How to convert any video to AVI or MP4 or MKV with burned in subtitles

[Baldrick]

This guide will describe the basic steps to convert almost any video to avi xvid(for DVD Divx Players or portable players) or mp4 h264(for IpoD, PS3, Xbox 360, etc) or mkv h264(for computer playback) with optionable burned in / permanent / hardcoded subtitles using free software.


Convert
MKV to AVI, MKV to MP4, MP4 to AVI, MP4 to AVI, WMV to AVI, WMV to MP4, AVI to MP4, MOV to MP4, MOV to AVI


Tools required:
xvid4psp or avidemux
mkvextractgui or ogmdemuxer
(xvid4psp requires also ffdshow and avisynth)

Guide

Using Xvid4psp, easiest to use!
Open your video file (be sure to install ffdshow and avisynth first)
Open your subtitle file(extract subtitles from mkv files using mkvextracgui or ogmdemuxer)
Under Format choose the video profile, avi, mp4, mkv etc like choose AVI Hardware for DVD Divx Player playback or MP4 IpoD, PSP, PS3, Xbox360 video profiles.
Under Video Encoding click on the E-icon to change encoding settings, like change the output file size, under Encoding mode change to 2-pass size and set the size in MB. If you don't what size to choose use same as the source video or if you don't need a specific size change encoding mode to constant quality/quantizer mode.
Encode.




Using avidemux
Load your video file
Under Video choose the video codec, for avi choose xvid and if making mp4 or mkv choose x264
Under Video->Configure and under Encoding type change to Two Pass Video Size if you want to change the output file size. If you don't what size to choose use same as the source video or if you don't need a specific size change encoding type to constant quality/quantizer mode.
Under Video->Filters->Subtitle add the subtitle filter and load your srt,sub,ass file. (extract subtitles from mkv files using mkvextracgui or ogmdemuxer)
You might have to downresize the video resolution/frame size, for DVD Divx Player use a resolution under 720x576, for portable devices use the max resolution that it supports, for PS3, Xbox 360 yoú can keep HD resolution(1920x1080 or lower). Under Filters add the Resize filter and resize.
Under audio choose mp3 for DVD Divx Player playback, aac audio for mp4.
Set the output format, avi or mp4
Click Save to start the encoding, save the video with the file extension like video.avi or video.mp4




Okey, no more mkv to avi,mp4 questions...

[dantruon]

thanks dude, was looking for the software all day to do the MKV to AVI so that i could watch it on my Divx player.This guide is the best on the net so far. Highly recommended, good job OP.

[kapital]

Baldrick,

I hope you can help me with this:

I use AG Knot to burn in subtitles written in Subtitles Workshop and Subtitle Creator. Then I use Avidemux to cut short scenes and upload them to a website for my students to practice listening comprehension (this is for language courses). This generally works well, in spite of the severe degradation from the conversion to flash when uploaded. However, if the subtitles are not large enough to begin
with, the flash degradation is such that they become hard to read. So my question is:

How can I enlarge the subtitles prior to burning?

I tried in Sub Workshop and Subtitle Creator, but it had no visible effect in the avi file produced by AG Knot.

Any idea what I should do?

Thank you very much.

[Immortal25]

*Deleted*

[vviii]

Xvid4psp ==> "Please install Microsoft Framework 3"

avidemux ==> "Error SSA : cannot read file..."

is there any simple tool to convert annoying mkv/mp4 AVC/softsub to good old avi/xvid/hardsub ?

[anthraxxx]

What are the recommended file sizes? I'm confused with this part.
I was wondering if there is any standard file size rules for encoding.

Thank you.

[johnr283]

I have a mkv file with no subs. I've tried several time using your method to convert it it AVI. XviD4PSP alway skips through part of the video encoding. The process completes sucessfuly, but the resulting avi is only a few minutes. The original ia 40 min.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

John

[gp5384]

that's hilarious how he says "ok no more questions" and everyone just ignores it. there's gratitude for ya

[johnr283]

that's hilarious how he says "ok no more questions" and everyone just ignores it. there's gratitude for ya

I assure you I'm am full of gratitude. I'd hope he was joking with "ok no more questions"
Why post a guide and not be willing to answer a few questions. I could understand if the the subject had been covered with with many post or if some asked a question that hase already been answered. Also I see this is your first post in this forum. Did you spend the time to sign up, just to make an unrelated comment.

Baldrick, I appreciate your guide, keep up the good work.
gp5384, stay ou of things that don't concern you and stop tryin' to stir up trouble.

John

[Baldrick]

vviii: Convert ssa to srt or install .net framework.
anthrax: Use constant quality/quantizer encoding mode if you don't need a specific file size. Or else just use same file size as the source video.
johnr283: Does the mkv play fine in windows media player? Or try avidemux.

gp5384: It was a joke...but I don't read my guides topic so often so I'm not that much help though.

[johnr283]

I just found out my RAM and mobo were damaged. Encoded the video using XviD4PSP on my other PC and it worked great.

Thanks,
John

[Randm]

...nvm, delete this post...

[laserbeak]

hello,
Thanks for the tutorial. i have 2 questions though
1) i get an error message of some sort about the video files when i try xvid4dsp, that says:
Resize: Source image too small for this resize method
so then itried constant quality quantizer 3.0 and still got this error

PLATFORM
------------------------------
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
OEMCodePage: 437
Language: ENU
DecimalSeparator: .
Framework: 2.0.50727.3053
Processors: 1
Machine: LIVINGRO-9AD9C9
UserName: Daddy
SystemDrive: C:

XVID4PSP
------------------------------
Version: 5.036
Created: 10/18/2008 12:36:32 PM
TempPath: E:\Temp
AppPath: C:\Program Files\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5

FILES
------------------------------
gwing_01-animestash.info.mp4 >
gwing_01-animestash.info.avi

TASK
------------------------------
Format: AVI Hardware
Duration: 00:21:00:469 (30221)
VideoDecoder: DirectShowSource
Resolution: 0x0 > 16x16
VCodecPreset: Custom
VEncodingMode: Quality
VideoCodec: h264 > XviD
VideoBitrate: 314 > Q3.0
Framerate: 23.976
SourceType: PROGRESSIVE
FieldOrder: UNKNOWN
AudioDecoder: 0
AEncodingPreset: MP3 CBR 128k
AudioCodec: OGG > MP3
AudioBitrate: 0 > 128
Samplerate: 48000
Channels: 2

VIDEO ENCODING
------------------------------
Encoding video to: E:\Temp\0001.avi
XviD Q3.0 16x16 23.976fps (30221 frames)
Error:

2)do any of these support batch encoding? I have a whole series of videos i'd just like to tell it to encode for me.[/list]

[carlos28355]

i need help my xvid4psp is loading another audio file when i try to convert it there is no other audio file in the folder im converting trigun and its adding berserk audio to it??? wtf also its loading 2 sets of subtitles they are on top of each other? i followed this guide exactly and have converted ogm to avi before in the past and worked perfect??


**update on audio files i think i got it fixed i deleted everything in the temp file..for some reason some files were still there...still not sure why is doubling up on the subtitles..thanks (=

**update on subtitles..so like i said i followed this guide and ive done it before in the past but turns out i dont need to add the subtitles because for some reason they load with the file ? every file i encode the audio is off but ill go to another form to fix that...thanks

[carlos28355]

is there anyway to do more than one file at a time?

[snadge]

i followed this guide but upon clicking ENCODE it said it was converting my 1080x1920 MKV file to a XviD 688x288 file (or something like that) and was gunna take 4 hours (Dual-Core)...

what is the best setting to keep it same quality and 1080p aspect ratio

[The_Jelly]

Following your guide with Xvid4PSP I got it to work. However, the subs aren't using the same font as the original MKV's subs. I was wondering if there is some kinda of font pack I need to download perhaps?

[Loevgaard]

I got a problem! Can someone tell me what I need to install of programs to convert a .mkv-file to mp4 with H264 codec and a bitrate of CBR 640kbps sound...

I've installed K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (the newest), ffdshow, Haali Media Spitter. That means I got a lot of codecs... but I still can't convert it to an mp4. I've spent all day waiting to see the result, converting the mkv to mp4 using XviD4PSP, but when two percent left, an error shows with no reason. Somehow, I've done it wrong, but what is wrong? Don't I have the correct programs... or?

Please help

In addition, thanks!

[Ai Haibara]

Try AVIDemux. If the original MKV already has h.264 video, you can simply set Video to 'Copy,' and it won't re-encode the video. By 'a bitrate of CBR 640kbps sound,' does that mean you want to convert the audio to MP3? Odd choice of audio format for an .mp4.

[SixOclock]

This is the guide I've been dreaming of. Worked perfectly, without a hitch the first time! AWESOME! Thank you!!

[spartankid]

i need help please when i encode wmv to xvid the sound comes too back please help me find i solution i try this very long( and sorry for my bad english

[lordpab]

Hi, I'm having problems with xvid4psp, I have version 5.

It has been working great, but now the video files I encode are without sound.

Any suggestion?

Thanks

[Baldrick]

Hi, I'm having problems with xvid4psp, I have version 5.

It has been working great, but now the video files I encode are without sound.

Any suggestion?

Thanks

Do you hear the audio when you play in the preview window xvid4psp?
It could be a directshow decoder problem. Installed any codec packs or other video tools lately?

[lordpab]

Hi, I'm having problems with xvid4psp, I have version 5.

It has been working great, but now the video files I encode are without sound.

Any suggestion?

Thanks

Do you hear the audio when you play in the preview window xvid4psp?
It could be a directshow decoder problem. Installed any codec packs or other video tools lately?

No... no sound from the preview window either.
I haven't installed anything related to video or codecs. So, should I install new codecs? I use K-lite 5.0.5, do I have to update it? or do you recommend another codecs?

Thanks

EDIT: Is working now, new codecs. Thank you so much!

[lordpab]

Hi... Having problems again...

Using Xvid4PSP 5.037. I'm converting a file, but in the preview window the sound goes extremely fast and the video runs fine... besides, it doesn't encode, it just stays in the 1st pass and nothing...

Any suggestion?

I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64b, K-lite codecs 5.4.4

Thanks

[Vsion]

Hello to everyone.
I need information about avidemux because I tryed without good results.

I have a MKV file with H264+Vorbis 48KHz and i need to burn subtitles on it without lost quality.
First problem: i can open only MKV file, if I try to open only the video part (h264), Avidemux Crash after the MSGBOX about frame B. It crashes if I choose Yes or No at question about frame B.
After open the MKV file I configure video as MPEG-4 AVC (x264) with two pass and subtitle as filter. Copy for audio. The result is a video with different dimensions and it is not fluid. I tryed to remove the sub but result is the same.
Note: sub has great graphics because it is for karaoke. I cannot put them into MKV (with MKVmergegui) because the player crashes or has difficult to reproduce it. I use MPC.
I tryed to change the configuration options for video, in the output section, to adjust the dimensions. Aspect ratio is 704:405 but nothing change.
Note2: this is the first encode for this video, after burns the sub I need to merge another sub with MKVMergeGUI but I think this isn't a problem.

Here are the infomation about video: Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 704x480 (704:405) 23.98fps [Video]
Audio: Vorbis 48000Hz stereo [Audio]

These are my questions:
- Is it a problem with Avidemux? Configuration wrong?
- Do I need a different program?
- Can Avidemux put subs on h264 without problem?
- Is possible to burn sub on H264 without change the format? (i don't want to lose this great quality)

If you need screenshots or other information please let me know.
Thanks so much!!
Bye!

[melikepandas12342242]

I am using the second method on the page because the first one requires me to download some other windows thing.
i have done everything in the directions. i tried both my mp4 version of the video and the avi version. i tried to put in subtitles (.srt) and it was all going well but the finished product does not have subtitles. i wanted the final video to be mp4 and when i opened the video, it was just the video and no subtitles. (additional info: I made the subtitles with Subtitle Workshop)
Please help me.
Thank you.

[uskro]

I have subtitle encoded in UTF-8 to contains special characters such as: ș ț ă â î , the issue is that, hardsubbing it transformes the special characters in a series of even nastier ones. How can I ensure that the software uses the subtitle encoding?

[bigjaykay78]

HI Baldrick,

Thanks for the guide I've been able to convert a lot of my MKV's using this to play on my standalone dvd player. I do have one question though and cant seem to find a guide that will help. I tried converting a file of the following specs to AVI using xvid4psp but the resulting file wouldnt play on the DVD player although i could play it on my PC. I also converted the audio to AC3 6ch. Help Please

isom: MP4 Base Media v1 [IS0 14496-12:2003]
- avc1: MP4 Base w/ AVC ext [ISO 14496-12:2005]

mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC

[jamesdude24]

Hi Baldrick I have a problem. I'm trying to convert an MKV file to an MP4 for playback on my PSP. I can play the encoded file on my computer but the PSP won't play it (it states, 'This video cannot be played.') PSP firmware version 6.35. Here is the encode log:

PLATFORM
------------------------------
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7600.0
OEMCodePage: 850
Language: ENG
DecimalSeparator: .
Framework: 2.0.50727.4952
Processors: 2
Machine: JAMES-LAPTOP
UserName: James
SystemDrive: C:

XVID4PSP
------------------------------
Version: 5.0.37.8 rev132
Created: 30/03/2010 08:15:38
TempPath: C:\Temp
AppPath: C:\Program Files (x86)\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5

FILES
------------------------------
01 Spring of the Dead.mkv >
01 Spring of the Dead.mp4

TASK
------------------------------
Format: MP4 PSP AVC
Duration: 00:24:01:942 (34572)
VideoDecoder: DirectShowSource
Resolution: 848x480 > 480x272
VCodecPreset: Custom
VEncodingMode: Quality
VideoCodec: h264 > x264
VideoBitrate: 1540 > Q23.0
Framerate: 23.976
SourceType: PROGRESSIVE
FieldOrder: UNKNOWN
AudioDecoder: bassAudioSource
AEncodingPreset: AAC-LC ABR 128k
AudioCodec: AAC
AudioBitrate: 0 > 128
Samplerate: 48000
Channels: 2
Normalize: 100%
Accurate: 10%
Gain: 4.779

SCRIPT
------------------------------
import("C:\Program Files (x86)\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5\dlls\AviSynth\functions\AudioFunctions.avs")
import("C:\Program Files (x86)\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5\dlls\AviSynth\functions\VideoFunctions.avs")
loadplugin("C:\Program Files (x86)\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5\dlls\AviSynth\plugins\bass\bassAudio.dll")
loadplugin("C:\Program Files (x86)\Winnydows\XviD4PSP5\dlls\AviSynth\plugins\VSFilter.dll")

video = DirectShowSource("C:\Users\James\Videos\Anime\Highschool of the Dead\01 Spring of the Dead.mkv", audio=false, fps=23.976, convertfps=true)
audio = bassAudioSource("C:\Temp\0000_0.aac")
AudioDub(video, audio)

AmplifydB(4.779)
ConvertToYV12()
Lanczos4Resize(480, 272)
TextSub("C:\Users\James\Videos\Anime\Highschool of the Dead\01 Spring of the Dead_Track3.ass")


VIDEO ENCODING
------------------------------
Encoding video to: C:\Temp\0002.264
x264 Q23.0 480x272 23.976fps (34572 frames)
 
x264.exe: --crf 23.0 --level 2.1 --trellis 2 --partitions p8x8,b8x8 --no-8x8dct --sar 1:1 --output "C:\Temp\0002.264" "C:\Temp\0002.avs"
 
avs [info]: 480x272p 1:1 @ 2500000/104271 fps (cfr)
x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast FastShuffle SSEMisalign LZCNT
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 2.1
                                                                               
x264 [info]: frame I:361   Avg QP:20.63  size: 17011
x264 [info]: frame P:16743 Avg QP:24.42  size:  3337
x264 [info]: frame B:17468 Avg QP:28.89  size:   349
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames: 19.6% 33.9%  9.6% 37.0%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 18.1%  0.0% 81.9%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  5.2%  0.0%  0.0%  P16..4: 35.5% 16.7% 10.2%  0.0%  0.0%    skip:32.5%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  0.1%  0.0%  0.0%  B16..8: 25.7%  0.8%  0.9%  direct: 1.3%  skip:71.1%  L0:38.9% L1:55.7% BI: 5.4%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 56.0% 57.4% 28.0% inter: 13.1% 10.9% 1.4%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 29% 27% 20% 24%
x264 [info]: i4 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 23% 22% 14%  7%  6%  6%  7%  6%  7%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:3.0%
x264 [info]: ref P L0: 61.5% 13.6% 15.6%  8.6%  0.7%
x264 [info]: ref B L0: 85.5% 12.5%  2.0%
x264 [info]: ref B L1: 94.6%  5.4%
x264 [info]: kb/s:377.92

x264 [total]: encoded 34572 frames, 33.43 fps, 377.92 kb/s


AUDIO ENCODING
------------------------------
Encoding audio to: C:\Temp\0002.m4a
AAC 128kbps 2ch 16bit 48000khz
 
neroAacEnc.exe: -ignorelength -br 128000 -lc -if - -of "C:\Temp\0002.m4a"
 

This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


MUXING
------------------------------
Video file: C:\Temp\0002.264
Audio file: C:\Temp\0002.m4a
Muxing to: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4
 
MP4Box.exe: -fps 23.976  -add "C:\Temp\0002.264" -add "C:\Temp\0002.m4a" -new "H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4" -tmp "C:\Temp"
 

This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log


This log was saved here: H:\VIDEO\01 Spring of the Dead.mp4.encoding.log

Thanks for any help,
James