Need suggestions for a video converter

[ozok]

I use ffmpeg builds from http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/. I can't see why one of them works and othe one doesn't.

[Budman1]

FFMpeg has gone through many different compiles, with many different component parts, in order to improve it. Ultimately this results in changes to its operation that can and has caused various procedures that used to work ok to fail in newer versions. This is also true in the reverse, meaning things that didn't work earlier, work in the later/improved versions.

One of the most common changes made with version change is the codecs involved so you might want to go to http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/win32/dev/ and try using earlier versions since the latest is not always the greatest for your particular usage. I keep 2 particular older versions as well as the latest that only work well for 2 specific functions that I use regularly.

Normally I use ffmpeg directly and, not being familiar with Tencoder or Mencoder, I am not sure if you can change versions of FFMpeg for their use, but if you can, try different ones maybe several versions back.

[Budman1]

Did a little experimenting and downloaded TEncoder and converted an MKV with DTS audio (as yours was) and converted to AVI/XVID with 5.1 AC3 as you did and all works well with stereo until I tried to create 5.1 audio. The codec ID is the same 00001000-0000-0020-8000-00AA00389B71 here after conversion. I downloaded Different versions of FFMpeg every 2 weeks apart from http://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/win32/static/ and it was really humorous... ok maybe not. I got a different error every version I tried when I checked the log. Some created the video, some did not, just errored out in 2 seconds. Even the 2013/02/05 version it comes with creates the video but gives "-t is not an input option, keeping it for the next output; consider fixing your command line."

Checked back even further to 2010 and this codec ID has remained the same and the complaint about some players not playing audio has remained with the explanation being that its the players fault.

Looks like changing ffmpeg versions won't help and it hasn't been changed since forever. The error seems to occur on 5.1 AC3 audio and/or higher bit rates. Just thought I'd add this update in case it helps

[socrates]

@Budman1

Yes, that is the exact problem I faced. I have now found a long path to get over the problem and I have mentioned that in one of my previous posts. Now that you have mentioned that error had occurred in almost all versions of FFMpeg, I am wondering what version of it was used in TAudioConverter 0.8.6
And it scares me more to download an update of TEncoder and TAudioConverter now that I have found a good working combination, eventhough it requires multiple steps. Ozok has made an excellent softwares in TAC and TEncoder, but the culprit is FFMpeg version I guess.

[Budman1]

Did a little more research and the program needs the FFMpeg_64.exe for some reason or it errors out even though it is located in the (x86) folder during install. I replaced both FFMpeg and FFMpeg_64 with the latest but it errors out due to placement and wrong parameters:

-y -ss 00:00:00 -t 00:00:26 -threads 8 -i "C:\PathToVideo\004_1.avi" -vcodec libx264 -b:v 4000000 -f avi -map 0:0 -itsoffset 0 -map 0:1 -acodec ac3 -ab 320k -ac 6 "C:\PathToVideo\004_1_1.avi"

It appears the program adds all the parameters like -map and -itsoffset even if it's 0. I tried stripping everything out and it still fails so must be the codec ac3.

If you happen to have the audio already in AC3 format, the audio Direct stream copy function works great of course.

[ozok]

FFMpeg_64.exe is needed if your OS is 64bit. I use same ffmpeg release's 32bit and 64bit builds.

"-t" shouldn't break the process. It is just placed wrong in command chain. Also full ffmpeg output can help too.

Edit: Even if ffmpeg marks it as wrong, "-t" serves its purpose, because ffmpeg uses it for the output. Try extracting a part from video, it should work.

[Budman1]

True the "-t" doesn't break the command chain but the "-itsoffset does:

-t is not an input option, keeping it for the next output; consider fixing your command line.
Option itsoffset (set the input ts offset) cannot be applied to output file C:\Users\Me\Desktop\test\004_2.avi -- you are trying to apply an input option to an output file or vice versa. Move this option before the file it belongs to.
Error parsing options for output file C:\Users\Bud\Desktop\test\004_2.avi.
Error opening output files: Error number -22 occurred

IMO these should be selectable, but my real wish would be to have a "Final Command Line" that could be observed/edited in case of problems for advanced users.

For now, this is a terrific converter, as long as I use the 02/05/2013 version of FFMpeg and that is fine since it works well and was designed with that version.

[Budman1]

Think I found a way to prevent the Codec ID : 00001000-0000-0020-8000-00AA00389B71 that causes problems with some players. In TEncoder under Edit -> Settings , Encoding tab. Check the Use 32bit FFMpeg box:

I used the 3.6.0.3730 version and it worked great! Have 6 channel AC3 with normal "Codec ID : ac-3".

[socrates]

Wow Budman1,
Thank you for the info. I have no videos presently to convert. When I get one and try this out, shall post the result.
Thanks anyway...

[socrates]

Hi Budman1 and ozok,

I tried out the latest workaround in ver 3.6 but problem still remains....
Downloaded the 32 bit version of TEncoder and tried to convert a mp4 with the following audio details

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : HE-AAC / LC
Codec ID : A_AAC
Duration : 1h 26mn
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz / 24.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Default : Yes
Forced : No

The resulting ac3 5.1 had the same erroneous codec ID
Now going the download the 64 but and try. I use Windows 7 64bit

[socrates]

Sorry to say that even TEncoder 3.6 64bit gave back error codec ID

Audio
ID : 1
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Codec ID : 00001000-0000-0020-8000-00AA00389B71
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Back: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy

Which bit version did you use Budman1 64bit or 32bit?

[Budman1]

I use almost exclusively 32 bit versions of programs such as Virtualdub, tencoder, ffmpeg etc since I find sometime the codecs, filters, and other plugins are lacking for many 64 bit vdersions. I used 32 bit version Tencoder installed under Programs (x86) but I 'believe' FFMpeg_64 is still used unless you check the box under Edit -> Settings -> encoding tab to only use 32 bit FFmpeg.

This is also verified by using the TEncoder's included FFMpeg direct and running the script created by Tencoder and producing an AC3 codec version of MP4. Not sure why yours didn't work...

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Codec ID : ac-3
Duration : 15mn 29s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : 80ms
Stream size : 49.7 MiB (53%)

[enim]

I'm in search of a video converter which can convert my videos to avi, most of which are either in mp4 or mkv.

what is your goal for conversion? playing avi files on Philips HTS 5550?
have you tried converting just video to avi and to maintain audio DTS as-is?
have you tried mp3 audio? as it's been already suggested.

[socrates]

I'm in search of a video converter which can convert my videos to avi, most of which are either in mp4 or mkv.

what is your goal for conversion? playing avi files on Philips HTS 5550?
have you tried converting just video to avi and to maintain audio DTS as-is?
have you tried mp3 audio? as it's been already suggested.

Hi,

Yes I convert videos to play in HTS 5550. Prefers avi (xvid + ac3)
No I haven't thought of maintaining DTS as is. Now your suggestion makes me think about this. Shall give it a try when the video file presents an opportunity in the future. Right now, most of the file is aac codec
Does not prefer mp3 unless there is no other option available. HTS 5550 is 5.1, so prefers 5.1 ac3.
Thanks for the suggestions, especially no:2