ReplayTV to Axim... How is it done??

wyzard · 05-17-03, 11:11 AM

Ok... here' is my question/dilema...

I have a ReplayTV unit hooked up through my network. I can download recorded shows to my PC. They are saved in .mpg format to my PC, however, they are very large (to large for my currenct 256 meg card). For example, a 30 minute show is saved in a file that is about 420 meg in size.

My question is, how can I condense/convert/whatever this file into a smaller size that I can fit on my card and watch using PocketTV. Or is there any similar program like PocketTV that I can use.

Please provide detailed instructions and/or links if possible.

Thanks for all the help.

startngate · 05-17-03, 11:49 AM

I don't use Replay TV, but my company does a lot of video encoding.

I would guess by your post Replay TV encodes in MPEG2, hence the larger file size.

You can reduce file size by re-encoding to MPEG4, or Windows Media formats (just don't use WM9, or it won't play on your Axim), if the Replay TV file isn't copy protected in some way.

Windows Media encoder is free at the Microsoft Website, or I am sure a Google search can find you MPEG4 encoder software. I think the MPEG4 encoding would lead to smaller file sizes, than the earlier versions of WMP. You will also need to reduce the size of the video to fit on the Axim screen when you re-encode.

You will lose some quality in the re-encoding, since MPEG2 is already compressed, but for the screen size of the Axim, it shouldn't be too noticable.

Hope this helps!

wyzard · 05-17-03, 01:06 PM

Unfortunately I have WM9. What else can I use to encode? Why won't WM9 work on the Ax??

Thanks for the help.

05-17-03, 01:34 PM

http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...&threadid=3692

If you reencode it like is says there it will also cut down the size quite a lot.

smeg36 · 05-17-03, 01:44 PM

Yeah, use the guide that schrags11 posted. I have converted a 2 hour DVD into a file about 160 MB in size, and the quality is still really good. Try it out, you will be very impressed.

geezer · 05-18-03, 05:01 AM

Sounds like time for a trip to the great video help site.

DVD Help
Look in the Tools section and have a look at VirtualdubMod. This modified version of the program will allow access to mpeg files. Once loaded, you can manipulate and massage the video/audio as before.

wyzard · 05-18-03, 09:55 AM

When I try to use VirtualDub on the mpeg that was downloaded from my ReplayTV to my PC I get the following error:

MPEG Import Filter:pack synchronization error.

What does this mean? Is there any way I'm going to be able to take the mpegs from my ReplayTV and convert them to either .AVI or smaller mpegs to transfer and watch on my Axim?

Thanks for all the help so far. Hope we can figure this out.

geezer · 05-18-03, 05:35 PM

I've never ran into that error, but then again I don't have a ReplayTV (But would love to have one!) The sync problem may have something to do with the codec Replay uses verses the VdubMod codecs. Have you checked any of the Replay forums?

A few links from my files.

Here is the link to the Doom9 Forum and there is a section on Vdub and VdubMod.

This link is to various articles @ Afterdawn.

Nicky's Guide has a page on mpeg2 to avi.

I am very interested in your problem(s) dealing with the ReplayTV because I have been thinking seriously on purchasing a unit. Keep us informed of your progress.

hth,
Jeff

wyzard · 05-18-03, 08:55 PM

Well... I got it to work!!! I didn't use VirtualDub however. Someone in the Replay forums pointed me to a program called Dr. Divx. It's only a beta version and is currently a 15 day trial. Well after downloading and installing I converted a 1/2 TV show to .avi. I modified the setting to 320x240 and adjusted the audio to mono. The file turned out to be around 63 meg (down from the original Replay size of 425 meg). I loaded it onto my Axim and used PocketMVP to watch. I haven't watch the whole thing yet, but did jump around within the program and it works great. Mapped some of the buttons in PocketMVP to adjust the brightness, the volume, etc. It's great!!! Hope they have the full version of Dr. Divx available soon!!!

Well, that's the way I got it to work. Don't know if anyone else is trying this, but it does work that way.

geezer · 05-19-03, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Well... I got it to work!!!

That's great! Dr. Divx looks good also.

Could you suggest a good forum/site for ReplayTV info? Thanks.

wyzard · 05-19-03, 06:15 AM

I usually get most of my information from Planet Replay

It's a great resource. I've had my Replay for about 6-7 months now. I love it. It's great. Never miss anything any more. Don't be discouraged by anyone in the forum that is having problems. Like any technology (Axim included) there will be some people that have problems with their devices. The forum has been a great resource to me. I got information on how to set up my Replay on my wireless network so I can upload digital photos to it to view on the TV and download recorded shows to load on my Axim (hehe). You can also access information on your RePlay through the web and set it up to record shows you may have forgotten about.

Check it out. If you get one, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Any thanks to everyone here for the help on the video issue on the Axim.

monkeyboy · 05-19-03, 01:11 PM

Another good source of information is the ReplayTV AVS Forum at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...?s=&forumid=27

geezer · 05-19-03, 06:00 PM

Thanks wyzard and monkeyboy for the ReplayTV links. I'll check 'em out.

mmp · 10-07-03, 03:13 PM

wyzard- what program are you using to transfer the replaytv files to your pc? I'm (trying) to use DVArchive V2.1- sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Just curious as to which program you use since it looks like you've successfully transferred and converted a show from replaytv to your axim. Thanks!