Advice on conveting mp4 to mpeg2 for dvd

[LMotlow]

No. The BluRay specs are here: https://www.videohelp.com/hd#tech
You could make it mp4 or mkv, and 29.97p DVD will "play" (most of the time), but with lower temporal resolution as mentioned. Problem with the source is that it was likely deinterlaced using field decimation, which many do for 'net streaming, so some original data is missing.

Some encoders let you specify input as progressive but let you encode as interlaced (aka "fake interlace" flag). Sometimes that helps, sometimes not, sometimes it just looks weird. Depends on the players.

[littlebase22]

No. The BluRay specs are here: https://www.videohelp.com/hd#tech
You could make it mp4 or mkv, and 29.97p DVD will "play" (most of the time), but with lower temporal resolution as mentioned. Problem with the source is that it was likely deinterlaced using field decimation, which many do for 'net streaming, so some original data is missing.

Some encoders let you specify input as progressive but let you encode as interlaced (aka "fake interlace" flag). Sometimes that helps, sometimes not, sometimes it just looks weird. Depends on the players.

The original file is a mp4 but id rather sitck with converting it to mpeg2 for dvd

[manono]

You already have something you're pleased with, right? Your 'source' has already been reencoded at least once anyway. So, be happy.

The one that doesn't seem to play smoothly, you might post a ten second sample for us to have a look.

[littlebase22]

Yes Ive tried different things but I don't really know which is the best and smoothest. Heres the things I did. Encoded with hcenc 2 pass. Encoded with ffmpeg. Also I did one where I switched it to interlaced cropped the black bars and made 4:3 and encoded with hcenc 2 pass. I made sample videos of the 3 different methods I did using virtualdub.

Heres the hcenc 2 pass sample

https://www.mediafire.com/?wao1a53n0hgyzg1

ffmpeg

https://www.mediafire.com/?xkzn5lbpppo9vud

4:3 interlaced hcene 2 pass

https://www.mediafire.com/?pk87g7379kirx5a

Which one has the best quality and has smoothest motion?

[LMotlow]

Thanks, but....none of your 3 samples are "encodes". They are all decoded RGB32 uncompressed AVI. Whether or not you crop the borders is immaterial, it has no effect on smoothness of playback.

I thought you started with mp4 ???? Anyway, in order to display with the proper image proportions, the ffmpeg and hcenc versions must be encoded for 16:9 display (which will contain a 4:3 image with side pillars). The "interlace" version (which is not interlaced) will display properly if encoded with 4:3 DAR. All 3 versions will have the same motion problems.

[littlebase22]

Thanks, but....none of your 3 samples are "encodes". They are all decoded RGB32 uncompressed AVI. Whether or not you crop the borders is immaterial, it has no effect on smoothness of playback.

I thought you started with mp4 ????

No problem I appreciate all this help. I did start with mp4 but but I deleted encoded files cause they were big fille sizes and my hd isn't that big. I only have one now and that's the interlaced one. But I don't know of a program that loads the MPEG files and trim them without re encoding whats a good program for that? But the only MPEG file I can show you is the interlaced one. The other versions I did I have them on dvd. So what could I do?

[LMotlow]

Thanks, but....none of your 3 samples are "encodes". They are all decoded RGB32 uncompressed AVI. Whether or not you crop the borders is immaterial, it has no effect on smoothness of playback.

I thought you started with mp4 ????

I did start with mp4 but but I deleted encoded files cause they were big fille sizes and my hd isn't that big. I only have one now and that's the interlaced one.

Ewww, Ouch. Well, we all know the result of getting into video with not enough working space.

But I don't know of a program that loads the MPEG files and trim them without re encoding whats a good program for that? But the only MPEG file I can show you is the interlaced one. The other versions I did I have them on dvd. So what could I do?

DGindex is a free utility that can edit on key frames without re-encoding. It reads MPEG2 on your hard drive as well as the MPEG that's imbedded in VOB files on your DVD discs. There are a scant few other freebies around that that do the same thing but DGindex is a quickie to learn. Here's a short tutorial from a former member on how to cut samples with DGindex: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/359295-Record-without-interlacing?p=2272359&viewful...=1#post2272359

It's a shame the original mp4 is kaput.

[littlebase22]

Yeah my hd is 160 gb but I only have like 60 free. Oh ok I'll have to check that out I have it downloaded but had no idea what it did lol. what you mean by kaput? I still have the original mp4

I'll check out that program when I get home from watching the ufc fight

[littlebase22]

Ok used dgindex to make mpeg2 samples. I included 2 samples of the hcenc 2 pass version. I think that ones the best in quality and motion.

[LMotlow]

Thanks again. Well, here's the deal at my end: I don't see choppy motion anywhere. I do see compression and resizing artifacts, some halo effects, but most annoying is the line twitter especially on vertical motion and camera pans. Twitter is common with downsized HD. Several ways of fixing it, but it has to be addressed during initial processing with the original mp4. Meanwhile 7 media players, an HP and an LG IPS monitor, and playback with my Oppo player via USB into a 47" plasma and a 37" Bravia LCD looks otherwise smooth to me, on all four m2v's. What are you playing these clips with?

If you're hard up for drive or external storage space, using lossless compressors like huffyuv or Lagarith can save space. Look at these comparisons with your preview interlaced.avi sample:
- sample, uncompressed RGB = 412.1 MB
- Lagarith lossless RGB = 147.3 MB
- Lagarith lossless YV12 = 74.9 MB

[littlebase22]

Thanks for the input lmotlow. I guess the line twitter is what im noticing too. How can I fix that? I guess theres no way around the compression and resizing artifacts when converting to dvd that outputs a smaller video size. But id love to fix the line twitter.

Im playing these with windows media player and on dvd with my 37" lcd Toshiba and 55" led Samsung with dvd player

[Cornucopia]

A 0.5 - 2.0 -pixel vertical-only Gaussian blur, prior to downsizing (and conversion), should help a lot.

Scott

[littlebase22]

A 0.5 - 2.0 -pixel vertical-only Gaussian blur, prior to downsizing (and conversion), should help a lot.

Scott

Thanks but how would I apply that?

[Cornucopia]

In AVISynth along with the rest of your script.

Blur(clip,0,1)

is a good start.

*************

Understand, it will need to be added into your existing script (which you would have had to use for e.g. HCEnc)

So it will now look ~like:

ffmpegSource(clip.mp4)
Assume blah blah blah
Blur(clip,0,1)
LanczosResize(clip,720,480)
ConvertTo blah blah blah

Scott

[littlebase22]

Thanks. I guess the 0,1 is the level? so if I wanted to change the level of the blur id do like a 1,5 or a 2,0?

[Cornucopia]

0 is the Horizontal. 1 is the Vertical. Both are levels. Read the Manual regarding Blur to adjust according to your needs.

Scott

[littlebase22]

so like this?

[manono]

Sorry, double post.

[manono]

Video=Video.Blur(0,1)

Put it before the resize.

[littlebase22]

Video=Video.Blur(0,1)

Put it before the resize.

Ok so like this?



Should I enter a greater amount than 1?

EDIT: When I enter 2 it seems like it doesn't work but I just tried 1.5 and it seems like its encoding.

[Cornucopia]

Hey, how about losing the screencaps and just posting the text - makes for much easier reading!
*************
Like that looks pretty good.
*************
Did you read the manual on Blur? It tells you the max value is ~1.58 (and min value is -1.0, but you don't really want anything less than ZERO - it becomes a sharpen then). Pick one that works for YOU. Do so by using TRIM() to test a short segment, and try 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 variations.

Scott

[El Heggunte]

Hey, how about losing the screencaps and just posting the text - makes for much easier reading!

Yes, it seems the OP hasn't learned the difference between "PrintScrn" and "ALT + PrintScrn"

[LMotlow]

Cornucopia and manono have some useful suggestions that are common practice with what you're trying to do. I'd also suggest that if you're using LanczosResize, use one of the more modern Spline resizers instead. LanczosResize generates oversharpening artifacts and edge ringing, which are visible in your m2v's (look for bright edge halos in the figures). A more popular resizer would be Spline36Resize(). There are others in this group of functions (http://avisynth.nl/index.php/Resize).

One problem with giving detailed advice is that we have no sample of the original mp4. There are some free editors that can make unencoded cuts from mp4 originals -- I don't use any of them (I have paid editors for that). But a quick way to get a sample of h264 encodes is with DGAVCDec, which looks like DGIndex for MPEG2 and works the same way. DGAVCDec is a bit old-fashioned but it's quick to use. Members more familiar with other free non-encoding mp4 cutters can suggest others.

From your samples so far it looks as if the mp4 is a decent progressive video. The data you posted earlier does show a somewhat low bitrate for the frame size and type of action, but we've certainly seen much worse.

[Cornucopia]

@LMotlow, I think I was the one citing LanczosResize() (I was just throwing it out there as an example in the sample script). I notice in littlebase22's screencap that he DOES use Spline16Resize(). Sorry to divert.

Scott

[LMotlow]

Yep, thanks for catching me on that.

[littlebase22]

Yeah I was using spline16resize but I was reading about spline36 and decided to give it a try. So I re encoded and will post results later. I just changed the script to spline16 to spline36 is that correct?

[LMotlow]

Yep.

[littlebase22]

Ok so I just got done making some sample clips on my new encoding. Heres what I did. Used the blur 0,1.25, spline36resize and used hcenc 2 pass. Heres the mpeg sample clips and I made a sample clip of the original mp4 file.

http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/mp4%20sample.mp4
http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/sample1.demuxed.m2v
http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/sample2.demuxed.m2v
http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/sample3.demuxed.m2v
http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/sample4.demuxed.m2v
http://files.videohelp.com/u/237173/sample5.demuxed.m2v

What do you guys think did the blur help? Did the spline36resize get rid of the compression artifacts?

And heres my log file

<1/5/2015 10:06:15 AM>
PROJECT SETTINGS

DVD Video Standard: NTSC
DVD Titles number: 1
DVD Size: 4450/4450 MB (100%)
DVD Output Setup: MPEG2 Streams
DVD Label: DVD
DVD Menu: No Menu
Output Folder: C:\Users\user\Desktop\with blur and 36resize
Delete Temp Assets Files: Yes
Delete Temp Working Files: Yes
Edit Command Parameters: No
Post Process Task: Show Progress Status window

PREFERENCES

MultiThread: 1
AVS Video Source Filter: A2DSource
AVS Audio Source Filter: A2DSource
AVS UpSize/DownSize Filter: Lanczos4Resize/Spline36Resize
Frame Adjust Strategy: 1
PAL SpeedUp: 0
NTSC SlowDown: 0
Video Resolution: 0
Video BitRate Min: 2500
Video BitRate Level 1: 6500
Video Profile Level 2: 4500
Video BitRate Max: 8500
Keep DVD Compliant Video: 1
AC3 Audio Encoder: 0
Force FFmpeg for Long Audio: 1
DVD Audio Format: 0
DVD Audio BitRate: 192
Keep DVD Compliant Audio: 1
Normalize Audio: 0
Auto Delay Audio: 1
DVD Audio Language (Primary): EN - English
DVD Audio Language (Secondary): EN - English
DVD Subs Language (Primary): EN - English
DVD Subs Language (Secondary): EN - English
DVD Subs Font: Tahoma 16pt (255,255,255)
Chapters Interval: 5
Use Source Chapters: 1
DVD Burning Drive: E: MATSHITA DVD+-RW UJ-875S D200
DVD Burning Speed: 4x
Auto Erase DVD RW: 1
Unload ActiveMovie library: 0
Adjust ffdshow at runtime: 1
Save General Settings: 0
<>

<1/5/2015 10:06:15 AM>
TITLE 1 SOURCE FILES
Video: C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4
Info: AVC - 4352 kbps - 1280x720 - DAR 1.778 - 29.97 fps (CFR) - Progressive - 1:29:44 hours - 161363 frames
Audio 1: C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4
Info: AAC LC - 93 kbps - VBR - 2 ch - 48000 Hz - 1:29:44 hours (0 ms delay)
[MediaInfoLib - v0.7.69]
<>

<1/5/2015 10:06:15 AM>
AVISYNTH SCRIPT
Import("C:\Program Files (x86)\AVStoDVD\Lib\A2DSource.avsi")

Video = A2DVideoSource("C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4", CacheFolder="C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp", FrameRate=29.97, VFR=false)
Audio = A2DAudioSource("C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4", CacheFolder="C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp")

Video = Video.ConvertToYV12()
Video = Video.Blur(0,1.25)
Video = Video.Spline36Resize(720,480)

AudioDub(Video, Audio)
<>

<1/5/2015 10:06:15 AM>
START VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Encoding Profile: HCenc VBR 2-pass
Target Video FileSize: 4238 MB
Encoding Parameters: -ini "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_0_wwe3707701 7_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS241998typem3u8_ 4500.HCenc.ini"
HCenc ini file:
*INFILE C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_0_wwe37077017 _TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS241998typem3u8_4 500_1.avs
*AVSRELOAD
*OUTFILE C:\Users\user\Desktop\with blur and 36resize\DVD_0_wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinals topbeforeS241998typem3u8_4500.m2v
*LOGFILE C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_0_wwe37077017 _TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS241998typem3u8_4 500.HCenc.log
*MAXBITRATE 9000
*BITRATE 6603
*PROFILE BEST
*ASPECT 16:9
*PROGRESSIVE
*TFF
*BIAS 70
*DC_PREC 10
*MATRIX MPEG
*AQ 1
*LUMGAIN 1
*SMP
*PRIORITY IDLE
*DBPATH C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp
*WAIT 2
<>

<1/5/2015 12:09:35 PM>
END VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Video Source Filter: A2DSource (DirectShowSource)
Created File: C:\Users\user\Desktop\with blur and 36resize\DVD_0_wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinals topbeforeS241998typem3u8_4500.m2v (4239.3 MB)
OUTPUT VIDEO INFO: MPEG-2 Video - 6611 kbps - 720x480 - DAR 1.778 - 29.97 fps (CFR) - Progressive (TFF) - 1:29:38 hours - 161201 frames
<>

<1/5/2015 12:09:35 PM>
START AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Wavi+Aften Parameters: "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_0_wwe3707701 7_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS241998typem3u8_ 4500_1.avs" - | "C:\Program Files (x86)\AVStoDVD\Aften\aften.exe" -b 192 -pad 0 -dynrng 5 -bwfilter 0 - "C:\Users\user\Desktop\with blur and 36resize\DVD_0_wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinals topbeforeS241998typem3u8_4500_1.ac3"
<>

<1/5/2015 12:11:21 PM>
END AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Audio Source Filter: A2DSource (DirectShowSource)
Created File: C:\Users\user\Desktop\with blur and 36resize\DVD_0_wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinals topbeforeS241998typem3u8_4500_1.ac3 (123.2 MB)
OUTPUT AUDIO INFO: AC3 - 192 kbps - CBR - 6 ch - 48000 Hz - 16 bit - 1:29:44 hours (0 ms delay)
<>

<1/5/2015 12:11:21 PM>
Log file created by AVStoDVD Release 2.7.5
<>

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___

Edit; Now the audio is all messed up? It sounds like the chipmunks and is really fast

[LMotlow]

No audio problem here.

I note from MediaInfo that your mp4 sample uses variable frame rate.

[littlebase22]

No audio problem here.

I note from MediaInfo that your mp4 sample uses variable frame rate.

I mean after I did the encode with the blur and spline36resize. I think the problem might be with my script cause when I revert the script to normal the audio problem doesn't happen.

What happens is the audio plays really fast almost sounds like the chipmunks and for most of the video its silence.

Heres my script

Import("C:\Program Files (x86)\AVStoDVD\Lib\A2DSource.avsi")

Video = A2DVideoSource("C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4", CacheFolder="C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp", FrameRate=29.97, VFR=false)
Audio = A2DAudioSource("C:\Adownloader\downloads\Raw 8-24-98\wwe37077017_TheHighwaytoHellsfinalstopbeforeS24 1998typem3u8_4500.mp4", CacheFolder="C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp")

Video = Video.ConvertToYV12()
Video = Video.Blur(0,1.25)
Video = Video.Spline36Resize(720,480)

AudioDub(Video, Audio)
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________

EDIT: Just changed the AC3 encoder to ffmpeg(safemode) and did a test run and it semmed to work with the blur and resize. I had the setting at the default wavi+aften before have no idea why that setting doesn't work anymore.