File converter

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Kloofvreter

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My Blu-ray player can play files from a USB flash drive as well. The problem is that is will play some AVI files, and others it won't. I'm not too clued up on codecs, etc etc, but I believe this because the files it won't play are not in Xvid format? Correct me if I'm wrong here.

Now what I want to know, what software package would you recommend to convert them to the proper playable format?
 
1st AVI is just a container, call it a zip for media.

See the codecs as programs that can handle said "files" in that AVI. So in short yes that's your problem

Oh and best conversion tool for me is http://handbrake.fr/
 
Slootvreter said:
My Blu-ray player can play files from a USB flash drive as well. The problem is that is will play some AVI files, and others it won't. I'm not too clued up on codecs, etc etc, but I believe this because the files it won't play are not in Xvid format? Correct me if I'm wrong here.

Now what I want to know, what software package would you recommend to convert them to the proper playable format?
Click to expand...

Post the bran and Model number so i can check what formats it plays. Thing is Xvid is prety comman and based on Divx 3 or 4 so should play on most Divx capable players
As for a converter if it plays MP4 (and most players ive seen play Mp4) get Handbrake it converts prety much any files to mp4 and works prety fast
 
Awesome, thanks guys, will give them both a shot. And no, no Apple devices for me, thanks! :p
 
isie said:
Post the bran and Model number so i can check what formats it plays. Thing is Xvid is prety comman and based on Divx 3 or 4 so should play on most Divx capable players
As for a converter if it plays MP4 (and most players ive seen play Mp4) get Handbrake it converts prety much any files to mp4 and works prety fast
Click to expand...

It's a Sony (narrows it down hey :o), there has also been a thread about that specific model posted here a few months back. Can't recall the details now. It should also play MP4 files, but again, some will and some won't. I'll give Handbrake a shot.
 
+1 for Handbrake.

I use the following settings:

1. Container = MKV
2. Video codec = H264
3. Sound = AAC (downmix to stereo)

It could maybe also be that there is cinavia protection in those files.
 
Videohelp is a site with lists of free and shareware programs one can use to convert stuff as well as instruction guides. Depending on what you want to convert, it may or may not be an easy task. I found that files containing subtitle streams can be a pain with the all-in-one convertors sold on the market.

Here's a list:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/all-in-one-video-converters

BTW if you watch a lot of non-DivX/XviD stuff, you should rather buy a Mede8r or similar player. Connect to USB stick or drive and watch that way. It plays almost everything from DivX/XviD to MKV H.264/VC1 to Realmedia, as well as MPEG1/2. This depends on how valuable your time is for you.

Handbrake is good for ripping DVD to XviD avis or H.264 MKVs. But to convert media files it's not so good or maybe it's not even possible. MakeMKV is a tool (free but one needs to redownload every couple of weeks) to rip Bluray disks and DVDs too.
These programs work on Mac and PC.
 
Space_Chief said:
Handbrake is good for ripping DVD to XviD avis or H.264 MKVs. But to convert media files it's not so good or maybe it's not even possible. .
Click to expand...

clearly you have not used handbrake! It Doesnt rip using Xvid or use the AVI container It Outputs to MP4 oR MKV. As for converting I converted almost all of my AVI and MKV files to MP4 using handbrake, no noticeable loss in quality but about a 20-40% reduction in file size, as well as making files compatible with all my devices.
Its free and works for Mac, Windows and Linux And has 21 essential vitamins and minerals

Clipboard01.jpg

http://handbrake.fr/
 
isie said:
clearly you have not used handbrake! It Doesnt rip using Xvid or use the AVI container It Outputs to MP4 oR MKV.
Click to expand...

I've probably used it far longer than you have (2007). But you're maybe right that it can transcode some types of files, I forgot about that. Had been using it for DVD ripping mostly.

Handbrake has been useless in converting MKV subtitled videos to iPad compatible Mp4 (M4V) with hard coded subtitles which play back natively on iOS devices.
Here's someone else with a similar issue to mine:
http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/331485-MKV-with-subtitles-to-MP4-with-subtitles

When subtitles are not an issue, it's not a problem, about 100 utilities out there can do it.

As for converting I converted almost all of my AVI and MKV files to MP4 using handbrake, no noticeable loss in quality but about a 20-40% reduction in file size, as well as making files compatible with all my devices.
Its free and works for Mac, Windows and Linux And has 21 essential vitamins and minerals
Click to expand...

Yeah, but those are "your" files. There are files with different subtitle streams and wrappers which have issues with most programs. MKV to non MKV playback for NATIVE hardware accelerated iPad playback with subtitles is a PITA.

On Macs, I don't know about Windows, MKVTools 2 has been effective for me:
http://www.emmgunn.com/oldsoftware.html

I still recommend perusing the list of files on VideoHelp.

EDIT:
OK, I tried the newest version of HB and it seems it could do a file with hard coded subtitles. Great, I'll do more testing as I have time.
 
Last edited:
Space_Chief said:
I've probably used it far longer than you have (2007). But you're maybe right that it can transcode some types of files, I forgot about that. Had been using it for DVD ripping mostly.

Handbrake has been useless in converting MKV subtitled videos to iPad compatible Mp4 (M4V) with hard coded subtitles which play back natively on iOS devices.
Here's someone else with a similar issue to mine:
http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/331485-MKV-with-subtitles-to-MP4-with-subtitles

When subtitles are not an issue, it's not a problem, about 100 utilities out there can do it.



Yeah, but those are "your" files. There are files with different subtitle streams and wrappers which have issues with most programs. MKV to non MKV playback for NATIVE hardware accelerated iPad playback with subtitles is a PITA.

On Macs, I don't know about Windows, MKVTools 2 has been effective for me:
http://www.emmgunn.com/oldsoftware.html

I still recommend perusing the list of files on VideoHelp.

EDIT:
OK, I tried the newest version of HB and it seems it could do a file with hard coded subtitles. Great, I'll do more testing as I have time.
Click to expand...

been ripping dvd and messing around with converting for years cant give you a date but if you started in 2007 you make me feel old :D any way from OP from his first post needs something simple fast and easy to use that can convert AVI files to make them more compatible,and yep there are other tools probably better but for his needs you cant beat handbrake.
 
I also had a problem watching series once they started putting them in H264. After looking on various message boards I came across Format Factory, and havent had a problem since. It is easy to use and gives a wide range of formats. I am using version 2.96, but I know there is an update. If a 60+yrs person can use it then anyone can!!!!
 
Been converting video files for many years and used most of the programs mentioned here - also DVD FAB
About a year ago I came across Freemake video converter, an absolute gem - convert any file format to any file format, even rip from disks. Also have editing and subtitle tools.
Give it a try, nothing to lose - it's free
 
Dion Disco said:
Been converting video files for many years and used most of the programs mentioned here - also DVD FAB
About a year ago I came across Freemake video converter, an absolute gem - convert any file format to any file format, even rip from disks. Also have editing and subtitle tools.
Give it a try, nothing to lose - it's free
Click to expand...

+1 on Freemake, very good...
 
Dion Disco said:
Been converting video files for many years and used most of the programs mentioned here - also DVD FAB
About a year ago I came across Freemake video converter, an absolute gem - convert any file format to any file format, even rip from disks. Also have editing and subtitle tools.
Give it a try, nothing to lose - it's free
Click to expand...

I shall give it a try
 
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