Problem converting mkv to m2ts (for PS3)

[scift]

Hello,

I have an mkv file in 1080p that I'm trying to convert to m2ts to play on the ps3. The problem with my output file is, the ps3 plays the audio, but not the video.

The original mkv file consists of an h264 video stream, an ac3 audio stream, a secondary Vorbis audio stream, and several subtitle tracks. All I want is the video, the ac3 track, and (if possible) the English subtitles.

The mkv file plays fine in MPC, so I started by demuxing the file with MKVExtractGUI to get the individual streams. Next, I ran the h264 video stream through h264info to change the level to 4.1 (I think this is required for the PS3). Then for the English subtitles, I converted the stream to .sup using SUPread. Finally, I muxed the video, the ac3 audio, and the subs together with tsMuxeR into m2ts format. Everything appeared to work fine, but when I tested it the file in MPC, it just crashed. It stuttered badly in VLC Player.

I decided to burn a test copy anyway just to see if the PS3 would read it. On the PS3, there was audio at least, but no video (just a black screen). I tried the same thing again and changed the output in tsMuxeR to BluRay to make an AVCHD disc. Unfortunately, the PS3 still would only play the audio. Anybody know what went wrong?

I have done this same process before, though with a 720p video file and without subtitles, and it worked fine, so I don't know if the 1080p resolution or the subs are the problem?

Also, I went back and tested the h264 stream that I extracted from the original mkv, and it actually didn't play in MPC, but it did in VLC player. I muxed the h264 video and ac3 audio back into mkv and it played fine again in MPC.

If anyone knows what I'm doing wrong or has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[romi7519]

have you tried anything like mkv2vob or ripbot264?

[scift]

I will try out those programs, but if I keep the subtitles do you know if it's going to re-encode the video?

[poisondeathray]

I will try out those programs, but if I keep the subtitles do you know if it's going to re-encode the video?

Anything that hardcodes subtitles will have to re-encode the video.

[DarthMurdicide]

I am having the exact same problem. I know it's either the PS3 or the TSMuxer because I've burned the BD-RE (with the appropriate BDMV and CERTIFICATES folders) with both Nero 8 Burning ROM and IMGBurn 2.4, and both times the audio plays fine on the PS3 but no video.

[PuzZLeR]

I have a feeling the video stream's been encoded with B-pyramids - something alot of hardware, including PS3 and BD can't process. Even computer playback apps like QuickTime puke on them in small resolutions as well.

Although they are within the H.264 standard, I personally stay away from Sharkie's more "insane" profiles, which also use a high amount of reference frames, B-pyramids, etc. These video streams may play well within MKV, but may remain stranded on your PC for many years...

Only answer is re-encode if that's the case... sorry.

Try a sample encode with a more lighter H.264/x264 profile with no more than 3 B frames/multiple ref frames and no B-pyramids. Mux the same way as in your first post and see if this will play in PS3. If it does, then there's your sad answer right there.

Also try IDC Multi Changer to change the level. It's simpler. Maybe H264info is corrupting something in your stream (happened to me before).

Also see what happens without subs.

Good luck.

[scift]

Thanks for your replies everyone, I got it working with mkv2vob. I did end up having to re-encode the entire video, but now it works and the ps3 is able to read it.

The final quality of the video looks very good, and the subs were hardcoded and appear fine.

Also, just to check... I went back and loaded the original mkv into mkv2vob again, but this time I selected no subs, and full transcoding was still necessary. So apparently this particular video had to be re-encoded.

[PuzZLeR]

Glad to see you got it running.

About re-encoding. Now that the format war is over the main thing people will want now is going to be AVCHD - a standard H.264 format that will play in every BD and PS3 player everywhere. You don't need a special player, or certification from a codec or any special features, just any BD player and it can play it back from any disc/USB/card/etc source.

This format doesn't accept B-pyramids, or any B/ref frames over 3, or P 4x4, and has certain thresholds on VBV, etc. and needs a nal_hrd patch in some encoders, which may have been any combo of reasons why your original MKV's streams didn't play properly.

I've already come to the reality that I may have to re-encode much of my material, like you had to. But the good thing is that this time if you get the right specs for AVCHD, it will probably be the last time I, or many of us, have to re-encode for at least 10 years.

[NiGHTsC]

Hm...anyone has a idea why this video still works on PS3?
Ref frame 8
Level 5.1
B-Pyramid

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L5.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 8 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@5.1
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 2h 32mn
Bit rate : 5 622 Kbps
Nominal bit rate : 5 949 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.269
Writing library : x264 core 65 r1024M 2652abe
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=8 / deblock=1:-2:-1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=6 / psy_rd=1.0:0.0 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=16 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / wpredb=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40(pre) / rc=2pass / bitrate=5949 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English

Audio
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 2h 32mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Surround: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 24 bits
Language : English

Thank you.