and try to put it together on there. In the meantime if anyone knows a yamb-like gui for mac or even a way to use the command line for mp4box to join 10 files in a folder on mac, that would be great. Thanks again for the follow-up.

[b66pak]

what about the info?

..open it in QT Pro and go to: window>show movie properties...you should see the overall, video and the audio info (duration/data size/format[codec])...post this info please...

it looks like is a mac QT problem...

also you can try to uninstall QT and use an older (or newer) version...
_

L.E. Also you can load the .mp4 and save it as .mov...then join the .movs...
_

[b66pak]

also there are two modes to do the joining...

1: copy/paste mode <<< this is prone to be limited!

2: copy/add to movie mode <<< this is my method for the 18gb/10hour joined .mov

what did you used?
_

[Ritsuka]

HandBrake use 90000 as the timescale for the video, and if QuickTime Player 7 is limited to 31bit for a track duration like I read on the QuickTime mailing list, you are going to run out of time soon.

[Leeloo Minaï]

You encoded the clips as VFR (variable frame rate). I suspect it's going to be very difficult to join

Where did you see any reference to VFR encoding ?

[nicolasonline]

Updates:

1. I used a Windows XP SP3 Machine and tried Yamb, It went on for about an hour processing the joining files but towards the end displayed a message that an unexpected error occurred. I will post the log at the bottom of this message.
2. I used QT7 Pro on Windows XP SP3 and I am having the same problems with all files.
3. I am using the copy/paste method. I'm gonna try using the copy/add to movie mode, I always thought it was the same, thanks for pointing out a new thing to try!
4. @Leeloo Minai, in the File Porperties, there is a field called Video Stream Bitrate Mode.

Thanks again for the constant feedback

Here is the Yamb Log

[14:00:01] : Yamb 2.1.0.0 beta 2 started !!!
[14:00:01] : OS type detection...Windows XP Professional x86 (version 5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)
[14:00:01] : MP4Box found... C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Yamb\MP4Box.exe
[14:00:01] : MKVextract found...c:\documents and settings\administrator\application data\yamb\mkvextract\mkvextract.exe
[14:00:01] : EAC3to found...c:\documents and settings\administrator\application data\yamb\eac3to\eac3to.exe
[14:00:10] : 010.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:10] : 001.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:10] : 002.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:10] : 003.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:10] : 004.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:11] : 005.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:11] : 006.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:11] : 007.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:11] : 008.mp4 loaded....
[14:00:11] : 009.mp4 loaded....
[14:01:16] : Creation of file.mp4...
[14:01:16] : Command Line used for Creation : "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Yamb\MP4Box.exe" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\001.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\001.mp4#2" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\001.mp4#3" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\002.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\002.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\003.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\003.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\004.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\004.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\005.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\005.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\006.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\006.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\007.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\007.mp4#2" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\008.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\008.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\009.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\009.mp4#2:lang=en" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\010.mp4#1:fps=25.000" -add "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\010.mp4#2:lang=en" "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\file.mp4"
[14:01:16] : File saved in C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\
[14:01:19] : Importing ISO File...
[14:03:42] : Importing ISO File...
[14:04:38] : Importing ISO File...
[14:05:38] : Importing ISO File...
[14:07:52] : Importing ISO File...
[14:08:46] : Importing ISO File...
[14:11:08] : Importing ISO File...
[14:12:01] : Importing ISO File...
[14:15:10] : Importing ISO File...
[14:16:08] : Importing ISO File...
[14:19:27] : Importing ISO File...
[14:20:26] : Importing ISO File...
[14:24:16] : Importing ISO File...
[14:25:21] : Importing ISO File...
[14:28:56] : Importing ISO File...
[14:30:26] : Importing ISO File...
[14:36:36] : Importing ISO File...
[14:37:58] : Importing ISO File...
[14:41:22] : Importing ISO File...
[14:42:31] : Importing ISO File...
[14:45:33] : Importing ISO File...
[14:50:01] : Concatenation complete.
[14:50:01] : Total Time Elapsed...48 min 45 secs
[14:50:08] : Yamb 2.1.0.0 beta 2 closed.

[nicolasonline]

the "add movie" method didn't work either.
here is the file info of the incomplete concatenation after I couldn't add anymore files.

http://files.me.com/nicolaselhani/jv33mq

[b66pak]

as i suggested: try to load the .mp4 and save it as .mov...then join the .movs...
_

[b66pak]

also you can try this mac app: subler (http://code.google.com/p/subler/)...
_