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.
May 26th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I followed all of your instructions and thanks to LISA for explaining them fully, but after I copied my first I have a 5 – 6 inch bar at the bottom of the sreen and the movie plays at the top (not letterbox style) playing via a PS3 in the UK
Thanks in advance for any help
May 16th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Does anyone know how to put multiple episodes on one disc using this method? If so it’d be appreciated.
April 4th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
hi all! i have a problem like this!
i have a lot of movies in 720p or 1080p mkv format with 2 audio streams at least one of them are in dts format(i dont have have dts decoder so i would prefer ac3) and subtitles!
movies have size between 4.37 – 13 gbs! i would like to play them from my ps3 from dvd5! but in the same time to have all audio tracks and subtitles on those dvd5! i would like to split the movies not to shrink them(without re-encode)! if u have any solution please let me know or even better if u can make a video tutorial that everyone can see and understand it!
ps: i tried a several softwares but with no resultats
please help!
i’ve tried tsmuxer(downconvert for audio streamd desnt work or the subtitles doesnt work) multiavchd, avchdcoder (this 2 tried to reencode this take a lot of time! or dont allow me to put 2 or 3 audio streams and burn the subtitles on muvie i cant make them to disapear)
here is an example!i would add subtitles to it!
General
Complete name : D:\Hitman.Unrated.2007.Bluray.mkv
Format : Matroska
File size : 13.9 GiB
Duration : 1h 34mn
Overall bit rate : 21.1 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2008-03-28 17:34:13
Writing application : mkvmerge v2.2.0 (‘Turn It On Again’) built on Mar 10 2008 10:55:12
Writing library : libebml v0.7.7 + libmatroska v0.8.1
Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Muxing mode : Container profile=Unknown@0.0
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 34mn
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Resolution : 8 bits
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Language : English
Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 755 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 24 bits
Stream size : 509 MiB (4%)
Title : DTS 5.1 @ 768kbps
Language : Russian
Audio #2
ID : 3
Format : DTS
Format/Info : Digital Theater Systems
Format profile : MA
Codec ID : A_DTS
Duration : 1h 34mn
Bit rate mode : Variable
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Resolution : 24 bits
Title : DTS MA
Language : English
why not to split the movie in 2 or 3!?
are this possible?!!?
March 17th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Ur article helped but I got lost as 2 which method 2 use in IMGBURN.The method that worked 4 me was (after getting the BDMV and Certificate files) using the upper right option in IMGBurn (Write Files/ Folders 2 DISC), unchecking the verify box,UDF 2.50, and setting the proper speed 4 my blu ray disc.Maybe I can save some1 else some aggravation =)
March 4th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I ran into one small issue, my movie aspect ratio was changed from 1920×800 to 1920×1080, so the picture is stretched. Now when using TsMuxer I checked the meta file information and it says that it is 800 height, but when I burned it changed the aspect. Is there somewhere I can adjust this?
February 6th, 2010 at 7:43 am
listen to the website the guild explain everything you need to do. but if u cant under stand i will tell u 1 download an hi-def video file aka bluray file. 2 hav tmux. 3 open tmux an add the mkv file hav it changed to the bluray file. 4 open imgburn go to add file an burn. 5 burn the file to the disk also depending on how much ram u hav will depend on how fast u write ur disk me i had no prob yet also i got a question does any one know how to burn 2 bluray file to 1 bluray disk thanx for any help an hope this help any one
January 31st, 2010 at 8:34 am
did all as described as blueray not avcid(win 7,hd compatible
pc lg blueray burner excel results plays on ps3,comp,blueray players all,went round every ones house to try,will try avcid soon would like mutiple films on one disc blueray that is.
January 21st, 2010 at 10:02 am
Hello,
i have the same problem like jamill. The green part at the bottom of the screen. But not always ! Sometimes when i put the BD back in to the PS3, the green is gone and it is just black.(same disc).
I use tsmuxer and imageburn.