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1. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 16, 2011 7:37 AM (in response to JSS1138)Is there some reason the AME won't work for this task? It does here.
-Jeff
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2. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 16, 2011 8:41 AM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Is there some reason the AME won't work for this task?
My guess would be that the FLVs that Jim is referring to contain FLV1 aka H.263 aka Sorenson Spark which, according to the help docs, isn't going to work:
- FLV, F4V
Note: The FLV and F4V formats are container formats, each of which is associated with a set of video and audio formats. F4V files generally contain video data that is encoded using an H.264 video codec and the AAC audio codec. FLV files generally contain video data that is encoded using the On2 VP6 or Sorenson Spark codec and audio data encoded using an MP3 audio codec. Adobe Media Encoder CS5 can import FLV files using the On2 VP6 video codec, not the Sorenson Spark codec.That all said, Jim, you know better: go get the original camera footage. There is no excuse for trying to edit stuff like that.
C'mon... you left that one wiiiide open.
Alright, enough kidding around: do you have CS3 or CS4? As of CS4, Premiere and AME were still able to import FLVs with Spark (if that's indeed what you have). You could flip the FLVs to your AVI codec of choice; Lagarith installs the 32-bit encoder/decoder, and Ut has both available but they are separate installs. You can encode using the the 32-bit version, and they'll decode just fine using the 64-bit version in CS5. It's obviously kind of a brute force tactic just to flip these files, but your alternative is to install some "free" encoder with something nasty like ffdshow in tow, and I don't need to tell you about that...
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3. Re: Video Converter
JSS1138 Mar 16, 2011 11:01 AM (in response to Colin Brougham)Sure enough the files are using Sorensen, and won't open in either PP or AME.
I had to rebuild my rig recently, so CS4 is no longer installed. I'd rather not put that on just for this non-work project.
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4. Re: Video Converter
Bill Hunt Mar 16, 2011 11:04 AM (in response to JSS1138)Up through CS4 (does not work in CS5, and they do not say they will add that capability), Moyea has an FLV Importer plug-in for PrPro. It is not free, but has always worked for me in PrPro 2.0, with every FLV tossed at it - so far.
Good luck,
Hunt
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5. Re: Video Converter
JSS1138 Mar 16, 2011 11:09 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)Thanks for trying, Bill.
Doesn't help much, though. On two fronts - compatibility, and it's not free. (Which you'll notice was my number one requirement. Anything I have to pay for, now matter how well it works, is off the table for this small personal project.)
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6. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 16, 2011 12:21 PM (in response to JSS1138)Alright, try this:
- Download WinFF and install it.
- Open WinFF, and go to Edit > Presets. Create an AVI preset that looks like the following:

- Save the preset, and close the dialog.
- Add your FLVs, select "AVI" in the Convert to box, and your "Uncompressed AVI" preset (ffmpeg, which WinFF is a GUI for, does not have Lagarith or Ut as encoding options, but you can convert these later if needed). Pick your save location, and hit Convert.
- A DOS window will pop up with a whole bunch of gibberish flying by; the FLVs are being converted into uncompressed AVIs that match the frame size and frame rate of your original FLVs. When done you can edit the AVIs as-is, or convert them using AME to Lagarith or Ut or whatever you want.
Yay, free...
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7. Re: Video Converter
JSS1138 Mar 17, 2011 8:41 AM (in response to Colin Brougham)Nice one, Colin. Thanks.
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8. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 4:17 PM (in response to JSS1138)Or use ffmpegsource - An FFmpeg based source library and Avisynth plugin and avisynth+virtualdub to convert directly to Lags or UT. Here's your AviSynth script:
FFIndex("myfile.flv")
video=FFVideoSource("myfile.flv")
audio=FFAudioSource("myfile.flv")
AudioDub(video,audio)Load the script into VirtualDub and export as a Lags or UT avi file.
Saves you one conversion step.
Thanks to Colin for mentioning ffmpeg - it gave me the idea to check it out in AviSynth.
-Jeff
EDIT: Use MT as desired; it seems stable enough here. Conversion proceeds at 160+ fps.
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9. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 4:19 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Filed!
(Nice one, Jeff; that'll come in handy for other weirdo formats, too.)
EDIT: By the way, looks like you don't necessarily need to use the FFIndex command:
Before FFMS2 can open a file, it must be indexed first so that keyframe/sample positions are known and seeking is easily accomplished. This is done automatically when using FFVideoSource() or FFAudioSource(), but if you want to you can invoke the indexing yourself by calling FFIndex(), or by running ffmsindex.exe. By default the index is written to a file so it can be reused the next time you open the same file, but this behavior can be turned off if desired.
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10. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 5:07 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)Without FFIndex, VirtualDub choked. [unnecessarily descriptive metaphor removed]
-Jeff
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11. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 4:37 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)My, that IS descriptive!
I tried the "convenience" command, with this simple line:
FFmpegSource2("filename.flv")Worked poifectly, even in VDub; the .ffindex file is created when the file is loaded into VDub (or another player). As long as you have the "FFMS2.avsi" file in the Avisynth plugins folder, this works... here
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12. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 4:43 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)Did you get audio in VirtualDub too? (I'm off to try it again here)
Source file is an On2VP6 flv file with MP3 audio...
-Jeff
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13. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 4:56 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Hmm... didn't have an FLV with sound to test. I'm using an FLV with H.263/Spark, which is what Jim is dealing with. Those won't import into CS5 (licensing issue, not a codec compatibility issue, apparently); the On2 VP6 encoded FLVs will, however.
I'll see if I can dredge up an "old" FLV
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14. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 5:10 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Jim
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Doesn't help much, though. On two fronts - compatibility, and it's not free. (Which you'll notice was my number one requirement. Anything I have to pay for, now matter how well it works, is off the table for this small personal project.)
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I almost <fill in genuinely amused reaction here> when I heard colins reply !
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15. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 5:01 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)I only got audio with the convenience function if I added atrack=-1 to the arguments of the function.
I think I like my original script better if only because it is more "plain english" friendly, and it doesn't require the loading of the .avsi script to work.
-Jeff
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16. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 5:03 PM (in response to able123)Rod,
Perhaps you could rephrase the description of your reaction? It's TMI at the very least, and borderline offensive at the worst. Thanks.
-Jeff
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17. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 5:09 PM (in response to able123)sorry...but I think the baby metaphor got to me....
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Without FFIndex, VirtualDub choked, [descriptive metaphor removed]
-Jeff
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18. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 5:05 PM (in response to able123)I was just going to offer to change my description of baby bodily functions in case anyone found it equally unpleasant!
Point taken.
-Jeff
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20. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 5:10 PM (in response to able123)dont forget, im a grip... on movies and we have a reputation ...otherwise I wouldnt be able to control the crowds at times square when putting the crane for lights in place ...etc...know what I mean?
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21. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 5:12 PM (in response to able123)know what I mean?
I do. And I found your original reaction amusing. But I have to think of the greater good here, due to the incredibly weighty and serious responsibilities I shoulder as a mod.
-Jeff
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22. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 5:20 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)jeff,
starting tv pilot apr 1, shooting, am dolly grip, "prime suspect", pm me and visit set why dont you? would love to meet you..nyc chelsea piers is stage..rest is on location nyc ...
probably talk to production and plant you near DIT station..and run off ...youre on your own after that...no time to chat
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23. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 5:45 PM (in response to able123)that sounds too cold.
what i mean is, I get permission for you to be on set, introduce you to the production manager and techs at the DIT or video village place, then run off and do my job moving the camera around ( tethered either by bnc cable for video tap on 35mm film camera or by fiber optic tether to digital camera ( I have no idea what camera is gonna be used now..my only concern now is what dollies are used and what we have to do during pilot to move the camera....rigs, camera cranes, car rigs, steadicams, etc )..
but anyway, I can get permission for you to come visit set cause I know the pm and she will allow that... and you can hang by the video village or dit village...with DP, director, etc .....till you get bored to death.
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24. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 5:47 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)I only got audio with the convenience function if I added atrack=-1 to the arguments of the function.
I think I like my original script better if only because it is more "plain english" friendly, and it doesn't require the loading of the .avsi script to work.
Yeah, I need "atrack=-1" to get the audio to play, but that was easy enough. No need to specifically call the FFMS2.avsi script; it was loaded automatically with just the single line in my AVS script.
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25. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 6:17 PM (in response to able123)I can get permission for you to come visit
I'd love to do that! However, my current schedule prohibits it. I'll see what I can do to shuffle my days around. How long is the offer available? Thanks!
-Jeff
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26. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 6:29 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)No need to specifically call the FFMS2.avsi script; it was loaded automatically with just the single line in my AVS script.
OK, how lazy am I?
I was referring to the need to put the .avsi script into the AviSynth plugins folder, as opposed to just the ffms2.dll file. Simply throwing the .dll file of the many filters I have into the plugins folder is how (almost?) all of them work. It took actual research and a reading of the ffmpeg docs to figure out that the .avsi file had to be there too. Way too much work.
-Jeff
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27. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 6:32 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Way too much work.
Mmmhmmm... and how much time is going into those new tutorials you're working on?
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28. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 17, 2011 6:34 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)My opinion? Or the opinion of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed?
-Jeff
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29. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 6:38 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Well, I'm sure if you posted The Boss' opinion, you'd have to use lots of neat characters like "@" and "#" and "&" strung together to replace a few choice adjectives...
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30. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 17, 2011 6:39 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)well, I have more sway if Im on the job, and this pilot is probably gonna be longer than the typical episode time. usually an episode is like 6-8 days per half hour (episode), sometimes an hour....its all different depending on show, and honestly I dont have a clue whats up with this thing. I dont have script, dont have schedule, nothing. In that sense, ( I am doing this a long time now over the years ) it is not a good sign re: quality... In the old days, we would go on scouts and read the scripts and a lot of people ( techs like me ) would get involved with planning the shoot.... but Im not the key, and he is very good....so my guess is he has that covered ( scouts and so on ).
I'm gonna guess that the episodes are gonna be something like ......13 episodes booked ( out of 26 or 23...to be picked up halfway thru the season....in other words shoot 13 and if the ratings are good go for the other 13 ).....and if its a half hour show ( I have no idea ) figure on 6 days per episode..... and if its an hour show figure about 8 days per episode .... something around that time frame....
sooo, this pilot should last about 3x as long as a normal episode, cause they want to hook the audience right away with the storyline and characters ( episodic is usually character driven interest...you get audience into the characters personal life as well as the longer living plots ( what the characters are working on )....soooo, lets say this pilot goes for shooting days...16- 20 ???? somewhere around that...depends on action and stunts and 2nd unit etc....???? havent seen script.
anyway, lets go to the pm thing from now on cause im gonna have to just get into working on this rather than talk about it real soon..
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31. Re: Video Converter
Colin Brougham Mar 17, 2011 7:42 PM (in response to Colin Brougham)BWAHAHAHA!
I just figured out how to get Avisynth scripts to import into CS5! In short this means that, coupled with ffmpegsource, just about anything can be imported into CS5. I can edit Sorenson Spark FLVs--no intermediates required!
Again, for effect: BWAHAHAHA!
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32. Re: Video Converter
Jeff Bellune Mar 18, 2011 5:56 AM (in response to Colin Brougham)OK, I'll bite.
How did you get Pr CS5 to import AviSynth scripts? Does it involve Quicktime? Is that the reason for the evil laugh?
-Jeff
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33. Re: Video Converter
able123 Mar 25, 2011 2:24 PM (in response to Jeff Bellune)Jeff,
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I'll see what I can do to shuffle my days around. How long is the offer available?
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update on pilot...im booked starting monday for a week of prep and then apr 1 is still the beginning of shoot.
stage will be some sort of "modified" law and order sets at the chelsea piers ( 23st and hudson river )
still dont know how long pilot is gonna shoot...probably 12 days about...will find out monday if I get a script and schedule etc then.
mostly is gonna be hand held on stage is the rumor.
thats good if you wanna visit cause it gives me more time to hang out with you.
I know its unlikely you'll get the time to visit, and there's other stuff after this anyway ( probably a movie next )...
invite is always there anytime you come to area...if I'm not on something myself I can yap with others and visit their stuff..similar to when you know "roadies" and get backstage with the "band" LOL...



