Best Demux Software ?

[webstar]

which is the best / most reliable mac software to demux vob files ?

i have been having problems with timecode breaks and audio dropouts using mpeg streamclip & don't mind buying some software now to stop this being a problem.

any recommendations and tips (also programs i should avoid) would be much appreciated.

DVDxDV ?
macbbdemux ?
Cinematize ?
something else ?

[rumplestiltskin]

bbdemux (an oldie but a goodie)

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=52224

[Frobozz]

The problem you're having with Streamclip seems very odd. I actually use Streamclip to fix timecode breaks so the MPEG files can be used in other applications. As for demuxing that has never been an issue. What is the source audio and are you trying to convert the audio to another format or just demux it in the same format? I can't think of how Steamclip could cause any audio dropouts.

Years ago I used bbdemux with some MPEG files that had MPEG audio. The demuxed video and audio lengths came out differently. Check that if you use it.

Cinematize 2 is very good. If Miraizon has a trial version give it a go. I'm pleased with it.

[webstar]

thanks both of you.

i tried bbdemux on one file and it seemed to work out well, and also mactheripper did too. they didn't appear to have the audio dropouts that streamclip is giving me.

i tried the MPEG2 Works 4 DEMO as well, but this is just reporting faults and refusing to demux the same file.

frobozz - the main thing i'm keen to demux are discs encoded and burned on my panasonic ex85 recorder. i'm selecting "demux to m2v and ac3" in streamclip.

the VOB i've been testing today is reported as :-

Stream: VTS_03_1.VOB
Type: VOB program stream

Duration: 0:00:06 *** it's actually 0:03:23 ***
Data Size: 113.43 MB
Bit Rate: 146.11 Mbps (?)

Video Tracks:
224 MPEG-2, 720 × 576, 4:3, 25 fps, 9.28 Mbps, upper field first

Audio Tracks:
128 AC3 2/0, 48 kHz, 384 kbps

Stream Files:
VTS_03_1.VOB (113.43 MB)

...

thanks !

mark

[Frobozz]

Mark,

It's curious about the problem with Streamclip. If I burn a video-mode DVD with my Pioneer standalone recorder then I have to use Streamclip to repair timecode breaks. The Pioneer recordings have breaks about every 30 seconds. When I burn a VR-mode disc with the Pioneer then the extracted video does not have any timecode breaks so I don't need Streamclip.

I don't know if I've ever demuxed the MPEGs using Streamclip because the applications I use don't need them to be separate streams.

How are you auditioning the audio after it is demuxed? Maybe I can try the same thing as a test. My Macs are a G5 and G4 so if yours is an Intel Mac my testing probably wouldn't mean much unless I got the same result.

[webstar]

thanks for your help frobozz.

i'm using a 15" g4 powerbook, 1.5GHz Power PC.

i have been taking the demuxed files into dvd studio pro so that i can create menus & then burn a final disc. the dropouts are audible when i play back in studio pro & also on the discs i've burned through this process & played back on my dvd player.

is there any other way i can work around this - what software do you use ?

basically i'm wanting to capture from vhs tapes on the dvd recorder, bring the files into the computer and create menus & then burn a final disc.

i realise i could capture from vhs direct into the mac and go from there, but i don't want to tie up the computer with this process & risk the possible dropped frames or other problems - i'm pretty novice with all this.

cheers,

mark

[terryj]

Just throwing in a couple of thoughts:

--I'm using a Magnavox DVW-106D as my standalone
DVD Recorder, and using blank TDK DVD-RW discs to record
on. I record from VHS onto the disc. Once done,
I finalize the disc, and then take it into the mac,
copying it to the HD. I then Open up Mepgstreamclip,
and sleect 01.VOB, tell it to select all VOBS to open,
and then after opening, fix all time breaks. Then
I cut, edit or just demux to m2v and ac3.
The resulting file doesn't have any audio drops and
I import into DVD Studio Pro just fine.

My only problem in this scenario was with quality of media
I was originally using Office Depot branded discs as my
record to media, but after one or two recordings and erasings,
the media never held up and woould cause me dropped frames,
or dropouts in audio. I switched to TDK branded DVD-RWs,
and they seem to be more robust, and hold up to more repeated use.

Another thing to check: Have you cleaned your VCR lately?
DVD Reorders only process as good as the signal they get,
and I often run a dry cleaning tape ( from radio shack)
after every vhs playback, and I take it in to get it serviced
at least once every 45 days.

If you had a Canopus ADVC-100 0R -110 CAPTURE BOX,
I would suggest doing a test from VCR to Mac and see if
the audio dropout isn't in the VCR output. You say this problem
occurs across several discs you've burned,
to me, that seems like it's coming from the input stage,
not the output stage.

[Frobozz]

Good points, terryj.

If either of you has PixeVRF Browser EX from Pixela then you could record to VR mode and use PixeVRF Browser to extract the MPEG from the DVD-RW (or DVD-RAM) without needing to finalize, edit out clips that you don't want to keep and export to .m2v and .ac3 streams for use in DVD SP. There's no need then to deal with timecode breaks that exist on the video mode recordings.

[webstar]

terry - it sounds like we are using the same process pretty much, so my problem could be the reported faulty panasonic ac3 encoding.

the sound dropouts are not coming from the source - the original / temporary dvd-r recorded on the panasonic plays fine without dropouts. i'm using verbatim discs.

mark

[terryj]

Fro,
thanks for the heads up on PixeVRF Browser,
I'll look into finding it.

Mark--
sorry I read what you wrote here;

i have been taking the demuxed files into dvd studio pro so that i can create menus & then burn a final disc. the dropouts are audible when i play back in studio pro & also on the discs i've burned through this process & played back on my dvd player.

and took that to mean the discs having been burned on the Panasonic where played back and had the audio drop outs.

And if you've verified that your VCR is in tip-top shape, and
that the tapes aren't worn, then you've found the culprit
in the Panasonic's inability to encode Ac3 correctly.

I reccommend the Maganovox MWR-106D's I use...
available at Sams Club or Walmart. Best $98 bucks
I've spent ( and I got three of them now!)

[webstar]

And if you've verified that your VCR is in tip-top shape, and
that the tapes aren't worn, then you've found the culprit
in the Panasonic's inability to encode Ac3 correctly.

so, do you think i'm onto a loser with any demux software ?

i was thinking of giving PixeVRF or Toast 7 a go with a VR disc but it doesn't look like my powerbook's drive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-825) can read DVD-RAM discs.

unfortunately your magnavox recommendation is no use to me as i'm in the uk, though i am also thinking about buying a different machine, maybe a pioneer, and looking for recommendations.

mark

[Frobozz]

i was thinking of giving PixeVRF or Toast 7 a go with a VR disc but it doesn't look like my powerbook's drive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-825) can read DVD-RAM discs.

While I'm the resident cheerleader for Toast you will save time using PixeVRF with the VR discs. Toast extracts the video as a muxed MPEG which then has to be demuxed with another application for DVD SP whereas PixeVRF can edit and export as elementary streams. PixeVRF also can recognize VR playlists. If you make edits on the disc using the Panasonic recorder they will be recognized in the playlist mode.

Does the Panasonic recorder do VR mode with DVD-RW as well as DVD-RAM? That would save you having to get an external DVD-RAM capable drive.

Here's the page where you can order PixeVRF Browser as a download.

[webstar]

i posted this on other threads too, but just in case ...

i am finding that mac the ripper is able to demux the discs i'm burning on the dmr-rx85 without any dropout problems.

mark

[brandonmiddleton]

I was having an issue with iMovie and no sound in my video clips. Apparently this is because they were MPEG files so i converted them to MP4 with the tool below.

The easiest solution I found was to use this free converter http://handbrake.fr with these settings

Hope this helps!

[Baldrick]

I was having an issue with iMovie and no sound in my video clips. Apparently this is because they were MPEG files so i converted them to MP4 with the tool below.

The easiest solution I found was to use this free converter http://handbrake.fr with these settings
Hope this helps!

No, you can't use handbrake to demux. ANd reconverting to mp4 is not any demuxing. Reread the thread again.

[SERBIAN]

http://www.mpeg2works.com/ .. Tools section, Demux MPEG preset button ..