MPEG2-TS to DVD

[macuser1960]

I want to convert MPEG2-TS files to DVD,
When i watch the original files it's stunning quality.
When i convert it to DVD with FFmpeg i get big blocks and a 60% quality loss.
Even when i convert it to AVI MPEG4.
Does anyone know how i can convert to DVD or AVI without quality loss?

[Case]

If the .ts file is within DVD specification, it can be done lossless:
Get MPEG Streamclip. Open the .ts. Convert to MPEG. Rename the .mpeg to .mpg. Use ffmpegX's Author tool to create a VIDEO_TS folder. No real transcoding done, just a format change.

[macuser1960]

Thank you Case,

I will download the program.
The WMV goes great now with the flip4mac component.

Thanks for all the help, AGAIN....

[macuser1960]

Hello Case,

Don't think it works.

After renaming this is what i get:

STAT: Picking VTS 01
STAT: Processing /Users/berthoffschlag/Desktop/Christina Aguilera - Candyman.mpg...
WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU...
WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU...
WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU...
WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU...
WARN: Skipping sector, waiting for first VOBU... And many more.

Any idea?

[Case]

Back to the basics - DVD compliancy:
What is the video size and framerate of the .ts? What is the audio format and sample rate (kHz)? Either ffmpegX or MPEG Streamclip can give you these.

[macuser1960]

Maybe it's of interest, but this is at the end of the file:

hdtv 1080i CtrlHD.ts

This is the file information:

Type: MPEG transport stream

Duration: 0:02:59
Data Size: 385.91 MB
Bit Rate: 18.04 Mbps

Video Tracks:
17 MPEG-2, 1920 × 1080, 16:9, 29.97 fps, 38.81 Mbps, upper field first

Audio Tracks:
20 AC3 3/2, 48 kHz, 448 kbps

Stream Files:
Christina Aguilera - Candyman (nba allstar game halftime show 2007) hdtv 1080i CtrlHD.ts (385.91 MB)

Does it make any sense to you?

[halsboss]

Just a thought ... run PVAstrumento over it to fix TS stream errors first (it demuxes it too) ?

Also, out of interest, what ffmpeg commandline did you use ? Something like in this maybe http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1100853#post1100853 ?

Also, are you sure about your DVD playback system, ? eg http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/showthread.php?p=35815#post35815

Oops, am I in the Mac area by accident ?

[Case]

Does it make any sense to you?

The DVD specification does not allow for such high resolution (1920×1080), DVD is 'only' 720x480 for NTSC material (29.97 fps).
No wonder the conversion shows a quality loss.

If you convert to AVI, you should manually adjust the video size to 1920×1080 and up the bitrate as well. Hardware players that do AVI may have a maximum resolution lower than that, though.
High Definition isn't my scene yet, sorry I can't be more helpful.

[macuser1960]

Case,

Is there a way to put this on DVD.
When i convert it to 720x576 (PAL) will there allways be a quality loss?
I should say, the smaller the picture, the better will the quality be.
Or does'nt it work like that.
Anyway, i want this on DVD in best possible way.
Can you give me an advise how to do it?

[Case]

The lower resolution will result in a less detail than the source, but as much detail as you are used to from any other DVD.
For maximum quality:
- Set a higher than suggested bitrate (e.g. 7000 kbps)
- Set Autosize to "DVD 16:9" for maximum vertical resolution (no letterbox bars being encoded as part of the video)
- Set the quality options (High Quality, 4 motion vectors)
- Set Two-pass encoding for optimal use of the available bitrate
- Set a lower Qmax to ensure that the quality doesn't drop too much (e.g. 10)

One thing that will work against quality is the framerate conversion (NTSC->PAL) of interlaced material. But because of the downscaling, a simple Deinterlace (Filters tab) may be enough.
If your DVD player and tv support NTSC material, then that would be better, tho'.

[macuser1960]

Thanks Case,

Was allready playing with the bitrate. I searched the forum and saw that there were more people having problems with HDTV streams. I've allready checked a sample with 5000 and it's much better.
Will add some extras like you said and see what it will look like.
Maybe major can add some extra's to FFmpeg for HDTV in the future.
Gonna give it a try now and let you know if it worked out or not.

Thanks

[halsboss]

Oh, I thought you were up to speed with sizes etc,

The things mentioned in this thread are only 1/2 the issues you'll come across with recorded TS streams.

A hint, lash out a few euros and buy VideoRedo ... one of the best things you'll ever do. Built for HDTV. Cut the ads, resize and butrate change and audio too if you like, then author and burn, all within the one professional program. It's very cheap. I have no association with VideoReDo apart from being a well satisfied user, and their forums are very well visited by their support personnel.

[macuser1960]

Thanx for the tip,

Only there's one problem, i'm working on a Mac.
This program is for XP users only.
Shame, as far as i could read it looks brilliant.

[halsboss]

Oh well. Good luck anyway. Is there no "compatibility mode" ?