How to convert .wtv files

Swanson Photos said:

Have you tried just ripping a DVD from WMC?

Yes, I tried that. A two hour program recorded with WMC in the WTV format is as large as 8GB and will not fit on any DVD I am aware of (not to say I know it all). So the desire to convert the WTV into a standard format, one like the "Ga-Zillions" of DVDs on the market today use and playable in DVD players. I am even willing to give up all the additional content contained in the WTV format just to be able to watch my favorite programs from a DVD without being forced to watch 20 minutes of commercials for every hour of programming. It appears to me the the meaning of the term "Commercial Television" is fast becoming: "Entertainment through watching commercials."

Swanson Photos said:

Windows Media Encoder

The link provided is for software compatible for Windows 2000 and XP, and in a microsoft only format: MWV, not compatible with any DVD player I am aware of (see my note above).

Windows 7 in not even mentioned. To get this software to work with Vista, you must remove any Media Encoder 9 software form your system including a security update, install a "fix", and re-install Media Encoder 9 and all appropriate codexes. And you still do not have a solution to play recorded video via DVD on a DVD player. No thanks.

I also am not a fan of commercials, but when I do record a movie from WMC, I am not concerned about them as my TV Tuner is a DVR so I can simply fast forward through them...It is way simpler than making several additional steps to remove them and risk losing video quality in the process.

As for my link, please re-review the link, there is a Media Encoder 9 Series for Vista (it will work fine with a dvr-ms file as it always did, removing the wtv wrapper is quite simple, as noted many items in this forum)

Now, why also am I dismayed:

I am very surprised that you are not aware of what DVD Writer/Media to use to burn a 2 hour movie of 8GB. 8.5GB DVD's and even larger ones now (Blu-Ray 50GB) have been available for quite some time. These are Dual Layer DVD's and a DL DVD Writer that supports DL Disks is required.

DVD+RW DL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and here is a link from cnet from 2004 on 16X DL DVD Writer(s)

Memorex 16X double-layer drive DVD Drive reviews - CNET Reviews

I also recommend anyone wanting better DV and video processing performance NOT use any IDE devices but instead use the latest SATA devices you can find, including your DVD and CD Writers and especially your HD's.

I hope this helps.

Swanson Photos said:

I also am not a fan of commercials, but when I do record a movie from WMC, I am not concerned about them as my TV Tuner is a DVR so I can simply fast forward through them...It is way simpler than making several additional steps to remove them and risk losing video quality in the process.

Thank you for the additional information. I am open to further education as I freely acknowledge I do not know it all.

Yes, my cable company offers DVR type recording services and I am aware of DVD recording devices (the VCR is all but gone), however most all of this is beyond my meager means. The one DVD recorder I did purchase barely lasted past its warranty and now is to big even to be a paper weight. We are still using VCRs.

Swanson Photos said:

As for my link, please re-review the link, there is a Media Encoder 9 Series for Vista (it will work fine with a dvr-ms file as it always did,

Yes, I followed that link and reported the steps required to install and use Media Encoder 9 in Vista. No Thanks.

Swanson Photos said:

removing the wtv wrapper is quite simple, as noted many items in this forum)

Again I am aware of how to convert WTV to DVR-MS and the time required for that conversion to complete. But then if I want my video in the MP3 format, for example, burned to a DVD, I must convert it again investing additional time for that process to complete. I am looking for something simpler.

Swanson Photos said:

Now, why also am I dismayed:

I am very surprised that you are not aware of what DVD Writer/Media to use to burn a 2 hour movie of 8GB. 8.5GB DVD's and even larger ones now (Blu-Ray 50GB) have been available for quite some time. These are Dual Layer DVD's and a DL DVD Writer that supports DL Disks is required.

Yes, I am aware of DL and Blu-Ray. Are you saying DVD, DL-DVD, and Blu-Ray are interchangeable? Will a DVD player play DL-DVDs and/or Blu-Ray? No, and if money was no object I would own the most expensive and cutting edge technology on the market. I don't resent those who spend $10,000 USD on a home entertainment system. But I do not have the means to buy the more expensive Blu-Ray equipment and media. That is why I limited my statements to DVD and DVD players and why I am looking for economical solutions that use technology I can afford.

Swanson Photos said:

DVD+RW DL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and here is a link from cnet from 2004 on 16X DL DVD Writer(s)

Memorex 16X double-layer drive DVD Drive reviews - CNET Reviews

I also recommend anyone wanting better DV and video processing performance NOT use any IDE devices but instead use the latest SATA devices you can find, including your DVD and CD Writers and especially your HD's.

I hope this helps.

I purchased two SATA DVD burner drives and while my old IDE drive played DVD discs effortlessly, this SATA drive jerks and sputters and eventually locks up my computer. I am ready to put the old IDE drive back.

Thanks for you input! and the effort to post helpful links. But based on the other posts on this thread, we are looking for a simpler solution that will record video in a format that is compatible with current DVD technology.

DOGH! You are correct ... that should have been MPG not MP3. Thank you for catching that for me!

Cheers!
Robert

Orpheous said:

To get back on topic, I just successfully used the windows live movie maker to convert the original wtv file to a wmv, then used Super to convert to a decent avi. not ideal as it's a 2 step process, but it does work. I'm going to try out Handbrake next to see if it works.

Using windows media centre, scroll to tasks, and burn your wtv as a dvd f you want to watch it on another device (without editing)

I'm still searching for a free way to edit the wtv file and convert it to something more supported, will keep you updated if I find anything.

Yes I have to perform the 2-stage operation at present. I edit and convert the .wtv file to .wmv using MovieMaker (I still don't see a benefit in removing the w.tv wrapper and converting to dvr-ms). Then I convert the .wmv file using DivX7 so I can play on a std DVD player. Unfortunately the loss in picture quality is quite obvious!

Also, has anyone noticed a variance in the size of .wtv files they're getting? I recordedto animated movies for the kids last week. Both are close to the standard 90mins duration, however one file is only 1.5GB whereas the other is 3.6GB. Both are on commercial channels however even recording non-commercial material off of the BBC i also get a variance for which I don't see any setting for quality within W7 MediaCenter. In fact i just found a 100min recording that is 4.5GB that's 3x the 1.5Gb file I mentioned! Any ideas?

hemsworthl said:

Yes I have to perform the 2-stage operation at present. I edit and convert the .wtv file to .wmv using MovieMaker (I still don't see a benefit in removing the w.tv wrapper and converting to dvr-ms). Then I convert the .wmv file using DivX7 so I can play on a std DVD player. Unfortunately the loss in picture quality is quite obvious!

I tried the right click context menu method of converting wtv to dvr-ms also, but the resulting file was unplayable in vlc. Being as vlc is my player of choice, conversion is pointless.

I just tried Handbrake on a converted wmv file, using the television preset, the resulting avi was ok, but the settings need fine tuning to get something watchable on a large screen tv.

I've had decent results with AllToAvi (AllToAvi Download) in the past, perhaps you could give it a try and post back your results here?

Swanson Photos said:

This is the WMC forum for Windows 7, right?? and not an open sourcers rant space?

"But then if I want my video in the MP3 format" LOL ?

I'm not going to get into a rant about the virtues of Open Source software. However, I believe that it has it's place here in the WMC section as we seem to be discussing it's (WMC & W7's) capabilities. A valid question has been raised by another forum member who has encountered an issue with file format conversion from the default .wtv extension to another, more recognised and flexible format ie. .avi.

At this stage, being as no-one else has divulged information regarding a built in, Microsoft supplied conversion program that will perform this task, the options seem to be limited to either: a) don't bother, b) commercial software or c) free software.

I personally would prefer the free option if the results are on par with the commercial softwares', that is why I've recommended two very good open source programs here.

Orpheous said:

Swanson Photos said:

This is the WMC forum for Windows 7, right?? and not an open sourcers rant space?

"But then if I want my video in the MP3 format" LOL ?

I'm not going to get into a rant about the virtues of Open Source software. However, I believe that it has it's place here in the WMC section as we seem to be discussing it's (WMC & W7's) capabilities. A valid question has been raised by another forum member who has encountered an issue with file format conversion from the default .wtv extension to another, more recognised and flexible format ie. .avi.

At this stage, being as no-one else has divulged information regarding a built in, Microsoft supplied conversion program that will perform this task, the options seem to be limited to either: a) don't bother, b) commercial software or c) free software.

I personally would prefer the free option if the results are on par with the commercial softwares', that is why I've recommended two very good open source programs here.

I would go with a) as 98% of W7 users will also.

98%? that's a bold statement to make on behalf of 49/50 W7 users...

It'd be interesting to see what WMC file formats most people would like to see, so I've posted it in a poll here:
Do you prefer .wtv, .dvr-ms or other file formats?
Feel free to vote :)