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Cloud Buster
12-28-2005, 04:29 AM
I'm sure this is all brought up a lot, and I have searched, and I can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for -- though I'm sure it's here somewhere. So forgive me, I figured I would start a new thred.

I would like to convert the .tivo files that I get off of my Series 2 Humax Tivo (running 7.2) into a DVD-compliant format. I want to find the best way to do it as quickly, and with as little additional loss to the content as possible.

Admittedly, I am NOT knowledgeable in use of Linux or the Bash shell. However, I am reasonably knowledgeable in the field of video editing. That said, I'm not really interested in hacking my box, just converting the files.

So here is what I have tried, with mixed results:

I am able to strip the tivo encryption with DSD (direct show dump). This is painless, but the output of the file is 480x480 -- not DVD compliant. Before I can burn it, obviously, I have to get it into a DVD compliant file.

I have tried Ulead DVD Workshop, Sonic MyDVD, Adobe Encore, and DVDAuthor authoring software, and it seems that most of them would want to re-encode files whether they're compliant or not. Adobe Encore DVD, however, recognizes when a file is compliant and will not re-compress it if it isn't necessary. However, Ulead DVD AND Adobe Encore crash when I try to load the .mpg files that DSD spits out. Sonic MyDVD -- the product that has built in support for the Tivo files -- spent 4 hours trying to re-encode the file of a 30 min show last night, then crashed.

The process of re-encoding the video on my own is -- while possible -- not only long and tedious, but can generate considerable loss. I mean, the BEST quality Tivo files are already only 5.8 Mbps.

Today, I tried using DVDPatcher to change the horizontal resolution of the file to 720. As I'm sure some of you are aware, this resulted in a 480x480 image surrounded by a 720x480 box (effectively, the video looked squished to about 2/3 of the left side). Even then, the files still crashed Ulead and Adobe.

I thought that part of the problem with Ulead and Adobe crashing may be in the way the .mpg file was multiplexed. So, I looked into getting a decent program to demultiplex them. I tried a few including TMpeg, and ProjectX, and tried adjusting the file setting with a greater amount of control in the hopes that the 480 horizontal pixels could be interpreted as 720. (I find it particularly odd that the 480x480 file reports a 4:3 aspect ration).

So maybe I'm giving you too much information, but I want you all to know what I've tried and where I'm stuck at so I can get the best help.

What is the best way for me to accomplish this? I want to burn the Tivo files to DVD, and preferrably, not have to completely re-encode the videos in doing so (maybe I'm fooling myself in thinking that's possible).

Thanks for all your help....sorry if this has been covered many times before, please just bear with me!

cheer
12-28-2005, 12:35 PM
Well you really only have two options:

Leave the videos at 480 x 480 and burn to a non-standard DVD that most newer players will still play
Re-encode the videos to DVD-resolution

If you want to do the former, use a program like DVD-Lab that won't re-encode. Use the alternate muxing engine.

Narf54321
12-28-2005, 02:26 PM
You mentioned Ulead DVD Workshop. You probably want to completely un-install that monster. It might also be the reason Sonic is crashing, although the Sonic products are no great bargain, either.

At one time I had installed the demo version, discovered it wanted to re-encode everything I gave it (even compliant files), and it installed some .CX extension which broke the video preview function on Windows XP so bad my machine crashed anytime I opened directories with certain videofiles in them.

Cloud Buster
12-28-2005, 07:14 PM
So is what you guys are saying that the video MUST be re-encoded? The pixels can't be interpreted as 720*480, they actually have to be re-rendered to 720 horizontal?

As far as Sonic -- with or without Ulead (which I'll probably get rid of also) it is an absolute piece of crap. It's worse than any of the open source free authoring tools out there, by FAR.

cheer
12-28-2005, 08:35 PM
Well you can't "interpret" pixels. If the video is 480 x 480, you can't get 720 x 480 without re-encoding. However, MANY DVD players will play 480 x 480 just fine.

Narf54321
12-29-2005, 01:24 AM
So is what you guys are saying that the video MUST be re-encoded? The pixels can't be interpreted as 720*480, they actually have to be re-rendered to 720 horizontal?

No, what cheer was saying. Just burn a DVD using the 480x480 video and most DVD players will handle it, even though it is not technically "DVD compliant".

bhorstkotte
01-24-2006, 06:20 AM
I tried all sorts of alternatives to "force" 720 out of my 480x480 files too (on a series 1 DTivo), and then finally noticed the VOB-Mux option in TyTool, which does it all basically in one tool. I haven't tried burning the DVD yet, but WinDVD plays the DVD folder structure fine, and I can see its 720x480 format. If you want to tweak / tune, it might not be the best option, but it sure is the quickest way I've found so far.

cheer
01-24-2006, 08:38 AM
If you are VOB-muxing in TyTool, you are most definitely NOT getting 720x480 from a DTivo.