MPEG2 TS TO MKV keeping aspect ratio changes

[kevjs1982]

Is it possible to take an MPEG 2 TS file which dynamically switches* between 16:9 (Studio) and 4:3 (Video footage) video without having to re-encode all the video ? Using mkvtoolnix the whole video is forced into 16:9 which means the 4:3 video footage is all stretched.

If this is possible at the Chapter level that would be fine (I'm adding chapters in to make it easy to find the right video footage clip!) - even better if I can generate a stub chapters file based on the aspect ratio changes - but how would I do these?

In the 45 minute video I am editing there are about 20 transitions from 16:9 to 4:3 or vice verse - it's a TS file recorded directly from digital satellite (gotv österreich in this case).


* If viewing in VLC Player the window gets narrower in the 4:3 bits then widens at the 16:9 bits, in XBMC it pillar boxes the 4:3 bits (it looks like its 528x576 throughout and just triggering widescreen switching)

[Baldrick]

I don't think so. And if it would work I doubt any player supports it.

Why do you need a mkv?

[kevjs1982]

Drat!

The chapter markings and especially the title of the chapter to make it easy to find one of the clips within the longer video programme.

If another container supports those, the aspect ratio switching, and no need to re-encode (MPEG2 video, AC3 Audio Stream) and works in VLC+XBMC then that would be a good alternative!

[El Heggunte]

I think you need an MPEG-2 decoder which ignores the container aspect ratio, and honors the bitstream aspect ratios instead.

[Chug a Bug]

Is it possible to take an MPEG 2 TS file which dynamically switches* between 16:9 (Studio) and 4:3 (Video footage) video without having to re-encode all the video ? Using mkvtoolnix the whole video is forced into 16:9 which means the 4:3 video footage is all stretched.

If this is possible at the Chapter level that would be fine (I'm adding chapters in to make it easy to find the right video footage clip!) - even better if I can generate a stub chapters file based on the aspect ratio changes - but how would I do these?

In the 45 minute video I am editing there are about 20 transitions from 16:9 to 4:3 or vice verse - it's a TS file recorded directly from digital satellite (gotv österreich in this case).


* If viewing in VLC Player the window gets narrower in the 4:3 bits then widens at the 16:9 bits, in XBMC it pillar boxes the 4:3 bits (it looks like its 528x576 throughout and just triggering widescreen switching)

I have a TV stream I recorded yesterday that does exactly the same thing, its an old movie thats in 4:3 but the stream switches between 16:9 (black bars down each side, logo over one of them) to 4:3 display (logo over movie) several times.

MPC-HC (LAV filters) has no problem switching between the two display formats. I've actually de/remuxed it as plain old MPEG2 PS (after some GOP fixing/cleaning up and removing of adverts by VideoRedo). Obviously I can't put it on DVD as it's not a compliant stream but it plays ok.

Any kind of re-encoding will force into 4:3 or 16:9 permanently.

edit: just tried streaming it to my PS3 it doesn't have a problem displaying it correctly either.