Any free software to convert .rec files (from the Topfield PVR) into MP4?

[Gameshow Host]

The only program I've been able to find was MPEG Video Wizard, but it isn't free, and this is not something I need to use very often.

[LigH.de]

If I knew what a .rec file is (MediaInfo can tell some details), I may guess if e.g. ffmpeg can convert the container without recoding the content.

[usually_quiet]

If I knew what a .rec file is (MediaInfo can tell some details), I may guess if e.g. ffmpeg can convert the container without recoding the content.

According to VideoReDo TV Suite (paid software), which can edit and export rec files, Topfield PVR recordings use a proprietary container that is basically a TS file with a header containing program information.

[LigH.de]

As I guessed ... then there should be chances that ffmpeg is able to grab from the TS content streams what it can identify and put it into MP4.

[netmask56]

The only program I've been able to find was MPEG Video Wizard, but it isn't free, and this is not something I need to use very often.

Go onto the Beyonwiz forum at https://www.beyonwiz.com.au/forum/ and ask there in the Off Topic Forum as there are many members that updated from Topfield to Beyonwiz PVR's, including me! but I can't remember what I used, probably Womble as I own that. MPEGStreamClip I think will handle them and VLC will certainly play .REC file

Depending on which model Topfield if it is SDTV ie mpeg2 video then ProjectX will handle it for editing and demuxing elements or simply changing to TS. TSDoctor will also do it but that is a paid program although there is a one month free period with nothing crippled. "Sometimes" just changing the suffix from REC to TS is sufficient.

[netmask56]

Just did a quick test and VidCoder will directly convert .REC files to MP4 or MKV

eneral
Complete name : C:\Users\netmask\Desktop\the emperor concerto.mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42 (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size : 448 MiB
Duration : 26 min 14 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 2 388 kb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36
Writing application : HandBrake 1.1.2 2018090500

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 5 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, RefFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 26 min 14 s
Bit rate : 2 221 kb/s
Width : 706 pixels
Height : 572 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.820 FPS
Minimum frame rate : 18.734 FPS
Maximum frame rate : 23.981 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.231
Stream size : 417 MiB (93%)
Writing library : x264 core 155 r2901 7d0ff22
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=20.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=25000 / vbv_bufsize=31250 / crf_max=0.0 / nal_hrd=none / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.601 PAL
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 26 min 13 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 160 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 30.0 MiB (7%)
Title : Stereo / Stereo
Language : English
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1
Encoded date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36
Tagged date : UTC 2019-09-08 06:57:36

[Gameshow Host]

Wow, thanks for the answers! This is such a great forum, I thought my question might be too obscure, but this is so helpful. I'll try all these suggestions, thanks!

[KevsterS]

Hi, I am new here so please be gentle! Sorry to hijack this thread but I am now looking for similar question to Gameshowhosts.

I can start a new thread if you feel it would be better....

Years ago I used to use Project X and or Videoredo (i think) and have to run the video through both in one order or another and rename the file type at points.

I have been using Freemake Video Converter for years and years now and have been using it to read .rec files from my Topfield PVRs and convert them to either .mp4 files or burn to DVD etc.
The important bits are the fact it opens.rec files and you can trim and convert all in one.

But as some of you maybe aware Freemake keeps updating and now puts on a watermark on the video and a makers advert screen at the start and the end. So now totally rubbish.

It wouldn’t have been a problem but I just so happened to update my PC from windows 7 to 10 and naturally downloaded to latest version of Freemake. I could do with an old version now!!!! The version that was on the Windows 7 can't have been the latest.

I have used a guide to remove the parts either end and the watermark throughout but it still left the watermark on the video. It seems freemake have got wise and changed it since no doubt so now it doesn't fully work)

As per above in this thread i have tried VidCoder which does convert .rec to .mp4 ok.

I have also tried VLC player which reads .rec and converts to .mp4. BUT only seems to convert 5mins of video?

However I still need something to edit/trim the videos, ie remove either end and/or adverts.

I found a guide here to use windows 10 photo reader and then edit/create to trim the video but i won't save, gives me an error os 'it looks like you don't have permission to save this file, try saving a copy instead' although the only option is to save a copy!
Even so if it worked i don't think it will edit out adverts! Just the ends.

https://www.howtogeek.com/355524/how-to-use-windows-10s-hidden-video-editor/

Freemake was so so simple and this is very annoying.

Help and advice appreciated.

[netmask56]

TSDoctor will also open, fix and edit Topfield .rec format TS files. There is a trial period that fully works and then it's payware. By Australian standards inexpensive.

[KevsterS]

TSDoctor will also open, fix and edit Topfield .rec format TS files. There is a trial period that fully works and then it's payware. By Australian standards inexpensive.

Thanks for the fast reply. Giving it a go, have managed to cut i think, but how do i output it to say .mp4? Save option (bottom right corner) only gives to .ts or .m2ts?

[KevsterS]

To add to this i have saved from TS Doctor as a .ts file, opened this in VLC player and converted it to .mp4

TS Doctor is fast, better than freemake, VLC is very slow... but probably no worse than freemake speed was.

I would also like something that will alter the size of the output, ie with freemake you could put in a size (ie in MB) and i could for example reduce it by 30% so that it or a group of files would fit on a SD card or similar so they were all reduced or shrunk evenly to the same percentage if you like.

Converting it to .mp4 with VLC does of course reduce it, output file size is approx .62% of original by the looks of it, but i can't see any control of output file size on either TS Doctor or VLC.

I would happily pay for freemake if you got what you pay for but reading reviews just now it is now basicly a scam and not what it used to be, such a shame when it was perfect for my needs!!!

[cjketle]

As others have said, .rec files are just the raw ts stream with a header added. As ts is expected to contain transmission errors, for the most part you can just rename with the ts extension and use the software of your choice directly. The header just looks like a burst of interference at the beginning.

The best free solution I have found is to demultiplex with ProjectX (will read .rec directly) and then use Cuttermaran to edit and export as mpg (mpeg2). Old software but ultra-reliable. A bit of a challenge to set up initially but, done correctly, Cuttermaran can do frame accurate editing just re-encoding at the edit points so very fast. The mpg files can then be used with most of the free software tools. I use VidCoder to convert to mp4 but most tools will read mpg/mpeg2 files.

Chris K

[netmask56]

After TSDoctor has made your TS file run it through Vidcoder to convert to mp4 and reduce size to whatever suits your needs.

[KevsterS]

Thanks to all of you for the advice....

I have used TS Doc and Vid Encoder to do what I wanted. Really like TS doctor and yes it's not alot of money, about £30.

I did however find an older version of freemake from 2014, which for now does work prior to any of this watermark rubbish imbedded, albeit not fast.

With a combination of most of the recommendations i have options either way

Glad i found the forum, could well be handy!

[marts2003]

Another newbie, working from home thanks to the coronavirus.

Stumbled across this Forum with a similar query. Many thanks for the various posts and comments - interesting reading and very helpful.

My reason for posting is that I've found that simply changing the file name from .rec to .ts means that I can play my old Topfield recordings using the Movies & TV app include in Windows 10 (or I can watch them using VLC etc).

Might have a go at trimming the clips, but that's for another day!

Stay well and stay safe!

[marts2003]

Had a chance to have a bit of a play, and here's what I can share:

Changing the file name from .rec to .ts and then trying to play with Movies & TV doesn't always work (not sure why), so I'm not doing that anymore.

TS-Doctor 3.0 works directly with my .rec files (no need to change the file name first), allows me to trim them and saves them as .ts files that VLC can play (which is my preferred option).
VLC can also play the .rec files if needs be. Hence I no longer have a need to convert the .rec files into mp4 files.

Hope this helps someone else!

[Gameshow Host]

Just did a quick test and VidCoder will directly convert .REC files to MP4 or MKV

As per above in this thread i have tried VidCoder which does convert .rec to .mp4 ok.

Does it simply convert, or re-encode? I installed it and had a go, but it seems to be re-encoding (undesirable as you have two generations of compression). Or perhaps I'm doing something wrong?