.mpeg to h264

[keeper182]

I have few .mpeg files which are aproximately 1 hour long and weight around 10 giga each.
I'd like to convert them into mp4 h264, but Handbrake doesn't even open them (it gets stuck at 0% while loading). Could you please suggest me another software or way I could convert them?
Also, the videos are anamorphic 1440x1080. Would you recommend me to convert them into 1920x1080 with pixel ratio 1 or is it better to keep the same parameters?
Thank you for your attenction

[ProWo]

You can use clever FFmpeg-GUI.
https://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=181206

I would mantain the actual resolution.
If again the file cannot be loaded, please post a mediainfo report (text mode) of the mpeg file here.

[takla]

Use this with ffmpeg
ffmpeg -y -i input.mpeg -map_metadata -1 -c:v copy -c:a copy output.mkv

Here is how to install (https://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1971986&postcount=13)

[StainlessS]

Takla, I aint no ffmpeg expert, but looks like your solution is simple remux to mkv, he want to re-encode as x264.

EDIT: To takla below. Oooo, I see. :)

[takla]

@StainlessS
Oh I know. But with my solution he can make the file readable by handbrake 👍
(I probably should have said that though, lol)

[keeper182]

You can use clever FFmpeg-GUI.

I would mantain the actual resolution.
If again the file cannot be loaded, please post a mediainfo report (text mode) of the mpeg file here.

Thank you so much for you advice. I didn't like FFmpeg-GUI very much since it doesn't have many options like HandBrake (for instance, I was looking for the Variable BitRate ) or maybe it's just me that I'm not very skilled and I can't find it. Also, it looked like it was taking a very long time to convert the videos (and I'm not sure it was exporting the audio as well :D I decided to abort because it was taking too much)

Use this with ffmpeg

Here is how to install (https://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1971986&postcount=13)

Thank you very much, it helped me a lot (and also I learnt something new). I think I will go study this FFmpeg better

@StainlessS
Oh I know. But with my solution he can make the file readable by handbrake 👍
(I probably should have said that though, lol)

You should have :D Thank to StainlessS for pointing it out

[keeper182]

Use this with ffmpeg


Here is how to install (https://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1971986&postcount=13)

sorry, it's me again. I thought I had this covered, but there's an issue with the conversion.
On 3 conversions I had these results:
1) the mpeg and the mkv are both 54:09 long
2) the mpeg is 1:05:09 long and the converted mkv is 1:02:25
3) the mpeg is 1:01:02 while the mkv is 57:36

It looks like there are no missing scenes in the converted videos, since the initial and the ending scenes are there. Also the FPS of the converted are the same of the original videos, I really don't get where are the missing minutes.

The following are the logs:
video 1
ffmpeg version 2022-07-28-git-6f7d3bde11-full_build-www.gyan.dev Copyright (c) 2000-2022 the FFmpeg developers
built with gcc 12.1.0 (Rev2, Built by MSYS2 project)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-static --disable-w32threads --disable-autodetect --enable-fontconfig --enable-iconv --enable-gnutls --enable-libxml2 --enable-gmp --enable-bzlib --enable-lzma --enable-libsnappy --enable-zlib --enable-librist --enable-libsrt --enable-libssh --enable-libzmq --enable-avisynth --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdav1d --enable-libdavs2 --enable-libuavs3d --enable-libzvbi --enable-librav1e --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libaom --enable-libjxl --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libvpx --enable-mediafoundation --enable-libass --enable-frei0r --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-liblensfun --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvmaf --enable-libzimg --enable-amf --enable-cuda-llvm --enable-cuvid --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-nvdec --enable-nvenc --enable-d3d11va --enable-dxva2 --enable-libmfx --enable-libshaderc --enable-vulkan --enable-libplacebo --enable-opencl --enable-libcdio --enable-libgme --enable-libmodplug --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libshine --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libilbc --enable-libgsm --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopus --enable-libspeex --enable-libvorbis --enable-ladspa --enable-libbs2b --enable-libflite --enable-libmysofa --enable-librubberband --enable-libsoxr --enable-chromaprint
libavutil 57. 30.100 / 57. 30.100
libavcodec 59. 39.100 / 59. 39.100
libavformat 59. 29.100 / 59. 29.100
libavdevice 59. 8.101 / 59. 8.101
libavfilter 8. 46.100 / 8. 46.100
libswscale 6. 8.101 / 6. 8.101
libswresample 4. 8.100 / 4. 8.100
libpostproc 56. 7.100 / 56. 7.100
[mpegts @ 000002899e6903c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 2 (Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
[mpegts @ 000002899e6903c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 3 (Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
Input #0, mpegts, from 'input.mpeg':
Duration: 00:54:09.80, start: 0.920000, bitrate: 26991 kb/s
Program 100
Stream #0:0[0x810]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1[0x814]: Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream #0:2[0x815]: Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)
Stream #0:3[0x811]: Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)
Output #0, matroska, to 'output.mkv':
Metadata:
encoder : Lavf59.29.100
Stream #0:0: Video: mpeg2video (Main) (mpg2 / 0x3267706D), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1: Audio: mp2 (P[0][0][0] / 0x0050), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[mpegts @ 000002899e6903c0] Packet corrupt (stream = 0, dts = 4060800).-0.0kbits/s speed=N/A
input.mpeg: corrupt input packet in stream 0
frame=81213 fps=1390 q=-1.0 Lsize=10067823kB time=00:54:09.76 bitrate=25379.0kbits/s speed=55.6x
video:9913736kB audio:152256kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.018185%

video2
ffmpeg version 2022-07-28-git-6f7d3bde11-full_build-www.gyan.dev Copyright (c) 2000-2022 the FFmpeg developers
built with gcc 12.1.0 (Rev2, Built by MSYS2 project)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-static --disable-w32threads --disable-autodetect --enable-fontconfig --enable-iconv --enable-gnutls --enable-libxml2 --enable-gmp --enable-bzlib --enable-lzma --enable-libsnappy --enable-zlib --enable-librist --enable-libsrt --enable-libssh --enable-libzmq --enable-avisynth --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdav1d --enable-libdavs2 --enable-libuavs3d --enable-libzvbi --enable-librav1e --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libaom --enable-libjxl --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libvpx --enable-mediafoundation --enable-libass --enable-frei0r --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-liblensfun --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvmaf --enable-libzimg --enable-amf --enable-cuda-llvm --enable-cuvid --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-nvdec --enable-nvenc --enable-d3d11va --enable-dxva2 --enable-libmfx --enable-libshaderc --enable-vulkan --enable-libplacebo --enable-opencl --enable-libcdio --enable-libgme --enable-libmodplug --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libshine --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libilbc --enable-libgsm --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopus --enable-libspeex --enable-libvorbis --enable-ladspa --enable-libbs2b --enable-libflite --enable-libmysofa --enable-librubberband --enable-libsoxr --enable-chromaprint
libavutil 57. 30.100 / 57. 30.100
libavcodec 59. 39.100 / 59. 39.100
libavformat 59. 29.100 / 59. 29.100
libavdevice 59. 8.101 / 59. 8.101
libavfilter 8. 46.100 / 8. 46.100
libswscale 6. 8.101 / 6. 8.101
libswresample 4. 8.100 / 4. 8.100
libpostproc 56. 7.100 / 56. 7.100
[mpegts @ 000001f7b6d703c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 2 (Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
[mpegts @ 000001f7b6d703c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 3 (Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
Input #0, mpegts, from 'input.mpeg':
Duration: 01:05:09.16, start: 0.920000, bitrate: 25873 kb/s
Program 100
Stream #0:0[0x810]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1[0x814]: Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream #0:2[0x815]: Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)
Stream #0:3[0x811]: Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)
Output #0, matroska, to 'output.mkv':
Metadata:
encoder : Lavf59.29.100
Stream #0:0: Video: mpeg2video (Main) (mpg2 / 0x3267706D), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1: Audio: mp2 (P[0][0][0] / 0x0050), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[mpegts @ 000001f7b6d703c0] Packet corrupt (stream = 0, dts = 27712800).62.4kbits/s speed= 244x
input.mpeg: corrupt input packet in stream 0
frame=93645 fps=2113 q=-1.0 Lsize=11609083kB time=01:02:25.72 bitrate=25389.4kbits/s speed=84.5x
video:11431406kB audio:175566kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.018188%

video 3
ffmpeg version 2022-07-28-git-6f7d3bde11-full_build-www.gyan.dev Copyright (c) 2000-2022 the FFmpeg developers
built with gcc 12.1.0 (Rev2, Built by MSYS2 project)
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --enable-static --disable-w32threads --disable-autodetect --enable-fontconfig --enable-iconv --enable-gnutls --enable-libxml2 --enable-gmp --enable-bzlib --enable-lzma --enable-libsnappy --enable-zlib --enable-librist --enable-libsrt --enable-libssh --enable-libzmq --enable-avisynth --enable-libbluray --enable-libcaca --enable-sdl2 --enable-libdav1d --enable-libdavs2 --enable-libuavs3d --enable-libzvbi --enable-librav1e --enable-libsvtav1 --enable-libwebp --enable-libx264 --enable-libx265 --enable-libxavs2 --enable-libxvid --enable-libaom --enable-libjxl --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-libvpx --enable-mediafoundation --enable-libass --enable-frei0r --enable-libfreetype --enable-libfribidi --enable-liblensfun --enable-libvidstab --enable-libvmaf --enable-libzimg --enable-amf --enable-cuda-llvm --enable-cuvid --enable-ffnvcodec --enable-nvdec --enable-nvenc --enable-d3d11va --enable-dxva2 --enable-libmfx --enable-libshaderc --enable-vulkan --enable-libplacebo --enable-opencl --enable-libcdio --enable-libgme --enable-libmodplug --enable-libopenmpt --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libshine --enable-libtheora --enable-libtwolame --enable-libvo-amrwbenc --enable-libilbc --enable-libgsm --enable-libopencore-amrnb --enable-libopus --enable-libspeex --enable-libvorbis --enable-ladspa --enable-libbs2b --enable-libflite --enable-libmysofa --enable-librubberband --enable-libsoxr --enable-chromaprint
libavutil 57. 30.100 / 57. 30.100
libavcodec 59. 39.100 / 59. 39.100
libavformat 59. 29.100 / 59. 29.100
libavdevice 59. 8.101 / 59. 8.101
libavfilter 8. 46.100 / 8. 46.100
libswscale 6. 8.101 / 6. 8.101
libswresample 4. 8.100 / 4. 8.100
libpostproc 56. 7.100 / 56. 7.100
[mpegts @ 00000191d04b03c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 2 (Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
[mpegts @ 00000191d04b03c0] Could not find codec parameters for stream 3 (Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)): unknown codec
Consider increasing the value for the 'analyzeduration' (0) and 'probesize' (5000000) options
Input #0, mpegts, from 'input.mpeg':
Duration: 01:01:02.28, start: 0.920000, bitrate: 25473 kb/s
Program 100
Stream #0:0[0x810]: Video: mpeg2video (Main) ([2][0][0][0] / 0x0002), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 90k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1[0x814]: Audio: mp2 ([3][0][0][0] / 0x0003), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream #0:2[0x815]: Unknown: none ([160][0][0][0] / 0x00A0)
Stream #0:3[0x811]: Unknown: none ([161][0][0][0] / 0x00A1)
Output #0, matroska, to 'output.mkv':
Metadata:
encoder : Lavf59.29.100
Stream #0:0: Video: mpeg2video (Main) (mpg2 / 0x3267706D), yuv420p(tv, bt709, top first), 1440x1080 [SAR 4:3 DAR 16:9], q=2-31, 25000 kb/s, 25 fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn
Side data:
cpb: bitrate max/min/avg: 25000000/0/0 buffer size: 7340032 vbv_delay: N/A
Stream #0:1: Audio: mp2 (P[0][0][0] / 0x0050), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 384 kb/s
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[mpegts @ 00000191d04b03c0] Packet corrupt (stream = 0, dts = 34948800).57.9kbits/s speed=74.6x
input.mpeg: corrupt input packet in stream 0
[mpegts @ 00000191d04b03c0] Packet corrupt (stream = 0, dts = 273891600).5.8kbits/s speed=47.2x
input.mpeg: corrupt input packet in stream 0
frame=86370 fps=1159 q=-1.0 Lsize=10707329kB time=00:57:36.04 bitrate=25380.0kbits/s speed=46.4x
video:10543462kB audio:161919kB subtitle:0kB other streams:0kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead: 0.018193%

[takla]

What software did you use to check the video length before converting with ffmpeg?

With an mkv container you could have an audio stream offset, which would make the files playduration longer then the actual video. But since the video is longer BEFORE it is muxed into an mkv, my only guess is that what ever software you used to measure the .mpeg playtime, is simply inaccurate.

As long as there are no missing frames and audio is in sync I wouldn't worry about it. ffmpeg is usually very accurate.

[takla]

Deleted

[ProWo]

Also, it looked like it was taking a very long time to convert the videos
The encoding time is exactely the same as with the ffmpeg commandline.



and I'm not sure it was exporting the audio as well

Audio can be converted or muxed as is.

[poisondeathray]

[mpegts @ 000001f7b6d703c0] Packet corrupt (stream = 0, dts = 27712800).62.4kbits/s speed= 244x
input.mpeg: corrupt input packet in stream 0


The ones that have these corrupt packets, possibly have dropped frames resulting in different duration

You can try "fixing" them first with tsdoctor, videoredo quickstream fix

[SeeMoreDigital]

Out of interest... What does MediaInfo report about the MPEG-2 sources?

[keeper182]

What software did you use to check the video length before converting with ffmpeg?


both PotPlayer and Windows Player were saying so and I just got the confirm from MediaInfo too
I'm sorry for bothering in this section, I just found out about newbies area. I will post there on the next time. Thanks for your patience

Out of interest... What does MediaInfo report about the MPEG-2 sources?

The MPEG file
General
ID : 255 (0xFF)
Complete name : F:\USA 2008\usa3.mpeg
Format : MPEG-TS
Commercial name : HDV 1080i
File size : 11.8 GiB
Duration : 1 h 5 min
Start time : UTC 2008-08-04 06:37:30
End time : UTC 2008-08-05 10:45:11
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 25.9 Mb/s
Maximum Overall bit rate : 33.0 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2008-08-04 06:37:30
FileExtension_Invalid : ts m2t m2s m4t m4s tmf ts tp trp ty

Video
ID : 2064 (0x810)
Menu ID : 100 (0x64)
Format : MPEG Video
Commercial name : HDV 1080i
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@High 1440
Format settings : CustomMatrix / BVOP
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Custom
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=12
Format settings, picture structure : Frame
Codec ID : 2
Duration : 1 h 5 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 24.2 Mb/s
Maximum bit rate : 25.0 Mb/s
Width : 1 440 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Standard : Component
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.623
Stream size : 11.0 GiB (94%)
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2068 (0x814)
Menu ID : 100 (0x64)
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : 3
Duration : 1 h 5 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 41.667 FPS (1152 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -40 ms
Stream size : 179 MiB (1%)

Menu
ID : 129 (0x81)
Menu ID : 100 (0x64)
Format : MPEG Video / MPEG Audio / /
List : 2064 (0x810) (MPEG Video) / 2068 (0x814) (MPEG Audio) / 2069 (0x815) () / 2065 (0x811) ()



the MKV conversion
General
Unique ID : 186805843505798654457433196767415708622 (0x8C897F2CEFDB8ECDE6532BB303ED2BCE)
Complete name : F:\USA 2008\usa3.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4
File size : 11.1 GiB
Duration : 1 h 2 min
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 25.4 Mb/s
Writing application : Lavf59.29.100
Writing library : Lavf59.29.100
ErrorDetectionType : Per level 1

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Video
Commercial name : HDV 1080i
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@High 1440
Format settings : CustomMatrix / BVOP
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Custom
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=12
Format settings, picture structure : Frame
Codec ID : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration : 1 h 2 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 24.5 Mb/s
Maximum bit rate : 25.0 Mb/s
Width : 1 440 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Standard : Component
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan type, store method : Separated fields (2 fields per block)
Scan order : Top Field First
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.630
Stream size : 10.7 GiB (96%)
Default : No
Forced : No
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Audio
ID : 2
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : A_MPEG/L2
Codec ID/Hint : MP2
Duration : 1 h 2 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 171 MiB (2%)
Default : No
Forced : No

[SeeMoreDigital]

According to the MediaInfo file report, the .mpeg file extension is actually incorrect as this is used for 'program streams'. Your sources are in-fact 'transport streams' so a .ts file extension should be used.

Transport streams are quite different to program streams as they are used for less reliable forms of transmission (ie: terrestrial and satellite broadcasts) and as such they have to be chopped into typically 188-byte sections or 'packets' in order for them to be more resistant to errors.

Sufficed to say, if your streams contain any errors this will interfere with the re-encoding process. So if you first run your streams through an application such as: TSremux (https://www.videohelp.com/software/TsRemux) or HDTVtoMPEG (https://www.videohelp.com/software/HDTVtoMPEG2) this should help...

EDIT: VideoHelp (https://www.videohelp.com/software/sections/digitaltv-dvb-hdtv) offers links to quite a few 'Transport Stream' tools ;)

[keeper182]

According to the MediaInfo file report, the .mpeg file extension is actually incorrect as this is used for 'program streams'. Your sources are in-fact 'transport streams' so a .ts file extension should be used.

Transport streams are quite different to program streams as they are used for less reliable forms of transmission (ie: terrestrial and satellite broadcasts) and as such they have to be chopped into typically 188-byte sections or 'packets' in order for them to be more resistant to errors.

Sufficed to say, if your streams contain any errors this will interfere with the re-encoding process. So if you first run your streams through an application such as: TSremux (https://www.videohelp.com/software/TsRemux) or HDTVtoMPEG (https://www.videohelp.com/software/HDTVtoMPEG2) this should help...


I got these videos imported from miniDV cassettes back in 2008. I'm kinda ignorant about the video world and I was even more ignorant at the time, so I remember that I imported the videos to the pc kinda in an automatic way or maybe I chose the only extension format I knew at the time among the availables in the importing software.
That's why I obtained huge files that are the recording of the whole cassettes. Maybe I could have imported files with separated chapters for every footage, I don't know if that was possible, my only hope is that I haven't lost quality from the cassettes.
Now, I'd like to convert these files because I'm pretty sure I can have almost the same quality for way smaller files (now they are around 10-12 giga for like 1 hour of 1440x1080 resolution), also in order to get better performances in the video editor if I decide to edit the footages.

I tried TsRemux, there are 3 formats for the output: TS, M2TS and BlueRay. I remuxed the mpeg to TS, but still got a file with different lenght from the original. Should I do something different?

Instead, HDTVtoMPEG doesn't even open the mpeg format :(


EDIT: VideoHelp (https://www.videohelp.com/software/sections/digitaltv-dvb-hdtv) offers links to quite a few 'Transport Stream' tools ;)

Thank you for explaing the issue and giving me tips, but at this time I'm completely lost :D the 2 software you mentioned are the one I would have pick from the list, but they don't work for me. There are other options I would choose, but it seems they are not freeware (plus I'm not 100% sure they would work for my problem).

[SeeMoreDigital]

I tried TsRemux, there are 3 formats for the output: TS, M2TS and BlueRay. I remuxed the mpeg to TS, but still got a file with different lenght from the original. Should I do something different?

Instead, HDTVtoMPEG doesn't even open the mpeg format :(
Did you change the file extension from (the incorrect) .mpeg to (the correct) .ts?

[keeper182]

Did you change the file extension from (the incorrect) .mpeg to (the correct) .ts?

:D thank you for your help
Now I did it and I still get a new file with different lenght.... BUT I did what I should have done since the beginning: take time to watch the footage carefully and I found that sometimes there are scenes that are repeated during several seconds. If I move the slider on the player back and forth sometimes they disappear or it gets stuck. I believe those are the deleted frames that are missing from the original lenght.
Thank you very much for helping a newbie, I appreciate

[Emulgator]

If the HDV-cassettes are still there, I would capture new.
There were not many safely working HDV-Capturing softwares out there.
I remember to have tried my way through and found only 2 softwares to be working reliably:
Mainconcept HDV capturing and Sony Vegas HDV capture.
With other softwares drop-outs and corruptions were not uncommon.

[benwaggoner]

If the HDV-cassettes are still there, I would capture new.
There were not many safely working HDV-Capturing softwares out there.
I remember to have tried my way through and found only 2 softwares to be working reliably:
Mainconcept HDV capturing and Sony Vegas HDV capture.
With other softwares drop-outs and corruptions were not uncommon.
I believe Adobe Premiere Pro still supports HDV. It STILL defaults to DV as its default capture format.

Ah, good old DV25; 720x480 of 4:1:1 color (in NTSC). The convolutions we had to run through to make DV25 (4:1:1) into DVD (4:2:0) for the lovely net color space of 4:1:0. (The trick was to do titling and graphics on-computer without ever rendering back to DV25).

[Blue_MiSfit]

Getting OT, but do you have any idea why 4:1:1 was chosen for NTSC mode instead of 4:2:0? I'd like to slap that engineer / committee with a nice big trout

[Emulgator]

Ben, yes, Adobe Premiere ! Forgot to check that, had given up on Premiere after going to Edius for 4 years, then Vegas.

Derek, from afar I guessed somebody might have weighted 4:2:0 vertically and horizontally 2-fold smeared interlaced CUE
against 4:1:1 4-fold horizontally smeared chroma and found the latter to be the lesser evil...

BTW, coming from PAL land I would welcome some real 4:1:1 samples from NTSC DV-Cams, just for comparison.