how to cut a h264 .mov file without recode it ?

[Michael REMY]

hi !

i have a big video file in .MOV extension (which came from my canon camera).
The codec is h264 with sound integrated.
I need to keep only a part of it, so i want to cut it but i do not want to encode it/recode, just split it.

how can i do that under windows ?

thank for help

Mike

ps : the codec is :

C:\641CANON\Mvi_0539_tout.mov
General
Complete name : C:\641CANON\Mvi_0539_tout.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 127 MiB
Duration : 43s 376ms
Overall bit rate : 24.5 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39
Tagged date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39
Video #1
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Baseline@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : No
Format settings, ReFrames : 1 frame
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 43s 376ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 22.9 Mbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Resolution : 24 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.830
Stream size : 119 MiB (94%)
Encoded date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39
Tagged date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39
colour_primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
transfer_characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
matrix_coefficients : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Audio #2
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : sowt
Duration : 43s 376ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Stream size : 7.94 MiB (6%)
Encoded date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39
Tagged date : UTC 2010-08-23 06:18:39

[Baldrick]

Try avidemux. But you have to save as mp4 or mkv.

[poisondeathray]

quicktime pro , or mpegstreamclip with quicktime alternative (you need a special verision , listed on the author's homepage)

[elmuz]

quicktime pro , or mpegstreamclip with quicktime alternative (you need a special verision , listed on the author's homepage)

I think MPEGStreamclip re-encode every time it exports files (unless you just convert to MPEG2 title, a VOB for example...).
In that case, if you set in/out point, it will take the closest I-Frame, it's not a proper cut...

In every other export (MOV H.264 like the one posted above) it will rencode the video... There isn't a "Direct Stream Copy"/"Passthrough"/"Just copy" option...

Tell me if I'm wrong...

If you don't care about frame precision in the split operation you can try using MyMP4BoxGUI, the easiest and stable. Don't care if yours is MOV, it often can manege if there is H.264 inside.
Other options could be Yamb or Avidemux (in this case, just look for the keyframe you desire to split and set Copy Audio/Video.

[poisondeathray]

maybe mpegstreamclip doesn't re-encode if you have qt pro installed , but it doesn't re-encode for me

It isn't frame accurate; none of the above tools are . All cuts are made just before I-frames. QTPro may *seem* to be frame accurate, but it actually cuts on I-frames too if you examine the elementary stream

[elmuz]

It isn't frame accurate; none of the above tools are . All cuts are made just before I-frames.

Do you know if there is a "clever" software which can direct-copy untill the second last keyframe and rencode just the last GOP (in case you decide to cut on a P or B frame)?

[poisondeathray]

Do you know if there is a "clever" software which can direct-copy untill the second last keyframe and rencode just the last GOP (in case you decide to cut on a P or B frame)?

Videoredo beta apparently can for h264 streams . I tried an early beta, but it was prone to crashes . I haven't checked back since

Videoredo works fine for MPEG2 streams "smart rendering"

[Michael REMY]

Try avidemux. But you have to save as mp4 or mkv.

thanks Baldrick !

i just tried avidemux 2.5.3 and it works perfectly ! So, for who sould be in passage here, just know that Canon SX210 IS recorded videos can be split using this excellent free tool : avidemux 2.5.3

bye