AVCHD (.mts) to Tivo, preferably lossless

orangeboy, thanks for that. I found that before, but obviously didn't download the right thing. I got it now, ran it, and have a new mp4. However this one isn't transferring either. The Tivo still reads duration 0:00 with the transfer in progress, but it never actually transfers. I have successfully transferred video in the past using pyTivo, but I've never seen this issue.

I'm pasting the pyTivo and mediainfo output below. From what I can see, this file should be compatible with the Tivo, but maybe pyTivo just "thinks" it is. Am I missing something obvious?

*** MediaInfo Mac // Plain text file report
2011-05-31 07:30:45 -0400
Information for File: anjana-piano-qt.mp4

General / Container Stream # 1
Total Video Streams for this File -> 1
Total Audio Streams for this File -> 1
Video Codecs Used -> AVC
Audio Codecs Used -> AC3
File Format -> MPEG-4
Play Time -> 47s 552ms
Total File Size -> 61.7 MiB
Total Stream BitRate -> 10.9 Mbps
Encoded with -> Lavf52.50.0

Video Stream # 1
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec (FourCC) -> avc1
Codec Profile -> [email protected]
Frame Width -> 1 440 pixels
Frame Height -> 1 080 pixels
Frame Rate -> 59.940 fps
Total Frames -> 2850
Display Aspect Ratio -> 16/9
Scan Type -> Interlaced
Scan Order -> TFF
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Settings (Summary) -> CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 0.114
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> Yes
Video Stream Length -> 47s 547ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 10.6 Mbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode -> VBR
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Video Stream Size -> 60.2 MiB (98%)
Date of Original Encoding -> UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00

Audio Stream # 1
Codec -> AC-3
Codec (FourCC) -> ac-3
Audio Stream Length -> 47s 552ms
Audio Stream BitRate -> 256 Kbps
Audio Stream BitRate Mode -> CBR
Number of Audio Channels -> 2
Audio Channel's Positions -> L R
Sampling Rate -> 48.0 KHz
Bit Depth -> 16 bits
Audio Stream Size -> 1.45 MiB (2%)
Date of Original Encoding -> UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00

It really is 16:9, or at least that is how it plays on VLC. This is for both the original mts and the mp4. I did notice something peculiar (although most likely irrelevant): in VLC, the original mts file plays back fine but shows a duration of 00:00, while the mp4 shows the correct duration of 00:47.

I made the mp4 following wmcbrine's suggestion above:
ffmpeg -i file.mts -vcodec copy -acodec copy file.mp4

Below I'm pasting the video stream info for each file. Maybe there is something in there? Why the difference in framerate between the two?

MTS INFO
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec Profile -> [email protected]
Frame Width -> 1 440 pixels
Frame Height -> 1 080 pixels
Frame Rate -> 29.970 fps
Total Frames -> 1423
Display Aspect Ratio -> 16/9
Scan Type -> Interlaced
Scan Order -> TFF
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Settings (Summary) -> CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 0.233
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> Yes
Video Stream Length -> 47s 480ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 10.9 Mbps
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Video Stream Size -> 61.5 MiB (94%)


MP4 INFO
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec (FourCC) -> avc1
Codec Profile -> [email protected]
Frame Width -> 1 440 pixels
Frame Height -> 1 080 pixels
Frame Rate -> 59.940 fps
Total Frames -> 2850
Display Aspect Ratio -> 16/9
Scan Type -> Interlaced
Scan Order -> TFF
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Settings (Summary) -> CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 0.114
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> Yes
Video Stream Length -> 47s 547ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 10.6 Mbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode -> VBR
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Video Stream Size -> 60.2 MiB (98%)
Date of Original Encoding -> UTC 1970-01-01 00:00:00

dr_m said:

Thanks jcthorne. What a pain! This AVC-HD format is really turning out to be inconvenient.

Can someone advise (based on the info I've given so far) what would be the best (most lossless) way to reencode for Tivo transfer/playback (preferably using free or open source tools)?

One more thing. Is there a way to crop rather than reencode?

Anthony

Click to expand...

I've been following your thread as I am very interested in doing something similar. However, my situation is a little different, so it may or may not help you. Also, I'm coming from a "prosumer" perspective rather than a home user, so my view may not be completely relevant.

The AVCHD format seems to be what most camcorders are going to now. There are still some HDV camcorders available, but more and more, camcorders are using the AVCHD format. (I'm talking real cameras, not the litle flip cameras that are nothing more than toys).

Even now, support for editing and converting AVCHD encoded content is not as widespread as it should be. Until it becomes far more common, transcoding AVCHD content will be difficult and time consuming. There are some programs that can convert, but it is certainly not easy and straight forward. Further, it's not helpful that there are different pixel aspect ratios and bitrates within the AVCHD spec. You're running into this with your 1440x1080 16:9 framed content as jcthorne mentioned. Since it's not a square pixel aspect ratio, it sounds like Tivo won't play it.

What I do is to take the AVCHD content from my camera, and dump it into Sony Vegas. I edit my content as needed, and then render out a Sony AVC file in an MP4 container with 1920x1080 60i specs. I think I tried a MainConcept AVC .MP4 format too, which worked okay. Regardless, once it renders (which takes a while), I end up with an .MP4 file that I can push to my tivos using pyTivo. Those files play beautifully.

Now, by editing the content in Vegas, it doesn't matter what pixel ratio (1440x1080, or 1920x1080) or bitrate (24, 17, 12, lower) my camera content is in. Vegas handles it with no problem.

Granted, it does take time to render, but I'm willing to live with it - mainly because I'm used to it. I've been editing video content for years and it's just part of the process. If I want a quick and dirty way to see the raw content on my tv, I plug my camera in directly via HDMI.

Now, this may not apply to you since you use a Mac, and you want to avoid spending money, but nonetheless, it is what I have found to work the best.

I just don't see any way to view the content directly on a tivo without re-encoding it to a properly formatted .MP4 file. Unless TV providers start encoding broadcast content as AVCHD (h.264), then tivo will likely never support the raw files. They will always have to be re-encoded to a format that tivo supports - currently mpeg2 and mp4 (the current digital broadcast standards).

AVCHD is a great format for content producers, but it isn't a good format for consumers (tivo's market) with the exception of AVC encoded Blu-Ray discs.

Jeff