Converting HDTV stream into WMV or AVI

[naderro]

I would like to convert HDTV streams that I download over the air and convert them to something managable for Creative Zen (AVI or MWV. I have used "MediaCoder" and "Super" but both can't handle it! Can anyone suggest what I can do? Is the Codex an issue here?

HDTV only means higher resolution than SDTV. What video and audio codecs are used? What kind of container does the your recordings have?

At least what file extension do they have? And what is the source of your HDTV signal and how do record it?

And what is Codex?

[naderro]

Thank you for the response.
In the "properties" for the HD channel in the Mediacoder it says the following:-

container:mpeg-ps
video(0):mpeg1
bitrate: 12000kbps
resolution: 704x480
frame rate: 59.94
Audio: AC-3
Bitrate: 480000hz
Channel:2
The odd thing is that I can convert the "pbs digital" (non-HD) which comes up with the same parameters but not the HD channel !
I tried using "super", to no avail.
Also, not only can I not convert the files, it seems that I cannot even play them using eithet Mediacoder or super.

Do please let me know if you need any more info...........

Naderro

[naderro]

by the way, I found the following descriptions of the digital channel and HD channel

a) Digital Channel:-

Complete name : C:\MyVideos\_KCET OC_20071215_115809.mpg
Format : MPEG-2 Program
Format/Family : MPEG-2
File size : 8.20 MiB
PlayTime : 31s 79ms
Bit rate : 2214 Kbps

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-2 Video
Codec settings/Matrix : Custom
PlayTime : 31s 79ms
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Width : 704 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Interlacement : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.592

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
PlayTime : 30s 976ms
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Video0 delay : 155ms
ChannelPositions : L R

------------------------------------------------------------
HD Channel discription:-

Complete name : C:\MyVideos\test.mpg
Format : MPEG-2 Program
Format/Family : MPEG-2
File size : 18.9 MiB
PlayTime : 26s
Bit rate : 6091 Kbps

Video #0
Codec : MPEG-2 Video
Codec settings/Matrix : Custom
PlayTime : 26s
Bit rate : 12 Mbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Width : 704 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Interlacement : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.592

Audio #0
Codec : AC3
PlayTime : 25s 856ms
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Bit rate mode : CBR
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Video0 delay : 213ms
ChannelPositions : L R



Thanks,

DVD videos have 720x480 resolution, so 704x480 is not HD video.

There could be a problem with MediaCoder or with the way your video is recorded.

Try some other audio/video converter. You can use freeware virtual dub or commercial Cucusoft Ultimate Video Converter, Nero Recode and many, many other programs.

If you decide to use commercial software, don't buy it right away. Test a free trial version first to make sure it works for youl.

[naderro]

Thank you so much. I will definitely try some of the programs and let you know.
Just curiouse, why would the AVI.net convert the regular digital tv and not the HD? The only difference I can see in the analysis sections I sent in earlier emails is the bit rate (2214 Kbps vs 6091 for the HD) could that be the problem? Is there anyway to reduvce the bit-rate?

Originally Posted by naderro

Just curiouse, why would the AVI.net convert the regular digital tv and not the HD?

It is hard to say without knowing software and error message it displays.

Originally Posted by naderro

The only difference I can see in the analysis sections I sent in earlier emails is the bit rate (2214 Kbps vs 6091 for the HD) could that be the problem? Is there anyway to reduce the bit-rate?

You can reduce the bitrate by re-compressing your mpg file. You can use not only MPG, but a different container for the resulted file. Actually reducing bit-rate is encoding your video with the same video codec (here it seems to be an MPEG-2 compatible codec - I can't tell you for sure 'coz you used MPEG-1 in the 2nd post and MPEG-2 in the 3rd one) and keeping audio untouched. There are lots of MPEG-2 compatible codecs. You can install some of them with K-Lite Codec Pack.

p.s.
You can convert your video file straigt away. Alternatively you can demux audio and video channels, then compress them separately, and finely mux the resulted audio and video files into a single file.

[naderro]

Great! Thank you.
The discrepancy between my 1st and secong post is that I used "Super" for the 1st and MediaCoder for the second.
Last night I followed your suggestion and tried some of the decoders you mentioned. The only one that played back my high bitrate file (lets call it HD!) was VirtualDubMod. However, there was some distortion at the bottom of the picture both on play-back and the input file (provides two windows for observing them simultaneously). I don't know 1) where the distortion is coming from and 2) how to save the outputed file, and 3) the 20 minutes I spent on it there was no audible sound. But it is a far cry from other decoders/players. On another point, what is interesting is that MWV can easily and without any distortion play the file, whereas others seem to be struggling. Is there a hint there?
I will try the re-compressors you suggested.

Cheers once aagin

[naderro]

By the way, I searched the VirtualDubMod and the stuff it can do are as follows:-
Guides for this tools:

"How to convert DivX/XviD with AC3 to a DVD with AC3 and subtitles
Aud-X DVD backup guide (PDF)
AVI to DVD MPEG (using CCE or TMPGenc encoders)
Convert RealMedia to AVI / MKV
Divx-Xvid conversion to DVD with AC3 (requires Sonic Scenaris)
DVD to XviD Conversion using DVD2AVI,AviSynth,Virtualdub
Encoding DVDs to High Quality Movie Files with XviD and AC3
Extract audio to WAV using VirtualDubMod
HDTV TS to HD H264,XviD
How To - AVI/MKV/OGM to DVD
How to add permanent subtitle to a video with virtualdubmod
How to convert AVI/DivX/XviD with AC3 to DVD with AC3
How to convert matroska MKV to AVI or OGM to AVI
How to convert MKV to MPG (VCD,SVCD or DVD)
How to Convert OGM to DVD
How to convert RM/RMVB to AVI or MPEG1/2
How to normalize volume level in avi files with mp3 audio streams
How to use AviSynth with the Convolution3D "video noise" filter including editing with VirtualDubMod
OGM to SVCD easy Guide
Put a custom watermark on your video
Remove Spoilers, Logos etc"


Which one should I pursue?