convert - remux MKV to 360 format?

[ViviTheMage]

there is one other option Vivi, build a new gaming rig and use your current one as a HTPC :biggrin:

LOL..the whole point is to only have the 360 to play tv/streamable movies.

The only issues I have are these mkv's/DTS.

I think I have 2 options.

Transcode each movie from MKV/DTS to something else compatible (I do not know what applcation could do this best).

Or try using filters/codecs to make this work, without having to convert/transcode at all. I just don't know what is the latest guide on this to even try it.

My gaming PC costs way too much to be a HTPC ... think i've dropped 2400 on it so far (watercooling was a cool 700~) haha. That isn't including monitors!

 

[Gooberlx2]

there is one other option Vivi, build a new gaming rig and use your current one as a HTPC :biggrin:

I think it'd be pretty easy find a cheap small computer suitable for HTPC.

Surveys the local Frys, Microcenter, Best Buy, etc.. and there are probably small cheap refurb/open-box Windows 7 PCs just waiting to be bought up. I know I saw just such a thing for like $200 at BB a year ago when I was perusing.

Any core2 cpu + Intel HD or better should be able to handle absolutely any format thrown at it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I already have an HTPC, q9550, 8gb ddr2, 5x2TBHDD, 4tuner ceton card, etc.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I already have an HTPC, q9550, 8gb ddr2, 5x2TBHDD, 4tuner ceton card, etc.

Is that being used in another room or something?

Anyway, trust me, I understand your frustration with the Xbox's gimped format support. I say use the htpc or get the one of the media players.

 

[ViviTheMage]

yeah, used in another room, away from everything, the 360s are hooked up via ethernet to watch tv/stream/etc, works great .. except these mkv/dts movies I have.

I have 2 360's that stream.

Those media players almost look as gimped, i'd rather just straight convert these files if I can. I just need to find an all in one that can do everything, i'll even sacrafice the 5.1/6 channel stuff if I have too, I just want em to work!

 

[Gooberlx2]

I you're willing to sacrifice multi-channel, then the xbox natively supports h.264/aac stereo in mp4/m4v containers.

Use either avidemux or xmedia recode programs to copy the video stream and convert the audio to stereo aac in a mp4 container. Those should stream fine.

Should look like this.

 

[ViviTheMage]

avidemux hasn't been working, they usually lose the video when I do it....same with mkv2vob.

I'll play with your settings though.

 

[Gooberlx2]

How big are these files anyway? If they're like ~20+ GB, then I wouldn't be surprised if they're just raw bluray streams muxed in to mkv.

You could get away with compressing them down quite a bit and not losing a lot of quality. In that case, I suggest giving handbrake a try.

 

[ViviTheMage]

14GB at most usually.

any advice on the settings for handbrake, to compress them down?

 

[Gooberlx2]

14GB at most usually.

any advice on the settings for handbrake, to compress them down?

Well, in that case they're already compressed down, so I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Couldn't I use handbrake to just transcode them to something more useful for the 360 then?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Couldn't I use handbrake to just transcode them to something more useful for the 360 then?

You could certainly try it and see how it works out. I don't have much experience tweaking handbrake for the 360, but I know there are threads about ideal Xbox360 settings at the handbrake forums.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I shall look, thanks!

 

[ViviTheMage]

Well hello, the apple tv2 can do xbmc, whcih supports ... everything :

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?titl...ported_Formats/Codecs#Supported_video_codecs:

Any reviews on how well it works? Even with high bitrates?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Wow, I had no idea! xbmc + ATV2 at $99 is a great idea!. Limited to 720p output though. That's unfortunate....might have to wait for the ATV3.

 

[Zargon]

14GB at most usually.

any advice on the settings for handbrake, to compress them down?

that gotsetn I posted has issues with really large files, so its def not worth even looking at then

I could do hour tv shows no problem, but movies it would crash during the encode alot

 

[ViviTheMage]

apparently it DOES 1080p with xbmc ........

http://xbmc.org/theuni/2011/01/20/you-asked-for-it-xbmc-for-appletv2-ipad-iphone4/

anyone chime on on that usage? I might have to ask in the apple forums.

 

[ViviTheMage]

handbrake worked well on the sample I tried ... my only issue is 6 channel audio is in the secon audio stream, does that mean, if 360 becomes capable of 5.1/6 channel, it will work?

Also, it reduces the mbps a lot .... from 15 to 616kbps, looks fine, but worries me?

 

[Gooberlx2]

apparently it DOES 1080p with xbmc ........

http://xbmc.org/theuni/2011/01/20/you-asked-for-it-xbmc-for-appletv2-ipad-iphone4/

anyone chime on on that usage? I might have to ask in the apple forums.

Decodes 1080p then downscales to 720p for output, pretty sure.

 

[ViviTheMage]

yeah, I just read that too ... lil ah heck wont be able to keep up with some of these movies, shoot.

handbrake works really well, but stats wise, it drops a lot of bitrate, and audio goes 2.0 channel.

it says track 1 stereo , and track 2 6 channel. Does that mean if I get something to play 6 channel, it will work? Or is that just my false hopes?

 

[Gooberlx2]

it says track 1 stereo , and track 2 6 channel. Does that mean if I get something to play 6 channel, it will work? Or is that just my false hopes?

Best answer is "maybe". Depends on if the device will support switching between multiple tracks, only support the first audio track, or just fail...so yeah, YMMV. I'd expect xbmc to work fine with multiple audio tracks though.

Still, I think the prospect for an ATV3, based on the iPad2 specs and outputting full 1080p are high. Hopefully it'll release this year (if they follow the same timeline they did between iPad/ATV2).

 

[ViviTheMage]

That would be nice, but I don't want to wait ... I also don't want to transcode to crap, and later on realize I could have kept it....What are the chances of atv2 with xbmc holding it's own with these high bitrate/DTS movies?

 

[Zargon]

its amazing how convulated, something that appears to be simple, can get

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yeah, I know!! So far the 360 plist + handbrake works, just very down-encoded.

I am curious about ATV2 though, can it hold me over until ATV3 + XBMC?

If someone could clarify, i'd be happy with that.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I could have kept it....What are the chances of atv2 with xbmc holding it's own with these high bitrate/DTS movies?

I'd read the xbmc forums for experience based feedback.

Also consult this chart for whether 1080p should even matter to you. Personally, were I you, I'd give up and keep the originals. Either get the ATV2+xbmc or hold out for something that'll definitely work with the original files.