Converting video file for PS3

Joebob · 13 Jan 2008 at 09:27

I have a 720p .mkv video file that I want to be able to convert to play on the PS3. I still want it to be HD though - so what's the best software to use?

Also, it's about 4GB in size so how would I get it onto the PS3 - External HDD's have to be FAT32 to be recognised by the PS3 so doesn't that limited the size of files you can put on the drive?

Mortster · 13 Jan 2008 at 10:47

Joebob said:
I have a 720p .mkv video file that I want to be able to convert to play on the PS3. I still want it to be HD though - so what's the best software to use?

Also, it's about 4GB in size so how would I get it onto the PS3 - External HDD's have to be FAT32 to be recognised by the PS3 so doesn't that limited the size of files you can put on the drive?

As you know .mkv is only a container file, generally the 720p ones contain a .h264 (mp4 AVC) video stream and a Dolby Digital 5.1 AC3 audio stream. The problem is the PS3 cannot read/understand the .MKV container, but it can play both .h264 (avc) and AC3 streams. Many people suggest remuxing both the video and audio stream from the .mkv file into a .mp4 file, but the problem is the PS3 can only accept stereo 2 channel audio within an .mp4 file.

The solution is to use a .VOB container file. The PS3 can read .h264 and AC3 (5.1 surround) streams fine from this type of container.

Go here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=131782 to grab mkv2vob

that program will take an .mkv input and remux the streams into a .vob container file. It will also prompt you if you wish to convert/transcode if it detects either stream to be non-compatible with the PS3. All the 720p MKV files I have tested so far I have said YES to, and no transcoding has been required.

MKV2VOB first of all extracts the video and audio streams (demux) from the .mkv container. It then converts the video to conform to the 4.1 AVC standard (no alterations/compression occurs) - the PS3 requires .h264/AVC files to conform to this standard. It then muxes both the video/audio streams back into a .vob file ready for the PS3.

The way to get around the 4Gb limit is to either get hold of red kawa file server, which will setup a simple HTTP/FTP server on your PC which you can connect to with the PS3 browser to download files OR just use DLNA streaming with something like TVErsity which will allow you to download files over wired/wireless network to your PS3 hard drive.

I'm not sure though if .VOB files have a size limit, you will need to test it out mat.e

hope this helps/

Joebob · 13 Jan 2008 at 11:39

Thats excellent - thanks

Thesnipergecko · 13 Jan 2008 at 11:41

I tried this before and could not get the PS3 to pick up any .vob files. I was using MP11 sharing with Vista.

T.

the_dead_parrot · 13 Jan 2008 at 12:18

Thesnipergecko said:
I tried this before and could not get the PS3 to pick up any .vob files. I was using MP11 sharing with Vista.

T.

It wont work with WMP11 sharing. I use TVersity, the files show up on the PS3, can easily be copied over and played.

ikillbears · 13 Jan 2008 at 15:49

can i apple the same method to get it working on my 360? ive managed to do it with one .mkv file but i have lost the 5.1. If i do the method above will i be able to watch it in 5.1?

Mortster · 13 Jan 2008 at 18:01

Thesnipergecko said:
I tried this before and could not get the PS3 to pick up any .vob files. I was using MP11 sharing with Vista.

T.

yep WMP11 will not pickup .vob files and add them to the library.
You could try and cheat and rename the .vob files to .avi , which may work

Although I would suggest something like TVersity or Twonky etc instead of WMP11, especially for PS3.

JUMPURS · 13 Jan 2008 at 20:20

Mortster said:
yep WMP11 will not pickup .vob files and add them to the library.
You could try and cheat and rename the .vob files to .avi , which may work
Although I would suggest something like TVersity or Twonky etc instead of WMP11, especially for PS3.

I done that and it worked no problem.
Streamed over wireless using WMP11

Joebob · 19 Jan 2008 at 17:03

Yeah - just got it working... excellent!

Inoshishi · 19 Jan 2008 at 17:44

Another vote for TVersity, it rocks!

Joebob · 19 Jan 2008 at 18:53

Inoshishi said:
Another vote for TVersity, it rocks!

Will it stream in HD though?

Thesnipergecko · 19 Jan 2008 at 19:50

I have spent hours with TVersity trying to get it to work but my PS3 or my xbox360 can pick it up. I have opened up all the ports it needs. I have added all the exe's to my firewall. I have even tried turning the firewall off. The consoles just will not find the TVersity Server.

T.

Inoshishi · 19 Jan 2008 at 19:56

Thesnipergecko said:
I have spent hours with TVersity trying to get it to work but my PS3 or my xbox360 can pick it up. I have opened up all the ports it needs. I have added all the exe's to my firewall. I have even tried turning the firewall off. The consoles just will not find the TVersity Server.

T.

Make sure you have:

C:\Program Files\TVersity\Media Server\MediaServer.exe

Added to your Windows Firewall exceptions, I had the same problem and it took me two days to figure out what it was.

Joebob · 21 Jan 2008 at 11:35

Ok I'm trying to convert another .mkv file but mkv2vob pops up with the following error message "Unsupported Audio Codec: A_AAC/MPEG4/LC/SBR" - anyone know a way arround this?

rp2000 · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:15

Joebob said:
Ok I'm trying to convert another .mkv file but mkv2vob pops up with the following error message "Unsupported Audio Codec: A_AAC/MPEG4/LC/SBR" - anyone know a way arround this?

No way around this from what I have tried so far. The odd MKV file has AAC audio instead of AC3 5.1

(I got the exact same thing with a couple of files I downloaded and converted). For this you would have to do the conversion manually, which can be a pain, if you don;t know what you are doing.

Basically you have to demux the audio and video, then convert the audio to some other format (ac3 would be best I guess) and then remux the file again, then use mkv2vob.

This was the situation about 1.5 weeks ago when I tried. I have no idea if mkv2vob has since been updated.

rp2000

Demon · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:47

rp2000 said:
No way around this from what I have tried so far. The odd MKV file has AAC audio instead of AC3 5.1

(I got the exact same thing with a couple of files I downloaded and converted). For this you would have to do the conversion manually, which can be a pain, if you don;t know what you are doing.

Basically you have to demux the audio and video, then convert the audio to some other format (ac3 would be best I guess) and then remux the file again, then use mkv2vob.

This was the situation about 1.5 weeks ago when I tried. I have no idea if mkv2vob has since been updated.

rp2000

That's my experience as well.. as it is with the 360..

I've had to re-encode lots of DIVX stuff for the same reasons..

The tools are so fiddly for x264 and multichannel audio, that it just became such a PITA, I built a HTPC with HD Combo drive..

da_mic_1530 · 21 Jan 2008 at 13:52

Thesnipergecko said:
I have spent hours with TVersity trying to get it to work but my xbox360 can't pick it up. I have opened up all the ports it needs. I have added all the exe's to my firewall. I have even tried turning the firewall off. The consoles just will not find the TVersity Server.

T.

indeed, spent many hours trying to get it to work, in the end I gave up for a better solution