DVBQtoMPG, Three in one Command Line Converter. Options

[bear]

I have developed a new command line converter that combines my other command line converter projects TSQtoMPG & MPQtoMPG together with a variation of null_pointer's DVRtoMPG and called it DVBQtoMPG.

The converter makes use of the Quantizer Filter (see here) to allow me to reduce the file size prior to DVD authoring where I can then just cut out the bits I don't want.

It can only be used with the latest TSFileSource Filter ver 2.1.0.2 (here )as the TS front end and utilises the MPEG2 Demultiplexer (for A/V sync reasons) as well as the Quantizer Filter (here.)

Additional to these filters it does also need the third party muxers CLMux and or SSMux, StreamBufferSource (DVR) as well as the CLDump or WS's FileWriter Filters. (Note: For TS Files you also need to register null_pointers Flow Meter Filter from his WS Project.)

It works much the same as the other converters but has some extra command line features. You can get these when you run the converter with the /H option.

The new Converter is here.

Source is here.

If you are willing to give it a try, I would be interested to know if there are any problems.

[paul_ahb]

I registered:
mp2_req.ax
MpgMux.ax
TSFileSource.ax

and imported the reg file

but when I run it I get:

C:\Documents and Settings\Paul>"C:\Program Files\dvrtompg\DVBQtoMPG.exe" "C:\Program Files\dvrtompg\3 (07-14 22-53).dvr-ms" /L /Q /D
Converter Constructed
About to convert File from DVR-MS to MPG
Loading Main Interfaces.
INPUT  : C:\Program Files\dvrtompg\3 (07-14 22-53).dvr-ms
OUTPUT : C:\Program Files\dvrtompg\3 (07-14 22-53).dvr-ms.mpg
Checking the File Status.
Creating the File Source Filter Instance.
Getting the File Source Filter Seeker Interface.
Adding the File Source Filter to the FilterGraph.
Getting the IFileSourceFilter Interface.
Loading the File Source Filter File Name.
Loading the Re-Quantizer Filter Instance.
Adding the Re-Quantizer Filter to the FilterGraph.
Getting the IRe-Quantizer Filter Interface.
Setting the Re-Quantizer Filter Compression to 2
Connecting the Re-Quantizer Filter Input to Source Video Out Pin.
Loading the MpgMux Filter Instance.
Adding the MpgMux Filter to the FilterGraph.
Connecting the Mux Filter Input pin to File Source Audio Output Pin.
Connecting the Mux Filter Input Pin to Re-Quantizer Filter Video Out Pin.
Loading the Dump Filter Instance.
FAILED (hr = 0x80040154) in loadDump(wFileNameOutput)
Converter Destroyed

can you help me please?

Paul

[bear]

Hi Paul,

Loading the Dump Filter Instance.
FAILED (hr = 0x80040154) in loadDump(wFileNameOutput)

can you help me please?

The CLMux Dump filter is set as default ATM, this is because it has a clock reference that the converter can use to make the conversions of the TS files more reliable. Use the "/W" option for the WS FileWriter Dump Filter if you do not want to use the CLDump.

[paul_ahb]

Hi Paul,

Loading the Dump Filter Instance.
FAILED (hr = 0x80040154) in loadDump(wFileNameOutput)

can you help me please?

The CLMux Dump filter is set as default ATM, this is because it has a clock reference that the converter can use to make the conversions of the TS files more reliable. Use the "/W" option for the WS FileWriter Dump Filter if you do not want to use the CLDump.

What do I have to do if I want to use the clmux dump filter? This is the mpgmux.ax that comes with dntv live isn't it?

Paul

[paul_ahb]

I just found that this product is a great way to capture HD streams in a full ts capture and remux them into a playable format!

Would it be possible to add the ability to extract subtitles into a subtitle file aswell? (This would be a big help for my brother in-law who does not hear very well).

Paul

[Guest_Dmitry Vergheles_*]

Hello Dan,

Just wondering whether your utility allows setting andvanced parameters to the Requantizer. Using them one could achieve video reducing more than in two times.

Regards,
Dmitry

[bear]

Hi Paul,

What do I have to do if I want to use the clmux dump filter? This is the mpgmux.ax that comes with dntv live isn't it?

You can use the dump filter CLDump.ax if you have the DVBPlus application installed. The only other dump Filter I know of that has a reference clock is the DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter which I found not to be as fast as the CL Filter. If this is prefered then I guess I can add it as an option.

I am in the process of adapting null_pointer's FileWriter Dump Filter to include a reference clock but this may be sometime away from reality.

Would it be possible to add the ability to extract subtitles into a subtitle file aswell? (This would be a big help for my brother in-law who does not hear very well).

I would need to see what is required to convert the Teletext digital packet data to a usable format to dump to a file before I could comment. If you know of a Filter that can do this it should not be too difficult to implement I guess.

hi Dmitry,

Just wondering whether your utility allows setting andvanced parameters to the Requantizer. Using them one could achieve video reducing more than in two times.

I have thought of this but was unsure of how to implement the values to achieve best quality reduction so I left it for later. If you know the best settings values I could set these by using the "/Q..." options or if its a question of trial and error then I could just add seperate options to set the parameters in your filter. If the later is the case do you have an idea of the value ranges I should limit these setting to?

[paul_ahb]

Would it be possible to add the ability to extract subtitles into a subtitle file aswell? (This would be a big help for my brother in-law who does not hear very well).

I would need to see what is required to convert the Teletext digital packet data to a usable format to dump to a file before I could comment. If you know of a Filter that can do this it should not be too difficult to implement I guess.

I dion't realy know how any of it realy works but here is something that I found earlier that I think might be what you are referring to:

DVBTeletextSubtitles.ax
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~luke.paton/

the filter is discussed a little here:
http://forums.dvbowners.com/index.php?show...subtitle+filter

If I sound a bit overeager then it is probably because I am. It currently takes my sister a bit under an hour to prepare a recorded show to be displayed with subtitles. If you are able to make you application spit out a sub file then I will be able to automate post processing so she doesn't have to do anything

thanks (in advance)
Paul

[Guest_crypto_*]

Hi bear,

nice tool. I am currently working on a similar tool, called TSConverter. The current version can convert .ts to .dvr-ms. Mpg and TS output is planned for the next version.

You can download TSConverter from my homepage: http://www.dvbportal.de

I needed some time to collect all the filters for your tool. I had an earlier Version of MpgMux, which had a different CLSID.

Wouldn't it be easier to put all the free filters and DVBQtoMPG in one ZIP? BTW. You can use and distribute my "DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter" with the package if you like. An option to use it would be great.

Crypto

[bear]

Hi crypto,

nice tool. I am currently working on a similar tool, called TSConverter. The current version can convert .ts to .dvr-ms. Mpg and TS output is planned for the next version.

Thanks, Yes I have already tried out your tool and it does work well, although I don't use DVR-MS much, I would be looking forward to trying out the new formats when you have implemented them.

I needed some time to collect all the filters for your tool. I had an earlier Version of MpgMux, which had a different CLSID.

Yes there seems to be a multitude of versions about now, some work better than others.

Wouldn't it be easier to put all the free filters and DVBQtoMPG in one ZIP? BTW.

This does sound good but I would rather ask people to visit the sites where they can get these free filters from. Although I must admit, I have not made it very clear where but as we are still in the development forum, I should be able to ask for forgiveness.

You can use and distribute my "DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter" with the package if you like. An option to use it would be great.

Thanks for the offer, I would be happy to add it in as an option or use it as the default if others think it would be better than the CLDump. ATM I would be just happy to use your site link from the previous post to your converter for others to download it.

[Guest_crypto_*]

Hi bear,

Thanks for considering to add an option to use the dump filter. I have added a permanent link to the dump filter:

http://www.dvbportal.de/projects/hdtvdump

Crypto

P.S. BTW. When I add mpg to my tool, I have the same problem with the multiple muxer versions. I already considered making an own muxer, but found out, it would require a MPEGLA license fee per copy Do you know if that is also true for freeware or open software? Any idea to make the use easier is appreciated.

[bear]

hi crypto,

Thanks for considering to add an option to use the dump filter. I have added a permanent link to the dump filter:

Cool, I will add it as an option in the next version release.

Do you know if that is also true for freeware or open software?

Sorry I can't help much here, Some others here would no doubt have a better Idea about what your asking. But its interesting that VLC may be a thing of the past from what I'm hearing and its open source also.

[Guest_steveo_*]

Hi, Bear,

I have been playing around with your new tool DVBQtoMPG with the primary aim of compressing my recordings so that they will fit on a DVD. As far I have not had much success with the reliability. Sometimes I can convert from TS to MPG with success but mostly it fails with a Microsoft POP up error in mod mp2_raq.ax. If I project X to a TS file I get a error ‘The FilterGraph has stopped converting due to no FrameRate for 30 seconds’, If I project X it to elementary streams and use SolveiqMM Requantiser demo, It works OK.

I’m using
TSfilesource 2.1.0.2
Filewriter that comes with web scheduler 2.22.0
SolveigMM mp2_req.ax that comes with SolveigMM requantiser demo V1.1
CLmux that comes with DNTV live

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

[bear]

Hi steveo,

Sometimes I can convert from TS to MPG with success but mostly it fails with a Microsoft POP up error in mod mp2_raq.ax.

I must admit I did have this occur once or twice during my own testing but was unable to determine what the cause was as the error was occuring in the Quantizer Filter of which I know little about. I have not seen it again though since I changed the default dump filter to the CLDump so I thought that the problem was related to a clock timing issue as the CLDump presents a Clock Reference to the FilterGraph.

Can I suggest that you track down the CLDump Filter and install this to see if still occurs. You should be able to get it if you try out Kworld's DVBPlus application. If you wish to wait a bit, I will post another version that has Crypto's DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter setable as an option to try also.

[bear]

New Version 2.1.0.3 for testing.

DVBQtoMPG_2.1.0.3.zip

Source DVBQtoMPG_2.1.0.3src.zip

Changes:

Added option to use Crypto's DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter here.

Dump filter Options are now:-

Default is CLDump Filter.
"/W" or "/W1" is the (WS) FileWriter Dump Filter.
"/W2" is the DVBPortal HDTV Reference Dump Filter.

[Guest_steveo_*]

Hi Bear,

I obtain the Kworld cldump.ax, re-ran the test, DVBQtoMPG fails part way into
the conversion. See result below... I did not get a microsoft popup error.

If the dump filter is the issue, would the dump.ax that comes with SolveiqMM Requantiser demo help?

G:\TV\TEST FILES>dvbqtompg dip.ts /q /f /d
Converter Is Being Constructed
About to convert File from TS to MPG Using Quantizer
Getting Main Interfaces.
INPUT : dip.ts
OUTPUT : dip.ts.mpg
Creating the TSFileSource Filter Instance.
Adding the TSFileSource Filter to the FilterGraph.
Getting the Source Filter Interface.
Loading the Source Filter File Name.
Getting the ITSFileSource Filter Interface.
ITSFileSource Filter MP1 Mode Set with Audio Pid 514
ITSFileSource Filter Video Pid Set 513
Network Name:- Seven Network
ONetwork Name:- Seven Network
Channel Number:- 7
Channel Name:- 7 Digital

Program Name: -
Program Description:-

Next Program Name: -
Next Program Description:-

File Duration 02 hrs 09 mins 58.434 secs
Loading the FlowMeter Filter Instance.
Adding the FlowMeter Filter to the FilterGraph
Getting the IFlowMeter Filter Interface
Connecting the Input Filter Output Pin to FlowMeter Filter Input Pin.
Loading the MPEG2 Demultiplexer Filter Instance
Adding the MPEG2 Demultiplexer Filter to the FilterGraph.
Connecting the MPEG2 Demultiplexer Filter to the FlowMeter Filter.
Loading the Re-Quantizer Filter Instance.
Adding the Re-Quantizer Filter to the FilterGraph
Getting the IRe-Quantizer Filter Interface
Setting the Re-Quantizer Filter Compression to 2
Connecting the Re-Quantizer Filter Input to Demux Video Out Pin.
Loading the MpgMux Filter Instance
Adding the MpgMux Filter to the FilterGraph.
Connecting the Mux Filter Input pin to Demux Filter Audio Output Pin.
Connecting the Mux Filter Input Pin to Re-Quantizer Filter Video Out Pin.
Loading the Dump Filter Instance.
Adding the Dump Filter to the FilterGraph.
Getting the Dump Filter pIFileSink Interface.
setting the Dump Filter FileName.
Dump Filter Input Pin connected to the Mux Filter Output Pin ok
Setting the Reference Clock on the Dump Filter.
Starting the Filter Graph.
Converting Now.
Data Flow 0 kBps FrameRate 0 fps Completed 19 %
G:\TV\TEST FILES>

[bear]

Hi steveo,

I obtain the Kworld cldump.ax, re-ran the test, DVBQtoMPG fails part way into
the conversion. See result below... I did not get a microsoft popup error.

Damn.

If the dump filter is the issue, would the dump.ax that comes with SolveiqMM Requantiser demo help?

I expect not but you can try it if you like. From what I can see its the Sample Dump filter that comes with the DX9 SDK and has the same CLSID as the WS FileWriter dump filter. Remember to re-register the WS FileWriter filter after you have finished testing it though to minimise disk fragmentation on your WS HDD's captures.

If your willing to try out some other tests while you have the problem file this may help me to at least get closer to the problem. I will do some more test captures to try and get it to fail on my test system but I have been using this for a few weeks now with no hint of a problem.

1. Try the "/S" option if you have the SSMux installed.

2. Try the "/L" option to reduce the speed of the conversion maybe.

3. Try it without the "/Q" option to see if it has a problem with no compression.
(if it works ok then compress the .mpg to see if it fails mpgtompg.

4. Try and set the Quantizer to the default setting by using the demo software
before doing a conversion. (Maybe I need to set all of the value via its interface.)

[Guest_crypto_*]

I tried the new /w2 option. It worked as expected. I reran the tests with combinations of /q and /w1 on some .ts streams I have (mostly European DVB streams). All streams converted fine. Great tool!

[bear]

Hi crypto,

I tried the new /w2 option. It worked as expected. I reran the tests with combinations of /q and /w1 on some .ts streams I have (mostly European DVB streams). All streams converted fine. Great tool!

Well, I'm glad its working fine for someone else. The reason I changed to a dump filter with a reference clock was because I was getting some some funny time skips occuring when the file contained TS errors.

I was finding that the MS demux would begin seeking the File Source filter for quite some time past the error before it would start outputing data again and you could miss up to 20min of the program. Changing to a dump Filter with a reference clock which I guess is tied to the dump rate appeared to fix the issue.

As no one else seemed to be having a similar issue with the earlier TSQtoMPG, I just put it down to my setup having a higher cpu speed or just a funny with hyperthreading.

I havn't heard much from the European DVB community so this is good news. I myself find the tool very handy with WS so I'm happy that others are finding it useful as well. The bonus I think is the Quantizer Filter which just saves alot of disk space and cuts down my DVD burner hours by half.

Have you tried the Converter on a Live TS recording yet? Assuming you have access to one.

[Guest_crypto_*]

Hi bear,

> The reason I changed to a dump filter with a reference clock was because I was
> getting some some funny time skips occuring when the file contained TS errors.

That's perfectly explainable. Without a reference clock the graph is "helpless". That's especially true for dvr-ms recordings, which use an indexer thread. That's why I decided to do my own reference dump filter.


> Have you tried the Converter on a Live TS recording yet? Assuming you have
> access to one.

You mean converting a TS stream during it is recorded and growing? No, havn't tried that, but sounds interesting and I'll give it a try.

BTW. I do my TS recordings from DVB-S satellites using a SkyStar2 PCI card. I think Australian and European DVB is very similar, although there seem to be differences in the EPG data streams. When I hit the TSFilter's EPG button when playing my streams, I get an empty box. Just the provider is filled in. When I do the same with a recording from the Australian Ten channel, someone sent me to find an error in the HDTVPump, I get EPG data. But that's not important, playback is fine. I also like the Quantizer, its a great filter.