Upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04 and mythtv 0.29
Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:16 am
I have been rusted on to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and mythtv 0.28, almost always recording Australian ABC channels 2 (SD) or 20 (HD of same content as 2).
I edit the .ts SD files (MPEG2) (to remove top and tail) and transcode (new profile set up by me with tick on lossless encoding) to remove top, tail, and transmission stuff.
Result is a .ts.old renaming of the original, and a new .mpg file (MPEG2).
I then use handbrake to compact the .mpg to a .mp4 file, usually at least x2 or even x4 compression (depending on content).
Nice.
I pretend to edit .ts HD files (MPEG4) to learn the frame numbers for start and finish of content, excluding top and tail.
No point in using the transcode as it doesn't work.
I then use mkvtoolkit to trim and compact the .ts to a .mkv file. Small size reduction: just top, tail and perhaps some transmission stuff removed.
BUT this process KEEPS the subtitles.
All files (both types of .ts, .mp4, and .mkv) play perfectly on VLC.
UPGRADE! (?)
Recently I loaded Ubuntu 18.04 with its mythtv 0.29 on an identical machine. Usual shit fight with mythtv and mysql passwords. Also still had to delay start of mythbackend (just added 20 secs) until tuners initialise (else: all "tuner x has an error").
So far so good. Records nicely and both SD and HD .ts files play back nicely in mythtv. However, HD .ts files have choppy sound in VLC (maybe a VLC problem).
Defined a transcode profile, but less to do now in 0.29 eg no lossless box to tick.
Running transcode on an SD .ts file renames it .ts.old but the new file is named .ts instead of .mpg.
Playing the new .ts file in VLC shows rubbish start and end times, and timer seems not to increment at one sec per sec of content, AND no sound.
(Will try using a supplied transcode next time.)
I am reluctant to record everything in HD (for storage space reasons, and not much point unless (a) I want subtitles (which transcode loses) and/or (b) the content deserves the extra clarity eg nature docos.).
I like Ubuntu 18.04 quite well, compared to the still very nice 16.04. I find mythtv 0.29 itself nicer to install than 0.28. BUT the above issue makes me feel like I probably will keep my media machine on 16.04+0.28 for quite a while unless the issue can be solved.
Your thoughts and experiences?
Regards from Sydney, Australia
Nick Sharp
I edit the .ts SD files (MPEG2) (to remove top and tail) and transcode (new profile set up by me with tick on lossless encoding) to remove top, tail, and transmission stuff.
Result is a .ts.old renaming of the original, and a new .mpg file (MPEG2).
I then use handbrake to compact the .mpg to a .mp4 file, usually at least x2 or even x4 compression (depending on content).
Nice.
I pretend to edit .ts HD files (MPEG4) to learn the frame numbers for start and finish of content, excluding top and tail.
No point in using the transcode as it doesn't work.
I then use mkvtoolkit to trim and compact the .ts to a .mkv file. Small size reduction: just top, tail and perhaps some transmission stuff removed.
BUT this process KEEPS the subtitles.
All files (both types of .ts, .mp4, and .mkv) play perfectly on VLC.
UPGRADE! (?)
Recently I loaded Ubuntu 18.04 with its mythtv 0.29 on an identical machine. Usual shit fight with mythtv and mysql passwords. Also still had to delay start of mythbackend (just added 20 secs) until tuners initialise (else: all "tuner x has an error").
So far so good. Records nicely and both SD and HD .ts files play back nicely in mythtv. However, HD .ts files have choppy sound in VLC (maybe a VLC problem).
Defined a transcode profile, but less to do now in 0.29 eg no lossless box to tick.
Running transcode on an SD .ts file renames it .ts.old but the new file is named .ts instead of .mpg.
Playing the new .ts file in VLC shows rubbish start and end times, and timer seems not to increment at one sec per sec of content, AND no sound.
(Will try using a supplied transcode next time.)
I am reluctant to record everything in HD (for storage space reasons, and not much point unless (a) I want subtitles (which transcode loses) and/or (b) the content deserves the extra clarity eg nature docos.).
I like Ubuntu 18.04 quite well, compared to the still very nice 16.04. I find mythtv 0.29 itself nicer to install than 0.28. BUT the above issue makes me feel like I probably will keep my media machine on 16.04+0.28 for quite a while unless the issue can be solved.
Your thoughts and experiences?
Regards from Sydney, Australia
Nick Sharp