HD mpeg2 files

[Dgeorge]

I have some HD mpeg2 files I want to store on DVD. The files are 8-9GB in size, 1280x720p with AC3 5.1. I want to keep as much of the original picture quality as possible and keep them as mpeg2, 1280x720p and dont want to convert to xvid if I can avoid it.

How do I;

a) reduce them to fit on a single or dual layer dvd (4-8GB)
b) keep them as mpeg2.
c) keep them 1280x720p
d) keep the audio ac3 5.1

I have looked at programs like tmpgenc but it doesnt seem to allow 5.1 ac3 (only 2.0) and most dvd software seems to limit the resolution.

Edit: btw, I am not worried about playback on a stand alone dvd player as these will be played from my pc's dvd drive.


Thanks for any advice offered,

David

[Midzuki]

{
misunderstanding --- ERASED
}

++++++++++++++++

[manono]

Hi-

How do I;

a) reduce them to fit on a single or dual layer dvd (4-8GB)
b) keep them as mpeg2.
c) keep them 1280x720p
d) keep the audio ac3 5.1

a) reencode them to 1280x720 using an encoder that supports Hi-Def resolutions and an appropriate bitrate. The free and very good HCEnc is one such encoder. It will take either D2V (a DGIndex Project File) or AviSynth input.
b) HCEnc, or any MPEG-2 encoder that supports Hi-Def resolutions.
c) Same as a and b
d) demux the audio (DGIndex when saving the project file), and remux when the encoding is done (ImagoMPEG-Muxer, among other ways)

If there are duplicate frames, you might want to get rid of them. That will require an AviSynth script. For example, if a movie, the true framerate will most likely be 23.976fps, and 60% of the frames will be dupes. For compression efficiency you might want to remove them.

[Dgeorge]

manono,

Thanks for your reply.

Any other encoders you can recommend for 1280x720? I like to try a few and see which works best for me.

Also, would I be better off just converting to h264? If so, what program/method would you suggest?

Finally, what programs could I use to burn my remuxed file to a dual layer dvd (assuming I get the final file down to 8GB or less)?

Thanks

[manono]

I don't use that many encoders, so I don't know all the ones that can encode for 1280x720. CCE can't, but I believe Procoder can. I don't know about the others. I'm sure others know more than I.

I know nothing about H.264. Sorry.

I've never burned a Hi-Def MPG. I assume any burning app that allows for burning to DVDR as a data disc will do the job. Nero, for example, but again, not really my area of expertise.

[Baldrick]

This is not any DVD authoring. Moving you to our conversion forum.

If you want h264 I would checkout MeGUI, click on it for guides because it's not that easy to use the first time.

[Dgeorge]

Baldrick,

I am pretty sure this was posted in the Advanced Conversion forum? Sorry if I misposted.

I was able to do this using manono's method but it is very laborious. I am demuxing and converting the mpeg2 file to a d2v file, then making a smaller m2v file using HCenc, then re-encoding back to mpeg2 using Imago. This takes me from a 9GB 1280x720/ac3 5.1 mpeg2 file to a 4GB 1280x720/ac3 5.1 mpeg2 file.

Is there a way to shrink it using just one program similar to some dvd shrinkers?

Thanks,

David

[Soopafresh]

Every one of the tools manono suggested can be scripted to automatically do the conversion. It'll take some poking around, but you can do it. Any "DVD Shrinker" type app for HD is going to look pretty horrible at 50% file reduction.

Your other options:

1)AutoMKV --> MpegTS to h264 MP4

2) Commercial App like TmpgencXpress or Procoder to re-encode to MPEG2 MP@HL 1280x720 resolution

3) Convert the audio to a lower bitrate so they just might fit on a DL DVD with the lower resolution audio

4) Buy a miniature USB 160GB hard drive for $100 and be done with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144465

[Midzuki]

If the OP choose TMPGEnc Plus for re-encoding in CQ mode = 80,
min bitrate = 0 and max bitrate = 20000 kbps, then PERHAPS
the result will fit on a DL disk without significant loss of quality.

-------------------------------------

[jman98]

Dgeorge - I do this all the time. I use HC for such encoding. It gives great results. Open the MPG with DVD2AVI, save the Project file as *.d2v. Then start Vfapi and opne the *.d2v you previously created and "convert" it in Vfapi. Then use HC to open the converted *.d2v file and you are ready to encode it to a lower size. I'm really happy with HC's quality. It's quite good. At the end of the encoding, you will need to mux the video only file that HC produced with the AC3 audio file that will already be in the same directory as the video file. I use MPEGVCR for such remuxing, but other tools are possible.

[manono]

I was able to do this using manono's method but it is very laborious. I am demuxing and converting the mpeg2 file to a d2v file, then making a smaller m2v file usingHCenc, then re-encoding back to mpeg2 using Imago.

Laborious? Do you care at all about quality? Do you remember saying this in your very first post:

I want to keep as much of the original picture quality as possible

1. Make a D2V.
2. Encode
3. Mux (NOT re-encode)

It may take awhile to encode when the source and output is Hi-Def, but the work itself doesn't sound very laborious to me.

[Dgeorge]

Manono: Laborious is the wrong word. Time consuming may be better. I guess I was hoping i could just do a shrink easily and quickly.

btw, you mentioned in a previous post about removing duplicate frames. How is this done and will it still be progressive if I do so?

jman98: Why do I need to convert the d2v with Vfapi?

Thanks for all your advice,

David

[manono]

I guess I was hoping i could just do a shrink easily and quickly.

This is hi-def here. Nothing's quick and easy when it comes to that stuff. Well, easy, maybe, but not too quick. Working with Hi-def sources, and reencoding for Hi-def, requires the most powerful computer you can afford, or you'll find yourself doing a lot of waiting.

btw, you mentioned in a previous post about removing duplicate frames. How is this done and will it still be progressive if I do so?

Yes, if it was progressive to begin with, it'll be progressive after removing the duplicate frames. It involves AviSynth. One way is via the TIVTC filter:

TDecimate(Mode=2,Rate=23.976)

And if it's 1080i and telecined film, then to get it back to progressive 23.976fps, the same TIVTC:

TFM().Tdecimate()

Edit: Something was eating at me that maybe there was something that could do what you wanted, and then it hit me that ReJig might be more to your taste. I've never used it, but if I'm not mistaken, I think it can transcode regular MPG files, the way that DVD Shrink can shrink DVDs. I don't know for sure that it does MPG (but I'm pretty sure it does), and I don't know if there are resolution limitations (but I wouldn't think so). Here's jimmalenko's guide:

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic272427.html

[Dgeorge]

manono: Thank you so much for your help. I will check into all those options and let you know how I make out.


Regards,

David