.asf to .avi, .mpg or DVD convert problem

[elena_k]

Dear friends, I ask you for advice: I capture streaming TV from one web site with the Replay A/V v.8. The urls have the following appearance:
Win: http://www.webtelek.com/wtm/pe96342a...ce3fc2cfec.asx
Win: mms://38.117.74.178/ch7-8?sid=648308584
Win: mms://38.117.74.178/ch7-8

The files I get have the extension .asf, and WM Player gives the following information about them: video/x-ms-asf.
I wish I could burn that programmes and serials on DVD. First I tried to convert .asf files to .avi or .mpg, then to .vob and DVD files, but there were always problems. Here I paste the list of the programmes I used and some of the errors they gave me:

+MOVAVI VideoSuite 3.4 (smtimes convert, smtimes no result)
+Replay A/V Converter new (bad audio/video sync; low resolution)
+SUPER © (bad audio/video sync)
+Total Video Converter v2.603 (FLV convert) (poor video, then “Cannot open the file”
+Easy WMV ASF ASX to DVD Burner (recode to .vob files but poor quality and huge files)
+Video Fixer (smtimes fix, smtimes no result)
+WinAVI VideoConverter (only convert 56 MB)
+Super DVD Creator 9.30 (POOR AUDIO SYNC)
+DVD Flick (convert to DVD files but very huge)
-AVS Video Converter (AVS Smart Converter) - (DIVISION BY ZERO)
-AVS video editor (no result)
-Cucusoft AVI to VCD DVD MPEG Creator Pro (says no codec)
-#1 Video Converter-
-Boilsoft AVI to VCD SVCD DVD Converter (VIDEO SOURSE COULDNT BE ADDED TO TIMELINE)
-Blaze Media Pro (ERROR DIVISION POR ZERO)
-ulead video studio (CAN’T EDIT)
-AsfTools 3.1 (convert to .avi-> only audio, no video)
-AVSync130 (AUDIO REQUIRE PCM CODEC)
-Open Video Converter (cannot get the duration of a clip)
-Lead MCMP_MJPEG Codec (doesn’t support .asf)
-Advanced X Video Converter (no result)
-STOIK Video Converter 2 (ERROR)
-Apollo WMV to DVD Burner (error)
-Digital Media Converter 2.6 (THE FILE CANNOT BE RENDERED)
-Allok AVI to DVD SVCD VCD Converter (error)
-WinMPG Video Convert (error)
-Nero Express (UNSUPPORTED FILE FORMAT)
-easy Video Converter (no support for .asf)
-Ultra WMV Converter (error)
-Amor WMV to AVI MPEG VCD SVCD DVD Converter (error)
-DVDEncoder (error)
-Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 (no support for .asf)
-EasyX Video Converter (error)
-Super DVD Factory (error)
-Boilsoft ASF Converter NOT A VALID MEDIA FILE NEITHER after Video Fixer
-Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.5 Trial (no support for .asf)
-The FilmMachine (no support for .asf)
-VIDEO DVD MAKER FREE (CREATE LENGTH ERROR FAILED)
-Video Apollo (no result)
-Movie DVD Maker (no codec)
-Wise DVD Creator 8.0 (no result)
-windows Media Series 9 (only to .wmv)
-Alive Video Converter (output not watchable)
-virtual dub (doesn’t support) & virtual dub mod (lacking codec)

After trying all these programmes I understood the problem was in my laptop, I lacked some codec to convert these .asf files, I looked for codec and tried several of them, the I uninstalled all codec, KLite codec pack and video software I had, installed others, as a result the things got worse: WM Player 11 and Real Media 10 started to display an error and couldn’t already open the .asf files and streaming video. I have lost even a codec for watching files I have reinstall WM Player and Real Media also, no result. Now I can still download streams but I can only watch them with Winamp or VideoLAN. I have no restore system point either.

If anybody can explain me what codec and programmes do I need to turn the .asf files to something watchable on DVD? Thanks!

Windows XP SP2.
Sorry for mistakes.
Elena.

[Milardo]

You shouldn't have a problem converting asf files since windows should be able to handle it with no problems. Maybe you have to reformat the hard drive on your computer and reinstall the operating system. Can you watch the videos? You always have problems converting them? What program do you use to record to dvd? You can try these freeware video converters. All to avi.

http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=156812

Mediacoder

http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

Windows Media 9 encoder

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.mspx

You can also try using the Windows Movie Maker to convert to .wmv as well.

If these don't work and if you can watch the video files you could try a screen capture program to capture the video into avi format with sound good quality. Here is the link. Don't update it because it will turn into shareware version.

http://www.mediafire.com/?2ymltg5jydz


Any questions just reply.

It is better to convert to DVD directly. You may use freeware DVD authoring tool called DVD Flick to convert ASF files to DVD.

And it is always better to watch Windows Media files directly than after conversion.

If you have enough of money you can afford solutions like Apple iTV. There were lots of such gadgets on the electronic show it Vegas this year. But I bet you watch this streaming TV shows for free and would like to have a cheap (better free) solution Here is what you can do:

• You may use a video card with TVout to watch your Wndows Media videos on your TV.

• And you may buy a cheap DVD player that supports ASF files.

[elena_k]

Dear friends:
Thank you very much for your answers. Temporally I can’t try your advises on my laptop, now I work with another PC and I am surprised to see that WM Player installed on both computers doesn’t play my .asf files. I suspect that there is smthing wrong with the files.

To Milardo:
I appreciate very much your help!

Originally Posted by Milardo

You shouldn't have a problem converting asf files since windows should be able to handle it with no problems. Maybe you have to reformat the hard drive on your computer and reinstall the operating system.

By chance I will have to do this but for another reason – my laptop has crached

Originally Posted by Milardo

Can you watch the videos?

Yes I can – with WM Player after some fighting, and with VideoLan, Winamp and KLite media player – always.

Originally Posted by Milardo

You always have problems converting them?

Some programmes which are marked with “+” in my list did the job, but the results did not satisfy me: the output didn’t had audio-video sync or had little resolution. And the number of programmes that failed to convert .asf surprises me very much.

Originally Posted by Milardo

What program do you use to record to dvd?

I tried Nero but it doesn’t support .asf.

Originally Posted by Milardo

You can try these freeware video converters.
All to avi.
http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=156812
Mediacoder
http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

Thanks, I tried them but they failed, I attach the screenshots.

Originally Posted by Milardo

Windows Media 9 encoder
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.mspx

As far as I understood it only converts to .wmv.

Originally Posted by Milardo

You can also try using the Windows Movie Maker to convert to .wmv as well.

It seems to me that my DVD player doesn’t reproduce .wmv, or your idea was to convert .wmv to smthing else later?

Originally Posted by Milardo

If these don't work and if you can watch the video files you could try a screen capture program to capture the video into avi format with sound good quality. Here is the link. Don't update it because it will turn into shareware version.
http://www.mediafire.com/?2ymltg5jydz
Any questions just reply.

And with Soft Screen recorder I would have to play each recording on PC, and my idea was to record videos with Replay AV on the background and then burn them to DVD…

To Stream Recorder:
Thank you very much for your help!

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

It is better to convert to DVD directly. You may use freeware DVD authoring tool called DVD Flick to convert ASF files to DVD. And it is always better to watch Windows Media files directly than after conversion.

Yes, I tried this programme and it did the job, also “Easy WMV ASF ASX to DVD Burner” worked for me, the problem is that the output files are so large: for instance 130 mb -> 2400 mb. I won’t be able to buy enough DVD discs to burn everyth I wish, je je!

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

If you have enough of money you can afford solutions like Apple iTV. There were lots of such gadgets on the electronic show it Vegas this year. But I bet you watch this streaming TV shows for free and would like to have a cheap (better free) solution
Here is what you can do:
• You may use a video card with TVout to watch your Wndows Media videos on your TV.
• And you may buy a cheap DVD player that supports ASF files.

You are completely right the cheaper the solution is - the better. By the same reason I doubt if I can permit myself buy another DVD player… or a TV card…

Is there any possibility to reduce the .vob or .mpg files without quality loss?

Thanks again,
Elena.

What kind of streams did you try to convert to DVD? I would like to take a look...

[elena_k]

Hello, thanks for your interest to my problem; I have uploaded one video file one minute long on http://hosted.filefront.com/elenak/
Please let me know if it is not OK.

If it is possible, please post a URL so that I can compare the results of recording of several stream recorders.

[elena_k]

Hello, here are the links, I am not sure if they work as this podcast is by subscription…

rtsp://38.117.74.178/ch7-8?sid=710301718
rtsp://38.117.74.178/ch7-8?sid=710278831
rtsp://38.117.74.178/ch7-8?sid=710301677
http://www.webtelek.com/wtm/p43ddb2c...0b9b1be5c2.asx

If you are not able to open the links I could send my login and password on your e-mail

How many video converters have you tried to record "Dom2" TV Show? Oh my god

I couldn't record it, but I didn't really need that. I just downloaded your recording and reviewed it.

First of all your recorded .ASF has no index, so you can't fast forward it. And most probably it causes many video converters to fail when converting non-indexed .ASF files to any other format.

You may index .ASF files (make ASF files seekable) by using software like AsfBin.

Your Windows Media video has a resolution of 320x240 while DVD videos are 720x576. I seriously doubt that you may get high quality DVD videos after conversion.

When converting you may play with audio/video bit-rate settings. The quality will depend on it a lot.

p.s. And don't create NTSC DVDs 'coz you will get higher size files of the same quality compared to PAL DVDs. Besides it will be hard to watch such DVDs in Russia (and probably any other country except the US).

[elena_k]

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

How many video converters have you tried to record "Dom2" TV Show? Oh my god

Well, je-je , the video I sent was casually with “Dom2” but in fact I would like to burn much more things (not only Dom2) on discs for people who haven’t got a PC with internet at home. So the reason to be so insistent with the problem are that people, not the TV itself. I agree that maybe Dom2 doesn’t deserve such affords By the way, how did you know it was that programme???

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

First of all your recorded .ASF has no index, so you can't fast forward it. And most probably it causes many video converters to fail when converting non-indexed .ASF files to any other format.

You may index .ASF files (make ASF files seekable) by using software like AsfBin.

You suggest the problem is that the files need to be fixed before converting; I had tried Video Fixer: sometimes it fixes video, sometimes gives out a corrupted file, and after fixing the problem persists.

I have just tried Asfbin, but the output had some problems – pauses that the original file didn’t have, I will try it more times, maybe it’s occasionally.

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

Your Windows Media video has a resolution of 320x240 while DVD videos are 720x576. I seriously doubt that you may get high quality DVD videos after conversion.

No matter nostalgia is stronger than aesthetics :-)

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

p.s. And don't create NTSC DVDs 'coz you will get higher size files of the same quality compared to PAL DVDs. Besides it will be hard to watch such DVDs in Russia (and probably any other country except the US).

And what programme do you advise to convert the fixed files to .mpg or .avi or .vob? I live in Spain, to my mind we've got mostly PAl system here.

Thank you for your help!
Elena.