Getting a Black screen with sound with my mkv2vob's burned via ImgBurn.

[msp1518]

Hi all. I have an odd problem. I burned many discs of HD video (mostly sports) two to three years ago taking mkv files and using mkv2vob to convert them for burning in ImgBurn. The discs were played in my PS3 at 720p or 1080i and I was a happy boy.

Unfortunately, I must have forgotten something because I cannot for the life of me have success today. For all duel layer burns and most single layer I am getting a blank (black) screen, but I can hear the audio just fine.

My process...

I take the mkv, convert using mkv2vob...



I then use ImgBurn to create an HD disc on normal DVD (shows as AVCHD when inserted into my PS3). Here is the guide I am now using...

http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=9512

That is not the same guide I used years ago. Where that guide now is I have no idea.

What am I doing wrong?

In the past two days I have created two successful single layer burns, but six coasters and two duel layer coasters (I won't attempt duel layer again unless I get single layer licked).

What I am sure of is that this is NOT due to my DVD burners (I have two and tested both) nor is is the fault of the media, as I have tried Sony, Verbatum and even cheap Memorex.

If there is a better, easier way to do this, I am all ears. If i am doing something stupid, or if perhaps there is something that could me messed up about my PS3, then clue me in.

My PS3 outputs 720p, 1080i and 1080p to my 1080p DLP (it accepts any signal other than 50hz Euro).

[Baldrick]

Can you play the avchd with vlc or mpchc? Select to open a folder and choose the bdmv folder.

YOu can also try others mkv to avchd converters like avchdcoder or https://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/all-in-one-mkv-to-mp4-avchd-ts

[manono]

I have output type as file and transcoding codec as MPEG-2. Also, I have 'Always transcode DTS' checked. Except when there's some odd audio (MP2, most often) and I have to reencode the audio before MKV2VOB will accept it, it always works on the PS3.

[jman98]

What I am sure of is that this is NOT due to my DVD burners (I have two and tested both) nor is is the fault of the media, as I have tried Sony, Verbatum and even cheap Memorex.

If there is a better, easier way to do this, I am all ears. If i am doing something stupid, or if perhaps there is something that could me messed up about my PS3, then clue me in.

You have multiple problems here.
1) Your recent attempts to create AVCHD discs are not showing the video when you play them. That is issue number one.
2) Your 2nd issue is that you have made 2 successful burns out of 10 discs. These may not necessarily be related, although they could be.

To make things worse, you have decided that you are "sure" that your media and burner are NOT the problem. You got 8 coasters out of 10 discs, but your media AND burners CANNOT be to blame??? Ooooooohhhhhhhhkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy....

I've found that once posters start telling us what their problems are NOT that their minds are pretty closed. So I'm done here. Now if you want to post again and admit that you are willing to consider that part of your problem might be your burners or media, then maybe someone else will help you. But I've had my fill of people here recently with closed minds so I'm done with this thread.

I will give you one final suggestion. You might post a dump from MediaInfo of one of your source files that produced a disc that only has audio. Someone else might be able to determine if there's an issue with your source.

[msp1518]

Ok, jman98, you did not understand. You assumed. So you need to chill. I'm chilled. So chill.

The two successful burns can be repeated. Those two titles/video/files/whatever you wanna call them... Can be burned again and work just fine.

ALL the burns went 100%, but when I play them, two videos played perfectly. The others did not. These are all separate videos. NOT THE SAME VIDEOS.

I don't know how I can more clear on this, but I'll try: I have many many many mkv's and have been going through them, one by one. Two converted and then burned perfectly (as in, they play on my PS3 to me TV). The others did not. I have blank video on them, but perfect audio.

When I used to do this, I had zero issues. No problems at all. So I am trying to solve WHY that is.

Manano, DTS works a-ok. One of the successful burns is of a flick with DTS sound. It was fine. I can always go ahead and try the other setting and see what happens, of course.

As for using MPEG2, that is a codec that'll increase my file size, yes? If it goes up more than just a tiny bit, I'll be over the duel layer size limit.

Baldrick, I'll have a look at them. I have a full DVDfab on my system and wonder if anything in there can help me.

[manono]

As for using MPEG2, that is a codec that'll increase my file size, yes? If it goes up more than just a tiny bit, I'll be over the duel layer size limit.

It doesn't reencode it. It just muxes it into an MPEG container. Inside is the same stuff it had originally and the size is virtually unchanged. I'll post a MediaInfo tree for one of them that the PS3 accepts:

General
ID : 1
Complete name : D:\Downloads\Churchill's Desert War-The Road To Alamein.mpg
Format : MPEG-TS
File size : 1.98 GiB
Duration : 1h 28mn
Overall bit rate : 3 187 Kbps
Maximum Overall bit rate : 35.5 Mbps

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Duration : 1h 28mn
Bit rate : 2 613 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Writing library : x264 core 128 r2216 198a7ea
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:-1:-1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.15 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-3 / threads=18 / lookahead_threads=3 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=21.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.0

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Duration : 1h 28mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

[msp1518]

OK. Maybe this has been the problem all along. Like I said, it was about 2 years ago that i did this and in that time I forgot what I did. Let me try and I will report back.

UPDATE: Failure. I still have the exact same results. the two video files that worked work. Those that did not, don't.

I've also tried DVDfab's Blu-Ray Creator (I think that's what it's called) on one file and while the video was fine, the audio had massive dropouts. Constant. Every one to two seconds.

[manono]

Post the MediaInfo as I did, for one that doesn't work. Have you been updating your PS3 firmwares? Maybe some features have become available more recently? I'm far from an expert on this, but have no trouble making them work (with the odd audio problems that I can usually figure out).

[msp1518]

OK, I am a bit confused. What am I using that program on? The original mkv? I'm a bit lost. I've been at this for two days straight, non-stop and I am exhausted. I think my wife is going to kill me, but i cannot believe that this is so damned difficult. it shouldn't. I built my fricking computer from scratch! That should be much harder than this.

[jman98]

Ok, jman98, you did not understand. You assumed. So you need to chill. I'm chilled. So chill.

Your private message to me just confirms what I said. I'm done here. Oh - I do apologize for not being able to read your mind. Actually I don't.

Note that at no time did you follow my suggestion to post MediaInfo data here. You're another one of those people who don't want help, you just want validation. Good luck. manono has infinite patience for bs and posters with attitudes (this is not to his credit in my opinion) so lucky you. It takes a lot to make him give up, but it might interesting to follow the thread and see if he gets tired of your attitude too.

[msp1518]

You continue to be an impatient, assumptive jerk. Your very first post wasn't to ask questions, it was to scream at me and make accusations. you did not even try to be helpful.

Thankfully, I am starting to have success. Manono has been the key to that because he came in here and was helpful. So very public thanks for Manono. I will have more info tomorrow. My wife has been asking to use the PC so I really do need to be nice and turn it over to her.

[manono]

Open one of the ones that should work but doesn't in MediaInfo (File->Open->File). Then go View->Tree and post here what it says. There's perhaps some settings being used by the encoder that the PS3 doesn't like. But to tell you what that is may be up to someone else. All the ones I download (TV episodes mostly) just work.

There are several guides on the VideoHelp.com page for MKV2VOB, including this one that uses pretty much the same settings as I do:

http://www.digital-digest.com/articles/mkv2vob_PS3_MKV_Playback_Guide_page1.html

And if none of that helps, there's another program that prepares MKVs for the PS3 called PS3Muxer. Maybe you'll have better luck with it:

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/PS3Muxer

[Nelson37]

You were asked what happens when you try to play one of the problem disks ON THE PC.

This is a very important test as it removes the playback device from the equation. The PC will play anything functional ans is not picky about standards.

That plus the MediaInfo results will give some useful information.

[msp1518]

Just got up. When I stick them into my PC I get a strange error that nothing can play the discs (this is of course an auto-play setting). However, all can be played with VLC if I open them there.

Late last night I had much more success using DVDfab. I did five different videos and four are fine. One has stuttered video. All single layered. I don't want to risk duel layer platters just yet.

I'll get some breakfast and then try MediaInfo and post back.

[Nelson37]

Useful info would include WHAT PROGRAM gave the unable to play msg, PLUS the EXACT, SPECIFIC wording of that error.

What this does show is that you do NOT have disks that will not play, you have disks that will not play IN THE PS3.

Completely and totally different, that would be why this test was the FIRST ONE that was suggested, by one of the more knowledgeable people on this site.

[msp1518]

I never said the issue was not being playable on the PC. My issue has been form the start that they were not playable on the PS3. I made that very clear in the first post.

As for the error, it looks like Windows was confused and wanted to open both DVDfab and PowerDVD at the same time. That caused a crash. I have since changed the autostart to PowerDVD and the discs do play. ALL of them play. Even the ones that give me blank screens on the PS3.

The issue is something about the way in which these are being created has been giving me trouble with the PS3, despite the fact that when I did burns prior, I had no trouble. Same method I used before, but blank screens on playback.

Here is the data on one of the videos that has given me trouble (from the actual mkv file before I put it through mkv2vob). If I did something wrong in how this was captured I would appreciate patience. This is the first time I have used the program...



Complete name : X:\HD Video\MKV and x264 files\Tiger.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 2
File size : 2.05 GiB
Duration : 1h 32mn
Overall bit rate : 3 167 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2011-06-17 05:08:53
Writing application : mkvmerge v4.6.0 ('Still Crazy After All These Years') 编译于 Mar 10 2011

02:50:32
Writing library : libebml v1.2.0 + libmatroska v1.1.0

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Muxing mode : Header stripping
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 32mn
Bit rate : 1 888 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 690 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.85:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 24.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.089
Stream size : 1.18 GiB (58%)
Writing library : x264 core 114 r1924 08d04a4
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=7 /

psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11

/ fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 /

constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 /

weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 /

bitrate=1888 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40

/ aq=1:1.00
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Muxing mode : Header stripping
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 425 MiB (20%)
Title : Chinese
Language : Chinese
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Muxing mode : Header stripping
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 32mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 640 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 425 MiB (20%)
Title : Cantonese
Language : Chinese
Default : No
Forced : No

[msp1518]

And here is one that worked, where I had picture, but the sound was filled with dropouts. Created by mkv2vob then burned via ImgBurn. I've since successfully created one using DVDfab, but the subtitles did not come with it. They are not from an .srt file. The subs are somehow part of the mkv and can turned on or off (say using VLC Media Player or when playing with my Egreat to my TV).

If my terminology is off I would appreciate not being slammed for it. I'm doing the best I can.



Complete name : X:\HD Video\MKV and x264 files\hosts.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 1
File size : 2.90 GiB
Duration : 1h 25mn
Overall bit rate : 4 985 Kbps
Movie name : hosts_[720p,BluRay,x264,DTS-ES]_-_THORA
Encoded date : UTC 2007-09-04 17:34:27
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.1.0 ('Another Place To Fall') built on Aug 19 2007 13:40:07
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1
Attachment : Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L5.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 13 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 23mn
Bit rate : 4 250 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 688 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.85:1
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.201
Stream size : 2.40 GiB (83%)
Title : hosts
Writing library : x264 core 56 svn-667C
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=10 / deblock=1:-3:-3 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=7 / brdo=1 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=2 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=3 / nr=0 / decimate=0 / mbaff=0 / bframes=10 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / wpredb=1 / bime=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=2pass / bitrate=4250 / ratetol=1.0 / rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)' / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:0.7:15.0
Language : Japanese
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Mode : 16
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 23mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 755 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 24 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 449 MiB (15%)
Title : DTS-ES 6.1 768 kbps
Language : Chinese
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Text #1
ID : 3
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Text #2
ID : 4
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Romanian
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #3
ID : 5
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Swedish
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #4
ID : 6
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : French
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #5
ID : 7
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Italian
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #6
ID : 8
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Spanish
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #7
ID : 9
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Portuguese
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #8
ID : 10
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : German
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #9
ID : 11
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Polish
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #10
ID : 12
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Czech
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #11
ID : 13
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Hungarian
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #12
ID : 14
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Slovenian
Default : No
Forced : No

Text #13
ID : 15
Format : ASS
Codec ID : S_TEXT/ASS
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Sub Station Alpha
Compression mode : Lossless
Language : Estonian
Default : No
Forced : No

[manono]

As I said, if there's something about the one that doesn't work in the PS3, then someone else will have to spot it.

Sometimes I get one that just crashes MKV2VOB. Something about TSMuxer which it uses. I run it through MKV2AC3 and then it works. MKV2AC3 is a program to fix unsupported audio to something that both MKV2VOB and the PS3 accept. But it also remuxes and sometimes when there's nothing at all wrong with the audio, after running it through MKV2AC3 then MKV2VOB can process it and it'll play fine on the PS3. This doesn't really address your core problem, but it's the last of my ideas. Sorry. The audio may get reencoded, but the video stays the same, and is only remuxed, but in a way that both MKV2VOB and the PS3 like.

[Urotsukidoji]

I realise this is a digup from the past, I'm having exactly the same issues.

...don't even want advice to be honest, just wanted to say well done, gg to manono for having a go, and to jman98; I hope you've matured, because good god you read like an utter utter wanker in this.

[Nelson37]

Interesting opinion, but did you happen to notice that the original poster never bothered to follow up on any more diagnostics or give any info on how, and if, the problem was solved? Have you done enough hundreds of these where you would be willing to bet money that the problem the OP was so sure it could NOT be, namely the disks or burner, was most likely the source of the issue?

Did you notice the OP had to be asked several times to perform the simplest of playback tests on the PC, and my personal favorite, the fact that the two disks which DID play back, "perfectly fine", suddenly in his 8th or 9th post, are full of audio dropouts?

Tell you what, YOU deal with a few hundred such "utter wankers", for free, for a few years, then get back to me and we'll see if YOUR opinions, and attitude, have been adjusted.