Encoding Video files for PS3?

[ps3encode]

Anyone recommend a h.264 (AVC) AAC/mp4 sp encoder that works w/ PS3 required formats?
I realize most of the h.264 encoders take more than several hrs to convert a divx/xvid 700mb file, but would like to try since that's what ps3 requires and it reduces the size.
The playstation forums weren't very helpful since they're not as knowledgable about video.

The ps3 video 9 doesn't work for me when I put it on a data cd. Able to copy the file from cd, but not able to play it. Unsupported Format for some reason. It was probably meant for USB harddrive or memory stick copy??? Not the best tool since it doesn't give you lots of choices. No luck w/ ps3 video 9 support/forum. I've tried the VIDEO or MP_ROOT folder structrure to mimic psp folder structure. No luck.

I've tried running Abyss web server to copy the mp4 files from SUPER. While I was able to copy, I couldn't play it. Messed around w/ profile levels 3.1 and 3.2 h.264 for 1280x720 but w/o success. Anyone have success w/ Super converted h.264 to PS3?

Used Mainconcept h.264 v.2, but I couldn't copy or play; I read somewhere mainconcept codec is proprietary? I at least got hd encoding to work on PS3, but it creates such a large file...

Anyhow, I need experts to recommend me on what tools to use and how (in detail please) to get the files copied and played on PS3. I'd like to use data CD/DVD or web server if possible.

I don't want the Yellow Dog Linux/mplayer/vlc, etc... route for now since wifi isn't supported yet.

I realize I could just convert xvid/dixv, etc... to dvd and play the dvd, but wanting to see h.264 in action.

Please help this newbie out.
Thanks.

[ps3encode]

Seem that ps3 forums are posting that you have to use mem cards or usb flash drive in order to get mp4 videos to be read by ps3.

One interesting to note. I exported a HDV file from Avid Xpress Pro, put it on a dataDVD, named the folder VIDEO/hdvfilename and ps3 was able to save and play the hdv file. Since HDV uses mpeg2 codec, it's not a great surprise, but still nice to know that it's very easy to get your Avid cut to ps3 to display.

Still awaiting for recommendations on mp4 encode for ps3. Someone mentioned mp4converter.net so I'm trying that now, but I'll need buy a usb flash drive first.

[ps3encode]

Hmm. I used ps3 video converter3 to encode 5 mins demo, burnt it to datacd (VIDEO folder), and was able to save and play the file in PS3. It was nice pretty good quality even though it encoded at 480p. It converted to AVC, AAC file.

This got me even more interested in how I could set up my mainconcept h.264 to encode PS3 acceptable mp4.

Please, can anyone help?

[nerfgun]

Hi ps3encode,

I'm trying to do basically the same thing, except on a Mac (so no Video 9 for me). I can get QuickTime Pro to produce playable H.264 files, but it takes a really long time to crunch (well, longer than ffmpegX does anyway).

I don't think there is an issue between memorystick and disc media, the PS3 doesn't seem to care.

I am playing with the various codecs in ffmpegX now to see what I can find out. The only interesting thing I've turned up is that using the x264 encoder, I can make a ps3-acceptable file, but with no picture, only audio...

[killerhex]

what files can ps3 read

[nerfgun]

Video files playable by PS3, from the manual:

* Memory Stick Video Format
* MPEG-4 SP (AAC LC)
* H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile (AAC LC)
* MPEG-1 (MPEG Audio Layer 2)
* MPEG-2 PS (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AAC LC, AC3 (Dolby Digital), LPCM)
* MPEG-2 TS (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2)

[killerhex]

what about the x360

[vineridge]

I have Tried nero avc with no luck ,but I was able to rename a vob to mp2 and save that to the hard drive and that worked just fine. I used shrink to making one large file instead of several 1g files and compressed it to a reasonable file size to conserve hard dive space and wala movie server.

[jasev01]

Sorry but I have a even more crazy question. So I just got my PS# and I was trying to use a jump drive to play MP3, look at pictures and play movies. I am pretty sure that i converted them to Mpeg4 and other files that the PS3 can use yet it tells me "no titles" or "noaudio files" or "no pictures" whats up with that? does noone have an idea what im doing wrong?

Thanks,

Newbie

[Ai Haibara]

As far as I know, the PS3, like the PSP, expects to see the files in certain directories (for example, if you update the PS3 firmware from a flash drive or SD card, you have to have it in \PS3\UPDATE .)

Offhand, I don't know what those directory names are, but there's a way around it - try going into the pictures/music/video areas. When you get the 'no' (files) messages, press Triangle (if I remember correctly). That should bring up some options, one of which should allow you to browse all the appropriate files. (Apologies - it's one of my relatives who has the PS3, so I have to go check, later. )

[Craig Fuqua]

No real luck yet with AVC, but I wanted to pass along my experiences.
I have no problem getting it to read files from a data CD, but I can't get it to read a data DVD. I've tried three different brands (GQ +R, Memorex +RW and TDK -R) and each time PS3 tells me "0 bytes, 0 files." Triangle button does no good. It can read a video DVD that I burned (although it refuses to play PAL).
So I got a USB enclosure for a hard drive and discovered that it had to be formatted to FAT32, which is limited by Windows to 32 gigs. I found a program to overcome this, so I've got the whole thing formatted as one partition. THEN I hit the 4-gig filesize limit, which means the 12- to 16-gig movie files have to be broken up.
I use VLC to output MPEG-2 AC3 TS files as MPEG PS files with .mp4 extension and the PS3 plays them fine. Maybe I'm making that more difficult than it needs to be, but I'm happy I don't have to re-encode.
It recognizes the USB drive with no problem, but each file displays as "unsupported format" or something like that. Pressing the triangle button gets a new menu with a Play option, which plays the file with no problem. After it plays the file, the "unsupported format" text goes away for that file.
I haven't been able to get h.264 / AVC files to play yet ... I tried Super, but it limits AVC resolutions and only allows one framerate. The result was so out of sync, I didn't want to run it on the PS3.

[nerfgun]

Hey - don't know if you had any luck yet, but I did manage to successfully convert to AVC for PS3 using ffmpegX on a Mac. Do a search for 'econding for playstation 3' thread and you'll see the steps.