Understanding OTA Formatting and Converting

burchis · Member Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Location: United States

I'm not new to video editing just haven't had much experience with HDTV and transport stream formats yet. So I have a couple of questions for you guru's.

1- Are transport stream (.ts) files mpeg encoded files in small packets with additional embedded information about the TV station?
2- Can a OTA HDTV file consisting of 1920x1080 with dolby 5.1 be converted to 1280x720 and still retain the 5.1 audio? If so, what conversion programs would be best?

noemi7 · Member Joined: 07 Mar 2005

2xYes .TS may contain additional info, audio streams, subtitles and so. Of course, it depends on TV channel what it includes.

Use for example eac3to to demux the container, and re-encode video with appropriate tool:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/video-encoders-mpg-dvd

burchis · Member Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Location: United States

Thanks noemi7 for your reply. I have been using MPEG video wizard to work with my OTA HDTV signals which are captured and stored as .tp files. I believe that these are the same as .ts files. Please correct me if this thinking is wrong.

I am confused when it comes to video display size vs. video resolution. For example, the HDTV OTA signals that I capture are 1920x1080 with 5.1 dolby audio. ( I love the quality and it's free). The file size is extremely large and it is impossible to author a DVD with one hour at this resolution. Most DVD software requirements are looking for 720x480 display size. My problem is how do I take advantage of this HDTV and convert it to a smaller size to match DVD requirements?

Thanks for any help or direction.

noemi7 · Member Joined: 07 Mar 2005

You cannot add the source to DVD as it's not compatible with it. You have two choices:
1. Convert video from high to standard definition (720x480) <- check above link to video encoders supporting high definition MPEG2.

If you go with conversion, I suggest to not re-encode audio to preserve the quality. Demux your .tp file, and convert video only.

2. Author a Blu-ray compatible disc and play it on i.e. Sony PS3. You can use standard DVD disc, including dual layer. There are many threads here explaining how the disc should be prepared. Check for example here: http://forum.videohelp.com/topic346069.html

burchis · Member Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Location: United States

Thanks for that information.

So is HD (ie 1280x720) different then a wide screen DVD? What is the resolution of a wide screen DVD? What can I do to get SD (720x480) into wide screen format?

gadgetguy · Contestant Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Location: Michigan, USA

Widescreen DVD is the same resolution as Full Screen DVD, (720x480 for NTSC). The difference is in the aspect ratio flags.
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noemi7 · Member Joined: 07 Mar 2005

Majority of high definition broadcasts are in 16:9 aspect ratio (wide screen). Some old material can be broadcast in 4:3, having vertical black bars at left and right side. If you want to transcode it to standard definition you should crop these bars to get correct 4:3 DVD.