Progressive Mpeg2 to DVD with frame order reversed

[Jenik]

I'm trying to convert this video sample (http://www.sendspace.com/file/15qmci) into DVD compatible format using CovertXtoDVD. It's recorded in ChrisTV like standard Mpeg2 720x576 video stream. Unfortunately DVD shows lines and stutters on my TV set. I demuxed video-stream and tried to fix this problem and reverse field order (using ReStream) but it shows the source file is progressive frame NOT interlaced (is it??, guess it shouldn't be). I also tried to re-encode it using TMPGEncoder but failed. Result is still the same and video barely watchable. I don't want to lose additional frame info by deinterlacing it any way just not to lose fluid playback (have hockey games stored mostly) but if I don't find the way it all might be lost. Any advices what I should do are greatly appreciated. THX

[Megahurts]

The video clip is definitely progressive with interlace lines. There is nothing you can do about it.

As for the stuttering, since I'm not in PAL land, could it be that the audio is Mpeg1 Layer 2. Do PAL dvd players play this audio?

[manono]

Yeah, MP2 audio is OK for PAL.

The sample shows as BFF, but it's really TFF, so there is a field order problem.

You didn't say what kind of a TV set you have, but if it's a progressive display, combined with a flag reading player, that would explain why you see the interlacing when it's played as a DVD or MPG. It would be reading it as progressive and not deinterlacing it. You'll see the interlacing in most computer software DVD players as well.

Anyway, to fix it, first demux it. DGIndex is one way (of many), with it set for File->Save Project and Demux Video. That will give you the M2V and the MPA audio. Then open the M2V in ReStream, uncheck the "Frametype Progressive" box and check the "Top Field First" box. Save it and you'll then have an interlaced M2V with the correct field order. This assumes you didn't reverse the field order again when cutting the sample. Reauthor with the audio (Muxman is an easy way) and you should be good to go.

[Jenik]

The sample shows as BFF, but it's really TFF, so there is a field order problem.

You didn't say what kind of a TV set you have, but if it's a progressive display, combined with a flag reading player, that would explain why you see the interlacing when it's played as a DVD or MPG. It would be reading it as progressive and not deinterlacing it. You'll see the interlacing in most computer software DVD players as well.

Yes I have regular TV (not LCD) with standard DVD player reading progressive video.

Anyway, to fix it, first demux it. DGIndex is one way (of many), with it set for File->Save Project and Demux Video. That will give you the M2V and the MPA audio. Then open the M2V in ReStream, uncheck the "Frametype Progressive" box and check the "Top Field First" box. Save it and you'll then have an interlaced M2V with the correct field order. This assumes you didn't reverse the field order again when cutting the sample. Reauthor with the audio (Muxman is an easy way) and you should be good to go.

I did exactly as you described already before but it didn't help. When I re-open video after its resampled by ReStream it shows it's no longer progressive but TFF and it's playable on the player as a Mpeg file fluidly. But once I convert the same file into DVD profile and burn on a disc playback is still jerky as before. It's clearly visible (while slowed to play frame by frame) that fields are played in a wrong order. Makes me mad...

BTW what are picture coding extension and sequence display extension boxes for in ReStream?

[manono]

Hi-

But once I convert the same file into DVD profile

What does that mean? Are you reencoding it? You're doing more than just authoring it for DVD?

Anyway, I'll follow my own instructions and then burn the sample to disc later on tonight. My wife has the TV and I can't test just yet.

[guns1inger]

Never use ConvertXtoDVD to author compliant mpeg-2 video. You are needlessly re-encoding the video, reducing the quality, and in this case, causing issues with the field order. ConvertXtoDVD is for converting non-DVD compliant files to DVD structures.

Use GUIForDVDAuthor or muxman (depending on your menu needs) to create a DVD from the elementary streams and see how you go.

[manono]

Well, I demuxed the sample, authored it for DVD using Muxman, burned it to disc, and tested it in PowerDVD and in my Oppo standalone outputting to a progressive display. The result was that both played it smoothly and both played it interlaced. I could only get PowerDVD to deinterlace it by forcing a Bob Deinterlace. Using the default Auto deinterlacing didn't work (as it shouldn't). I can't test in a regular interlaced CRT TV set because the DVD player hooked up to it doesn't play PAL DVDs. Playing the M2V using MPC at default settings gave me interlaced playback.

I then took the M2V and put it through ReStream following my instructions to uncheck the Progressive Flag and to check the Top Field First Flag. I then authored it to DVD using Muxman and the result was the exact same thing - smooth playing and interlaced. Playing the M2V using MPC at default settings gave me interlaced playback. I was baffled.

Then I tried reencoding it in CCE using a standard AviSynth script file to frameserve. I took the M2V I had run through ReStream and reencoded it using standard interlace settings. The result was everything was good. It played smoothly and with no interlacing in PowerDVD, my standalone DVD player, and when playing the M2V using MPC.

Then I set about trying to find out the reason for all this. I opened the 3 M2Vs in various programs and found the answer in BitRate Viewer. The sample M2V and the ReStreamed M2V both show as having a Frame DCT type while the CCE reencoded one shows its M2V as having a Field DCT type. I don't see any setting in ReStream that can change the DCT type. I think this is only something that can be done with a reencode to a truly interlaced video. The problem originated with the capture and the progressive setting that was used, and can only be fixed with a complete reencode. I think. Why you're having trouble with your reencodes I'm not sure. Maybe the programs you're using are making assumptions about the source, maybe you're setting them up wrong, or something else. You said you had no luck using TMPGEnc, but it should be able to do it. Anyway, this is the script I used:

LoadPlugin("D:\AviSynth Stuff\Dlls\DGDecode.dll")
MPEG2Source("I:\Test\Test\test.d2v")
ConvertToYUY2(Interlaced=True)

And the CCE settings were the standard interlace stuff - non-progressive, alternate scanning, non-linear quant scale, 25fps, TFF. If you want to try reencoding and aren't having luck using ConvertX or TMPGEnc, then maybe try the free and excellent HCEnc. Make a D2V file in DGIndex with the Field Operation set for the default Honor Pulldown Flags. You should be able to open the D2V in HCEnc and use the settings I gave for CCE. Then when done try authoring in Muxman or some program that doesn't reencode. I apologize for giving incomplete advice earlier.

[Jenik]

First I'd like to say sorry for my late answer. I've been gone for a long time.

There's nothing you should apologize for my friend. It shoud be me apologizing for giving you a wrong info. Everything works exactly as you described. It was ConvertXtoDVD reversing the field order again once it was set correctly by restream or TMPGEncoder. Both ways work pretty well. I'd like to thank you since I though most of material stored on my HDD was lost. Now I can author them all into DVDs without any difficulties. THX for your time and effort. Appreciate it!