There seem to be plenty of threads and guides for copying Toppy .rec files to PC and coverting to DVD.

I want to do the reverse: convert some divx/xvid or vob's (DVD files) so that I can copy them to my Topfield and play them on demand.

"why" you ask? I have a 2 y.o. with an attention span of 10 mins and I see the above option as being much easier than swapping DVDs in and out of the DVD player everytime he getsbored of whatever he's watching...which is often.

I know it will take up some space (but then again not that much if DVD/vob file sizes can be maintained at 2 to 4.7GB).

Searched as best I can through the forum but apologies if this topic has been covered before.


EDIT: Just found this quote in the Topfield FAQ (http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=3684):

"Can I play divx,qt,mpeg2 files from my pc on the topfield?

Not quite yet. Peteru, is working on a file converter which should allow us to upload files to the STB and watch them on the TV. It won't strictly allow you to play divx etc directly on the stb as it will require you to convert the file to MPEG2-TS format first."

Is anyone aware of any updates on this?

You can actually do this already with ProjectX. Create a mpeg2 file(.mpg) from your DVD (via a DVD ripping app) and then load this file into ProjectX and choose TS instead of Demux. You need to find a checkbox in the settings somewhere that says add TF5000 header.

Then copy it back to the Toppy and you're good to go.

If they're cartoons that don't need high bitrates and you're keen to save on space you could re-encode it a much lower bitrate before you upload it. May look a bit crappy but hey I doubt your 2 y.o. will care

Time consuming though...

Rob

good site for TAPS & PC transfers.... Tony's Topfield Page

Thanks Rob - that's exactly what I was looking for. Will give it a go tonight....

2y.o. seems very adaptable to low quality video...sure that will change with age :-)

Thanks marcelo - I had looked at Tony's page but could only see rec>DVD and not vice-versa.

Peter did infact complete that little project, so if projectx doesn't totally work, then try: http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/%7Epeteru/toppy/convert.php and/or give Peter a PM.

thanks tony - that's a great prog. Now I just need a free VOB>mpeg2 or divx>mpeg2 converter (found lots on net but all must be bought).
Am I pushing it by asking whether anyone knows of any free converters? Tried Peter's prog (a long shot I thought) but it obviously needs genuine mpeg2 to convert to .rec.

The VOB to mpeg2 is easy, thats just a demux to ac3/m2v, etc files, projectx should let you do that.

As for a free mpeg2 encoder, have you had a look at www.doom9.org pretty sure there are 1 or 2 free encoders around, tho they may not be 100% user friendly.

thanks Tony will give it a go.

found a coverter but unfortunately it is pushing the audio and video out of sync when it pulls them apart then encodes them back together...1-2 seconds delay...very annoying. any suggestions? is it just a bodgy encoder (cucusoft)?

but once demuxed, then what? Will the mpeg>rec coverter take in the ac3 and m2v streams? I wouldn;t have thought so (perhaps I should just try it)

You then need a muxer (like ImagoMPEG-Muxer) that will just output a normal MPEG-2 PS file. Then add the toppy header and your all done.

It all just takes a bit of playing around till you find an easy method that works. Test on small files, like a small special feature from a dvd till you have it sorted out.

cool - good idea re small files too. I have used imago from previous demuxing (a while ago now) so will get to it. Thanks again

Maybe, given your 2-year old's short attention span, you could cut all the files into 10 minute blocks, then mix them up. That way, he'd never get bored!

PS - If you do want to play multiple files on the Toppie, you use the Red button to select the files (and the order).

good idea maybe I should do the same for my shows...cut them up into 10 min blocks and randomise (2 y.o. got attention span from his dad)



cool - didn't know that one. Which button feeds him and changes his nappy? What, you mean linux can't do that?