Windows Media Center dvr-ms format

[todds1]

Hi ~ excellent clean little program, thanks.

Wish list:

It would be good if SVCD2DVD could operate direct from Windows Media Center dvr-ms format
(it would be even better if Media Center could record in mpg).

I am currently converting from xxx.dvr-ms to xxx.mpg using VideoLan VLC,
and then using SVCD2DVD on the result; which makes another xxx_S2D.mpg
I understand the intermediate xxx.mpg is almost identical to xxx.dvr-msx, just some wrapping different.
It would save user time, computer time, and space if you could make the xxx.dvr-ms -> xxx_S2D.mpg step in one.

Thanks
Stephen

[todds1]

After a little more research I see that the conversion can be done in a single step with ffmpeg.
I used the copy in DVRMSToolbox:

"C:\Program Files\DVRMSToolbox\Applications\Ffmpeg\ffmpeg_MPGMUX.exe" -y -i "xxx.dvr-ms" -vcodec copy -acodec copy -f dvd "D:\recorded tv\xxx.mpg"

This gets rid of the cpu time and space issues.
It would still be good to have it executed under the wing of DVCD2DVD, which would resolve the user time issue as well. I don't know how practical that packaging is; but certainly easier than writing brand new code ....

Thanks
Stephen

[Jikchung]

Is the intermediate "xxx.mpg" being re-encoded or simply de/remuxed by SVCD2DVD into a DVD compliant .mpg (adding navpaks, etc).

[todds1]

Good question. I think that all the processs are just repackaging demux/mux right from the initial dvr-ms to the final recorded DVD. All the processes are quite fast, which is evidence of that. However, I could well be wrong, I still don't really understand what is happening.

Thus my current preferred path is:
1) choose/view/record in Media Center
2) convert with ffmpeg
3) prepare DVD in SVCD2DVD
4) record in ImgBurn
SVCD2DVD hosts step 4, making it very simple. If it hosted step 2 as well, brilliant.... If only there was a good program to undertake (1) as well as 2,3,4, so I never even had to understand all this ~~~ well, this is computing so we can't expect that much. (Please prove me wrong, someone.)

One reason that I prefer this path over using Nero 7 Essentials (either standalone or called from Media Center) is that it doesn't muck with the signal. This should give better results, and seems much faster. The other is that it is more reliable ~ I have never yet been able to see the result of Nero, it has always broken somewhere along the lline [yes, I have downloaded the latest versions].

I'm not really a great fan of Media Center, the interface is too cluncky when used directly from the computer, and it records in non-standard format. However, it does seem to be completely robust with Vista/Nebula USB. The only better interface (for my taste) is the DigiTV, which is NOT robust any more (sigh). I have tried several other options, but all with serious reliability and/or interface issues.

Greetings
Stephen

[Jikchung]

When trying to import the original " xxx.dvr-ms" does S2D or ffmpeg generate an error?
Can you open the " xxx.dvr-ms" in GSpot and post a screenshot?
ChrissyBoy should be able to take it from there...

[todds1]

There are no errors in the entire process: ffmpeg and S2D work flawlessly (as far as I can see), and I am pretty happy.

The only (slight) issue I have is that the process would be easier to manage if S2D could call ffmpeg automatically; so that from the user point of view dvr-ms->DVD was a one step process. This would help me as a lazy user. It would help naive users (which I am not) even more, as it would save them having to learn so much about what is going on. It took me quite a time to discover that ffmpeg->S2D was a good path. Actually I don't care if S2D calls ffmpeg or gets the same effect some other way; it was just a suggestion for an easy way to improve S2D that I think would help quite a lot of users.

While I am trying to make my life (and other people's) easier, if it plugged into Media Center so that this fast and reliable recording->DVD process was all invoked from there (like the slow and unreliable Nero process is today), even better still.

Stephen

[Jikchung]

So importing the " xxx.dvr-ms" file to the S2D assets list doesn't generate an error? Or does it just not import?

[todds1]

It is just not possible to import. The dvr-ms extension does not show up on the list of entensions.

However, I have just noticed something maybe useful as a result of your question. If I ignore that dvr-ms is not on the asset file type list and explicitly ask for xxx.dcr-ms, I get a 'crash' message. However, that message is 'ffmpeg has stopped working'. So S2D may have been trying to do what I wanted all along.

I have tracked this down a little further, and there appears to be a bug in the version of ffmpeg shipped with S2D. When I run the command line

"c:\SVCD2DVD v2.5\"ffmpeg -author john  -i xxx.dvr-ms

I get an error. When I run with the ffmpeg version shipped with DVRMSToolbox I do not get the error.

I tried a simple fix of just copying the DVRMSToolbox version (.exe and .dll, with a rename of the .exe) on top of the S2D ones to prevent the error. This did remove the error message, but also prevented S2D from importing anything; including normal .mpg files. Maybe the marginal difference in the output of the different ffmpeg versions broke the S2D parsing of the information? I have tried various other experiments, but can't think of anything else to do expect fix S2D.

Stephen

[todds1]

sorry, replace 'except fix S2D' with 'except fix version of ffmpeg shipped with D2D'

[ChrissyBoy]

dvr-ms is not supported as yet... If you point me to a sample i can look at getting it supported.

[todds1]

Thanks, test.dvr-ms uploaded with this post (I hope).

You will see that if you use the version of ffmpeg shipped with S2D that there is an error,
but not with the version of ffmpeg shipped with DVRMSToolbox.

D:\recorded tv>"C:\Program Files\DVRMSToolbox\Applications\ffmpeg\ffmpeg_MPGMUX.exe" -author john  -i test.dvr-ms
FFmpeg version SVN-rUNKNOWN, Copyright (c) 2000-2007 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration: --enable-static --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libxvid --enable-gpl --enable-libfa
ad --enable-libfaac --enable-pthreads --enable-liba52 --disable-ffplay
  libavutil version: 49.4.1
  libavcodec version: 51.40.4
  libavformat version: 51.12.1
  built on Jul 27 2007 15:35:02, gcc: 4.2.1
Input #0, asf, from 'test.dvr-ms':
  Duration: 00:00:02.0, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 5176 kb/s
  Stream #0.0: Audio: mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
  Stream #0.1: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(r)
Must supply at least one output file

D:\recorded tv>"c:\SVCD2DVD v2.5\ffmpeg" -author john  -i test.dvr-ms
FFmpeg version SVN-r7159, Copyright (c) 2000-2006 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration:  --enable-memalign-hack --disable-debug --enable-pthreads --enable-a52 --enable-gpl --enable-dts --enab
le-faad --enable-avisynth
  libavutil version: 49.1.0
  libavcodec version: 51.27.0
  libavformat version: 51.12.1
  built on Jul 10 2007 10:38:54, gcc: 4.3.0 20061204 (experimental)
test.dvr-ms: Error while opening file

I think that a version of ffmpeg that correctly read the file (like the DVRMSToolbox one), and also produced the information in the format that your ffmpeg produces, would resolve the problem. This is probably a matter of merging your display format mods with the latest source of ffmpeg????

When I convert outside S2D using

D:\recorded tv>"C:\Program Files\DVRMSToolbox\Applications\Ffmpeg\ffmpeg_MPGMUX.exe" -y -i "test.dvr-ms" -vcodec copy -a
codec copy -f dvd "D:\recorded tv\test.mpg"
FFmpeg version SVN-rUNKNOWN, Copyright (c) 2000-2007 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration: --enable-static --enable-memalign-hack --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libxvid --enable-gpl --enable-libfa
ad --enable-libfaac --enable-pthreads --enable-liba52 --disable-ffplay
  libavutil version: 49.4.1
  libavcodec version: 51.40.4
  libavformat version: 51.12.1
  built on Jul 27 2007 15:35:02, gcc: 4.2.1
Input #0, asf, from 'test.dvr-ms':
  Duration: 00:00:02.0, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 5176 kb/s
  Stream #0.0: Audio: mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
  Stream #0.1: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(r)
Output #0, dvd, to 'D:\recorded tv\test.mpg':
  Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, q=2-31, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(c)
  Stream #0.1: Audio: libmp3lame, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
Stream mapping:
  Stream #0.1 -> #0.0
  Stream #0.0 -> #0.1
Press [q] to stop encoding
frame=   52 fps=  0 q=30583.7 Lsize=    1192kB time=2.0 bitrate=4843.7kbits/s
video:1100kB audio:63kB global headers:0kB muxing overhead 2.532380%

I can then import the resulting test.mpg into S2D; and S2D does not need to make further intermediates.

Stephen

[todds1]

It seems upload doesn't work even for <2mb(despite comment of 'not more than 2mb'). Sample at www.xinaesthetic.net/temp/test.dvr-ms

Greetings
Stephen

[ChrissyBoy]

Ok I have built a test build for you to try... I will PM you the link.

[todds1]

Dear Chris,

Thanks for the test version; very quick.
It worked fine on the sample I had sent you,
but failed on a slightly longer one (15MB).
www.xinaesthetic.net/temp/xxx.dvr-ms

It got past the loading into project stage (unlike before), but failed on the DVD prepare stage.

Greetings
Stephen

Version: SVCD2DVD 2.5
Build: 2.5.3200.0

Type: System.AccessViolationException

Source: SVCD2DVD

Message: Attempted to read or write protected memory. This is often an indication that other memory is corrupt.

InnerException:

StackTrace: at x3284ccece41ee22b.xd3764d4f1e921081.AuthorDVD(xc76 139390a97debb xd2637df501625a82, x81974c36d7fdf1e1 xb4ee5c1758e9e983, Int32 xdc4f66b5011a3c9d, String[] x738d70b20493db82, Boolean x6b20cb17e8070d92, Boolean x3c21da9f928aac10)
at x3284ccece41ee22b.xd3764d4f1e921081.x2e6504f39decc 498()
at x3284ccece41ee22b.xd3764d4f1e921081.xf81783e1b359f fc3()
at x3284ccece41ee22b.xd3764d4f1e921081.x12cbe7a4e46ac 9ae()
at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart_Context( Object state)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionCon text executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()

[ChrissyBoy]

Its because it can't work out what the audio stream is... Do you know?

[todds1]

I am not sure; here is some info.

The entire stream originated in UK Freeview. I don't think (???) that Media Player changed the underlying format, only added a few extra annotations. So the dvr-ms file is probably MP2.

~~~
The xxx.mpg version I created with ffmpeg using

"C:\Program Files\DVRMSToolbox\Applications\Ffmpeg\ffmpeg_MPGMUX.exe" -y -i "xxx.dvr-ms" -vcodec copy -a
codec copy -f dvd "D:\recorded tv\xxx.mpg"

reads into S2D fine, and makes a DVD.

The trial S2D reports an mp2 audio stream for xxx.mpg, but an mp3 audio stream for xxx.dvr-ms. Again, ffmpeg shouldn't have done any recoding, so more evidence for MP2.

Greetings
Stephen

[todds1]

I did a little more playing and all the other tests I have done work. It is just that xxx.dvr-ms that is awkward. It was a quick recording of BBC1, and I can't think what is special about it. It may not be too important to fix it. However, it is always nice to have things tidied up.

A slightly different command line [with -acodec copy] to your ffmpeg did manage to convert it (I haven't actually burnt and played a DVD), but with lots of complaints about buffer size.

D:\recorded tv>"C:\SVCD2DVD v2.5\ffmpeg.exe" -threads 4 -i "D:\recorded tv\xxx.dvr-ms" -y -target pal-dvd -vcodec copy -r 25 -acodec copy -ar 48000 -async 250 "D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2D.mpg"

If I do two passes, from xxx.dvr-ms -> xxx_S2D.mpg -> xxxxxx.mpg, both passes using -acodec copy. the second pass reports its input xxx_S2D.mpg as mp2. Maybe (???) you can interpret the tag Audio: 0x0000 as mp2?

first pass

D:\recorded tv>"C:\SVCD2DVD v2.5\ffmpeg.exe" -threads 4 -i "D:\recorded tv\xxx.dvr-ms" -y -target pal-dvd -vcodec copy -r 25 -acodec copy -ar 48000 -async 250 "D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2D.mpg"
FFmpeg version SVN-r7159, Copyright (c) 2000-2006 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration:  --enable-memalign-hack --disable-debug --enable-pthreads --enable-a52 --enable-gpl --enable-dts --enab
le-faad --enable-avisynth
  libavutil version: 49.1.0
  libavcodec version: 51.27.0
  libavformat version: 51.12.1
  built on Sep 13 2007 10:38:52, gcc: 4.3.0 20061204 (experimental)
Input #0, asf, from 'D:\recorded tv\xxx.dvr-ms':
  Duration: 00:00:07.9, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 15256 kb/s
  Stream #0.0: Audio: 0x0000, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
  Stream #0.1: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(r)
Output #0, dvd, to 'D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2D.mpg':
  Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, q=2-31, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(c)
  Stream #0.1: Audio: 0x0000, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
Stream mapping:
  Stream #0.1 -> #0.0
  Stream #0.0 -> #0.1

second pass

D:\recorded tv>"C:\SVCD2DVD v2.5\ffmpeg.exe" -threads 4 -i "D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2D.mpg" -y -target pal-dvd -vcodec copy -r 25 -acodec copy -ar 48000 -async 250 "D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2Dx.mpg"
FFmpeg version SVN-r7159, Copyright (c) 2000-2006 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
  configuration:  --enable-memalign-hack --disable-debug --enable-pthreads --enable-a52 --enable-gpl --enable-dts --enab
le-faad --enable-avisynth
  libavutil version: 49.1.0
  libavcodec version: 51.27.0
  libavformat version: 51.12.1
  built on Sep 13 2007 10:38:52, gcc: 4.3.0 20061204 (experimental)
Input #0, mpeg, from 'D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2D.mpg':
  Duration: 00:00:23.9, start: 0.128000, bitrate: 4821 kb/s
  Stream #0.0[0x1e0]: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(r)
  Stream #0.1[0x1c0]: Audio: mp2, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
Output #0, dvd, to 'D:\recorded tv\xxx_S2Dx.mpg':
  Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg2video, yuv420p, 720x576, q=2-31, 15000 kb/s, 25.00 fps(c)
  Stream #0.1: Audio: mp2, 48000 Hz, stereo, 256 kb/s
Stream mapping:
  Stream #0.0 -> #0.0
  Stream #0.1 -> #0.1

Greetings
Stephen