mpeg2 bitrate conversion

[sandiegoguy]

I have several mpeg-2 files from my TiVo that I'm trying to play in my portable DVD player to keep my kids entertained on the airplane this weekend. I've discovered that the portable player can't handle the shows when the TiVo recorded at high quality, but it's happy with one that I recorded at medium quality.

Can anyone recommend a free or cheap solution for converting the quality of the other mpeg-2 files that will run under Mac OS 10.5?

Here are the file specs that MPEG Streamclip gave me:

for the files that make the portable dvd player hiccup:

Type: MPEG program stream
Bit Rate: 5.58 Mbps

Video Tracks:
224 MPEG-2, 720 × 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps, 8.00 Mbps, upper field first

Audio Tracks:
192 MP2 stereo, 48 kHz, 192 kbps

for the one that works:

Type: MPEG program stream
Bit Rate: 3.78 Mbps

Video Tracks:
224 MPEG-2, 480 × 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps, 9.00 Mbps, upper field first

Audio Tracks:
192 MP2 stereo, 48 kHz, 192 kbps

[jman98]

Maybe ffmpeg. There are few choices when it comes to Macs for doing this kind of thing.

[Baldrick]

Please stay in the mac section. Moving you.

[jman98]

Just took a look at the web page. Looks like ffmpeg requires you to have a substantial amount of Unix type build experience to get it going. You're probably going to need a better suggestion than mine. Sorry.

[Baldrick]

Doesn't mpeg streamclip support mpeg2 encoding?

Or else try avidemux.

Or if your dvd player supports divx/xvid then reconvert to it using for example handbrake.

[terryj]

ffmpegx ($15 US), or if you can find a copy of VisualHub will do the job
to re-encode your Mpeg-2 file. QT Pro (or MpegStreamclip) with the QT
Mpeg-2 add on will also do the job.

[Herve]

hello, we don't use Tivo in Europe (so I don't know what it does exactly), but
MPegStreamClip: menu "File" > "Convert to mpeg"
you will build again the wrapper of your video and audio streams (and MPSC will not touch/deteriorate your content ).

If the problem cames from Tivo infos inside the stream, this re-wrapping will delete them to something more compliant.

bye