Convert from .rm format without re-encoding

[pmennen]

My Blu-Ray player can read nearly all popular video formats except .rm, but I have several .rm files I would like to play. I successfully converted some of them to .avi using several different programs, but they all had to re-encode the video. Not only does this seem like a waste of time, it seems like I must accept that the converted file must be bigger than the original to insure that no quality is lost. Is it possible to convert such files without re-encoding the video. (I'm less concerned about the audio, but it would be nice if the audio could also avoid reconversion).

The only program I have used so far that allows me to combine and/or convert video files without re-encoding is Avidemux (which works very nicely). Unfortunately this program does not seem to accept the .rm format.

I thought maybe ffmpeg could do this, so with the latest windows static build I tried:
ffmpeg -i myFile.rm -vcodec mpeg4 -acodec libmp3lame myFile.avi

I didn't get the chance to see if this would do what I wanted, since ffmpeg crashed when given this command.

Can ffmpeg or any other program do what I'm trying to do, or is this simply one of those impossible tasks?

Thanks in advance for any help.

~Paul

[bat999]

I thought maybe ffmpeg could do this, so with the latest windows static build I tried:
ffmpeg -i myFile.rm -vcodec mpeg4 -acodec libmp3lame myFile.avi

I didn't get the chance to see if this would do what I wanted, since ffmpeg crashed when given this command.

Can ffmpeg or any other program do what I'm trying to do, or is this simply one of those impossible tasks?

Hi
Your command should work OK.

ffmpeg -i myFile.rm -vcodec mpeg4 -acodec libmp3lame myFile.avi

But it depends which codecs have been used inside the rm file.
Use MediaInfo to find out.


I don't think that you can convert without re-encoding.
A command like this probably won't work:-
(But it's worth a try!)

ffmpeg -i myFile.rm -c copy myFile.mkv

There's information about codecs and containers in the chart here ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_media_containers

Post the MediaInfo (text view) result here if you're not sure.

[pmennen]

A command like this probably won't work:-
(But it's worth a try!)

ffmpeg -i myFile.rm -c copy myFile.mkv

Ok, thanks for the suggestion.
The mediainfo output for my rm files is:

----------------------------------------------------

Format : RealMedia
File size : 280 MiB
Duration : 1h 17mn
Overall bit rate : 498 Kbps

Video
ID : 1
Format : RealVideo 3
Codec ID : RV30
Codec ID/Info : Between H.263 and AVC (H.264), Real Player 8
Duration : 1h 17mn
Bit rate : 404 Kbps
Width : 240 pixels
Height : 180 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.374
Stream size : 225 MiB (81%)

Audio
ID : 0
Format : Atrac
Codec ID : atrc
Codec ID/Info : Real Player 8
Duration : 1h 17mn
Bit rate : 93.7 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 52.3 MiB (19%)

When I try your suggested command (which as you expected didn't work) I get:

Y:\>D:\WinU\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c copy w1.mkv
ffmpeg version N-39267-g4082198 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
built on Mar 25 2012 20:28:42 with gcc 4.6.2
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-ru
ntime-cpudetect --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-frei0r --enable-libope
ncore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgsm --en
able-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger -
-enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwben
c --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-
libxvid --enable-zlib
libavutil 51. 44.100 / 51. 44.100
libavcodec 54. 12.100 / 54. 12.100
libavformat 54. 3.100 / 54. 3.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 65.102 / 2. 65.102
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 10.100 / 0. 10.100
libpostproc 52. 0.100 / 52. 0.100
[rm @ 000000000025EC40] Unsupported stream type 00000226
Input #0, rm, from 'w1.rm':
Metadata:
title :
author :
copyright :
comment :
Duration: 00:38:13.75, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 302 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Audio: cook (cook / 0x6B6F6F63), 22050 Hz, mono, flt, 32 kb/s
Stream #0:1: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 320x240, 267 kb/s, 15
fps, 15 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream #0:2: Data: none
Output #0, matroska, to 'w1.mkv':
Metadata:
title :
author :
copyright :
comment :
encoder : Lavf54.3.100
Stream #0:0: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 320x240, q=2-31, 267
kb/s, 15 fps, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream #0:1: Audio: cook (cook / 0x6B6F6F63), 22050 Hz, mono, 32 kb/s
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:1 -> #0:0 (copy)
Stream #0:0 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[matroska @ 0000000001D6F740] Application provided invalid, non monotonically in
creasing dts to muxer in stream 0: 1 >= 1
av_interleaved_write_frame(): Invalid argument

Y:\>

--------------------------

If you have any more ideas, I'll still be listening

Thanks.
~Paul

[bat999]

Stream #0:0: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 320x240, q=2-31, 267
kb/s, 15 fps, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream #0:1: Audio: cook (cook / 0x6B6F6F63), 22050 Hz, mono, 32 kb/s
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:1 -> #0:0 (copy)
Stream #0:0 -> #0:1 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[matroska @ 0000000001D6F740] Application provided invalid, non monotonically in
creasing dts to muxer in stream 0: 1 >= 1
av_interleaved_write_frame(): Invalid argument

Y:\>

Hi
I think it's the 'cook' audio codec that will cause problems.
Try to make a 'silent' movie...
If it's OK see if it plays in VLC and your Blu-ray player.
This command:-

ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.mkv

[Selur]

yup, cook audio is problematic in mkv, see: https://trac.bunkus.org/ticket/708

If it's OK see if it plays in VLC and your Blu-ray player.

VLC should play RV30, but I would be surprised if the Blu-ray player would play it.

[pmennen]

Try to make a 'silent' movie...
If it's OK see if it plays in VLC and your Blu-ray player.
This command:-

ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.mkv

Interesting ... I tried that command, but it won't even make a silent movie. The mkv it produces (below) is only 694 bytes long, and it produces a cryptic error msg.

--------------------------------------------------

Y:\>D:\WinU\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.mkv
ffmpeg version N-39267-g4082198 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
built on Mar 25 2012 20:28:42 with gcc 4.6.2
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-ru
ntime-cpudetect --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-frei0r --enable-libope
ncore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgsm --en
able-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger -
-enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwben
c --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-
libxvid --enable-zlib
libavutil 51. 44.100 / 51. 44.100
libavcodec 54. 12.100 / 54. 12.100
libavformat 54. 3.100 / 54. 3.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 65.102 / 2. 65.102
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 10.100 / 0. 10.100
libpostproc 52. 0.100 / 52. 0.100
Input #0, rm, from 'w1.rm':
Metadata:
title : The Sir Douglas Robb Lectures, University of Auckland, 197
9
author : Richard P. Feynman
copyright : The University of Auckland
comment :
Duration: 01:17:59.28, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 501 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Audio: atrac3 (atrc / 0x63727461), 44100 Hz, 2 channels, s16, 9
3 kb/s
Stream #0:1: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 240x180, 404 kb/s, 25
fps, 25 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Output #0, matroska, to 'w1.mkv':
Metadata:
title : The Sir Douglas Robb Lectures, University of Auckland, 197
9
author : Richard P. Feynman
copyright : The University of Auckland
comment :
encoder : Lavf54.3.100
Stream #0:0: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 240x180, q=2-31, 404
kb/s, 25 fps, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:1 -> #0:0 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[matroska @ 0000000001D34820] Application provided invalid, non monotonically in
creasing dts to muxer in stream 0: 1 >= 1
av_interleaved_write_frame(): Invalid argument

Y:\>

[Selur]

if you just want to remux the file to mkv, use mmg (=mkvmerge gui from the mkvtoolnix package),....

[bat999]

Hi
Maybe we should stay away from mkv, having read selur's link.
Try extracting the video track into an avi file.

ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.avi

[Selur]

as a side node: I doubt, that a mp4(avc,aac) file has to be larger than the original to preserve the quality,.. (+ the Blu-ray player can probably handle it )

[pmennen]

Hi
Maybe we should stay away from mkv, having read selur's link.
Try extracting the video track into an avi file.

ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.avi

That still gave some errors:

------------------------------------------------------------

Y:\>D:\WinU\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -i w1.rm -c:v copy -an w1.avi
ffmpeg version N-39267-g4082198 Copyright (c) 2000-2012 the FFmpeg developers
built on Mar 25 2012 20:28:42 with gcc 4.6.2
configuration: --enable-gpl --enable-version3 --disable-w32threads --enable-ru
ntime-cpudetect --enable-avisynth --enable-bzlib --enable-frei0r --enable-libope
ncore-amrnb --enable-libopencore-amrwb --enable-libfreetype --enable-libgsm --en
able-libmp3lame --enable-libopenjpeg --enable-librtmp --enable-libschroedinger -
-enable-libspeex --enable-libtheora --enable-libvo-aacenc --enable-libvo-amrwben
c --enable-libvorbis --enable-libvpx --enable-libx264 --enable-libxavs --enable-
libxvid --enable-zlib
libavutil 51. 44.100 / 51. 44.100
libavcodec 54. 12.100 / 54. 12.100
libavformat 54. 3.100 / 54. 3.100
libavdevice 53. 4.100 / 53. 4.100
libavfilter 2. 65.102 / 2. 65.102
libswscale 2. 1.100 / 2. 1.100
libswresample 0. 10.100 / 0. 10.100
libpostproc 52. 0.100 / 52. 0.100
[rm @ 0000000001D6ECF0] Unsupported stream type 00000226
Input #0, rm, from 'w1.rm':
Metadata:
title :
author :
copyright :
comment :
Duration: 00:38:13.75, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 302 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Audio: cook (cook / 0x6B6F6F63), 22050 Hz, mono, flt, 32 kb/s
Stream #0:1: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 320x240, 267 kb/s, 15
fps, 15 tbr, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream #0:2: Data: none
Output #0, avi, to 'w1.avi':
Metadata:
INAM :
author :
ICOP :
ICMT :
ISFT : Lavf54.3.100
Stream #0:0: Video: rv30 (RV30 / 0x30335652), yuv420p, 320x240, q=2-31, 267
kb/s, 15 fps, 1k tbn, 1k tbc
Stream mapping:
Stream #0:1 -> #0:0 (copy)
Press [q] to stop, [?] for help
[avi @ 0000000001E6F7E0] Application provided invalid, non monotonically increas
ing dts to muxer in stream 0: 1 >= 1
av_interleaved_write_frame(): Invalid argument

------------------------------------------------------------

if you just want to remux the file to mkv, use mmg (=mkvmerge gui from the mkvtoolnix package),....

Turns out half my .rm files use RV30 with the atrac 3 audio codec and the other half use RV13 with the RealAudio Sipr audio codec.
If I use the mkv merge tool you suggested, the RV13 files are converted and I can view them with VLC, but it can't play the audio. The mkv merge tool also can create a mvk from the RV30 files, but VLC can't do anything with it. My Blu-Ray player can't play either one.

I suspect the reason has to do with the audio codecs ... ???

Is there a way to tell mkvmerge to pass the video un modified and re-encode the audio to a different format?
Or if not, perhaps ffmpeg can be used to convert the audio and stich it back together with the video from mkvmerge?

~Paul

[Selur]

Is there a way to tell mkvmerge to pass the video un modified and re-encode the audio to a different format?

Nope, mkvmerge is only for muxing and joining mkv files, it can not do any reencoding,...

[bat999]

...

[bat999]

Hi
Will you try to do the job with MEncoder.
It's part of the MPlayer package from here ---> http://oss.netfarm.it/mplayer-win32.php

Use it with "-endpos 120" for 2 minute tests.

For MPEG4 try a command like this:-

mencoder -endpos 120 w1.rm -of lavf -ovc lavc -lavcopts  vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=600 -oac lavc -lavcopts  acodec=libmp3lame:abitrate=64 -o test1.mkv

For x264 try a command like this:-

mencoder -endpos 120 w1.rm -of lavf -ovc x264 -x264encopts bitrate=350 -oac mp3lame -lameopts cbr:br=64 -o test2.mkv

[pmennen]

Hi
Will you try to do the job with MEncoder.

I tried your mencoder suggestion.
For the RV30 coded file with atrac 3 audio it produced an mkv file that was about 63% the size of the original rm file. The audio of the mkv played fine but the video was extremely jerky (like the guy holding the camera had a fast tremor). The DOS window output of the conversion shown below.

The RV30 file with the cook audio was coded into an avi of about the same size as the rm file. Again however the audio played fine but the video was jerky.

D:\WinU\mplayer>mencoder fey.rm -of lavf -ovc x264 -x264encopts bitrate=250 -oac
 mp3lame -lameopts cbr:br=64 -o fey.mkv
MEncoder Sherpya-SVN-r34401-4.6.2 (C) 2000-2011 MPlayer Team
181 audio & 389 video codecs
success: format: 0  data: 0x0 - 0x117c3000
REAL file format detected.
Stream description: audio/x-pn-multirate-realaudio logical stream
Stream mimetype: audio/x-pn-realaudio
[real] Audio stream found, -aid 0
Stream description: video/x-pn-multirate-realvideo logical stream
Stream mimetype: video/x-pn-realvideo
[real] Video stream found, -vid 1
VIDEO:  [RV30]  240x180  24bpp  25.000 fps    0.0 kbps ( 0.0 kbyte/s)
[V] filefmt:11  fourcc:0x30335652  size:240x180  fps:25.000  ftime:=0.0400
==========================================================================
Opening audio decoder: [ffmpeg] FFmpeg/libavcodec audio decoders
AUDIO: 44100 Hz, 2 ch, s16le, 93.7 kbit/6.64% (ratio: 11714->176400)
Selected audio codec: [ffatrc] afm: ffmpeg (FFmpeg Atrac 3 audio)
==========================================================================
** MUXER_LAVF *****************************************************************
REMEMBER: MEncoder's libavformat muxing is presently broken and can generate
INCORRECT files in the presence of B-frames. Moreover, due to bugs MPlayer
will play these INCORRECT files as if nothing were wrong!
*******************************************************************************
OK, exit.
Opening video filter: [expand osd=1]
Expand: -1 x -1, -1 ; -1, osd: 1, aspect: 0.000000, round: 1
==========================================================================
Opening video decoder: [realvid] RealVideo decoder
Error loading dll
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec drvc.dll.
Read the RealVideo section of the DOCS!
VDecoder init failed :(
Opening video decoder: [realvid] RealVideo decoder
Error loading dll
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec drv33260.dll.
Read the RealVideo section of the DOCS!
VDecoder init failed :(
Opening video decoder: [realvid] RealVideo decoder
Error loading dll
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec drvc.bundle/Contents/MacOS/drvc.

Read the RealVideo section of the DOCS!
VDecoder init failed :(
Opening video decoder: [realvid] RealVideo decoder
Error loading dll
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec drvc.so.
Read the RealVideo section of the DOCS!
VDecoder init failed :(
Opening video decoder: [realvid] RealVideo decoder
Error loading dll
ERROR: Could not open required DirectShow codec drv3.so.6.0.
Read the RealVideo section of the DOCS!
VDecoder init failed :(
Opening video decoder: [ffmpeg] FFmpeg's libavcodec codec family
Selected video codec: [ffrv30] vfm: ffmpeg (FFmpeg RV30)
==========================================================================
MP3 audio selected.
Movie-Aspect is undefined - no prescaling applied.
x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 FastShuffle SSE4.2 AVX
x264 [info]: profile High, level 1.3
Pos:   0.8s     22f ( 0%)  2.61fps Trem:   0min   0mb  A-V:0.083 [0:63]

Skipping frame!
Pos:   2.2s     57f ( 0%)  6.73fps Trem:   0min   0mb  A-V:0.075 [0:63]
VIDEO CODEC ID: 28
AUDIO CODEC ID: 15001, TAG: 0
Writing header...
[matroska @ 01236720]Codec for stream 0 does not use global headers but containe
r format requires global headers
[matroska @ 01236720]Codec for stream 1 does not use global headers but containe
r format requires global headers
Pos: 778.6s  19468f (16%) 501.65fps Trem:   3min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 52 DC, 52 AC, 52 MV errors
Pos: 884.2s  22107f (18%) 514.20fps Trem:   3min 176mb  A-V:0.022 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 101 DC, 101 AC, 101 MV errors
Pos:1130.6s  28266f (24%) 535.12fps Trem:   2min 177mb  A-V:0.023 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect intra prediction code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 150 DC, 150 AC, 150 MV errors
Pos:1165.0s  29127f (24%) 537.35fps Trem:   2min 177mb  A-V:0.023 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect intra prediction code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:2080.6s  52018f (44%) 576.61fps Trem:   1min 177mb  A-V:0.023 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]dquant needed
[rv30 @ 012521a0]dquant needed
Pos:2739.0s  68476f (58%) 587.36fps Trem:   1min 177mb  A-V:0.047 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:2966.4s  74163f (63%) 590.70fps Trem:   1min 176mb  A-V:0.024 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3062.1s  76555f (65%) 591.37fps Trem:   1min 177mb  A-V:0.022 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice type mismatch
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 55 DC, 55 AC, 55 MV errors
Pos:3110.2s  77758f (66%) 591.94fps Trem:   1min 177mb  A-V:0.024 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3166.8s  79172f (67%) 592.76fps Trem:   1min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3539.1s  88479f (75%) 596.05fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.024 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect intra prediction code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3565.0s  89126f (76%) 596.22fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3593.2s  89831f (76%) 596.25fps Trem:   0min 177mb  A-V:0.023 [250:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Size mismatch
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 110 DC, 110 AC, 110 MV errors
Pos:3641.8s  91047f (77%) 597.17fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice type mismatch
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 2 DC, 2 AC, 2 MV errors
Pos:3671.8s  91796f (78%) 597.40fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.024 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice type mismatch
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 118 DC, 118 AC, 118 MV errors
Pos:3789.9s  94750f (81%) 598.40fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect intra prediction code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3966.5s  99164f (84%) 599.64fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.023 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:3973.0s  99326f (85%) 599.65fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.022 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Incorrect MB type code
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 180 DC, 180 AC, 180 MV errors
Pos:4327.3s 108184f (92%) 603.88fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.022 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice type mismatch
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 1 DC, 1 AC, 1 MV errors
Pos:4464.5s 111614f (95%) 604.85fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.047 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice indicates MB offset 221, got 179
Pos:4464.5s 111615f (95%) 604.84fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.044 [249:63]
[rv30 @ 012521a0]Slice indicates MB offset 0, got 221
[rv30 @ 012521a0]concealing 0 DC, 0 AC, 0 MV errors
Pos:4677.5s 116940f (99%) 607.75fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.027 [249:63]

1 duplicate frame(s)!
Pos:4677.5s 116941f (99%) 607.75fps Trem:   0min 176mb  A-V:0.026 [249:63]

Flushing video frames.
Writing index...

Video stream:  249.149 kbit/s  (31143 B/s)  size: 145675982 bytes  4677.560 secs
  116941 frames

Audio stream:   64.000 kbit/s  (7999 B/s)  size: 37418631 bytes  4677.329 secs
x264 [info]: frame I:476   Avg QP:14.72  size:  6408
x264 [info]: frame P:43866 Avg QP:17.95  size:  2245
x264 [info]: frame B:72596 Avg QP:21.29  size:   608
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames:  3.9% 29.2% 32.4% 34.6%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 13.8% 45.9% 40.3%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  6.1%  5.2%  8.6%  P16..4: 39.5% 23.5% 13.7%  0.0%  0
.0%    skip: 3.4%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  1.7%  0.9%  1.5%  B16..8: 49.0%  9.3%  1.6%  direct:
 5.0%  skip:31.0%  L0:38.6% L1:46.7% BI:14.7%
x264 [info]: final ratefactor: 17.64
x264 [info]: 8x8 transform intra:25.7% inter:49.3%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 70.2% 84.7% 33.4% inter: 29.5% 36.1% 3.1%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 23% 19% 28% 30%
x264 [info]: i8 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 32% 18% 25%  4%  3%  4%  4%  6%  5%
x264 [info]: i4 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 50% 20% 15%  2%  2%  2%  3%  3%  2%
x264 [info]: i8c dc,h,v,p: 51% 23% 24%  3%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:0.8% UV:0.3%
x264 [info]: ref P L0: 60.7% 14.5% 18.9%  5.9%  0.0%
x264 [info]: ref B L0: 80.0% 18.2%  1.8%
x264 [info]: ref B L1: 90.3%  9.7%
x264 [info]: kb/s:249.15
D:\WinU\mplayer>

[Hoser Rob]

While I don't know much about Real Media format, beyond the fact that SMPlayer plays it quite well ... certainly better than vlc ... I did note this about the input:

Bit rate : 404 Kbps
Width : 240 pixels
Height : 180 pixels

I wouldn't worry too much about preserving quality with something like that. Just don't make it worse.

[bat999]

I tried your mencoder suggestion.

Hi
It looks like MEncoder has potential.

There are below attached some help files.
mplayer_help.txt is the whole bag and mencoder_help.txt is the relevant section.
So you can RTFM.

If you decide to persevere, run some 2 minute tests.

You can try MPEG4 as well as x264.
You can try avi, mov, mp4 and mkv containers ("-of lavf" allows this).

I only have one rm sample to work with, it uses RV40 and cook codecs.
The result is OK.
Maybe there are problems caused by RV13 and RV30 codecs.
Upload some samples if you need more help.

[pmennen]

It looks like MEncoder has potential.
You can try MPEG4 as well as x264.

Thanks for the documentation files since they were not included in the MENcoder/Mplayer version that I downloaded. I have to admit I haven't yet tried to struggle thru the manual yet since I fear that will be a tough slog.

I did however try the MPEG4 format as you suggested. I just used the exact command (without the 2 minute limit) that you suggested earlier. This worked fine and in all cases the video and audio were fine - I suspect even as good as the original. For one group of files it doubled the file size. However for the group of files that I'm most interested in, it produced a mkv only 6% bigger than the original .rm file. So that's pretty good I would say.

I'm curious though ... isn't this doing a recoding of the video? If so couldn't I get as good results with Any video converter, AVS video converter, Total video converter, or a few other converters I've found (all of which are easier to use than the command line based MEncoder. (Of course I'm willing to use a command based tool if there is a benefit).

While I don't know much about Real Media format, beyond the fact that SMPlayer plays it quite well ... certainly better than vlc ... I did note this about the input:
Bit rate : 404 Kbps
Width : 240 pixels
Height : 180 pixels
I wouldn't worry too much about preserving quality with something like that. Just don't make it worse.

True, this is quite low resolution, but for my purpose (educational) it is sufficient in this instance. Still when converting it to another format, I would like to know that I'm not making the quality worse. Also since it is many hours of video I don't want to make the files any larger than necessary.

[bat999]

I'm curious though ... isn't this doing a recoding of the video? If so couldn't I get as good results with Any video converter, AVS video converter, Total video converter, or a few other converters I've found (all of which are easier to use than the command line based MEncoder.

Hi
Yes, we are re-encoding.
Because the Blu-ray probably won't play files that contain those RV13 and RV30 codecs.

You can check this for sure by trying to extract one video stream of each type using MEncoder and testing them.

Like this:-

mencoder filename.rm -of lavf -ovc copy -nosound -o output.mkv

You'll probably find that VLC or SMPlayer plays them OK (without sound) and your Blu-ray doesn't.

If this is the case then...
Q "Is it possible to convert such files without re-encoding the video?".
A "Yes it is, but they're no use".


So you may as well stay with those GUI converter programs.

[Selur]

btw. to reencode the files with mencoder as backend you can use Hybrd