Blank video when converting MP4 to AVI DivX

[vidnov]

The menu offers two options for converting MP4 files to AVI DivX. In either case I get audio but no video when I play the results on my DivX-compatible DVD player. (The converted files play fine on my computer.)

All I can think is that some MP4 files don't convert. The video in the MP4s I'm trying to convert is described as: h264, yuv420p, 832x468.

Suggestions much appreciated!

[Baldrick]

It would help with more INFORMATION! What application are you using?

I would try simple converters like staxrip, xmedia recode, format factory. And you can also convert to avi xvid.

[vidnov]

Sorry .. I got to VideoHelp by clicking the forum link at ffmpmpegX, so thought I was on an ffmpegX forum. Also I'm on Mac OS X (Leopard), so staxrip, etc., won't work for me. But thanks for the suggestions.

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our ffmpegx section.

You can try handbrake. Older versions can convert to avi xvid/divx.

[Case]

The menu offers two options for converting MP4 files to AVI DivX. In either case I get audio but no video when I play the results on my DivX-compatible DVD player. (The converted files play fine on my computer.)
All I can think is that some MP4 files don't convert. The video in the MP4s I'm trying to convert is described as: h264, yuv420p, 832x468.

1/ Did you follow the recommended steps in order? (1. Drop file, 2. Select a Target format or use tabs, 3. Encode. Switching step 1 and 2 may screw with some settings.)
2/ As the converted files play fine on your computer, perhaps the output file specs are not within the specs for your set top player. (E.g. frame size too large, bitrate too high.)
3/ Can you provide the video description for your output file?
4/ Did you set any other settings beside the Target format preset? (E.g. in the Options tab.) Some options may break compatibility with your player.
5/ Like Baldrick suggested, XviD should be good too, so you have 4 options.

[vidnov]

Thanks Case.

The first times, I dropped the file and selected target format, then in the video tab checked "best" bit rate, which has worked successfully with previous files (presumably from different source formats) and makes for smoother video. I've also tried dropping the source files then going to the Video tab and choosing either DivX 3 [.AVI] (ffmpeg) or DivX 3 [.AVI] (mencoder).

Output file: AVI, video mpeg4, yuv420p, 832x468, audio mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 128 kb/s

I notice that even though I'm converting from MP4, the resulting video shows up as mpeg4, which doesn't seem like much of a conversion to someone who knows nothing about these things.

I believe I've tried XviD on my cheepo LG dvd player before without luck. I'm game to keep trying options but my pile of blank DVDs is shrinking fast.

[vidnov]

A further thought .. the video in the source files shows up in ffmp[egX as: h264, yuv420p, 832x468. Perhaps h264 is the problem?

[Vitoarc]

I get audio with no video on my Philips DVP5990 along with the message "Video not supported" when my resolution is too high/not supported by the player. I suggest trying to recode using a resolution of 688 X 384. If this doesn't work, then my guess would be it's the h264 as you are suspecting. If that's the case, see if using the XviD [AVI] [ffmpeg) setting does the trick. I'm not sure you can get away with recoding h264 without it.

Perhaps this may help as well: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/317737-Converting-MKV-to-AVI-using-ffmpegX.

But I'm pretty sure you'll still need to reduce the resolution no matter which route you take.

[vidnov]

Yes, I've just discovered from the DVD player manual that my resolution is too high. (What? Read the manual?) Will try a resolution within the range, and report back. Thanks, Vitoarc.

[Vitoarc]

By the way. If you absolutely need to export to DivX, you may want to try MPEG Streamclip. It exports to DivX 5, whereas ffmpegX exports to DivX 3.

[vidnov]

What's the advantage of DivX 5 over DivX 3? The manual says my player accepts both.

Thanks for reminding me of MPEG Streamclip. I have it but had forgotten!

[Vitoarc]

Well I know DivX 5 offers higher resolution and higher maximum peak bitrate over 3. But I'm no expert on codecs so maybe someone else can answer this better than I.

[Case]

DivX 3

Don't bother with DivX 3. It's not part of the certification. A player can get a 'DivX compatible' certification without being able to play the old, legacy and depreciated DivX 3.

Output file: 832x468

The Home Theater Profile by DivX® specifies a maximum width of 720. So try 720x400 for target size. (Both dimensions should ideally be multiples of 16.)

I notice that even though I'm converting from MP4, the resulting video shows up as mpeg4, which doesn't seem like much of a conversion to someone who knows nothing about these things.

H.264/AVC is MPEG-4 part 10, DivX/XviD comform to MPEG-4 part 2. There is a whole bunch of MPEG-4 variant standards with sub-profiles, varying from relatively simple to very complex. Read the Wiki if you're interested.

I believe I've tried XviD on my cheepo LG dvd player before without luck.

DivX and XviD can be very much alike, if the encoder doesn't use specific settings that break compatibility. It's not the codec itself, but the codec options.

I'm game to keep trying options but my pile of blank DVDs is shrinking fast.

One word: rewritables.

A further thought .. the video in the source files shows up in ffmpegX as: h264, yuv420p, 832x468. Perhaps h264 is the problem?

I don't think so. Once converted, H.264 no longer plays any role.

[Case]

... whereas ffmpegX exports to DivX 3.

Not unless you alter the video codec to do so.
A regular 'DivX' conversion with ffmpegX will use libavc mpeg-4: the free and open source MPEG-4 part 2 codec by the ffmpeg team.

[Case]

What's the advantage of DivX 5 over DivX 3? The manual says my player accepts both.

DivX 3 is further development on the original "DivX ;-) 3.11 Alpha", a hacked version (allowing AVI instead of only ASF) of Microsoft's early implementation of MPEG-4 Visual, called msmpeg4, from before (!) the MPEG-4 part 2 specification was finalized.

DivX 5 is a codec by DivX, Inc, the company that licenses "DivX compatible" certificates. DivX 5 is newer, more developed, is standard compliant and has more options. DivX 5 should therefore be able to give better quality for a given bitrate, compared to DivX 3.

[Vitoarc]

... whereas ffmpegX exports to DivX 3.

Not unless you alter the video codec to do so.
A regular 'DivX' conversion with ffmpegX will use libavc mpeg-4: the free and open source MPEG-4 part 2 codec by the ffmpeg team.

I was wondering which codec was used since when I looked in the library there was no DivX codec to be found. But I don't understand why ffmpegX say "DivX 3" and when I use VLC player media information to check a video exported using ffmpegX with DivX 3 it says "DIV 3". When I use MPEG Streamclip to export clips VLC says it's a "DX50".

[vidnov]

Thanks everyone for your help. Reducing the image resolution to a range my dvd player could handle fixed the problem. But I shall look into converting to DivX 5 instead of DivX 3 in future.