Converting MKV (or h264) to MPEG2

[DeathStalker77]

I have an MKV (with 2 AC3 & 1 DTS), which I can extract. The video is HD720 and I need to convert it to MPEG2 720x480 (highest bitrate possible, expecting 8000). I have tried Super & Total Converter but neither do a very good job.

Anyone have any other converter suggestions?

Thanks!

[jagabo]

I would use AviSynth and HcGUI.

[DeathStalker77]

MeGUI appears to be a convert TO h264, not from program (unless I'm missing something somewhere). Xvid4PSP does not convert to MPEG2, just MPEGTS or MPEGPS - and even to MPEGTS (which I would have to then convert to MPEG2) appears to take 20+hrs (on a dual core 3ghz processor).

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

[jagabo]

Yeah, sorry, I updated my earlier post after checking the two programs. You can usually feed HcGUI a simple AviSynth script like:

DirectShowSource("filename.mkv")
BilinearResize(720,480)

[DeathStalker77]

Never used a script before - just a text file? What extension to give it? Bilinear being preferential to Lancoz?

Thanks.

[jagabo]

Yes, AviSynth scripts are plain text files. You can use Notepad to edit them. Or AVSP. Just be sure to give them the extension ".AVS" instead of ".TXT".

Whether you want to use BilinearResize() or LanczosResize() depends on how sharp your source is and how sharp you want the result. Bilinear will soften and reduce noise a little. Lanczos will sharpen and increase noise a little. If your source is very sharp making it sharper may result in overshoot ringing at sharp edges.

[guns1inger]

AVStoDVD can also output elementary and program streams if you don't need a DVD structure. It uses HCEnc for encoding and will do all the required avisynth for you as well.

[dfisher052]

I have been using Format Factory for this very same conversion with great success.

[DeathStalker77]

I'll give AVStoDVD a shot first, then HCEnc if that fails, and let you know the results.

Thanks!

[DeathStalker77]

Tried Format Factory - it recognized the file, but I get a "Failed To Decode" error

It also indicated a file size of only 1.6gb @8000 for a 6gb h264 file. This is ridiculous.

I tried Cucusoft, but that wouldn't load the file (wanted the codec, which was already installed). Tried Danuisoft and, while it would convert the file at the appropriate size & bitrate, the aspect ratio changes (I get Letterboxed from 16x9, even when I select 16x9).

Still need to try AVStoDVD.

[DeathStalker77]

AVStoDVD recognizes the MKV and loads it all properly, I can set the necessary parameters, but then when it runs, for some reason it can't find the input file. ????

[_MrC_]

What is exactly the error message that AVStoDVD gives to you? A screenshot would be even better.



Bye

[DeathStalker77]

All it says is "Process aborted during Title 1 VIDEO encoding operations - see log for more info. There is no more info in the log. I get this no matter what combination of encoding, output, or whether I use the h264 or MKV file.

Here is an example of one of the Log files -

<5/9/2010 4:13:46 PM>
START PROCESS
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:46 PM>
PROJECT SETTINGS

DVD Video Standard: NTSC
DVD Titles number: 1
DVD Size: 6/4450 MB (0%)
DVD Output Setup: MPEG2 Streams
DVD Label: DVD
DVD Menu: No Menu
Output Folder: O:\X
Delete Temp Process Files: Yes
Delete Working Files: Yes
Edit Command Parameters: No
Post Process Task: Show Progress Status window

PREFERENCES

AVS Source Filter: A2DSource
AVS UpSize/DownSize Filter: Lanczos4Resize/Spline64Resize
Video Resolution: 0
Video BitRate Min: 2500
Video BitRate Level 1: 6500
Video Profile Level 2: 6500
Video BitRate Max: 8000
Keep DVD Compliant Video: 1
AC3 Audio Encoder: 0
DVD Audio Format: 0
DVD Audio BitRate: 192
Keep DVD Compliant Audio: 1
Normalize Audio: 0
DVD Audio Language: EN - English
DVD Subs Language: EN - English
Chapters Interval: 5
Use Source Chapters: 1
DVD Burning Drive: R: xxxxxx
DVD Burning Speed: x
Auto Erase DVD RW: 1
Save Log file: 1
Unload ActiveMovie library: 0
Adjust ffdshow mixer: 1
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:46 PM>
TITLE 1 SOURCE FILES
Video: O:\X\DTS.x264Track1.h264
Info: AVC - 8727 kbps - 1280x688 - DAR 1.86 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive - 1:31:43 hours - 0 frames
Subs:
[MediaInfoLib - v0.7.30]
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:46 PM>
AVISYNTH SCRIPT
Import("C:\AVStoDVD_230_Alpha100501\Lib\A2DSource. avsi")

Video = A2DVideoSource("O:\X\DTS.x264Track1.h264", CacheFolder = "C:\Users\xxxxxx\AppData\Local\Temp")

Video = Video.ConvertToYV12
#Using DGPulldown/HCenc to upsize FPS
Video = Video.AddBorders(0,16,0,16)
Video = Video.Spline64Resize(720,480)

Return Video
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:46 PM>
START VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Encoding Profile: QuEnc CBR 1-pass
Target Video FileSize: 5.7 MB
QuEnc Parameters: -i "" -o "O:\X\DVD_0_.DTS.x264Track1.m2v" -b 8000 -1 -hq -novbr -scene -trell -aspectratio 16:9 -nointerlaced -mpeg2mux noaudio -dc 10 -priority 5 -auto -close
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:52 PM>
PROCESS ABORTED DURING TITLE 1 VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS.

CHECK LOG FILE <O:\X\DVD_0.LOG> FOR MORE INFO.
<>

<5/9/2010 4:13:52 PM>
Log file created by AVStoDVD Release 2.3.0 Alpha build 100501
<>

[jagabo]

I Don't use AVStoDVD but from what I've read A2DVideoSource() uses DirectShowSource(). If your system isn't set up to play .h264 files via DirectShow (ie, if you can't play a .h264 file with WMP) A2DVideoSource() will not work.

[DeathStalker77]

Ok, what settings do I need to change/install in order to do so? (I usually use VLC).

Thanks!

[jagabo]

Try using your MKV file instead of the demuxed h264 stream.

[DeathStalker77]

I have - as I said, I've tried every combination.

[Moontrash]

MultiAvchd

[DeathStalker77]

Ummmm, that says h264 OUTPUT, not INPUT.

[jagabo]

Install Haali and you should be able to use MKV files. I'm not sure what DS filter will enable h264 elementary streams.

[DeathStalker77]

I have Halali installed - I can "use" MKV files just fine. It is the h264 conversion that is the problem.

[jagabo]

Maybe you need a DirectShow h.264 decoder? With the exception of final output to the screen, VLC does all its own video handling, it doesn't rely on DirectShow. Haali gives Windows the ability to recognize that an MKV file is a multimedia file and the ability to split the audio and video tracks into separate streams for decompression. You then need DirectShow decoders for the audio and video types. You can try ffdshow, Core AVC, or Divx 8 for h.264 decoders.

[DeathStalker77]

Ok, Divx 8 I don't have, I have ffdshow, and I think Core AVC

[_MrC_]

@DeathStalker77

instead of starting the project, use the 'Preview Clip' feat. Then read and report here the AviSynth red error that you should get in the 'Preview Clip' window.



Bye

[jagabo]

Make sure ffdshow's DirectShow h.264 decoder is enabled. Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> Video Decoder Configuration... Select Codecs in the left pane, locate H264/AVC in the right pane, use the pulldown to select libavcodec or ffmpeg-mt. And just to be sure, also enable the VFW decoder (in case AVStoDVD is using AviSource() somewhere) via Start -> All Programs -> ffdshow -> VFW Configuration.

[dcrowe0050]

I use avisynth and HCGUI to convert anything to MPEG2. If you have Haali installed use it as your source filter in your avs script.


LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\Halli'sMatroskaSplitter\avss.dll")
dss2("C:\YourMovie\Movie.mkv")