Cutting AVCHD/m2ts Files with Avidemux

[glenpinn]

hi there, just wanted to ask something about cutting up avchd (m2ts) files using Avidemux.

the source files are AVCHD m2ts taken with my new panny HDC-SDC750 camera shot in 1080/50p mode.

i am able to cut and trim segments from my avchd (m2ts) files using the Mpeg TS Muxer (ff) option in the Output Format box, but last night i realized that the resulting cut files end up with a file extension of .TS rather than .m2ts that the source file has.

now, thats ok under normal conditions, if i dont need to convert the file to MP4 i can simply unhide file extensions in windows "folder options" and change the file extension to .m2ts

now, the problem here is that regardless if the files are left with the .TS extension, or have been changed to .m2ts, when i encode those cut files using Handbrake, the resulting output file will play back very jerky in WMP and VLC.

if i encode those same files using MediaConverter using quick sync encoding, they play back fine in WMP and VLC.

can someone pinpoint the issue for me.

here is a NEW sample of what i mean.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nezcp1oc2mq4yqz

[poisondeathray]

Framerate is 50 vs 30.03

Avidemux (and ffmpeg) have known issues such as framerate problems with interlaced transport streams

What were your source files? 50i ?

[glenpinn]

Framerate is 50 vs 30.03

Avidemux (and ffmpeg) have known issues such as framerate problems with interlaced transport streams

What were your source files? 50i ?

OK sorry about this but i was typing up this thread and was uploading a file for someone to take a look at, but during this, i got a reply from jagabo in another thread and those 2 screenshots were meant for my reply to him.

i will get back to this thread soon, which btw i did not intend to post just yet.

the files i am working with are AVCHD m2ts from my new HDC-SDC750 camcorder, shooting in 1080/50p (11.5gb per hour of footage)

[poisondeathray]

I can't download the sample . Something about no permission to download the file

Why are you using handbrake ? Why don't use do it all in avidemux ?

[glenpinn]

I can't download the sample . Something about no permission to download the file

Why are you using handbrake ? Why don't use do it all in avidemux ?

the link works fine for me on 3 computers in my home, the file is public so you should be able to get it.

in Avidemux the settings are not overly familiar to me, and i am just using it to output a 5 minute avchd file to mp4 and its going to take longer than handbrake did it uing similar settings (8 minutes compared to 5 minutes)

the average bitrate is fluctuating between 10,000 and 15,000 and the RF quality sits on about 29, when i already selected RF20 in the settings.

plus the cpu is running at near on 100% all the time, and handbrake runs my 3770 cpu at only 60 to 70% for a faster encode time.

one thing i noticed in the completed output file properties, it shows it as 100 frames/sec when the original source file is 50 ???

handbrake shows the same file as 50 frames/sec ???

mediaconverter shows it at 30 frames/sec.

im just not used to it.

[poisondeathray]

I still can't download it today; maybe someone else has better luck (I use mediafire all the time and download from other links without problems)

The framerates and framecounts are all screwed up - in your gspot screenshots in the other thread

If it was a 50p source, you would expect the 30fps result to be choppy , not the other way around - unless your computer is too slow to play back 1080p50 - can it play back the source files smoothly ?

You can't translate "rate factor" between different progams or settings (e.g. the default settings of one program might be different than another , even if both use x264)

[glenpinn]

I still can't download it today; maybe someone else has better luck (I use mediafire all the time and download from other links without problems)

The framerates and framecounts are all screwed up - in your gspot screenshots in the other thread

If it was a 50p source, you would expect the 30fps result to be choppy , not the other way around - unless your computer is too slow to play back 1080p50 - can it play back the source files smoothly ?

You can't translate "rate factor" between different progams or settings (e.g. the default settings of one program might be different than another , even if both use x264)

OK here is a new link, i deleted the old one and uploaded this one.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nezcp1oc2mq4yqz

i have no idea whats going on, mediaconverter shows its encode at 30 frames/sec when handbrake and avidemux do it at 50 frames/sec which is the same as the source file, plus i set the framerate in all 3 encoders to be the same as the source file.

the source file is avchd m2ts from my new HDC-SDC750 hd camcorder, and my encoding pc has the 3770 ivy cpu with HD4000 graphics with 16gb ram, and you better believe this baby plays anything as smoothe as a babies butt.

Now, im not concerned about this, its no big deal, i have another thread to get posted shortly and if i ever need to chop bits from a avchd source file again in Avidemux i have now worked out the mp4 settings so i will output the cut file or files directly in avidemux, because that too encodes them ok without them being choppy.

cheers

[poisondeathray]

ok I can download the new link

Every 2nd frame is a duplicate - so effectively it's a 25p file

Describe your exact steps and settings

[glenpinn]

ok I can download the new link
Every 2nd frame is a duplicate - so effectively it's a 25p file
Describe your exact steps and settings

ok, the source file is an m2ts taken with my HDC-SDC750 camera shot in 1080/50p mode.

in avidemux i cut a segment from the m2ts file using the "copy" option and i select the Mpeg TS Muxer (ff) option in the Output Format box, and the output clip has a file extension of .TS rather than .m2ts that the source file has.

the .TS file plays back in all media players fine.

i import that .TS file into handbrake and output settings are as they usually are, however one thing is different with the output time, where the green output status bar starts running as usual, but rather than it moving to the right end to finish, in this situation, the encode finishes when the status bar is half way, and the file is jerky.

picture tab = i use "strict"
video filters = all are off except decomb is on default
video tab = h264, framerate same as source, constant framerate, constant quality RF20
audio tab = AAC stereo, 48000, 256bitrate
advanced tab = everything default

i just did 2 more and still the same, but mediaconverter and avidemux do it fine.

[poisondeathray]

Did you test the avidemux export ? Is that choppy as well ? Is the problem already caused by that stage? Maybe it's the framerate bug? If it is, you can use tssniper to make cuts instead

If not, maybe decomb in handbrake is doing it

If you still can't figure it out, I'll have a closer look later

[glenpinn]

Did you test the avidemux export ? Is that choppy as well ? Is the problem already caused by that stage? Maybe it's the framerate bug? If it is, you can use tssniper to make cuts instead

If not, maybe decomb in handbrake is doing it

If you still can't figure it out, I'll have a closer look later

yep, after cutting in avidemux, the .TS file plays ok in vlc and wmp.

decomb in handbrake makes no difference, set to off or default.

the .TS file encodes ok in mediaconverter and avidemux and the output mp4 file plays perfect.

it is only jerky encoding it with handbrake

BTW, i just did it again and this time i selected 50 in the framerate drop down box instead of "same as source" but no difference.

im off to bed, its nearly 5am saturday here, and the big difference in this forum is the time difference.

cheers

[poisondeathray]

ok I ran a couple tests.

It seems handbrake has problem with it's transport stream parser . If you look at the log file whenever the input file was a transport stream wrapped by avidemux it's full of errors

So if you intend to use handbrake to encode, when cutting in avidemux, instead of using format=>ts in avidemux, use format=>mkv

In the handbrake video tab, I used constant frame rate, and forced 50 (although same as source should work as well), video filters all off

[budwzr]

Whew, and if I may elaborate, Handbrake is "Apple Oriented". So it would make sense for it to put out freaky renders like that.

That scares off the competition from using certain formats and combinations that might cause a crash or stumble during playback.

That's why I only use AviDemux. Process once, playback everywhere.

In the old days, they planted clones of poison MP3s. Today, everyday software is emitting killbots into the cloud.

A + B = C

[glenpinn]

ok I ran a couple tests.

It seems handbrake has problem with it's transport stream parser . If you look at the log file whenever the input file was a transport stream wrapped by avidemux it's full of errors

So if you intend to use handbrake to encode, when cutting in avidemux, instead of using format=>ts in avidemux, use format=>mkv

In the handbrake video tab, I used constant frame rate, and forced 50 (although same as source should work as well), video filters all off

ok i just took my 5min m2ts clip into avidemux and cut a 1min segment from it, selected MKV as the output format, and it chopped the segment with an extension of .MKV, but the file still retains its original .m2ts properties.

now, i imported the output .MKV file into handbrake, output to mp4 and it worked fine, problem fixed and this will be fine for me if i am going to cut the files up in Avidemux and convert the resulting .MKV file/s to mp4 straight away in handbrake.

usually each individual file from the camcorder i dump on my hdd, and take each one into Avidemux and chop it up and output the file back together as a single file for storage until i decide what i want to do with them, and until the other day i didnt realize the output files were now .TS and not .m2ts and handbrake had a problem converting them.

if i insist on using handbrake to encode with, and if i insist on using Avidemux to edit with, then i need to use the MKV output format as you suggested, and i either encode the file in handbrake straight away, or store them away until i decide what to do with them, but because they are MKV files, i will need to use VLC to play them, because WMP (my preferred player) doesnt support MKV without installing a codec, or codec pack and i prefer not to do that (some suggest using CCP)

also, after thinking about this stuff, and now that i have sorted out the encoding and filter side of Avidemux, and because it has that wonderful preview screen, i have decided to continue using it to edit my m2ts files, and i may start using it to encode with as well, after i have fine tuned it a bit little bit more.

last point, because Avidemux has that bug with reading the source file as 100 frames, should i not use it, or will it be ok to use instead of handbrake, even tho its a bit slower and uses the CPU a lot harder ???

[poisondeathray]

It looks like it's ok to encode (it shouldn't be if it reads 100fps) . I did some quick tests and the exported file was 50 FPS, seemed fine . I'd just be a little apprehensive with something unexpected

Editing is ok using "copy" for sure, because nothing is re-encoded, nothing is decoded

I wouldn't be concerned about the CPU usage or speed - if you used the same settings as handbrake you 'd get the same results (avidemux's default settings are slower) .I think you can make a preset and save it if you want

[glenpinn]

It looks like it's ok to encode (it shouldn't be if it reads 100fps) . I did some quick tests and the exported file was 50 FPS, seemed fine . I'd just be a little apprehensive with something unexpected

Editing is ok using "copy" for sure, because nothing is re-encoded, nothing is decoded

I wouldn't be concerned about the CPU usage or speed - if you used the same settings as handbrake you 'd get the same results (avidemux's default settings are slower) .I think you can make a preset and save it if you want

ok i think every base has now been covered, and at least i now have 2 options available with Avidemux and Handbrake, and i am now definately going to stay with Avidemux for editing because it is just a wonderful program and i feel comfortable using it now, and now i know that it encodes similarly to handbrake, and has those filters, i am going to have a bit more of a play with all its settings (fine tune them) and try some of the filters out as well, just to kill my curiosity

lastly, again i want to thank you and jagabo for all your work in this, i now feel a lot more familiar with it all, especially all the different settings and tweaks i can use with the different programs (with all their little bugs)

i will keep the thread active in case i need some more help sometime.

also, i am so curious what occupation you guys are in, it seems like you have so much knowledge in all of this stuff, especially if you dont actually work professionally in some sort of video related profession.

cheers

[budwzr]

Hey, you people can geek out at Denny's over a Grand Slam. Or fruity tooty thing too. Maybe split a slice of pie three ways?

[_Al_]

glenpinn - What version of Avidemux are you using?

[glenpinn]

glenpinn - What version of Avidemux are you using?

was using the 2.6.0 beta till recently, now have the official 2.6.0

[_Al_]

cut in Avidemux (into TS, shows 50fps) and encoded in ripbot264 : http://files.videohelp.com/u/198160/1.TS
so you can cut trim some clips , join them again within Avidemux and then encode them (make them smaller if you want) , there are others x264 encoders out there

[glenpinn]

cut in Avidemux (into TS, shows 50fps) and encoded in ripbot264 : http://files.videohelp.com/u/198160/1.TS
so you can cut trim some clips , join them again within Avidemux and then encode them (make them smaller if you want) , there is other x264 encoders out there

thx for the help, i dont want to complicate things any more by introducing any more software, i am happy with Avidemux for editing and encoding and handbrake for encoding with as well.

the jerky issue with handbrake encoding .TS files isnt going to be a problem, if i know i will be encodingmy camcorder files to MP4 i will just encode the whole file first in handbrake, then edit the MP4 in avidemux using the MP4 muxer.

plus i can still use avidemux to encode the .TS files anyway, as the playback of the resulting MP4 wont be jerky.

what i need to be careful of with my camcorder files is that i dont use different encoders or even different settings in one program to convert my files to MP4 because in some cases i will actually compile one video clip from several shorter clips filmed over a period of several months, and the individual clips will need to be encoded identically for Avidemux to import and join them together using the MP4 muxer output.

i just imported 2x 40sec RF20 clips into avidemux (1 encoded by handbrake and the other with avidemux) and the 2 files joined ok, but only the first 40sec segment played, when it got to the end of that, the media player just artifacted and went all blocky during the next 40sec segment.

creating a set (fixed) profile in handbrake and avidemux that i am happy with will be a priority for me, so i do have all my m2ts files from the camcorder encoded identically either in handbrake or avidemux, as long as i dont try to join a handbrake MP4 with an avidemux MP4 it should be fine.

[_Al_]

you will be get i some sort of trouble all the time, avidemux is not a editor, it just for quick joining or splitting, you need some editing software to edit your vides and export a clip, movie because you seem to encode for final result anyway ...

[budwzr]

True. You technically "could" do quite a bit of editing, but not a lot of creative options.

[glenpinn]

you will be get i some sort of trouble all the time, avidemux is not a editor, it just for quick joining or splitting, you need some editing software to edit your vides and export a clip, movie because you seem to encode for final result anyway ...

Avidemux is a Basic editing program, it can cut/split/join files AND it has various filters you can apply to your video before encoding it, so in my opinion that makes it an editing program, contrary to what you might think.

please read the text in this link, it says Avidemux is a free video editor designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks.

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/AviDemux

the only editing i need to do on any of the footage i film on my camera is cut the unwanted bits out and join the remaining segments back together as a single file for storage, or i will encode it straight away.

i think you might be talking about other types of editing software that lets you apply effects and all the other fancy bits to your video files.

[_Al_]

Try Vegas Movie Studio for example(trial version), then export to some mpeg4-avc or Power Director, you might smart render your clips in it, meaning clips will be not rendered again. You perhaps never tried those more efficient type of editors with much more sofisticated graphic timeline, where you can move, trim, join your clips around where you can see result right away and you have more than just one track.

[glenpinn]

ok I ran a couple tests.

It seems handbrake has problem with it's transport stream parser . If you look at the log file whenever the input file was a transport stream wrapped by avidemux it's full of errors

So if you intend to use handbrake to encode, when cutting in avidemux, instead of using format=>ts in avidemux, use format=>mkv

In the handbrake video tab, I used constant frame rate, and forced 50 (although same as source should work as well), video filters all off

hi again everyone, ive been away for some time and just getting back into my encoding testing again.

everything has been going great, but i just wanted to clarify one thing regarding the above comment in bold text.

if i use the MKV Muxer output to cut or join the MTS or m2ts files rather than the TS Muxer (to avoid this transport stream parser issue) i assume that the output files from Avidemux are retaining their original properties, even tho the output files are wrapped inside the MKV container with the .MKV file extension.

if i film an event, my cam outputs a separate file to the sdxc card every time i record a scene, so what i want to do is use Avidemux to trim out each of those files using the mkv muxer, then join those individual files together and retain that as the original master file on one of my backup drives, and it will have the .mkv extension.

i will then convert that single file to mp4 using handbrake, and retain the source file on the backup drive.

cheers

EDIT: btw i dumped 5x .MTS files from my HD cam sdxc card to my pc that were shot while out sight seeing.

the 5 files totaled 11 minutes @ 1.92gb in size.

i used Avidemux to join all 5 files together and found the following output info.

1. output using TS Muxer resulted in a 1.97gb file size.

2. output using MKV Muxer resulted in a 1.82gb file size.

how come this kind of difference occurs when the files are not being converted, as one is higher and the other is lower than the original 5 single files are before joining them.

[_Al_]

i dumped 5x .MTS files from my HD cam sdxc card to my pc that were shot while out sight seeing.

the 5 files totaled 11 minutes @ 1.92gb in size.

i used Avidemux to join all 5 files together and found the following output info.

1. output using TS Muxer resulted in a 1.97gb file size.

2. output using MKV Muxer resulted in a 1.82gb file size.

how come this kind of difference occurs when the files are not being converted, as one is higher and the other is lower than the original 5 single files are before joining them.

different container, different structure, video should be the same, but I want to share with you this:

I tested some Panasonic 50p videos and what always work was getting TS from avidemux 2.6.0 and then muxing it to MKV with mkvmerge, only then video seemed to behave allright, softwatre and hardware players had no problems with it.