Converting MKV to AVI

[Michael Miles]

On 05/08/2010 08:49 PM, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
> On Sat, 2010-05-08 at 10:28 -0700, Michael Miles wrote:
>    
>> On 05/08/2010 10:10 AM, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
>>      
>>> On Sat, 2010-05-08 at 09:53 -0700, Michael Miles wrote:
>>>
>>>        
>>>> On 05/08/2010 09:40 AM, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
>>>>
>>>>          
>>>>> On Sat, 2010-05-08 at 08:51 -0700, Michael Miles wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>            
>>>>>> On 05/08/2010 08:43 AM, Patrick O'Callaghan wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>              
>>>>>>> On Fri, 2010-05-07 at 23:43 -0700, Michael Miles wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>                
>>>>>>>>> Anyway, my question is this: does anyone have a useful recipe for
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                    
>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                  
>>>>>>>>> kind of thing?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> And for extra credit: how about converting FLV (Flash video)?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> poc
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>                    
>>>>>>>> I use Avidemux.
>>>>>>>> It handles everything quite well
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                  
>>>>>>> Tried it, but a) even the GUI version is still quite confusing,
>>>>>>> definitely not for dummies, and b) it didn't work on my test file
>>>>>>> despite apparently reasonable settings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> All the same I'm checking out the Wiki in search of illumination.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> poc
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>                
>>>>>> An easier one is Handbrake
>>>>>> Very limited in formats though
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>              
>>>>> Yes, it only seems to output H.264 or Mpeg-4.
>>>>>
>>>>> poc
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>            
>>>> It's really unfortunate but linux and video leaves something to be desired.
>>>>
>>>> The last one I have had some success is WinFF
>>>>
>>>> it uses ffmpeg to do it's work.
>>>>
>>>> Try it it does cover most files to avi.
>>>>
>>>>          
>>> Generating avi output is not really the problem. Avi is just a container
>>> format. The real issue is how to specify the right codecs with the right
>>> parameters. There are just way too many options for the non-expert to be
>>> able to decide.
>>>
>>> poc
>>>
>>>
>>>        
>> Winff is a front end for ffmpeg.
>> It allows you to specify framerate, bitrate, size everything you would
>> want to manipulate.
>>
>> Go into the option menu for the extra control.
>>
>> I wish standalone dvd players would support mkv and h.264 as it is the
>> most efficient mpeg4 container
>> Some do support but are still expensive
>>
>> a normal video parameters for a non hd player would be 720x480
>> resolution, framerate ntsc 29.97 Videobitrate 1500-2500
>>
>> Always select 2 pass for best results
>>      
>    

Avidemux is an very good converter that I would take some time a figure it out
It will handle flv files and just about anything you can trow at it

It will build a new VBR map right away to fix sync problems
To convert select mpeg-4 asp(xvid) for video

Audio try pcm for the least consuming on cpu but big file
MP3 for most compact but more consuming on cpu

Format avi or whatever you want to convert to




It sure sounds like reducing resolution for your standalone might be your best bet