Transcoding for a Zune (WMV)

[truckdriver]

I have been searching the forums for information concerning converting recordings to a Zune friendly format. I have found a few, but it's been a while since "Wade" and "Patilan" posted about transcoding for a Zune. Has anyone come up with a working solution that converts within SageMC 6.3?

What I'm really looking for is someone who has successfully modified sage.properties to add a "Zune" choice (that works) to the Video Convert options (Razr, iPod, etc.), and would be willing to share that modification.

I am trying to avoid the additional transcoding time of the Zune software from the iPod format to the Zune (WMV) format.

I am a novice user who just switched from 4 years of BTV. I don't do well with command line stuff or batch files. I have very little at-home-time to learn to use a new program to record for me while I'm out on the road overnight transporting your "Amazon.com and Ebay.com packages" to you in a timely manner! (Hence the 4 years of BTV... If it works, don't mess with it. It worked 'til the last upgrade. Now it won't even load, and their TS is MIA! Not even a reply!)

Any help would be most appreciated!

[gexi]

I'd like this capability as well. I couldn't resist the cheap price on Woot for one.

[bcjenkins]

I don't have a zune, so things can't be tested.. SageTV just uses ffmpeg for transcoding. The build in the latest RC has wmv support, so it should be easy to add a custom Zune profile. If you can point me to the Zune video specs, we can try to cobble one together.

B

[truckdriver]

Thanks B!

Quoted from "Wade":

Ideally, video would need to be converted to the following format. This is the only format that the Zune supports natively.

--------------------------------------------------------
Format: Windows Media Video (.wmv)
Video codec: Windows Media Video 9 (Simple, Main, and Advanced Profiles), Windows Media Video 9 Screen, Windows Media Video 9 Image Version 2, Windows Media Video 9 VCM.
Video resolution: up to 320x240 (QVGA) or 320x180 (16:9 QVGA)
Maximum video bit rate: 500 Kbps (recommended for the best balance of optimal battery life and video quality) up to 1.5 Mbps
Video peak bit rate: up to 1.5 Mbps
Complexity or profile: Main profile, VBR
Audio codec: Windows Media Audio (.wma)
Maximum audio bit rate: WMA Standard, CBR, 128 Kbps (recommended), up to 192 Kbps, Stereo, 44.1 kHz
Maximum total bit rate: 1.692 Mbps, 1.5 Mbps for peak video plus 192 Kbps for audio
--------------------------------------------------------

Captured from Zune.net FAQ's:

Format: Windows Media Video (.wmv), H.264, MPEG4 (part 2). Additionally, H.264 and MPEG4 part 2 files should be inside an m4v or mp4 container.
Video codec: WMV9 for Windows Media Video 9 (Simple and Main Profiles), AVC1 for H.264 (Baseline Profile), M4S2 for MPEG-4 (part 2, Simple Profile)
Video resolution: 320x240
Video peak bit rate: up to 1.5Mbps
Complexity or profile: Simple and Main profile for WMV9 (CBR and VBR), Baseline Profile for H.264, and Simple Profile for MPEG-4
Audio codec: Windows Media Audio (.wma) for Windows Media Video 9, AAC for H.264 and MPEG-4
Maximum audio bit rate: 128kbps
Maximum total bit rate: 1.692 Mbps

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

I don't have a zune, so things can't be tested.. SageTV just uses ffmpeg for transcoding. The build in the latest RC has wmv support, so it should be easy to add a custom Zune profile. If you can point me to the Zune video specs, we can try to cobble one together.

B

If you can put this together, you'd be the hero to all of us Zune users!

[bcjenkins]

I haven't tested yet, family watching TV.

transcoder/formats/Zune-Standard=f\=wmv;MCompressionDetails\=-deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3 -maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50;[bf\=vid;f\=wmv2;br\=500000;fps\=29.97;w\=320;h\=240;arn\=4;ard\=3;][bf\=aud;f\=wmav2;sr\=48000;ch\=2;br\=128000;]
transcoder/formats/Zune-Widescreen=f\=wmv;MCompressionDetails\=-deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3 -maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50;[bf\=vid;f\=wmv2;br\=500000;fps\=29.97;w\=320;h\=180;arn\=4;ard\=3;][bf\=aud;f\=wmav2;sr\=48000;ch\=2;br\=128000;]

Edit: SageTV added a workaround to the Zune limitation of the filename in 6.3.10. The above should work.

[bcjenkins]

You posted while I was editing. See above.

If you want to run this from a command prompt you can run it against sagetranscoder.exe

sagetranscoder.exe -i tv.mpg -deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3 -maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50 -vcodec wmv2 -b 500000 -r 29.97 -s 320x240 -ar 4x3 -acodec wmav2 -ar 44100 -ac 2 -ab 128k tv.wmv

B

PS - I use the linux version, so check the spelling of the exe. Also, if you want to try a small sample throw in a -vframes 300 (about 10 secs.)

[truckdriver]

The spelling should be "sagetvtranscoder.exe" for use at a command prompt.

Just randomly recorded the last 10 minutes of a convenient show as a source file.

Did not work. Gave an "I/O Error" message. I have a screen cap of the command and response, if you need it. Let me know.

[bcjenkins]

I updated the transcoder type from wmv to asf based on feedback from SageTV. The transcoding process no longer fails for me on standard or widescreen. Content converted was analog and HD digital with playback fine. Since I don't have a Zune I need someone to test.

B

[truckdriver]

Same here. All is well with 6.3.9.164. But... ASF not WMV. Zune is anal-retentive in this respect. It won't even recognize ASF!

I replied back to George Oms @ Sage to update him. Let's see what happens.

At least the bug in the transcoder was fixed. I guess that's a positive step?!

[bcjenkins]

I think their software checks for valid container types and doesn't recognize wmv as a valid file. I don't know what component that logic lies in, but it needs to be updated to support the wmv container.

To be honest though this is like putting the cart before the horse. You should be able to run the command line I provided and generate a wmv file. You need to determine if the Zune even supports the ffmpeg output. It may not like WMV 8.

B

[truckdriver]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

sagetranscoder.exe -i tv.mpg -deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3 -maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50 -vcodec wmv2 -b 500000 -r 29.97 -s 320x240 -ar 4x3 -acodec wmav2 -ar 44100 -ac 2 -ab 128k tv.wmv

This worked PERFECTLY from the command prompt! The file literally flew from my PC to the Zune during Sync. But (don't you hate that there's alway a "but"?), how do I incorporate these settings into the SageTV interface?

[sleonard]

Copy that command line into the sage.properties file on the server. You can follow the example of the other, default command lines.

S

[truckdriver]

Originally Posted by sleonard

Copy that command line into the sage.properties file on the server. You can follow the example of the other, default command lines.

S

Fails immediately upon start. What next?

[bcjenkins]

SageTV needs to add support for type wmv. The asf doen't cut it.

B

PS - The commands above are already in the right format. Except for the asf/wmv part

[truckdriver]

Alright all you Zune users, here's the short term fix! And it works! (12 for 12, just tonight alone!)

Download 6.3.9 and install.

Add the followiing transcode line to Sage.properties (courtesy of bcjenkins):

transcoder/formats/Zune-Standard=f\=asf;MCompressionDetails\=-deinterlace -pix_fmt yuv420p -g 15 -qmin 3 -maxrate 628000 -bufsize 628k -async 50;[bf\=vid;f\=wmv2;br\=500000;fps\=29.97;w\=320;h\=240;arn\=4;ard\=3;][bf\=aud;f\=wmav2;sr\=44100;ch\=2;br\=128000;]

Once conversion is complete, change the ASF extension to WMV by simply renaming the file! (Courtesy of SageTV Support Team)((You'll need to change Windows File Properties to be able to see the extension)

Sync to Zune to your heart's content!

I've been told that the next version will include this bug fix and take care of the WMV extension for us.

- Mike

[bcjenkins]

If you want to automate this use dirmon. Watch your TV directory and when the asf file shows up (which I believe is not until it is finished) then rename it with the move command.

B

[gblinckmann]

Originally Posted by truckdriver

I've been told that the next version will include this bug fix and take care of the WMV extension for us.

Yeah!!

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by truckdriver

I've been told that the next version will include this bug fix and take care of the WMV extension for us.

I assume that "the next version" you are referencing is one that is not yet in beta? Any idea what version number this fix will be included in?

[maxpower]

Originally Posted by maxpower

Any idea what version number this fix will be included in?

Just noticed in the 6.3.10 release candidate post this gem:

4. Added support for setting the transcode file type target to be 'wmv' (this'll still create an 'ASF' file, but it'll use the .wmv file extension which is what the Zune wants)

Hooray!