Cannot convert a .TS file via MPEGStreamClip

[johnbee]

Hi,

I record live TV on my DVB-T decoder into a flash drive. The recordings are saved in a .TS file (container). In my country (Latvia), the DVB-T is MPEG-4.

When I plug the flash drive into my computer (Mac OS X 10.6.6) and copy the file on my hard drive, the .TS file plays fine in VLC.

In VLC's Media Information I get the following:

Codec details:
STREAM 0
Type: Video
Original ID: 5152
Codec: H264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10) (h26..
Resolution: 720x576
Frame rate: 50

STREAM 1
Type: Audio
Original ID: 5153
Codec: MPEG Audio Layer 1/2/3 (mpga)
Language: Latvian
Channels: Stereo
Sample rate 48000 Hz
Bitrate: 192 kb/s

The thing is that I want to use the "MPEG StreamClip" program to convert the .TS video. Let's assume that I do not want to use any other program on Mac OS X, except MPEG StreamClip.

I have the newest version of MPEG StreamClip for Mac. When I import/open the .TS file into MPEG StreamClip, it does not show the video (as it does with other files) - there is just a timeline without any video or audio. When I press any of the "Export to" it says "Error: Can't read the frame size".

So I guess there is something wrong with the .TS files that my DVB-T decoder records. Even though the recorded .TS files play fine in VLC, I cannot convert them via MPEG StreamClip.


Can someone please help? How can I "fix" the TS file so that I can use it successfully in MPEG StreamClip?

P.S. I'm willing to provide some more details about the .TS files - just ask me!

Thanks in advance!

[blacksapper]

This isn't much comfort, I know, but on the basis that a problem shared is a problem doubled (or something) I have begun to experience exactly the same issue. Intriguingly, I was able to open all of the files in question using Streamclip, up until last week. At that point I was obliged to change my computer (don't ask), and merely transferred my existing hard disk to the new machine. In theory, everything should be the same, but for some reason, it just isn't.

The only thing I can say is that my files have not changed - so I suspect the problem is not with those at all. I don't believe I had any extra 'codecs' on my previous machine (I can't see anything in Quicktime, for example) so I am a little stumped. I did try just changing the preferred software from VLC to Streamclip, but no dice (that would have been too easy, let's face it).

The only obvious change is my operating system (until last week, I was running OSX 10.4.11) so I am working on the principle that it has something to do with that. I am continuing to hunt for a solution - and if I find one, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I don't think the file format can be the problem....

[netmask56]

TV systems are different in Australia we use mpeg2 for video in our TV derived TS files, however there have been a few test transmissions using H264 for the video that I recorded on my Beyonwiz PVR which is capable to receive H264 transmissions as well as MPEG2. MPEGStreamclip behave the same as you described ie no video just a timeline, so I am not sure that MPEGStreamclip can process TS files with H264 encoding.

Below is mediainfo of that file.

Format                           : MPEG-TS
File size                        : 1.94 GiB
Duration                         : 1h 35mn
Overall bit rate mode            : Variable
Overall bit rate                 : 2 919 Kbps

Video
ID                               : 68 (0x44)
Menu ID                          : 1 (0x1)
Format                           : AVC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                   : Main@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC           : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames        : 3 frames
Format settings, GOP             : M=3, N=25
Codec ID                         : 27
Duration                         : 1h 35mn
Width                            : 720 pixels
Height                           : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio             : 5:4
Frame rate                       : 25.000 fps
Standard                         : PAL
Color space                      : YUV
Chroma subsampling               : 4:2:0
Bit depth                        : 8 bits
Scan type                        : Interlaced
Scan order                       : Top Field First
Language                         : English
Color primaries                  : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Transfer characteristics         : BT.601-6 525, BT.601-6 625, BT.1358 525, BT.1358 625, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M
Matrix coefficients              : BT.601-6 525, BT.1358 525, BT.1700 NTSC, SMPTE 170M

Audio
ID                               : 69 (0x45)
Menu ID                          : 1 (0x1)
Format                           : AAC
Format/Info                      : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version                   : Version 2
Format profile                   : LC
Muxing mode                      : ADTS
Codec ID                         : 15
Duration                         : 1h 35mn
Bit rate mode                    : Variable
Channel(s)                       : 2 channels
Channel positions                : Front: L R

[blacksapper]

Further to my previous post...... I discovered that I had (inadvertently) installed the Quicktime MPEG2 playback component on my previous system (ie:the one Streamclip had been working on until I changed computers). I don't know how (it doesn't come as standard with Quicktime Pro, for example, but is bundled with apps like Final Cut - which I haven't got) but as soon as I moved the component from my previous hard drive into the new system folder, Streamclip worked a storm on all of my .TS files.

In case this helps, it 'lives' in the System/Library folder (not the 'top level' library you find loose on the hard disk) and, as usual, installation is a simple matter of dragging it in.

However, you have to get it first. It is relatively cheap from Apple (around 19 USD) but that's still an evening out wasted if it doesn't work. All I can say is that I had exactly the same problem, and it fixed it. There are, apparently, some dodgy free torrent versions available, but I wouldn't do that (obviously) and neither would you, I'm sure........