handbrake conversions out of sync via hd300

[tvmaster2]

I convert hdpvr and colossus recordings to mp4 for archive purposes. I use their default setup for audio, which creates a stereo mix down as the first audio track, and a ac3 pass thru track, usually 5.1, as a second audio track.
When viewing thru my HD300 media extender, the 5.1 audio track is out of sync. But it's not out of sync when viewing on the PC it was created on.
Does anyone know why this would be?
Thanks.

[troycheek]

Have you tried converting a few minutes from the middle of the video to see if the problem is also present? Back when I started having A/V sync problems with HandBrake (going from version 0.9.3 to 0.9.4), I noticed that it was only in videos that I converted from start to end. If I skipped the first second (or two or three in some cases) of the video, the sync was fine. My "theory" is that there's something wrong with the first packet in the stream and skipping it clears up the problem.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by troycheek

Have you tried converting a few minutes from the middle of the video to see if the problem is also present? Back when I started having A/V sync problems with HandBrake (going from version 0.9.3 to 0.9.4), I noticed that it was only in videos that I converted from start to end. If I skipped the first second (or two or three in some cases) of the video, the sync was fine. My "theory" is that there's something wrong with the first packet in the stream and skipping it clears up the problem.

I'll try that. However, I usually trim the .ts file heads and tails with VideoReDo, especially from premium movie channels. Then, I convert with Handbrake. So that should eliminate the problem you've mentioned. How did you "skip" time before converting?

[troycheek]

Using the CLI version of HandBrake, add the parameter "--start-at duration:1" to skip the first second. Using the GUI, in the Source area of the main screen (where it says Title, Angle, etc), change the dropdown "Chapters" to "Seconds" and set the next setting to 00:00:01. Change "1" to however many seconds you want to skip. 1 usually works for me, but a program called MCEBuddy defaults to 3 and suggests going as high as 30.

Edit: I did a little research. What I called a packet is apparently a GOP or Group of Pictures which contains a collection of I, P, and B frames. VideoReDo defaults (or at least the version I just installed defaults) to cutting at the frame accurate (FA) level. "When to use GOP or FA mode? For most people, FA mode is best. Its more accurate, therefore your cuts will appear exactly where you want them. However, to create frame accurate cuts without re-encoding your entire file, VideoReDo has to create shortened GOPs at the cut points. Some programs might not like the shortened GOPs even though they are MPEG2 compliant. If you come across such a program, then switch to GOP mode." In VideoReDo, look under Tools, Options..., General Parameters, Editing Accuracy. I suggest changing that and seeing if it makes any difference.

Edit edit: Been playing around with VideoReDo trial versions a bit. Using TVSuite was able to create a H.264 MP4 file with A/V sync issues after the first cut when played back in VLC Media Player and Windows Media Player. (Ironically, this was in GOP mode. In FA mode the resulting output plays fine.) Have you tried encoding a problem video with HandBrake without cutting it with VideoReDo first?

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by troycheek

Using the CLI version of HandBrake, add the parameter "--start-at duration:1" to skip the first second. Using the GUI, in the Source area of the main screen (where it says Title, Angle, etc), change the dropdown "Chapters" to "Seconds" and set the next setting to 00:00:01. Change "1" to however many seconds you want to skip. 1 usually works for me, but a program called MCEBuddy defaults to 3 and suggests going as high as 30.

Edit: I did a little research. What I called a packet is apparently a GOP or Group of Pictures which contains a collection of I, P, and B frames. VideoReDo defaults (or at least the version I just installed defaults) to cutting at the frame accurate (FA) level. "When to use GOP or FA mode? For most people, FA mode is best. Its more accurate, therefore your cuts will appear exactly where you want them. However, to create frame accurate cuts without re-encoding your entire file, VideoReDo has to create shortened GOPs at the cut points. Some programs might not like the shortened GOPs even though they are MPEG2 compliant. If you come across such a program, then switch to GOP mode." In VideoReDo, look under Tools, Options..., General Parameters, Editing Accuracy. I suggest changing that and seeing if it makes any difference.

As an aside, I'd never used VideoReDo before. It's pretty neat and certainly beats loading up a full-blown video editing suite just to cut out a few commercials. I might have to try this on a serious project in the future.

thanks again. VRD is quite nice, and it works with TiVo files as well, which really makes it useful. it's getting more complex and well rounded. If it's recoding didn't take as long (handbrake is much faster), then I wouldn't use Handbrake nearly as much. Since I almost always recode down to a smaller file size, rendering eats up a lot of time

[poto]

I have had similar a/v sync problems with handbrake mpg/ts>mp4 conversions, although infrequently. I use VRD "Quick Stream Fix" to pre-process before sending to Handbrake, found this to eliminate sync issues.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by poto

I have had similar a/v sync problems with handbrake mpg/ts>mp4 conversions, although infrequently. I use VRD "Quick Stream Fix" to pre-process before sending to Handbrake, found this to eliminate sync issues.

thanks, I'll give that a whirl. What I don't understand is why the stereo mix would be fine, but the 5.1 track would be nearly 1/3 second off

[KryptoNyte]

Please report back if Quickstream Fix alone completely resolves the issue.

I use "VAP" which automates the workflow that you appear to be doing manually (and uses VideoRedo in the process, allowing you to quickstream fix all files). And it does a bunch of other handy stuff.

http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/fo...cessor-Program

[KryptoNyte]

If quickstream fix alone doesn't resolve the issue, report back on what you are using for Handbrake encoding parameters. I assume the original TS file doesn't exhibit this problem when played on the HD300 without any alteration.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

If quickstream fix alone doesn't resolve the issue, report back on what you are using for Handbrake encoding parameters. I assume the original TS file doesn't exhibit this problem when played on the HD300 without any alteration.

not usually, but the original .ts file has only one audio stream, the one created when recorded. Handbrake is adding the mix down track as the primary track, and a 5.1 track as a secondary track.

[KryptoNyte]

Let us know which version of VideoRedo you're using. On a sidenote, it's 55 bucks on sale right at the moment for V5. I recall paying nearly 100 bucks for version 4 with h.264 capabilities a while back. I cringed to pay that much for this software, but in hindsight, it has been the perfect tool for modifying TV program streams.