[SOLVED] Convert MOD video using ffmpeg for use with VirtualDub?

[yetanotherlogin]

Hello

I'd like to convert a MOD file (MPEG-PS + AC-3) recorded with a JVC camcorder into an AVI file so I can edit it with VirtualDub (1.9.11).

Although I used the following command found through Google, ffmpeg (version N-37208-g01fcbdf built on Jan 27 2012) apparently uses its own format (FMP4 = "MPEG-4 Visual Simple@L1"), which VirtualDub doesn't support out of the box:

ffmpeg -i input.mod -vcodec libxvid -f mp4 -sameq -acodec libmp3lame -ab 192k -ar 48000 output.avi

Which format would you recommend I use with ffmpeg so that VirtualDub is able to edit it?

Thank you.

[poisondeathray]

you are re-encoding the video & audio into xvid/mp3 (quality loss)

you can just rewrap into mpeg-ps and vdub can edit if you have vdub mpeg2 plugin + ac3acm installed

ffmpeg -i input.mod -vcodec copy -acodec copy -f vob output.mpg

or you can rewrap with avidemux into mpeg-ps if you prefer a gui, or even edit mod files with avidemux directly

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check how to add mpeg2 and ac3acm into VirtualDub.

[poisondeathray]

http://fcchandler.home.comcast.net/~fcchandler/index.html

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the link. I tried the following, but it fails working:

1. From http://fcchandler.home.comcast.net/~fcchandler/, downloaded and unzipped the two codecs, and restarted VDub:
AC-3 plugin (version 1.9)
MPEG-2 plugin (version 4.5)

VDub says:

No audio decompressor could be found to decompress the source audio format.
(source format tag: 2000)

2. Next, downloaded AC3ACM21.zip from Videohelp and ran the .BAT file, but after I clicked on the confirmation box displayed by XP, it says:

The system cannot find the file specified.

3. Next, downloaded AC3ACM.zip from here, but it's the same file.

Does it mean I should run the stand-alone application to convert the audio from ac3 to acm?

Thank you.

[poisondeathray]

what does mediainfo say about the source file (view=>text)?

is this 32bit vdub ?

[poisondeathray]

Actually vdub opens jvc mod files directly for me as well (no need to rewrap)

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the help. It worked

I think what happened was:

1. A few weeks ago, I gave my first try at editing a MOD file but it failed opening because it didn't have the MPEG2 plug-in. I didn't go that way because someone told me it was a QuickTime file anyway
2. Last night, added the MPEG2 plug-in, used ffmpeg to convert the MOD file to AVI, and tried opening the file with VD but it failed
3. Today, with MPEG2 + AC3 plugins installed in VD, opened the original file successfully.

One last thing: I actually just need to remove a few minutes at the beginning: Is it possible to save the file without decompressing and recompressing the video + audio?

I tried Video/Audio > Direct Stream Copy, removed the section, then File > Save as AVI, but VD says:

The source video stream uses a compression algorithm which is not compatible with AVI files. Direct stream copy cannot be used with this video stream.

Thank you.

[poisondeathray]

One last thing: I actually just need to remove a few minutes at the beginning: Is it possible to save the file without decompressing and recompressing the video + audio?

Not in vdub . (It might be possible if you use mpeg2 in avi, but it's not recommended)

Better way is to use mpg2cut2 (need to rewrap to mpeg-ps) or avidemux. Or if you want smart editing (frame accurate, no need to cut on keyframes), videoredo

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks. Problem solved using AviDemux.