Converting MP4 AVC to MP4?

[Wanderlustus]

Hi folks. Not even sure if I'm asking the right question here, but I have a Philips BDP 3406 that has flawlessly played MP4 files for me in the past, and I thought it would play the ones in question as well. Narp. I'd no idea why I was getting the unsupported video format as I'd never had trouble with this sort of file before. I'm posting a screen shot which can provide better info than this fool could ever possibly.

My question is: Is there some sort of freebie conversion software that can convert this file to a regular MP4 or MKV and still retain the 1080 resolution? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[blud7]

"MP4 AVC" is a "regular MP4"
You may need to re-encode at a different AVC level.
Say the AVC level is High @5.1, re-encode High @4.1
In fact, check your manual to see what is supported by your device.
Use Handbrake for your re-encodes. It's a good enough program and simple enough to understand. You can just encode a small portion of the video, press stop when you want, and see if it plays.
Else there is a program that spoofs your AVC level, can't recall the name...

[PuzZLeR]

Are you talking about a simple remuxing?

If indeed your player is having a problem with the container, you can use MP4Muxer for MP4, and MKVToolnix (which has the MKVMerge GUI) for MKV. Both free and available on this site.

Hopefully these tools create a proper MP4/MKV container your player will accept. Try these tools first before any re-encoding because a straight remuxing will be quick and lossless in quality (video and audio) including 1080 resolution you wish to keep

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks, blud7. I didn't know this. Will look into Handbrake.

Edit. And thanks to you as well, PuzZLeR, but I've no idea what I'm actually talking about. :< >

[poisondeathray]

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

Is that really 1090 height ? 1090 height is above Level 4.1 for AVC, it would need to be cropped or resized. Most HW decoders are limited to L4.1

[PuzZLeR]

Thanks, blud7. I didn't know this. Will look into Handbrake.

Edit. And thanks to you as well, PuzZLeR, but I've no idea what I'm actually talking about. :< >

HandBrake is an excellent tool if you wish to re-encode. Even though this should work, keep in mind that re-encoding to MPEG-4 AVC takes more time and loses quality.

I was suggesting just moving the video and audio streams into a new MP4/MKV container. This migration is lossless and quick, and should be done first before re-encoding to see if this solves your problem.

The "ones in question" you referred to may be incorrect for a number of reasons, but maybe they would only need a proper re-muxing to a proper MP4/MKV that your player would accept.

[PuzZLeR]

Just saw poisondeathray's post.

How'd I miss that? 1090 sounds weird.

Yes, see what MediaInfo says about the resolution, and you can post it here if you like (text mode is usually good).

[Wanderlustus]

Here ya go, folks.

Edit: D'oh! Missed the text mode bit.

[Wanderlustus]

[QUOTE=PuzZLeR;2414155]

I was suggesting just moving the video and audio streams into a new MP4/MKV container. This migration is lossless and quick, and should be done first before re-encoding to see if this solves your problem.

Can't seem to find any way to move the streams into a new container. I'm likely looking right past it.

I tried re-encoding to 4.1 and still got the same unsupported file message from the player.

Edit: Oh brother, you were referring to MP4Muxer not Handbrake, re. moving streams, weren't you. Man, my brain hurts. :<>

Edit 2: Ok, opened MP4Muxer but when trying to add a file to work on none of the options are MP4. So confused.

[PuzZLeR]

Oh brother, you were referring to MP4Muxer not Handbrake, re. moving streams, weren't you. Man, my brain hurts.:<>

Yes.

Ok, opened MP4Muxer but when trying to add a file to work on none of the options are MP4. So confused.

First make a practice file, or copy, in case you accidentally delete a stream forever. This can happen when you first use this tool.

First demux. Fire up MP4Muxer. Select Demultiplex tab. Browse to your file. You should see both video and audio streams if your file has them. For each stream, select, destination and demux. You should have all files separate (audio, video).

Now re-mux. Then restart MP4Muxer and go to Multiplex tab. Drag your video and audio files you just demuxed into the interface. Make sure your framerate is correct. Again, below, select file, destination, and hit Multiplex. It should generate a brand new demuxed MP4 file (with no quality loss). Try this file with your player.

[mail2tom]

According to the Philips web site, with the latest firmware, the player should play just about anything within their posted specs.

[johns0]

Just run the mp4 through tsmuxer and change the 5.1 profile to 4.1,no need to re-encode,then run the ts file it created through mkvmerge or other mp4 repackager.