Convert .MKV files to Blu-ray or AVCHD for PlayStation 3 using tsMuxeR
This article is a sequel to our previous guide, which explained how to convert .MKV files to .m2ts for PlayStation 3 playback. Absolute novices are recommended to read it before continuing with this one, as we intentionally leave out some basics covered in the previous guide.
This time we show you how to convert .MKV (Matroska) files into Blu-ray or AVCHD format. The AVCHD is a fairly new format introduced by Sony and Panasonic mainly for video camera recording, but the PlayStation 3 has native support for this format. Most likely some Blu-ray players also support, or will support the AVCHD format. Generally the AVCHD is nothing new – it is basically a Blu-ray file structure and content recorded on a regular DVD media. The media capacity is lower than with Blu-ray, so the quality is not as good but still AVCHD can store high definition 720p movies on a single DVD-R.
The using AVCHD format has a few advantages over the .m2ts method:
- DVD-like playback experience with chapters and auto-start in PS3
- Multiple audio streams are supported
- Support for subtitles (currently not supported with tsMuxer 1.7.6, but this feature is expected in the future)
If one has the ability to use Blu-ray discs, then there is the obvious advantage of huge recording capacity. But as Blu-ray recorders are at the time we are writing this rather costly and rare, we focus on AVCHD. However the same rules should apply for Blu-ray, but this is not tested.
Preconditions
- tsMuxeR software. Download from here and extract to appropriate folder
- ImgBurn software. Download from here and install
- Matroska .MKV video files with AVC (h.264) video and AC3 audio streams
Make sure you have some free space on your hard drive as a file with roughly the same size than the original file will be created in this process.
Using tsMuxeR to author a AVCHD or Blu-ray disc
Once again the process of remuxing the files and authoring the AVCHD / Blu-ray disc is a very simple process using tsMuxeR. Through the process the video and audio remain untouched, so the quality is not impacted and the process is very fast.
Perform the following steps:
- Open a .MKV file with AVC/AC3 content using the Add button
- Observe the track info for AVC profile information. If it shows a value higher than 4.1, then use the Change level function to adjust it down to 4.1
- Choose to Create Blu-ray disk as Output
- Click browse button and choose the name and location for your file
- Click Start muxing to begin
As a result a complete Blu-ray file structure is created to your destination folder. Note that this process will increase the file size of your video, so if you have an .MKV file exactly the size of a DVD-R (4.4GB), then it may not fit on the DVD-R in AVCHD format. The next step is to record it using ImgBurn.
Adding subtitles (19-May-2008 update)
The version 1.84 of tsMuxeR introduced the support of .SRT subtitle files. If you want to add subtitles to your AVCHD project, then read our new guide: Create AVCHD discs with subtitles using tsMuxeR
Using ImgBurn
The recording process for AVCHD or Blu-ray is not very different from regular DVD recording. In AVCHD / Blu-ray file structure there are two root level folders to record, and the file system must be set to UDF 2.50.
Perform the following steps:
- Add folders \BDMV\ and \CERTIFICATE\ to be recorded
- Under options choose File System UDF 2.50. Note that this change is persistent, and will be effective next time you start ImgBurn, unless reverted before that. Also be sure to have Recurse Subdirectories checked
- Click the icon to start recording
- The ImgBurn may prompt you to auto correct file systems settings – accept the proposed change. It will also prompt you for a Volume Label, where you may enter a title for the disc if you wish.
Watch the recording process go, and after it is done you are ready to watch AVCHD/Blu-ray on your PlayStation 3. Just slip in the disc and the PS3 will recognize it as a video disc, and auto-start playback. You can now switch in between multiple audio tracks (if available) just like using a DVD. With the defult settings the tsMuxeR will also place a chapter point every 5 minutes for skipping back and forward in the video.
August 10th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Hi, when burning the Blu-ray disk files with ImgBurn, does the UDF division have to be set to 2.50? Also, if I use this setting, will at affect picture quality and will it be playable in other blu-ray players?
April 29th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Hi,
When I burn TV serial (like 40 mins long) to/as AVCHD DVD or to/as BDMV BD it works perfectly. Once I want to burn normal movie (like 1,30 mins long or normal mkv movie but not tv serial) to BD there is a sound but no picture. PS3 recognised disks as a AVCHD (DVD) or BDMV (BD) but movies in the BDMV format comes without picture.
I read all comments and Ediie’s got the same problem.
I don’t have standalone Blu-Ray player to check is there the same issue.
Any suggestions pleae?
April 7th, 2012 at 1:44 am
This is a BRILLIANT article, thanks very much for your time and comparison skills.
December 3rd, 2011 at 9:39 am
I’ve followed the guide but when I put the dvd in my ps3 it only recognises it as a dat disc and I have to go into the BDMV folder and select Stream. Why doesn’t it auto run like a dvd as it’s described? Any Help out there!?
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:09 am
I lowered INTERNET IN A MOVIE MKV
CONDO CONVERT IT BUT USING tsMuxeR
PASS IT ON NORMAL BUT NO Samsung
PHILIPS BLU RAY IS CORRECT BOX VC CAN HELP ME
Flanker-B
May 12th, 2011 at 6:49 am
Other good programs to make avchd movies (also blu ray and hd-dvd) are MultiAVCHD and AVCHDCoder. The first one has more menu creating options and uses uncropmkv to recode and uncrop the video (it has to be manually selected). The other one is pretty much automatic, but menus don’t work correctly (if you want tu use avchdcoder the best option is to create avchd/bluray without menus). I usually do the uncropping and directory/file structure with avchdcoder and then reauthor the result in multiavchd for better menus and chapter positions.
April 14th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Need help i have tried so many times to burn blu ray disc. I get perfect sound but no picture im using ps3 here in the US.
December 20th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Awesome! Thank you very much for that information!