avi -> mpeg1 in high quality

[steve1401]

Hi,
I have seen various discussions where people ask how to convert stuff to the old mpeg-1 format, but the answer is always "why" or "just don't bother", so I'll explain my reasons briefly first...

I have just bought a Sony Bravia which has a USB port which understands how to play mpeg-1 files. It doesn't understand how to play layer 2 or divx etc. I would like to be able to convert some 1080 "HD" WMV, DivX and AVI files to Mpeg-1 so I can play them via a USB stick.

Is there a way of converting such files to a HD quality mpeg-1 file using ffmpeg? I have a Max OSX with the latest version of ffmpeg installed, but can't seem to get the best settings (I'm using the command line version, not ffmpegX). I also have the full Quicktime Pro HD edition installed, but it doesn't seem to create true layer 1 files, well they don't play on the tv...

Any ideas appreciated.

Cheers
Steve

[edDV]

This doesn't sound right. A current Bravia should be able to read other than MPeg1.

An HD resolution MPeg1 file would be huge.

What is your TV model number?

[steve1401]

It's a 32" V5500 (KDL-32V5500U to be precise). The manual says Mpeg-1, but if it plays other than that it would be good - mpeg 2 for example, but I don't seem to have a sample file in that format which works...

Thanks for the quick reply btw

[jagabo]

It should be able to play MPEG 2 video because it has a digital terrestrial tuner (MPEG 2 broadcast).

[steve1401]

I managed to convert a wmv file into a mpeg2 file and yes, it works This means that the manual that comes with the tv is incorrect!

Here are the switches I passed:
-vcodec mpeg2video -sameq -s 1280x720

1280x718 is what ffmpeg said the original video resolution was, but could anyone tell me are these optimum settings? Is what I am viewing after the job is done the best that is possible, or are there more optimum switches to pass?

Cheers
Steve

[jagabo]

the manual that comes with the tv is incorrect!

Nothing unusual there!