This is a quick outline of various methods I have used to convert various HD formats to play them on my own PS3.

I have pulled together steps from various sources, including threads on AVS & AVforums. Thanks to anyone who has contributed.


Notes:

Unfortunately I cannot post web links because I'm a new member so for the software used please search on google or vcdhelp under tools.

It is possible to repackage QT HD files to mp4 quickly using Quicktime Pro, but sometimes I have had problems with this.

To convert various formats to mp4 I have used a program called Super.
The minimum spec for Super is quite high, about 1800Mhz CPU & 1 Gig of Ram (don't quote me on this though).
It can be slow at times but it has been successful at creating PS3 friendly videos.


To fix mpeg files to work I use HDTV2MPEG, HDPatch & VLC.


Here are the guides.



To repackage QTHD

Using Quicktime Pro to change HD QT Files to Mp4
1. Open Movie File
2. Choose File Export, choose Movie to MPEG-4
3. Options>File Format:MP4
4. Set Video to Pass Through
5. Set Audio to AAC-LC Music 160kbps
Output Sample Rate: 44.100KHZ or 48.000KHZ "Depending on Source File"
Encoding Quality: Best
6. OK




To convert to mp4 using Super


Super Tutorial
1. Open Super
2. Right-Click on Main Window and choose Add Multimedia File(s) and select your Input File.
3. Choose mp4 from drop-down list 1.
4. Make Sure drop-down list 2. is set to H.264/AVC
5. Make sure drop-down list 3 is set to AAC
6. Double click Input File Name in the list near the bottom of the window and this will open the file details box.
7. Set Video size to match that of Input File, or leave on NoChange
8. Set Aspect to Match Input File Loaded.
9. Set Frame/sec to match Input File loaded or as near as possible.
10. Set Bitrate to match Input File loaded or as near as possible.
11. Check Hi Quality
12. Unchec Top Quality
13. Check 48K Audio.
14. Click H264 Profile and choose Main 4.1, click H264 again to close box.
15. You can set a Duration to encode by clicking Other Opts
16. Set Audio to 44100
17. Set Channels to 2
18. Set Bitrate to anything between 128 - 192 or higher.
19. Leave DVD Language at default unless your Input File has multiple Audio tracks.
20. Click Encode Active Files and be patient.

Note: With regards to the checkbox Use Directshow, this uses the directshow filters and codecs available on your PC.

I use this sometimes when converting wmv files, but mostly this is unchecked.




To Fix MPEG Files


To convert TS or TP stream files to mpeg2:

Mpeg2 TS to Mpeg 2 mpeg file
1. Open HDTVtoMPEG2
2. Click Add and select file(s).
3. Set Type to Mpeg2
4. Set Max Size to 4000MB
5. Select Ouput Path by clicking button under MB
6. Click Convert.


It seems a lot of HDTV streams are vertical 1088 which the PS3 will not play, for these mpeg2 files I do the following


Check for HDTV 1088
1.Load HDPatch
2. Load Input File.
3. If Size says 1920 x 1088 then Choose Preset > Fix1088 from Top Menu.
4. Click Patch Stream to fix headers.




Transcode Tutorial
1. Open VLC Media Player.
2. Choose File > Wizard.
3. Select Transcode Save to file and Click Next
4. Click Choose and then Click Browse to select Input File, Click OK then Click Next
4. Click Next to skip Video & Audio re-encode, not required here.
5. Set Output to Format - MPEG TS or (MPEG PS for AC3 Audio) and Click Next
6. Click Choose and Set Output Filename & Folder and click Save.
7. Click Finish to start Transcode, this should be quick.

Note: AC3 Audio will transcode but get downgraded on playback on PS3 to 2 channel.



I will try to update this if I find any alternative methods.

I haven't had much time to try out PS3 Video9 yet.

Lastly, a Big Thank You to anyone who has contributed to video conversion in the many forums I visit, I'm sure you will notice your info you donated to this guide I have posted.


If you are looking for some good HD content try these:

Apple trailers website
hdclips net
bloghdtv com

Also plenty of HDTV on the newsgroups.

The only success I've had is with repackaging quicktime to mp4. I think I've tried all the other programs you've mentioned, and they either don't support high enough bitrates, or don't convert from wmv. Being able to convert wmv files is what I'm most interested in since that is what a majority of my content is, and it's easy to convert anything to wmv to begin with.

Question. where can I get free HD content to convert?

Question. where can I get free HD content to convert?

www.apple.com/trailers is the best place for HD movie trailers

www.gametrailers.com has 720p game trailers available

This is slightly off topic, but is there a way to automate playback or do you have to go through a menu system to select the trailer you want to play?

Even though the programs available such as Super & PS3 Video9 don't let you set high enough bitrates, which is a bit annoying.

The problem is trying to get source material of high enough quality.

If you get an HDTV mpeg2 ts file, this is saved in the exact bitrate that it is sent out, if this is converted to work on PS3 the bitrate & quality is the same as the HDTV stream,
Harry Potter was about 25Mbits/s
Ronin was about 12 Mbit/s
Batman Begins was about 25Mbit/s

The problem with these is they are 1080i and not 1080p like Blu-ray.
Also I think Batman was about 18gb so this would need to be split into 4gb chuncks and transfered onto the PS3, easy enough to do, but the bad bit is you can't yet define a playlist of videos to watch, so you have to start each video manually in turn.

I have not checked the bitrate on T2 WMV-HD, or the 1280x720 xvids I have.

My conclusion is if I want nice HD watchable(not perfect) quality get the HDTV stuff and watch it on the PS3. If you want real true HD quality buy Blu-ray/HD-DVD.

Even though the programs available such as Super & PS3 Video9 don't let you set high enough bitrates, which is a bit annoying.

The problem is trying to get source material of high enough quality.

If you get an HDTV mpeg2 ts file, this is saved in the exact bitrate that it is sent out, if this is converted to work on PS3 the bitrate & quality is the same as the HDTV stream,
Harry Potter was about 25Mbits/s
Ronin was about 12 Mbit/s
Batman Begins was about 25Mbit/s

The problem with these is they are 1080i and not 1080p like Blu-ray.
Also I think Batman was about 18gb so this would need to be split into 4gb chuncks and transfered onto the PS3, easy enough to do, but the bad bit is you can't yet define a playlist of videos to watch, so you have to start each video manually in turn.

I have not checked the bitrate on T2 WMV-HD, or the 1280x720 xvids I have.

My conclusion is if I want nice HD watchable(not perfect) quality get the HDTV stuff and watch it on the PS3. If you want real true HD quality buy Blu-ray/HD-DVD.

Where did you get these movies in HD from? My only source for HD material is OTA broadcasts in HD, which I record and archive on DVD for later use.

Great thread. I'm definitely subscribing to it.

Thanks OP!

I got the HDTV movies from newsgroups, Batman Begins & Harry Potter was listed just before Christmas time. Ronin was about a year ago.

Not sure of the rules with AVS for how much I can mention with regard to newsgroups though, here is some info:

alt.binaries.hdtv & alt.binaries.hdtv.repost also listed on hdclips net (google this)

wallace : thanks a lot, I used SUPER and obtained mp4 avc PS3 compatible files :)

so does super allow you to set he bitrate? or is it the same as al the other craptastic encoding software out there?

Guys, also have a look at this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=781739). PS3 is great for HD playback, but 5.1 is downmixed to 2.1.

I really hope they fix this at the "big update in march", it is driving me nuts.

If it's not too much to ask, can you also post conversion runtimes (approximate is fine)?
Method used and which movie.
Plus config of PC.
Thanks.

I think I finally found a way to get AVC HD videos encoded with high bitrates, that also work on the PS3.

I'm encoding the MGS4 HD trailer, and i'll write something up if it ends up working like the test files that I just did.

Even though the programs available such as Super & PS3 Video9 don't let you set high enough bitrates, which is a bit annoying.

The problem is trying to get source material of high enough quality.

If you get an HDTV mpeg2 ts file, this is saved in the exact bitrate that it is sent out, if this is converted to work on PS3 the bitrate & quality is the same as the HDTV stream,
Harry Potter was about 25Mbits/s
Ronin was about 12 Mbit/s
Batman Begins was about 25Mbit/s

The problem with these is they are 1080i and not 1080p like Blu-ray.


How are those movies not 1080p? Are they recorded from TV?

The HDTV streams are 1080i, different from 1080p, an explanation would be an entirely new thread.

The HDTV streams are 1080i, different from 1080p, an explanation would be an entirely new thread.


Give me the short version, so I can have a very basic understanding.

thanks
kirk

Well, I am having major problems getting my HD ts files to play on the PS3 after burning to a DVD data disk.

I have a few PBS Soundstage recordings in .ts format. The files come up on the PS3 and the PS3 shows the correct information about the program , but say "corrupted data" once I try to play them.

I have tried using mpeg2repair and videoredo to remove errors. I have also used hdpatch to make sure these are true 1080i files (and not 1088). Any ideas?

Is there any particular way I should be burning this to DVD? The file sizes are a little less than 4GB.

Has anybody tried these programs?

http://www.mp4converter.net/ps3-video-converter-win.html

http://www.mp4converter.net/dvd-to-ps3-converter-win.html

1080i vs 1080p has been discussed on multiple forums here many times.
The shortest explanation is probably this

1080p draws a full 1080 lines each frame
1080i draws a half a 1080 image each frame, 540 lines per frame.

This is not the best explanation, but it is the shortest, simplest way.



As for ts file problems, are you using the .ts or .mpg extension, I have never managed to play .ts files, but .mpg have always worked.

Load the file on the PC in your media player (VLC for instance) and do a properties to check the Video & Audio settings, if you can post them here I may be able to help.

Has anybody tried these programs?

http://www.mp4converter.net/ps3-video-converter-win.html

http://www.mp4converter.net/dvd-to-ps3-converter-win.html


Haven't tried these, I have came across them before, and was a bit curious but found alternatives that were free, such as Super.

excuse my ignorance, but how do i burn my hdtv program streams to dvd to be playable on the ps3. i have an intel imac and have not bothered to buy toast for it yet. is there anyway to use mac os x built in disc burning tool?

If they're MPEG2 TS, convert them to MPEG2 program streams (.mpg), burn to DVD, then PS3 will play it. No authoring necessary.

brajesh, thanks for the reply. so i'm just burning a straight data disk. no need to put them in specific folders, ie VIDEO in all caps? i thought i read that on some other forum....but i was curious if there were any mac os x specific insights, ie do i need toast or can i just use the mac's built in disc burning software?

Dont you need a Blu-Ray disc burner to do all this?

i have a bunch of tv shows encoded with xvid 5.1 hr (960x544)
not sure if you guys know this but SUPER has a "PS3" option... it will automatically pick H.264/AAC output for you. you just have to pick the correct resolution and aspect ratio.
i'm perfectly fine with "SD" quality so i'm picking 740x480, 16:9. you can burn the mp4 files directly onto a data dvdr and the ps3 will play them from the disc.

i'm currently experimenting with different video bitrates right now trying to find the "best efficient quality" bitrate. the main problem is my system (2.5ghz, 512mb RAM) takes 4-5 hours to convert a single 700mb xvid file into an mp4. it's a shame the ps3 can't play divx/xvid files directly so i can avoid all this conversion mess and also get 5.1 sound

it's a shame the ps3 can't play divx/xvid files directly so i can avoid all this conversion mess and also get 5.1 sound
I agree. I wouldn't even mind moving the xvid into an mp4 container and converting the audio from AC3 into AAC or MP3.

Thanks for making this great guide. I was able to convert hl2-ep2_gameplay05_720p_wmvhd.wmv and it plays quite nicely on my PS3. However I haven't managed to get SUPER (or any other PS3 specific video converter) to convert my unDRMed Terminator II WMV files. I used FairUse4WM to unDRM them. Now when ever I try to convert [NoDRM]-T2_Part1.wmv SUPER fails with a generic error or with a runtime error in x264.exe I thought something about the files might be malformed so I ran [NoDRM]-T2_Part1.wmv through ASF-AVI-RM-WMV Repair but that didn't help any.

Anyone have any ideas?

EDIT: Took me all day but I figured it out. SUPER can't handle 6 channel audio (well at least 6 channel WMA audio). Once the audio was disabled SUPER didn't have any problem converting the video. Now I only have to figured out how to convert the audio, attach it to the video, and sync it....

Thank you Wallace for this great guide, all the paticipating members.

But I still have some doubts.

I'm mostly interested on QTHD trailers and I have a few doubts that hopefully you guys can help me out:

Considering I'm only interested on QTHD trailers:

Is the quicktime own conversion (as the first guide) the best option? Does it involve any loss in video quality?

Can the converted MP4 file be burnt to a DVDr and playback on the PS3? Or just by USB drives?

If I use USB drives, can I move them to the PS3 internal hard drive?

Finally, if burnign to a DVD is OK, can I use both DVD-R and DVD+R?


Any help will be much appreciated ;)

I now use tsremux with my mpeg2-ts caputures. Works very well. tsremux creates a bdmv and, when burned to a dvd, the ps3 recognizes it and plays in 5.1 sound.

I now use tsremux with my mpeg2-ts caputures. Works very well. tsremux creates a bdmv and, when burned to a dvd, the ps3 recognizes it and plays in 5.1 sound.

I am trying to figure out a way to play AVC ts files without a full reencode. Would you mind me ask if you looked into this? Thanks,

PS I use an R5000 modded dish receiver for capture.

Has123, I'm in the same boat. I have created an avchd using tsremux to create a bdmv and certificate directory. I used Nero to burn a UDF 2.5 disk. I get 5.1 sound and video, but the video is scaled vertically. I haven't tried to clip 1088 to 1080 yet to see if that's the issue.

Has123, I'm in the same boat. I have created an avchd using tsremux to create a bdmv and certificate directory. I used Nero to burn a UDF 2.5 disk. I get 5.1 sound and video, but the video is scaled vertically. I haven't tried to clip 1088 to 1080 yet to see if that's the issue.

Thanks for the reply. I do not have a BD writer, but AVCHD (BD structure on DVD) gives only sound (5.1) and no video. I tried fixing with h264info but I got corrupt files (I do not know if it is h264info or the muxer). Anyway it is good news that you get picture. I think the scaling issue may be related to the PS3 reading the files as 1440X1080/1088 progressive instead of deinterlacing. This the link for h264inf http://downloads.sourceforge.net/batchccews/h264info_alpha0011.zip?modtime=1186417343&big_mirror=0 if you can experiment with it and see if it works. I demux with xport and remux with xmuxer pro.
Thanks,

what is a good program to split .ts files? i have a few 10+gb .ts files, that i would like to put on 2 dvdrs and playback on ps3.

good question... i would like to know as well.

You have few options.
For mpg ts I use HDTVtoMPEG2. It's free, removes null packets and scans for commercials. Many in this forum use VideoRedo.
For h264 ts files you can use h264ts_cutter v108, TSRemux( you have to input times manually).

You have few options.
For mpg ts I use HDTVtoMPEG2. It's free, removes null packets and scans for commercials. Many in this forum use VideoRedo.
For h264 ts files you can use h264ts_cutter v108, TSRemux( you have to input times manually).


thank you sir! now i have run into another problem.

i have been using red kawa file server, and have successfully transfered 3.5gb files that play on the ps3, but thats only a few of them. the other mp4 files wont transfer. i will get a message saying " insert storage or save space" something along those lines. has anyone run into this?

Instead of copying the files to your hard drive or splitting, you can also stream via DNLA

You can just tsremux and of your AVC+AC3 files.. ie a bd-rip
just make sure you only select a single audio track.. Remux to .M2TS
and then you stream it to your PS3 with version 2.01 and get full 5 channel audio.

It will not support DTS.. You can however use LPCM and AC3 tracks without a problem.. Mux one of them into .M2TS and it's compatible.. Stream using twonky or tversity.

Twonky will recognize .M2TS files and play them normally
Tversity will not recognize .M2ts so you should rename to .MPG

I have had much success this way to convert BD-Rips to store on the network and stream to the PS3.

However with 2.01 I get random freezing, when playing where the system will lock up and I have to power it off, I'm told that it's not specific to video streaming, as it is a bug in 2.01. But I haven't heard anyone elses results.

I have successfully streamed up to 40Mbit Video Streams and the PS3 plows through them like a champ. Streaming on a 100Mbit network.

For HD-DVD or BD rips that have only a DTS Track, you will need to convert DTS to AC3, first using tranzcode or DT2WAV2AC3 to make it into a multichannel wav, then convert to AC3 using EncWAVtoAC3. You will then need to mux it back.. For MPeg2, mux using the mpeg tools from Tmpegenc, for AVC you can try Elecard Xmuxer with the AVC plugin. Take the resulting .TS and run it through TSremux and output as .M2TS and stream to your PS3.

For getting MKV H264+AC3 material to run, go to doom9 and get mkv2vob it creates a .VOB file which is playable from a burned DVD or streamable using tversity/twonky. This will keep the AC3 audio track intact and you do not need to convert to AAC audio or be restricted to a 4GB file size as you are with MP4. This tool does not work with 1080p MKVs.


With the addition of Divix, PS3 will become a pretty mean network media player, if sony could just fix the bugs.


If anyone is streaming full length MPeg2/AVC with AC3 at high bitrate 20+ Mbit without freezing, please let me know. I can't determine if the Freezes are bugs in 2.01 firmware or if something could be wrong with my system.
Let me know.