How do I convert a HD MPEG-2 file to MP4?

[Newtype]

Hi, I'm a newb when it comes to converting videos of really high quality. I don't even know what tools I would need to get.

I'd like to convert a HD MPEG-2 file to MP4 without any quality loss. In the file name, it says: 1440x1080 MPEG2 SSTV HD. I did a bit of reading and from what I understood, I have to convert it to H264/AVC? I also saw that x264 is better but I didn't understand when I read about it. Can anyone help me or point me to a guide that will show me exactly what to do? I understand it can be a long thing to explain. Thanks for reading.

Here's some more info on the file:

General
Format : MPEG-PS
File size : 445 MiB
Duration : 4mn 52s
Overall bit rate : 12.7 Mbps
Writing library : encoded by TMPGEnc (ver. 2.524.63.181)

Video
ID : 224 (0xE0)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : High@High
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Duration : 4mn 52s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 11.4 Mbps
Nominal bit rate : 20.0 Mbps
Width : 1 440 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.245
Writing library : TMPGEnc 2.524.63.181

Audio
ID : 128 (0x80)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Duration : 4mn 52s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz

[Baldrick]

Why do you need to reconvert? You will lose a bit quality if you don't convert it to uncompressed/huge file size.


But use a good x264 converter like staxrip or handbrake. Use constant quality encoding.

[Newtype]

Thank you for the reply. To answer your question, I'm converting because the file keeps skipping as an MPEG-2, so I can't watch it. I tried Staxrip and Handbrake like you said, but I didn't manage to get the results I wanted. However, I tried MeGUI with AVISynth and I love it. I almost got what I wanted except there's a problem with the Aspect Ratio. The source is 16:9 and has black borders at top and bottom. When I create the AVS it detects 16:9. Now, I think I have to check Clever Anamorphic Encoding, but then I don't know what to do. I want the encode to be just like the source, 16:9 with the borders and same resolution (1440x1080).

Also, the source is NTSC, but when I create the AVS, it detects 16:9 PAL and just beside the box it says NTSC. That's confusing. Why does it detect as PAL and why does it say NTSC beside it?

Thanks for reading.

[Newtype]

Alright, I managed to find it on my own. I have to check Clever Anamorphic Encoding and then choose Overcrop to mod16. I do have a question though. If the resolution has to be divisible by 16, what do you do when the height is 1080? It's not divisible by 16.

[Newtype]

Never mind, I did a lot of reading and found out that it doesn't need to be divisible by 16. 1440x1080 has rectangular pixels, while 1920x1080 has square pixels, so it has more pixels to maintain the same aspect ratio.