Encoding .MP4 Video to WMV

[MDE]

I'm trying to re-encode a MP4 video to WMV (or whatever will play on an Xbox 360). Windows Media Encoder won't recognize MP4 files, ATI's AVIVO converter won't work, the trial version of TMPG just hangs, and every other program I've found doesn't support MP4 files. I can play the files in the Zune software, but Windows Media Player says it doesn't support it for some reason.

 

[MDE]

bump

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, I'm trying to figure this one out too. I think the best bet is going to be using avisynth and a modified version of wmcmd.vbs for Windows Media Encoder (read about this over at doom9.org forums)...I haven't quite had the time to mess aounrd with it though.

 

[StopSign]

Instead of speaking in terms of containers, speak in terms of video and audio streams. What exactly is inside the MP4? MP4 is not an A/V stream. There are programs out there that can mux/demux MP4 files and you get to see what's inside. I'm guessing it's probably H264 video, but it could also be XviD or some other MPEG4 video.

But like Gooberlx2 said, Avisynth is your best bet. Install FFDShow and set up the VFW to handle everything.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: StopSign
Instead of speaking in terms of containers, speak in terms of video and audio streams. What exactly is inside the MP4? MP4 is not an A/V stream. There are programs out there that can mux/demux MP4 files and you get to see what's inside. I'm guessing it's probably H264 video, but it could also be XviD or some other MPEG4 video.

But like Gooberlx2 said, Avisynth is your best bet. Install FFDShow and set up the VFW to handle everything.

The problem (for me) is that WME isn't playing nice with my mp4.

I have a HiDef x264 video and stereo AAC-LC audio streams. I suppose I could just demux the streams....it's just more work overall to do everything in steps like that because I have several files like this.

 

[Queasy]

It isn't free but check out RiverPast Video Cleaner. I currently use it to convert my Xvid/Divx/H.264 files to WMV and it works decently enough.

I kept trying different free solutions but couldn't get anything to work for me. Others may have had better luck though.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I've successfully converted .mp4 files in the past (albeit to MPEG2, not WMV) using Canopus ProCoder.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Despite the fact that I knocked it previously for not having enough flexibility, I'm going to try using Super Video Converter to convert my mp4 to wmv. I don't know if it'll work, but apparently the video bitstream in a file I'm trying is screwed up (so YAMB tells me) and doesn't play nice with other applications so far, so I'll have to try this.

 

[StopSign]

Load up the MP4 with Avisynth using DirectShowSource.

 

[gsellis]

A shot in the dark... Do you have access to someone with Pinnacle Studio 10.5+? It might do it. My editor (Avid Liquid) donated its core to Studio. Liquid is just as easy as import, drop in the right sized timeline, export. I merged some MP4 video for the aviation page at Alexis Park Inn and created WMVs in the Military section here. The F4 Caynon Run and Speed Run were MP4s created from 8mm (in that small format). BTW, the F4 Caynon Run that RIO Jack McClard filmed is unique. Never will happen again. Running below the rim in an F4. No Hollywood dodging walls, but still really cool. In this section under F4...

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: StopSign
Load up the MP4 with Avisynth using DirectShowSource.

Yeah, that didn't work for me either. The MP4 itself plays fine, but any attempts with muxing/demuxing and avisynth all failed. So I'm trying converting to a 9mpbs mpeg2 and will convert to wmv from there. It's just this one problem mp4 file...I dunno. *shrug*