DVD Fab m2ts and MakeMKV files ok but encoded Handbrake mkv freezes!

[alinsd]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the ripping/encoding thing. But, have managed to rip Thor bluray successfully using DVD fab to an m2ts file. From what I've read so far I could do that and shrink that 29G file down to something a lot smaller using Handbrake. So I took my m2ts file (which plays fine on my WDTVLiveHub fine), ran it through the HB high profile setting pretty much leaving most if not all in the default settings and shrank to a 6+Gb mkv. It starts, then freezes at the Paramount intro. I tried the same thing using MakeMKV to a 29G mkv (which also plays fine), then used HB again...same result.

I've tried searching the forum and others to find an answer but haven't found anything that seems to mirror my particular situation. I'm sure it's probably been discussed. So, if anyone found point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Thx.

[Tinwarble]

See this post HERE.

[alinsd]

Thanks for the quick reply! I actually did see that post this morning and was wondering if that would work for me. I will give that a shot when I get home tonight and let you know if it does the trick. Thanks again!

[alinsd]

One quick observation...in the discussion you sent me a link to, you mentioned "the same files would play flawlessly on my HUB...". I'm assuming you're saying that even though my problem is on my HUB, I should still run my mkv through MKVtoolknix because there still may be an issue with the "libmkv 0.6.5" writing library?

And near the end where you say "...unlike the hours it will take you to RE-ENCODE w/ Handbrake". Are you saying after MKVmerge, I have to run it through HB again? Seems to me, I would be done after the MKVmerge step...sorry, guess that was "two" observations

[Tinwarble]

The issue is on the HUB also, what I was refering to is that mkv's with the "libmkv 0.6.5" will play on the HUB with firmware version 2.07 (I should have been more clear about that) which is what I have stayed on because of the bugs in the later versions.  The same issue for the SMP has been found on the later versions of the HUB firmware.

And no, you don't have to encode with HB again.  Just take the HB mkv's that you already have and run them through MKVmerge.  That will change the writing library from "libmkv 0.6.5" to "libebml v1.2.3 + libmatroska v1.3.0" writing library that MKVmerge uses and then you should be able to play the file.

Now, if you haven't encoded your movie yet you will always want to use HB first, because MKVmerge is a 1:1 encoder not a transcoder.  But after you have encoded with HB, then you will have to run them through MKVmerge to fix the writing library so the HUB / SMP will play them.

[alinsd]

Thanks for the clarification. I will do this tonight as soon as i get into "me time" .

Looks like I may have to revert to Firmware 2.07...if I can? As I mentioned, I'm new at this and thought it made sense to update my firmware whenever a new one was available. I did run across some discussion on firmware versions in my previous research but wasn't sure if I was going to need to doing something myself. I will look into that as I'm sure if that is a possibility it's probably here somewhere as well. Of course if you have a link for that too it would be greatly appreciated! .

[Tinwarble]

Here you go:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5860/~/how-to-roll-back-the-firmware-on-a-wd-tv-live...

[alinsd]

You're awesome! Thanks much! I will let you know how it goes.

[alinsd]

running through mkvmerge worked great!...even without reverting back to version 2.07 of the HUB firmware.  thanks again!  i guess the resulting question is...if i revert back to the previous firmware, will that alleviate the extra step of having to run through mkvmerge?  as i'm sure you are well aware, every bit of time saved is huge when having to build up your library.

also, which do you think yields better quality?: dvdfab to m2ts, then mkv w/ handbrake...or makemkv to mkv, then handbrake?

[Tinwarble]

If you do roll back, then you will not have to preform the extra step.

As far as quaility, just rip with dvdfab (DVD9 or BD50), then encode with HB.