file convert .ts to another

dsperber · 21 Aug 2011

jumanji said:

After reading your post and just to tryout, I downloaded a 435MB sample .ts file of a open movie project (70 Mbps,1920*1080@24fps MPEG2; 384Kbps 48KHz 16bits 2 channel AC3). When trying to add the .ts file to mkvmerge GUI v4.9.1, I only get a message that .ts is not a supported format. So what next?

Using Freemake Video converter however I could make a good quality BD M2TS file by clicking on "to bluray" conversion button and also good quality mkv file.

M2TS file:maximum possible video bitrate for the AVC 39 Mbps Audio bitrate 224 Kbps AC3 File size: 238MB

MKV file:maximum possible video bitrate for the AVC 32Mbps Audio bitrate 224Kbps AC3 File size: 187MB

He had stated "exact same video quality" on output, meaning no re-compression. Still don't know yet why TS was unacceptable but something else (e.g. MPG) would have been, but that was his criteria. Size wasn't the issue, apparently... but ZERO RE-COMPRESSION was.

If I were wanting to save a copy-freely HD clip for posterity, say to BluRay, I too would not want to touch the underlying MPEG-2 datastream with any re-compression at all, and my authoring method would specify no re-size or re-compression.

===>> VideoRedo, and "fast frame copy" from TS to MPG.

jumanji · 21 Aug 2011

I know that video Redo is definitely a well acclaimed program. It is essentially geared towards editing a .ts file where one wants to chop of any commercials and other unwanted elements in a TV recording. As you have rightly said that step can be skipped where the .ts file is clean. That is also agreed. But that which turns me away and puts me off is that it is only a 15day trial one can use and thereafter one is required to buy. A freeware solution may be more readily acceptable to all. That is one reason why I didn't even want to try.

When one considers, putting it into an mkv container seems to be one solution since mkv can take almost all video formats and audio formats in its belly. One example is MakeMKV which takes all the contents of a bluray disk and puts it into a MKV container without altering the video or audio in anyway.. So it should be possible to put the contents of the .ts file too without recoding or recompressing its contents. And it will be ideal if one can do it with a freeware program.

dsperber · 21 Aug 2011

jumanji said:

I know that video Redo is definitely a well acclaimed program. It is essentially geared towards editing a .ts file where one wants to chop of any commercials and other unwanted elements in a TV recording.

This is precisely why I bought it several years ago.

I also paid the for upgrade to TV Suite v4, which supports WTV. Since I use Windows Media Center and a cablecard-enabled Ceton 4-tuner card in my HTPC, along with an ATI TV Wonder 650 PCI OTA/ATSC 1-tuner card, I produce WTV files for recordings out of WMC (which is really my home's DVR system).

Thus I needed an editing program primarily that could read the new Win7 WMC WTV format native for copy-freely programs I wanted to save clips from, and the new VideoReDo can do that. I didn't want to first convert WTV to DVR-MS, and then edit DVR-MS. I had previously used VideoReDo's earlier version when I was using BeyondTV (and just the OTA/ATSC ATI tuner card) which produced MPG recordings and learned to appreciate VideoReDo's ability to read essentially anything.

I don't mind paying for software when it's outstanding, and there's justification. I support software authors and vendors who actively develop and enhance their products.

That's not to say I don't also use many many freeware products when they adequately meet my need. It's just that just because it's not free is not a reason for me not to consider it.

But I do hear what you're saying, and if MakeMKV can read TS then that would certainly be another acceptable alternative product to use for his conversion.

jumanji · 21 Aug 2011

I am not saying that one should shun all paid software.( I have a long list of licenced software in my kitty. But no Video editing :)) If OP's requirement is the same as yours by all means he should get a Video editing software.

Back on track, I think I missed one important step which was implied by Wishmaster - that the .ts file should be demuxed first and then should be added to MKVmerge GUI i.e., the video stream and audio stream and then remuxed.

I shall leave it at it. Continuing my search for an easy way to TS2MKV, I came across this little bit of info. on the net - that gdsmux.exe in the Haali Matroska splitter can be used. It is only four clicks when you have everything ready.

1. Installed Haali Matroska Splitter, taking care during installation that it keeps away from anything other than ts files.( I do not know whether gdsmux.exe can be installed seperately.)

2. Ran gdsmux.exe from within the Program folder.

3. In the Output field gave a name to the mkv file, right clicked on the empty space under the input tab, added the .ts file and clicked on start. In about 15 seconds the mkv file was ready.

Media info of the TS file:

file convert .ts to another-tsmediainfo.jpg

Media info of the MKV file

file convert .ts to another-b-mkvmediainfo.jpg

The MKV playing on Nero Kwik Media:

file convert .ts to another-c-mkvkwikmedia.jpg

For reasons not known to me both the TS file and mkv file played properly only on Nero Kwik Media.

With WMP, Power DVD10 and MPC- Home cinema while the audio played the video was only black or some gibberish. Since it is so both for the TS and mkv , I can safely say they have the same attributes and character:) .

I now leave it to Wishmaster, dsperber and other experts to check on this and say whether this is OK.

It is my belief that once you put the unadulterated stuff into the mkv container, it can further be manipulated the way one wants it to be. The fact that the TS file and the mkv play true on Nero Kwik media makes me believe that the source and the derivative are OK.

Wishmaster · 21 Aug 2011

I am sorry. Yes, I should have said the .TS needs to be demuxed into raw streams first.

Apologies.

As far as the .TS and MKV only playing in Nero..
Nero supports a very wide range of codecs and is quite flexible. Almost all files types in fact. So this really isn't surprising.

MKV will need splitters such as Haali to play in WMP.
However, .TS is supported in WMP.

The only reason I can think that it will not is that one of the RAW streams (Video or Audio) is not supported, not so much the container itself.
But your snips show a AC3 Audio Stream, and a MPEG Video stream .. Im at a loss TBH because those should play.

And I too agree. Free products are nice, and should not be overlooked.
But sometimes, a paid product is just worth the money without question. Just depends on your needs.

jumanji · 22 Aug 2011

Wishmaster said:

....The only reason I can think that it will not is that one of the RAW streams (Video or Audio) is not supported, not so much the container itself.
But your snips show a AC3 Audio Stream, and a MPEG Video stream .. Im at a loss TBH because those should play....

Thanks Wishmaster. I have to concur with your view. I feel that the MPEG2 Video stream in the .ts sample file I downloaded may not be 100% compliant with MPEG2 standards. That could be the reason why the .ts file and its derivative .mkv file which had the same MPEG2 video stream did not play in WMP,Power DVD 10 and MPC-Home Cinema. It is to the credit of Nero Kwik that it played both even with a deviant MPEG2 video stream.

As I had mentioned, for the trial I had downloaded the first segment .ts file from the Big Buck Bunny (Open Source Movie) - MPEG-2 HD Test Patterns . I now downloaded the first segment .ts file from another Open Source Movie Elephants Dream from the same website and this .ts file played in all the players. Its derivative .mkv file made with the DSMux also played true in all the players.

The screenshots below:

Media info of the .ts file:

file convert .ts to another-ed24p-ts.jpg

Media info of the .mkv file made with gdsmux.

file convert .ts to another-b-ed24p-mkv.jpg

So, the OP or anyone else wanting to transfer the contents of a .ts file to another container (mkv here) without any encoding and/or recompression without losing quality can use this gdsmux and in three or four clicks accomplish the task.

An added bonus is reduction in the file size. Please note that the original .ts file size is 313MiB whereas the mkv file with the same MPEG stream and Audio Stream is only 232MiB. This is so because mkv, as I understand is more efficient in its housekeeping with less overheads. This reduction in overheads results in a smaller file while keeping the stream parameters same.

Thanks Wishmaster. I owe it to you atleast in part to your active colloboration, views and comments.

EDIT: The TS 2 MKV transcoding ( format conversion) requires only three files the gdsmux.exe, mkunicode.dll and mkzlib.dll.

file convert .ts to another-gdmux-ts2mkv-transcoder.jpg

If one does not want to retain the full installation of Haali Matroska Splitter, he can copy these three files from the Haali Program Folder to any other folder, say TS2MKV transcoder and then uninstall the Haali Matroska Splitter.

file convert .ts to another

.ts to .mkv the simple way