MP4 to AVI (Divx or Xvid)

I have some mp4 files that were encoded with Nero Digital. I just bought a DVD player that will play Divx, Xvid and 3ivx (haven't tried 3ivx on the player yet, as I have no files encoded in that format). I am wondering what the simplest way to convert these files into a valid format would be. I will be converting around 150 files at about 170MB a piece. So a batching option would be really nice.

Now I have been playing around with video editing, but that is all I have been doing... playing. I have used DVDx 2.3, AutoGK, DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter. I am well versed in those programs, encoding in both Divx5 and Xvid. Any other programs, it would be helpful if you could post me to an online guide.

For those of you wondering my dvd player is a LG LDA-511 (which so far, I love). It does a really good job of playback, and it supports up to 1920x1080 resolution (i believe that is the correct aspext ratio).

I did do some searching on the topics, but some of the info went over my head. I will admit I am still a n00b when it comes to video editing/converting.

My computer is an AMD Athlon 2600+ Barton, with 512MB of memory and 790GBs of space (between 4 drives) and an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro, running Windows XP SP2 all updates. So if there are any programs that will take advantage of my system, please let me know.

Thanks
Jeremy

mp4box

Originally Posted by bondmp4box

You mean Yamb with mp4box which makes things easier

Maybe I am just missing something, but it looks like those programs are designed to take video formats and convert them into mp4. I want the opposite. Converting mp4 to avi.

If the program does do this, is there a guide somewhere?

And does it support batching?

Does it have to completely re-encode the file, or does it just make minor changes?

I really wish I knew more about video encoding, then I could give back and help out in the community, but since I don't I will do what I do best. Help others with computer problems on other forums. But what I can give to you guys is my deepest gratitude. I always know that if I need help with video encoding, I can always come here. Kudos to all you who know your stuff.

Thanks
Jeremy

YAMB has the capability, notice the quot;extractquot; tab. You can use that generated command line to batch process with mp4box, as long as the track numbers are the same.

What you have to be wary of is that mp4 supports only native mpeg audio (well, and a few other things), while AVI supports only wav-encapsulated audio, which are mutually exclusive. You'll have to get a tool to take the extracted audio and encapsulate it into a wav before you can mux it in.

If it's mp3 you could probably just use nandub or whatever the current best avi-muxer is, and I think AviMux even supports ac3/aac/dts audio. You have to find out what's batch-processable though.

The LG LDA-511 claims to be mpeg4 compatible, so maybe it COULD read mp4 files, as long as they contains ASP video and mp3... have you tried?

Originally Posted by foxyshadisYAMB has the capability, notice the quot;extractquot; tab. You can use that generated command line to batch process with mp4box, as long as the track numbers are the same.

What you have to be wary of is that mp4 supports only native mpeg audio (well, and a few other things), while AVI supports only wav-encapsulated audio, which are mutually exclusive. You'll have to get a tool to take the extracted audio and encapsulate it into a wav before you can mux it in.

If it's mp3 you could probably just use nandub or whatever the current best avi-muxer is, and I think AviMux even supports ac3/aac/dts audio. You have to find out what's batch-processable though.

Jeremy was, as I read his post, looking for a program (all-in-one) to do this, not a convoluted process involved several programs, command-line interfaces, and quot;warinessquot;. Sorry, this sounds like your answer was off-base--don't mean that--if the way you describe is the only way then, well, that is the answer I guess.

I'm surprised no such all-in-one tool yet exists (apparently). I too would like a simple way to convert mp4s to xvid.

Yes, it exists: mencoder.
bassmardigal, you should tell us what audio and video codecs your mp4 uses, and maybe we could help you...

Originally Posted by hitbitThe LG LDA-511 claims to be mpeg4 compatible, so maybe it COULD read mp4 files, as long as they contains ASP video and mp3... have you tried?

Yes I did try. It gave a disc error. I tried with multiple discs I had burnt. I read in the manual and it only mentions Divx 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, Xvid, and 3ivx (which from my understanding is a type of mpeg4, just differing compression).Originally Posted by hitbitbassmardigal, you should tell us what audio and video codecs your mp4 uses, and maybe we could help you...

Sorry, I forgot that Nero can encode in different formats. I followed this guide and it showed NeroDigital: em4v 4.1.4.14, unfortunately I forgot to check the audio and won't be able to do it for a while.

Thanks for the help and I will post the audio as soon as I get home from work.

Jeremy

Originally Posted by bassmadrigalFor those of you wondering my dvd player is a LG LDA-511 (which so far, I love). It does a really good job of playback, and it supports up to 1920x1080 resolution (i believe that is the correct aspext ratio).

It might be able to output/up-scale to this resolution via HDMI and/or component.... but it certainly does not support naitive MPEG-1, 2 or 4 sources at 1920x1080.Cheers

Originally Posted by laserfanI'm surprised no such all-in-one tool yet exists (apparently). I too would like a simple way to convert mp4s to xvid.

Once you get used to YAMB, de-muxing MPEG-4/SP/ASP video from MP4 to AVI is a breeze!

That said, any .MP4 file that contains an AAC audio stream will have be de-muxed and re-encoded to an MP3 audio stream, prior to muxing to .AVICheers

Originally Posted by SeeMoreDigitalIt might be able to output/up-scale to this resolution via HDMI and/or component.... but it certainly does not support naitive MPEG-1, 2 or 4 sources at 1920x1080.

That was just my soapbox for how good the DVD player is. Native MPEG-1, 2 or 4 files encoded at that resolution, would be incredible in size. Much more than even my computer could handle.

As far as determining what audio codec was used I haven't been able to figure that out. Is there a way to determine whether it was encoded in AAC of MP3?

I was thinking today (uh, oh, I know ), would the Divx Converter that came with Divx 6 Pro, work? I tried using it for a wmv, and the resolution was all screwed up, but I haven't tried with any other formats. This does support batching, so what guys are your thoughts on this?

Thanks
Jeremy

Originally Posted by bassmadrigalAs far as determining what audio codec was used I haven't been able to figure that out. Is there a way to determine whether it was encoded in AAC of MP3?

Yes...

Fire up YAMB and feed it your stream via the quot;Extractquot; tab: -
YAMB will then be able to display the files properties and list the streams.... You can even save this information as a quot;textquot; file if you press the quot;Informationsquot; button Cheers

MediaInfo also tells you the video and audio types, but yamb is nice.

Divx Converter will re-encode, if you want that after all you can use it, or any number of free one-click solutions as well.

Originally Posted by foxyshadisDivx Converter will re-encode, if you want that after all you can use it, or any number of free one-click solutions as well.

if not a smaller filesize is wanted, reencoding makes no sense, as the video stream is already mpeg-4 (divx is also a mpeg-4 codec as most surely know)

Assuming that your files have ASP+AAC, you can try this:
mencoder yourfile.mp4 -ovc copy -fourcc XVID -oac mp3lame -lameopts preset=medium -o outfile.avi
It's fast and can be easily batched.

Originally Posted by foxyshadisMediaInfo also tells you the video and audio types, but yamb is nice.

Even the newer versions of MediaPlayer Classic can list the stream types within the MP4 container: -
.... I guess it just depends on how much information you require!Originally Posted by foxyshadisDivx Converter will re-encode, if you want that after all you can use it, or any number of free one-click solutions as well.

I'm with Bond on this one.... It's pointless re-encoding the MPEG-4 stream, when you have a perfectly good one already!Cheers

Ok I will find out what the audio codec is tomorrow.Originally Posted by seemoredigital
Originally Posted by foxyshadisDivx Converter will re-encode, if you want that after all you can use it, or any number of free one-click solutions as well.

I'm with Bond on this one.... It's pointless re-encoding the MPEG-4 stream, when you have a perfectly good one already!

I don't really care if I re-encoded the file. But I am looking for a one click (or one program that will do the same) option that will make it work in my dvd player. I understand it is already an MPEG-4 and AVI uses MPEG-4. If there is something really fast and easy that will change it (however it needs to change it), that is all I am looking for.

The only reason I am doing this is just because I want to play these files on my dvd player. I am looking for the simplest way to do this, and I would really like the batch option. With that many files I don't want to have to do each one.

Thanks
Jeremy

Have you considered buying yourself a new stand-alone that can play MPEG-4 in AVI and in MP4

This was the whole reason I bought this DVD player. I did a lot of searching at local stores (wasn't willing to pay the shipping online and have to wait to get it), and this was the DVD player I decided on. All my current videos I have encoded were in divx/xvid format so these are the only files that are not supported in the DVD player. And from my understanding I would have to find one that supports specific codecs within the MP4 container. So even if I got one that supports mp4's it may not support the nero codec used to make it.

Thanks
Jeremy