MKV2VOB Tutorial (Convert X.264 to PS3 & Xbox 360)

**Raptor** · 22nd May 2008

Thanks to 3r1c & Doom9

I have created a program which will remux mkv with x264 video and AC3 audio to a vob file which is playable on the sony ps3.
No transcoding/recompression is done, the streams are simply split and mux into the vob.
Previously there was no way to get AC3 audio on the ps3, only AAC stereo.

Takes only a few mins to convert a file.

Sceenshot of AC3 5.1 and x264 playing on ps3
http://www.3r1c.eu/mkv2vob/IMG_0494.JPG

Download program
http://www.3r1c.eu/mkv2vob/mkv2vob.exe

1. Extract to a directory (dont just run it from within winrar) and run mkv2vob.exe
2. Select the MKV file
3. Select where to save the VOB.
4. Several windows will open/close during the process, do not interrupt it or click anything in these windows.
5. Playback the vob file through tversity, burn to dvd-r, flash drive, etc...

I tested it on various mkv files and it worked perfectly.
Sample vob file: http://www.3r1c.eu/mkv2vob/720p-sample.rar

V2.2.3 1/May/2008
Fixed some ac3 streams not accepted by tsmuxer (muxing failed error).
Added check if your windows regional settings interfere with math decimal functions and show a warning to change it (can cause disk space errors or out of sync if not fixed).
Added check on the return values of some tools, to better detect crashes that still result in a "success" status even though it failed.
Updated tsmuxer to 1.8.4(b)

V2.2.2 8/Apr/2008
Fixed sometimes xvid output not playable on ps3.
Fixed low quality x264 transcoding if source bitrate > 10mbps.
Other minor fixes.
Updated tsmuxer to 1.7.3(b)

V2.2.1 4/Apr/2008
Sorry in last version it was working fine then before uploading i updated tsmuxer to latest version which caused problems.
Fixed crash on .ts files (due to tsmuxer changed the format of the "stream info" line).
Downgraded tsmuxer to 1.6.3(b) due to bugs in latest version causing it to completely not work on some files.

V2.2.0 3/Apr/2008
Added multi-core transcoding support.
Added support for .TS as input file, will automatically join split .ts files in the format abc.0001.ts etc...
Added Hebrew subtitle support.
Added AAC 2 channel (stereo) support.
Fixed bug where rar set would not be deleted if you select the delete source option.
Fixed bug where some x264 transcoded files would be small filesize and very bad quality.
Updated tsmuxer to 1.7.2(b)

V2.1.2 26/Mar/2008
Added check if write access is allowed on temp and destination folder (would cause mkv parse error in previous versions).
Fixed "File not found" error.

V2.1.1 25/Mar/2008
Added option to increase subtitle size.
Added missing vorbis.dll and ogg.dll (for avi splitting).
Removed automatic xvid 2GB splitting as no longer needed with new ps3 firmware.
Updated tsmuxer to 1.6.3(b)
Splitting now uses tsmuxer's new split function for added speed.

V2.1.0 5/Mar/2008
Added XviD and x264 transcoding options.
Fixed wrong center/right channel order in AAC conversion.
Fixed some subtitle letters in latin character set incorrectly rendered (French, Spanish, etc...).
Fixed incorrect rendering of Chinese and Arabic characters.
Fixed out of sync on files mixed with NTSC video and PAL audio (untested, someone send me a sample if it doesnt work).
Work around tsmuxer bug with comma in file or directory name (causes Muxing Failed error).
Various other small code changes I forgot.

V2.0.5 26/Feb/2008
Updated tsmuxer to 1.3.6
Fixed Overscan Compensation not working.
Fixed SRT files not in UTF-8 special characters replaced with underscore.
Fixed Greek character encoding for subtitles.

V2.0.4 25/Feb/2008
Added Always Encode Subtitles option.
Added Load Subtitles from SRT option (put srt file in same folder as mkv with same name).
Added Overscan Compensation option (if subtitles look cut off on your tv).
Added more detailed descriptions for config options.
Added various other small improvements.
Fixed "Insufficient Disk Space" error where your decimal seperator of your OS is not a dot (some foreign windows versions).
Fixed "Type mismatch" run time error for some people.

V2.0.3 final 24/Feb/2008
Fixed broken AAC to DTS conversion.
Fixed error extracting mkv if audio is ac3 and subtitles on.
Final version, tested on xp working completely.

V2.0.2 beta 24/Feb/2008
Added subtitles support.
Removed need for h264info.
Updated tsmuxer.
Remux now 300-400% faster.
Updated disk space check to ignore 0 result, and provide a more detailed error.
Tweaked loader.exe so it does not set off nod32.

V2.0.1 beta 22/Feb/2008
Added boost AAC/DTS volume option.
Fixed overflow crash.
Fixed file splitting cut off after 2gb.

V2.0.0 beta 22/Feb/2008
Im making this a beta because its untested with windows xp (i only have vista)
Completely new GUI with tons of features so I probably forgot to list them all.
Allows set temp directory.
Set preferred audio language.
File splitting (FAT32, DVD-R etc...)
Select a rar file and it automatically unrar and convert the mkv.
Queue multiple files for batch processing.
Queue entire directory for batch processing.
Support files with AAC audio (converts to AC3).
Checks if enough free disk space before each step.
Faster mpeg2 transcoding.
Automatically checks for and downloads updates each time its started.
Fixed bug with mpeg2 stuttering in the beginning and then out of sync.
Fixed bug with files encoded with latest x264.exe might be unnecessarily transcoded.
KNOWN BUG: tsmuxer crashes after muxing mpeg2 video, i have worked around this for vista by autoclose the crash window, for xp you probably have to click end task manually.
KNOWN BUG: split files might have a few seconds of video corruption in the beginning, i dont know how to find the keyframes sorry, i worked around this by duplicating the first few seconds at the end of the previous file.
POSSIBLE BUG: The filesize used for splitting is done using file sizes from specifications on wikipedia, i have not tested if it actually fits on fat32,dvd-r etc..
WARNING: Be careful with the "delete file/folder" after convert option, it might not detect all possible failures/crashes of the conversion tools.

V1.5.3 03/Feb/2008
Improved MPEG2 Transcoding, should fix freeze at the start and out of sync.
Updated tsmuxer to latest version

V1.5.2 28/Jan/2008
Fixed bug with long filenames with DTS give "Error creating AC3 from WAV!"
DTS now recompresses to higher 640bit quality instead of 384bit.

V1.5.1 27/Jan/2008
Fixed muxing bug, 1.5 was completely non-functional sorry.

V1.5 27/Jan/2008
Added Fast forward/rewind support

V1.4.1 10/Jan/2008
Fixed V_MS/VFW/FOURCC error.
Added missing file pcrecpp.dll

V1.4 10/Jan/2008
Removed confusing yes/no prompt.
Added auto/always/never transcoding option.
Added some options to prevent audio out of sync when transcoding.

V1.3.1 20/Dec/2007
You will now be asked if you want to enable the mpeg2 transcoding option (click YES unless you split mkv into parts and you know it plays).
Fixed some bugs with mpeg2 transcoding where the audio is DTS.

V1.3 19/Dec/2007
Added detection of files that would be unplayable on ps3 (black screen) these files will now be transcoded to mpeg2.
Added 1080p support.

V1.2.1 25/Nov/2007
Fixed bug with foreign character sets which use , as a decimal seperator.

V1.2 16/Nov/2007
Fixed A/V sync problem if video framerate is not 23.976
Added DTS support (DTS is not playable by the ps3, but is converted to AC3 by the program)

Knows Bugs/Limitations
Does not support DTS with 2channel (stereo) audio.
Xvid in mencoder does not support multi core cpu (it will only use 1 core)

**TheFincher** · 22nd May 2008

Ive been using this for a while now and its dead handy, It also converts to avi or mpg etc

Nice and quick it is too unlike a lot of similar apps that you have to leave going overnight and then you wake up to find the pissing aspect ratio all wrong

**Waka** · 22nd May 2008

Originally Posted by TheFincher

Ive been using this for a while now and its dead handy, It also converts to avi or mpg etc

Nice and quick it is too unlike a lot of similar apps that you have to leave going overnight and then you wake up to find the pissing aspect ratio all wrong

I've just tried converting a couple of mkvs to avis with this app. to put on my external hard drive to play on my 360 - nice and quick, but neither of them would play :-(
Have you managed this finch - if so, what settings did you use?

Ta,
W.

**Hodge20001** · 5th June 2008

For the 360 im using GOTSEND, it converts your MKV's into compatable mp4 files with no loss of quality as far as i can tell, done a few movies and tv eps and it works a treat

**TheFincher** · 5th June 2008

Originally Posted by Waka

I've just tried converting a couple of mkvs to avis with this app. to put on my external hard drive to play on my 360 - nice and quick, but neither of them would play :-(
Have you managed this finch - if so, what settings did you use?

Ta,
W.

Sorry mate ive only just seen this!

I run the avi's through a programme called Twonky Media and that handles them a treat once they have been converted

PS: Hodge is gay

**daz73** · 29th June 2008

Originally Posted by Hodge20001

For the 360 im using GOTSEND, it converts your MKV's into compatable mp4 files with no loss of quality as far as i can tell, done a few movies and tv eps and it works a treat

I tried gotsend but couldnt get my 360 to see them in my folder so I'll give this a try

**Hodge20001** · 18th July 2008

Ok ive got a PS3, and converted 2 movies (in prep for 2nite) one it transcoded and another it didnt but said it was converting the audio to AC3 1/2? wtf does that mean, i have full dts surround sound and the file did have dts, has it stripped it out?

**evilsatan** · 20th September 2008

I tried the app posted but on my 360 it would not play off a flash drive, looking at the other apps now.

EDIT:

Found this on Xbox site:

Spoiler:

So as the soft was made for PS3 I have altered the output from VOB to MP4 and will try in a sec.

EDIT: That wouldn't work either, just used videora 360 converter and it worked a treat, just took 45 mins to re-encode.

**shigeru** · 12th December 2008

Very good information i must say, been looking for a tutorial and a project like this one. Very well done.

I will offer my feedback upon trying to get certain videos to play on my xbox 3601

Wish me luck!

**Crilly** · 28th December 2008

I have downloaded the program and am in the process of converting a file, but it has taken about an hour so far and is only 1/3 the way through. I note the comments about only taking a few mins, whaty am i doing wrong.

Any help appeciated

**Mr.James** · 28th December 2008

This program converts compatible .mkv files in minutes. Some .mkv files are not ps3 compatible so it converts them which will take an age...

so far I've tried one blu-ray rip .mkv and it was incompatible. took about 10+hours to convert on a dual core athlon e440.

every 720p .mkv i've tried converted in minutes. i don't know whether it's down to the group that releases it or a compatibility issue with 1080p.

**Crilly** · 29th December 2008

Cheers for the feedback, sorted it now.

It appears that i was running an older version of MKV2VOB, once i installed the one from Raptors link it worked fine.

**shigeru** · 30th December 2008

Question, i was able to convert compatible .mvk files into .avi files, but the AVC video stream (h.264/x.264) is still in h.264 level 5.1? Why is that, the Xbox 360 can only play up to level 4.1 , am i correct?

**shigeru** · 31st December 2008

Yep, i am correct. I just converted 10 Gigabytes of movies from mkv to avi with MVKBoxer, and i tried to play them on my Xbox 360, and nothing... alll 98 files were unplayable.

I then checked the level of the h.264 files within the avi files, and THEY ARE still UNCHANGED AT 5.1 ...

I thought MKVBoxer converted them to 4.1? Its what it says it does... could you please fix this bug?

If you need any more info from me to establish what might trigger this bug (like types of files, formats and lengths or encoding detail) just ask.

The files are the perfect format and everything, it's just the level has to be at 4.1 for xbox 360 playback. Plus ther is practically no difference between the 5.1 and 4.1 level, in terms of quality.

Thanks for Reading, Mr. Raptor.

**darkstar** · 14th January 2009

i have just started using videora works well the only thing is it takes about 10 hours to convert a film .is there any thing faster and as simple . plus can the 360 only handle up to 720

**greens117** · 14th January 2009

Originally Posted by darkstar

i have just started using videora works well the only thing is it takes about 10 hours to convert a film .is there any thing faster and as simple . plus can the 360 only handle up to 720

Try Gotsent that coverts mkv into into mp4s only takes about an hour

**darkstar** · 14th January 2009

Originally Posted by greens117

Try Gotsent that coverts mkv into into mp4s only takes about an hour

tried that m8 could not get the sound to work any pointers what to change as i read its got to do with the 5.1

**jaygo** · 20th January 2009

Been looking into doing this for my 360 now I got an external terabite streaming to the xbox however I am on a Mac any u guys know of any similar apps??

Cheers

**Mr.James** · 20th January 2009

You need to install a DLNA media serving program of some sort. I can't recommend any as I don't use mac but there's a site here that has a list:

http://www.rbgrn.net/blog/2007/08/ho...-or-linux.html

Unfortunately he says he can't recommend any as he hasn't tested enough. It will give you a list of names to try out though so it's a start...