Exporting MP4 with Avidemux?

[improvisation]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked before...I'm just trying to export a clip of an MP4 in Avidemux. When I go to "save video," all I see are "all files" under file type. Can't you export it to MP4 and other types? Where do I go to to do this?

I notice there's a "format" part on the left part of the program...by default, this is AVI, so I exported it to a generic file and renamed it to an MP4. However, this just played it as an audio file. When I change the "format" to MP4, it won't save the video file, saying there is an invalid audio stream.

If anyone can tell me how to export MP4 in Avidemux (or maybe a more painless way to simply split an MP4 file), I'm appreciative of any advice.

[davexnet]

Hello - You set "format" to mp4, as you surmised, CTRL-S to open the save dialog,
and include the mp4 extension on the file name ('cause Avidemux does not add it for you).

If it's complaining about audio format, perhaps the source file has an incompatible format. You didn't provide any
info about the source file, so it's just a guess.

[improvisation]

Thanks for the reply. So, even though it has the ability to save to MP4, it's still telling me I have incompatible audio stream. The MP4 is simply a chapter ripped off of a personal DVD.

I dropped it into GSpot to get its information, it says:

Codec - MPEG2

DVD "VOB" Format
MPEG-2 Program Stream << (1 vid, 1 aud)
Sys bitrate: 10080 kb/s VBR

Audio - Codec: AC3
48000Hz, 192 kb/s tot, stereo (2/0)

So is there anything I need to adjust in Avidemux so it can save the video properly?

[shaema]

For MP4 output I suggest:

1 - In the Video dropdown list on the top left select MPEG-4 AVC.
2 - Click [Configure] button, a new x264 configuration window opens up. Select Average Bitrate (Two Pass) from the dropdown list, and set the Average Bitrate to 10000
3 - Click OK in the buttom of the screen to close the window

4 - In the Audio dropdown list select MP3(lame)
5 - Click on [Filters] button and set Resampling at 48000 then click OK

6- In the Format dropdown list select MP4

Now save the file by typing Ctrl-S or File-Save-Save Video and type a file name with extension of .mp4

I have always had good results from the above steps, bearing in mind that you do need a poweful PC to do the encoding.

You could experiment with the Average Bitrate; a higher value means better quality.

[improvisation]

Genius!!! Thank you very much for the input on output, video looks great.

[alavarre]

For MP4 output I suggest:
(snip)

THANK YOU for this simple, direct, and effective advice.

You must be an engineer!

Avi and all the other programs have a bewildering array of choices. Might you know of an equally simple and direct introduction to the topic? All I really want to do is to do quick snips and merges. I started with Lives... This is MUCH better.

Thank you again.

Kind regards, Andy

[shaema]

Hi Alavarre

Engineer? No, a physician with computing interest!

For an introduction to AVI container and its different subtypes go to "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave"

If you plan to do simple cutting and joining an avi file you don't really need to go through the details; do your cuts then simply select Video = Copy, Audio = Copy and leave the Format in its default AVI and hit save video and you are done.