FLV web rip to DVD conversion issue

[TheMarmar]

Hi folks, N00b here.....

I have an "untouched" web rip of a live stream that I am trying to convert to DVD compliant streams to author to disc. The issue arises when I convert the flv to m2v. The video in the m2v format is NOT right. It's almost like there are 3 different shots of the same scene, each with a different "bend" superimposed on top of each other.

I've tried using Video to Video, AVStoDVD (with both HEnc and ffmpeg as the encoders) to no avail.....AVIsynth is installed and working. I don't want to install any more software if I can get away with it.....

I have a feeling it might be some kind of copy/scrambling protection of the raw file.....here's the skinny on the file:

Source: RTMP(E) FLV dump (untouched)
Resolution: 852 x 480
Container: FLV
Audio: 2.0 Stereo
Format: AAC
Length: 02:43:00

Now here is the extended file info:
General
Complete name \mp4_xx120831_vod_1200k.flv
Format : Flash Video
File size : 1.51 GiB
Duration : 2h 43mn
Overall bit rate : 1 330 Kbps

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Codec ID : 7
Duration : 2h 43mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Nominal bit rate : 1 200 Kbps
Width : 854 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Standard : NTSC
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.098
Color primaries : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4, SMPTE RP177
Transfer characteristics : BT.709-5, BT.1361
Matrix coefficients : BT.709-5, BT.1361, IEC 61966-2-4 709, SMPTE RP177

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 10
Duration : 2h 43mn
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy

Am I doing something wrong? Why am I getting these superimposed images at odd angles to each other? If anyone can enlighten me it would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to put together a xmas present for someone, and this video is my last sticking point!

Thanks!

[Baldrick]

Can you play the video without problems using for example vlc media player?

Try convert to another format with video to video converter just to see if you get same video problem.

[DB83]

It is possible that the stream has some DRM to prevent such conversion.

Take a look at the forum rules. If this 'vod' comes from such sources then the discusion ends here.

[TheMarmar]

Well....when I convert from FLV to mp4 no issues.

If I go from mp4 to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to any other format besides m2v........no issues.

I've even tried going flv > mp4/avi/etc > m2v.....and get issues.

[TheMarmar]

It is possible that the stream has some DRM to prevent such conversion.

Take a look at the forum rules. If this 'vod' comes from such sources then the discusion ends here.

it is from a vod I have purchased, and just want to A) Make a dvd copy for myself and, B)make a dvd copy for a technically challenged friend for his xmas gift since we were both at the event. That's as far as it goes.

[classfour]

Why not try Format Factory, and convert to DVD compliant MPG2?

[TheMarmar]

Why not try Format Factory, and convert to DVD compliant MPG2?

Read my first post!

I've already tried that using different software to no luck.

[DB83]

The reason the flv > mp4 works is because nothing has changed. You merely are repacking from a flv container to a mp4 container.

But even if you have purchased this it does not give you the right to give a copy to a third-party. Your rights were probably confined to watching the stream live from the server. And, as I said, there is likely to be attached DRM to prevent any form of real format change since the provider only provided rights to view.

If you really think I got this wrong then you can load the mp4 into avidemux, mark up a short sample( A/B), select 'copy' for video, 'copy' for audio and mp4 for the format and save the sample. Upload that short sample here as an attachment.

[jagabo]

If you can remux to another container and the video still plays normally the problem is almost certainly not any form of DRM.

[classfour]

Why not try Format Factory, and convert to DVD compliant MPG2?

Read my first post!

I've already tried that using different software to no luck.

I see ZERO reference to the software Format Factory in the first post.

ffmpeg, others - not Format Factory.

If you want help - quit being an idiot.

[classfour]

I've tried other software for flv conversion - but Format Factory produces the best results.

[_Al_]

To troubleshoot things like that, do it yourself:
1. create avisynth script using directshow (if you have Directshow filters installed) or ffvideosource (download, put it in Avisynth\plugin folder) https://code.google.com/p/ffmpegsource/downloads/detail?name=ffms-2.17.7z&can=2&q=

DirectShowSource("mp4_xx120831_vod_1200k.flv")
LanczosResize(720,480)

ffvideosource("mp4_xx120831_vod_1200k.flv", seekmode=0, threads=1)
LanczosResize(720,480)

ffvideosource is indexing video first so for a long time nothing will happen when you will be using that script, so to test it you can add:
trim (0,300)
line in avisynth...
you better try script first dropping it onto VirtualDub icon or MPC-HC to see if script is working

2. load it in Hcencoder gui
Main settings: first click mpeg2DVDcompliant button, set bitrates - average and max, profile - best, dc prec - less than 11, autogop 15, scene change - check, aspect ratio - 16:9,
settings1: interlace options - progressive, chroma downsampling - progressive, because your video is progressive

[TheMarmar]

One more thing I should mention....

I can copy the file and play it on any other device of mine without this weird artifact issue (and friends computers/phones/tablets).....dunno what that might signal, but I just thought I'd throw that out there....

[DB83]

If you learn ANYTHING you should provide all information up-front so that people do not go on wild goose-chasers.

On top of that, you were asked as long ago as Reply #2 if you could play the file. Which you chose to ignore.

So let's ask again and this time answer the question.

Can you play the original flv on your own PC, the one you downloaded the video, without ANY issues ?

A sample of the recording will also assist.

[_Al_]

One more thing I should mention....

That clears up everything, just author DVD, test it on your DVD player and give it away.

Working Avisynth script would just confirm that. Different encoders would not make same mistake.

[DB83]

One more thing I should mention....

That clears up everything, just author DVD, test it on your DVD player and give it away.

Working Avisynth script would just confirm that. Different encoders would not make same mistake.

Well the OP did say that his chosen dvd authoring program - avstodvd - creates the problem.

My guess is that his system is too slow to read the h264 video and re-encode it to mpeg2.

But it is just a guess and it is pretty annoying when some simple quastions are not answered/ignored.

[TheMarmar]

One more thing I should mention....

That clears up everything, just author DVD, test it on your DVD player and give it away.

Working Avisynth script would just confirm that. Different encoders would not make same mistake.

Well the OP did say that his chosen dvd authoring program - avstodvd - creates the problem.

My guess is that his system is too slow to read the h264 video and re-encode it to mpeg2.

But it is just a guess and it is pretty annoying when some simple quastions are not answered/ignored.

Wow.....excuse me your royal holy highness duchess of ignorance..... You just assumed without asking which makes an ass out of you and me BOTH.....so congrats. And forgive me for not having a real-time convo with ya on this, as alas I do other things than sit at my computer all day....that being said....patience is a virtue, and you seem to have none. Just an observation. So get the chip off your shoulder and bear with me (I bet you had to ask questions once too) or STFU and move on to the next thread where you can feel all high and mighty. Oh, and my 2nd post, if you read it

"TheMarmar

Re: FLV web rip to DVD conversion issue
Well....when I convert from FLV to mp4 no issues.

If I go from mp4 to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to any other format besides m2v........no issues.

I've even tried going flv > mp4/avi/etc > m2v.....and get issues.

So ya, I did answer you question far before you said I ignored it. Never said my authoring program was AVStoDVD. Do you need my blood type too? A+ if you must know......So ya....

Your guess about my system being too slow is a misconception. K? My guess is that you're an ignoramus. Even though irl I bet you're probably a nice fellow.....Anyways..... I highly doubt my multiprocessor PC is slow enough to cause any issues...and I don't think my 15k RPM drives are the culprit......seeing that I've done these conversions a lot, and this is the FIRST ONE I've had any issues with that I couldn't figure out on my own...... So DB83, please chill out and have some patience and help a fellow out...or like I said...STFU and move on....

My Authoring software (DVDLabPro) accepts the elementary streams.....so it isn't making a non-compliant stream.....the playback is smooth as hell, it's just scrambled....for lack of a better term....into the ghosted images of differing colors.

I've gone so far as to actually mux the files into DVD structure, and then try to play back the files in KMPlayer......same ghosted images appear there. Yet I can load the flv, or any other container swap of the flv and it plays PERFECTLY. I've even burned the files to disc and tried playing it back on 3 different DVD players.....the DVD output is not being converted correctly SOMEWHERE along the line. I can also take the original flv and load it to a USB stick and it plays on my laptop....or anyone elses for that matter.

Bottom line: Is there a utility out there that can check/verify if the content is scrambled/drm'd?

[coltonhelp]

One more thing I should mention....

That clears up everything, just author DVD, test it on your DVD player and give it away.

Working Avisynth script would just confirm that. Different encoders would not make same mistake.

Well the OP did say that his chosen dvd authoring program - avstodvd - creates the problem.

My guess is that his system is too slow to read the h264 video and re-encode it to mpeg2.

But it is just a guess and it is pretty annoying when some simple quastions are not answered/ignored.

Wow.....excuse me your royal holy highness duchess of ignorance..... You just assumed without asking which makes an ass out of you and me BOTH.....so congrats. And forgive me for not having a real-time convo with ya on this, as alas I do other things than sit at my computer all day....that being said....patience is a virtue, and you seem to have none. Just an observation. So get the chip off your shoulder and bear with me (I bet you had to ask questions once too) or STFU and move on to the next thread where you can feel all high and mighty. Oh, and my 2nd post, if you read it

"TheMarmar

Re: FLV web rip to DVD conversion issue
Well....when I convert from FLV to mp4 no issues.

If I go from mp4 to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to m2v.....issues.
If I go from flv to any other format besides m2v........no issues.

I've even tried going flv > mp4/avi/etc > m2v.....and get issues.

So ya, I did answer you question far before you said I ignored it. Never said my authoring program was AVStoDVD. Do you need my blood type too? A+ if you must know......So ya....

Your guess about my system being too slow is a misconception. K? My guess is that you're an ignoramus. Even though irl I bet you're probably a nice fellow.....Anyways..... I highly doubt my multiprocessor PC is slow enough to cause any issues...and I don't think my 15k RPM drives are the culprit......seeing that I've done these conversions a lot, and this is the FIRST ONE I've had any issues with that I couldn't figure out on my own...... So DB83, please chill out and have some patience and help a fellow out...or like I said...STFU and move on....

My Authoring software (DVDLabPro) accepts the elementary streams.....so it isn't making a non-compliant stream.....the playback is smooth as hell, it's just scrambled....for lack of a better term....into the ghosted images of differing colors.

I've gone so far as to actually mux the files into DVD structure, and then try to play back the files in KMPlayer......same ghosted images appear there. Yet I can load the flv, or any other container swap of the flv and it plays PERFECTLY. I've even burned the files to disc and tried playing it back on 3 different DVD players.....the DVD output is not being converted correctly SOMEWHERE along the line. I can also take the original flv and load it to a USB stick and it plays on my laptop....or anyone elses for that matter.

Bottom line: Is there a utility out there that can check/verify if the content is scrambled/drm'd?

We'll need a sample of your flv to help you with that. Otherwise it's going to be very hard to help you. Just sayin'.

[DB83]

One other thing.

You may be the greatest EXPERT on this planet but when you join a forum you are, in the eyes of everyone a newbie. In fact you said that yourself. So you do yourself no favours by mouthing off. You just make yourself appear foolish.

I was refering to Reply #2 when you were asked if you could play the original flv. You ignored that question. You may have thought you replied but the reply was hardly specific

You have been asked for a sample of the video - with instructions of how to create it if if did not know how to - but you have ignored that request.

We are not mind-readers. We must establish all the facts rather than just work on the crumbs you have given.

You now bring dvdlabpro in to the arguement. BTW that program will also accept muxed media.

But we can put that on the back-burner for the moment. If you are not prepared to provide that sample then I can hardly see how we can help you. Put that another way. If we fail to replicate your problem with the sample then something is wrong at your end. That is not rocket science.

[jagabo]

You could at least show some sample before and after images. It's not exactly clear what "It's almost like there are 3 different shots of the same scene, each with a different "bend" superimposed on top of each other" means. But it sounds like you have an h.264 decoding problem. That might show up in different programs if they are using a system installed (DirectShow or VFW) codec for the decoding. Even if they are using built-in decoders they may be using the same decoder because many open source tools use the same libraries (x264, ffmpeg).

[TheMarmar]

Ok. When I get home from work tonight, I will get a clip uploaded so you can see what I am talking about.

I know when AVStoDVD starts running, I get 2 icons in my taskbar for FFa and FFv....The FFv says AVC1(libavcodec h264). Would that coupled with the fact that within AVStoDVD I have HCenc selected as my VBR 1pass encoder? Could it be the program is getting confused over codecs? I'm just at a loss....

I'll get those screenshots and a clip uploaded tonight when I get home.

Thanks for the input and help folks!

[TheMarmar]

Figured it out.

Had some codec issues arising from the installs of various softwares. Seems that when I installed AVStoDVD it replaced the h264 codec with its own which a)wasn't as new and b)had a bug. It did the same for AVISynth as well.

Reinstalled a working h264 codec, AVISynth and viola! Everything works.

[_Al_]

I would say that AVStoDVD just uses Avisynth plugins to load any format. There is even portable version available, so no codec installation or tweaking is involved. I could be wrong but that's what comes to my mind.

[DB83]

I would say that AVStoDVD just uses Avisynth plugins to load any format. There is even portable version available, so no codec installation or tweaking is involved. I could be wrong but that's what comes to my mind.

Going from the OP's earlier description, it uses ffdshow filters to decode the formats.

But to blame that excellent program for the issues is beyond belief (Mr_C_ would be really impressed by that comment). More likely that some other codec installation screwed things up.

[_MrC_]

I would say that AVStoDVD just uses Avisynth plugins to load any format. There is even portable version available, so no codec installation or tweaking is involved. I could be wrong but that's what comes to my mind.

Going from the OP's earlier description, it uses ffdshow filters to decode the formats.

But to blame that excellent program for the issues is beyond belief (Mr_C_ would be really impressed by that comment). More likely that some other codec installation screwed things up.

Too much kindness will kill me...

AVStoDVD_xyz_NoInstall.7z (portable version) does not install any codecs.

AVStoDVD_xyz_Installer.exe contains and installs, by default, ffdshow. With Preferred Filter Tweaker everyone can select its favorite codecs for many common media.



Bye

[_Al_]

ok, thanks for clarifying this, never tried that non portable download myself ,

I knew, there was a reason to always download portable versions if they are available