MP won't play VideoRedo-processed .ts files that play in MPC & VLC (1 Viewer)

[mrbenji]

Hi,

Trying to get commercial removal working on my Vista x64 system.

My latest attempt involves VideoRedo ("full," 15-day trial version): pointing that program's vp.vbs script at a comskip-generated .VPrj file.

At first glance this seems to work. I feed in an unprocessed .ts file and get out a commercial-free .ts file that plays without a hitch on Media Player Classic Homecinema 1.1.0.0 and VLC Media Player 0.8.6f. However, I can't for the life of me get the "cleaned" .ts file to play in Mediaportal! I can play the unprocessed .ts just fine, but when I try to play the processed file I get a black screen for a while, then get returned to the video menu I started from.

I've tried switching between the various MPEG2 codecs I have installed: ffmpeg, Cyberlink, Microsoft, etc., to no avail.

Can anyone with more experience in this area take a look at my log files and see what might be my issue? FYI, the logs will show I successfully played the unprocessed .ts after the processed .ts failed to play.

BTW, the only other program to balk at this .ts is HDTVtoMPEG2, which complains "Could not find a channel!" when loading the processed file, and shows no PIDs in the dropdown box. The unprocessed file loads fine, and shows video at 0x30 and audio at 0x40.

Thanks,
Benji

-------------------

TV-Server Version: 1.0 RC1
MediaPortal Version: 1.0 RC1
MediaPortal Skin: Monochrome
Windows Version: Vista Ultimate 64bit
CPU Type: AMD Phenom 9600 (Quad 2.3gHz)
HDD: Samsung HD501LJ Spinpoint T166 (500GB)
Memory: 4GB DDR2
Motherboard: ECS GeForce6100PM-M2
Motherboard Chipset: NVidia GeForce 6100 / nForce 430
Video Card: Sapphire HD3470 (ATI Radeon)
Video Card Driver: Latest
1. TV Card: 3X Pinnacle PCTV HD PRO Stick (a.k.a. PCTV 330e)
1. TV Card Type: 3 USB sticks
1. TV Card Driver: Latest
MPEG2 Video Codec: MPV Decoder Filter
MPEG2 Audio Codec: ffdshow Audio Decoder
Satelite/CableTV Provider: None (OTA antenna)
HTPC Case: Antec Fusion 430
Cooling: Scythe Ninja Mini CPU cooler + equipment cabinet is actively ventilated
Power Supply: Antec 430 Watt
Remote: i-Rocks MCE Remote Control and Receiver
TV: Olevia 237T
TV - HTPC Connection: Sapphire HD3470 HDMI out

 

[tourettes]

I would assume that VideoReDo removes the PMT (based on the "Could not find a channel!"). TsReader.ax is not able to play any .ts files where PMT PID is missing. Please upload a sample of the processed file.

 

[mrbenji]

I would assume that VideoReDo removes the PMT (based on the "Could not find a channel!"). TsReader.ax is not able to play any .ts files where PMT PID is missing.

Ok, attaching a sample. BTW: VideoRedo has a "Transport Stream Output" section in its options... I have it set like this (these are the default settings):

 

[tourettes]

That sample .ts file played here nicely with MP / TsReader.ax.

 

[guytpetj]

Why not have VideoRedo output in MPG format.

I also use VideoRedo to remove commercials (have used this program for 2 years now), but configured the output to be MPG. MediaPortal has no problem playing the MPG files.

 

[mrbenji]

Problem fixed!

That sample .ts file played here nicely with MP / TsReader.ax.

Arrgh... didn't actually check to see whether my sample video played for me or not.... I was too busy trying to create a sample that fit under the 5mb upload limit. Turns out this .ts *did* work.

Anyway, I figured out what the problem was. All the references I'd found to this method had you call VideoRedo's vp.vbs with a command line like:

cscript //nologo "C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoReDoPlus\vp.vbs" "%~dpn1.VPrj" "%~dpn1_Cleaned.ts" /t1 /q

Well, the script is poorly documented, but in my googlequest I managed to glean the following info on that cryptic "/t#" parameter:

/t1 = .mpg (script calls this an "output program stream")
/t2 = .mpv (script calls this an "elementary stream")
/t3 = .vob (script calls this a "VOB with blank NAV")

And the kicker:

/t4 = .ts (script doesn't explain what /t4 is at all)

Sure enough, using /t4...

cscript //nologo "C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoReDoPlus\vp.vbs" "%~dpn1.VPrj" "%~dpn1_Cleaned.ts" /t4 /q

...produced a fully-functioning .ts file! The sample .ts worked because I created it through the gui, so it auto-set to the right filetype. The error I was experiencing was due to MP understandably trying to read my cleaned video as a .ts, when in fact it was a .mpg with a .ts extension. Apparently VLC and MPC are more "idiot proof," as they must have analyzed the file, seen it was an .mpg, and played it as such.

Actually, in other areas MP is much more forgiving... for example, renaming an x264 .mkv file to .mpg causes MP to play it correctly! (Provided you're set up to play MKVs in your "My Videos" area.) I discovered this during my still-ongoing quest to graft compressed TV recordings into the the "My TV" GUI.

I'm attaching my updated postprocessing.bat (remove the trailing ".txt" to use it, and remember to update the paths if you're not on Vista x64).

I do extra cleanup at the end of the batch run, like replacing the original .ts or .mpg, removing the VideoRedo project file, and renaming the "(program name).txt" comskip file to "(program name)_cleaned" to prevent comskipping a file with commercials removed, plus signal to anyone looking at the folder that the commercials have been cleaned from that file.

 

[tourettes]

Good that it got solved.