WTV remux to MPG

[Nohajc]

WTV - format used by Windows Media Center to record DVB.
It is essentialy only a container for MPEG2 video and MPA/AC3 audio stream. It's an unfortunate alternative for MPEG-TS, you could say.

Naturally we want more editable format, so that we could use for example dgindex and then avisynth with it.
So far, I have seen only solutions that require converting the file to DVR-MS first. That's an unnecessary step.

We will need:
1. GraphEdit
2. Directshow filters dump.ax and MpgMux.ax (CyberLink MPEG Muxer). You can obtain them for example with AutoDVRConvert

To do:
We won't actually use AutoDVRConvert, we will just unpack it and run "Register Filters.bat". At this point we will have registered the necessary filters and this step won't be needed next time.

Now, we can unpack and run GraphEdit.
1. File -> Render Media File... (locate our wtv)

2. We should see now something like this:


3. Each box (besides the left one which is video source) represents an audio/video filter needed for playback of this file. We will now delete some unnecessary filters (simply click on the box and press delete) to make it look like this:


4. Now we will add two filters of our own. Graph -> Insert Filters...
Under Directshow filters we will select and insert "Cyberlink MPEG Muxer" and "Dump" filter. This one will ask you for an output file. Write whatevername.mpg

5. After closing filter window we need to make a chain again by dragging each of the "Out" pin to the "Video in" and "Audio in". Arrows must cross because "DVR Out - 1" carries audio and "DVR Out - 2" video. So we connect DVR out with MPEG Muxer and with the Dump filter which will create the desired output.


6. Now, we will hit the PLAY button and see what happens.

So, this is it. I hope it will help someone.

[jagabo]

Nice idea.

[Baldrick]

Adding a mirror for AutoDVRConvert:

[jagabo]

Shouldn't AutoDVRconvert be classified as "warez" since it contains MpgMux.ax which is Copyright Cyberlink.

[lacywest]

Shouldn't AutoDVRconvert be classified as "warez" since it contains MpgMux.ax which is Copyright Cyberlink.

Oh geez ... what ?? ... You have stock in Cyberlink ... I've got zillions of Cyberlink programs ... and I have saved this webpage ... so go for it ... lock this thread or delete ... I already saved it.

Good post ... I would say ... I suppose it could have been rewritten a different way ... so that the "Warez Police" wouldn't have come ringing the doorbell.

Actually ... I don't have a problem using the ... wtv to dvr-ms ... feature in Windows 7 ...

P.S. ... If I seem to be in a crappy mood ... I am ... I just now spent the last few hours ... using a ... Stinger / wet vac to clean up a whole bunch of ... cat ... kitten ... poop under my wife and I ... bed ... gawd it was bad ... they got a kitty litter box ... why do they want to get under our bed and poop there ??

I guess since they lick their butt to clean up them themselves ... they dont really realize how frikking gross that really is ... !!

[jagabo]

Personally, I don't care if AutoDVRconvert contains copyrighted software. It just seems like a double standard. If somebody mentions downloading the latest blockbuster they get banned. Or if they ask for a crack to unlock a program they get banned. But the site doesn't seem to mind hosting a lot of files that contain bits of commercial software.

[usually_quiet]

There are other ways to get dump filters and multiplexers for this, if anyone is concerned about it. There may be one or more multiplexers and one or more dump filters included with manufacturer software provided for a TV card. Cyberlink's Power Producer and Power Director may also install them, if someone is using those products.

[sambat]

Trying to register the filters with the .bat generates an error.
Same error, both files.

[jagabo]

Do you have admin privileges?

[sambat]

Yes.
I also tried placing the files in the system32 and syswow64 folders and trying from the command prompt.

[Ai Haibara]

Run the Command Prompt as admin even if you're already using an Administrator account. (Don't run the batch file as admin, if that's what you were doing.) There's supposed to be a way you can do that using the Run box (from the Start menu), but I don't remember exactly what it was - I prefer to keep a Command Prompt shortcut in my Quick Launch toolbar, instead - because I normally just right-click the shortcut and select Run As Admin.

Then, try registering the filters from that elevated command prompt.

[sambat]

Same result.
I placed the .ax file in windows\system32

[sambat]

I moved the folder to the c:\ root (I changed the name of the folder and the bat file to zz and register)
Used the Command Prompt as Administrator, ran the bat file from inside the folder and got the message that both .ax files had registered.
Now proceeding with the next step in the tutorial.

Edit:it worked.
Many thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm not familiar with Graphedit.
I saved the graph OK.
Can it be edited/used for a different source file or does a new graph have to be created for each .wtv file.

[jagabo]

I'm not familiar with Graphedit.
I saved the graph OK.
Can it be edited/used for a different source file or does a new graph have to be created for each .wtv file.

You can rename the source file to match the name in the graph. Or delete the source filter and add a new one for the new video and reconnect the pins.

I made a batch file that can mostly automate the process using the SendTo option:

REM the working folder is the folder the batch file is in
move %1 video.wtv
remux.grf
move video.wtv %1
move video.mpg "%~d1%~p1%~n1.mpg"

I put this batch file in C:\BAT and created a graph there that opens video.wtv from there. The graph outputs video.mpg. When Graphedit exits (you have to "play" the graph and exit manually) the batch file moves the original video back to its original location with its original filename, and moves the new MPG file to the same folder as the original video, with the same name but an MPG extension. I created a shortcut to the batch file in the SendTo options. So I can right click on any WTV video and select Send To -> remux.bat. It works best (fastest) if the video is on the same drive as the BAT file.

[sambat]

Much obliged for the suggestions - I got it working but not without problems - I am using a new PC running Windows 7 64 bit and there were problems registering the graph file.

Apart from that, I found that the .wtv file used to construct the graph must be kept in the same folder as the .wtv files that are to be converted else the .mpg file is not created (although the .wtv file is imported to the bat folder and exported back to the source folder).

The .wtv file used to construct the graph should not be sent to the bat file, else the graph refuses to run (remux.grf has to be recreated).

I will attempt the process in my XP PC to see if the symptoms are the same..

[jagabo]

I did all my testing on Win7 64 bit. Using my batch file the source video doesn't have to be in the same folder as the batch file. I can right click on a WTV file in any folder on any drive and select SendTo -> remux.bat. Then all I have to do is press Play, and when it's done close the GraphEdit Window.

Note that you must make remux.grf (once) before running the batch file. That graph should open a file called VIDEO.WTV in the same folder as the batch file. Remux.grf should be in the same folder as remux.bat. I used C:\Bat. Ie,

C:\Bat\Remux.bat
C:\Bat\remux.grf (opens C:\bat\video.wtv)

To add Remux.bat to the SendTo list on Win7 I used the technique described in this page:

http://jkontherun.com/2009/02/03/customize-the-windows-7-send-to-menu-option/

Simply type “shellendto” (without the quotes) in the location bar of a Windows Explorer window. You’ll see the default choices here. Now you can pull any of the defaults out or you can add locations you want in the standard list with a simple drag-and-drop.

I created a shortcut to Remux.bat in the SendTo folder.

[sambat]

That graph should open a file called VIDEO.WTV in the same folder as the batch file.

I wasn't doing that.
I created the .grf file from a .wtv file in the recordings folder - thus the wrong name.

Then I found out that the mpeg files were cut short - I was exiting GraphEdit before the file was rendered (I didn't notice the red icon was lit).

It's now working as you indicated - a tip of the hat to you and thank you again.

[sambat]

I can convert all the SD channels that I record, but GraphEdit seems to choke with HD channel video truncated at around thirty seconds.
Here are two different TV stations.
The lengths reported by GSpot are incorrect.

[sambat]

I gave up on the Cyberlink Muxer because I couldn't get it to process an HD stream properly.
Have been using Moonlight M71 muxer without any problems.
Another advantage is that you can click on the muxer properties and verify that it is running as it shows it's progress through the file..

Edit:
Since all of my TV recordings go to the same folder, I changed the bat file to stop the files being copied before and after conversion.
The bat file and grf file are in the same folder as the recordings.
I just drag a file onto the .bat and conversion begins immediately.
It speeds it up for those 8GB recordings.

rename %1 video.wtv
mux.grf
rename video.wtv "%~n1.wtv"
rename video.ts "%~n1.ts"

[jagabo]

I gave up on the Cyberlink Muxer because I couldn't get it to process an HD stream properly.

Ah, yes. Quite common.

Have been using Moonlight M71 muxer without any problems.
Another advantage is that you can click on the muxer properties and verify that it is running as it shows it's progress through the file..

Thanks. Good info.

[sambat]

There's a program called GraphView that can be included in the bat file, will run a .grf file and exit.
If a For..In..Do command could be set up to process all the .wtv files and included in a Schedule it could make things much simpler.
I added the line to include Graphviewer and it works ok, but I haven't figured out how to move all the files through it.

@echo off
rename %1 video.wtv
echo Processing video..
echo off
graphviewer.exe muxmpg2.grf
rename video.wtv "%~n1.wtv"
c:
cd _AGK input
rename video.mpg "%~n1.mpg"

Look for Graphviewer10.zip here:
http://www.64k.it/andres/dettaglio.php?sez=g

[jagabo]

There's a program called GraphView that can be included in the bat file, will run a .grf file and exit.

Nice. Now the process can be fully automated.

[sambat]

I used the following .bat file.
The .wtv files are in my E drive and end up as .mpg files on the C drive.
Initially I had problems with the Task Scheduler (Windows 7) - I think because I was an Administrator without a Password defined.

@echo off
for %%a in ("*.wtv") do call :nameit "%%a"
if %%a not==("*.wtv") then goto end
:nameit
echo processing "%~n1"
rename %1 video.wtv
graphviewer.exe loopmuxmpg.grf
rename video.wtv "%~n1.wtv"
C:
cd\
cd agkin
echo renaming "%~n1"
rename video.mpg "%~n1.mpg"
cd\
e:
:end

[jagabo]

Initially I had problems with the Task Scheduler (Windows 7) - I think because I was an Administrator without a Password defined.

Yes, Task Scheduler requires that the "Run as" account has a non-empty password. This has been true since XP, at least.

[sambat]

StaxRip CLI in a bat file can be run as a Scheduled Task and used to batch convert mpg to avi.
The video quality is equal to AutoGK.

for %%f in (*.mpg) do echo %%f
for %%a in ("*.mpg") do call :gonow  "%%a"
if %%a not==("*.mpg") then goto end
:gonow
echo processing %~n1.mpg
staxrip.exe -template:myxvid "%~dpn1.mpg" -encode -exit
end

[kocoman]

When I open the wtv file in Grapedit it says "some of the streams in this movie are in an unsupported format"

[sambat]

That's normal - you should still get the graph shown in the first image.

[kocoman]

That's normal - you should still get the graph shown in the first image.

But graphviewer.exe just "quits" (I run graphviewer with the graph file) and my wtv files is not converted

maybe something can be done about that since the source code exist for graphviewer.

Is it possible to tell what codec graphedit is complaining about?
(it seems the error messages are commented out)

//printf("ERROR - Could not initialize COM library");
//printf("ERROR - Could not create the Filter Graph Manager.");

[sambat]

Is the file being saved if you run the graph from GraphEdit - not by GraphViewer.

[bilbonvidia]

Thanks for this guide, I have been trying to get this to work for problematic recordings from certain channels (freeview HD, dvb-t2) which other tools have failed to process, mctvconverter, mceremuxer etc...

I had found another similar guide to to this which uses an ati remuxer instead, some success but

1> it seems to process real time? Should it be a lot quicker how do I make that happen?

2>Is it possible to remux to a ts file instead of MPG?

Thanks