Q: Play multiplexed MPEG-1/2 files (in Quicktime?)

I have also tried VLC 1.1.12. The file opens, and the first frame is displayed, but the image doesn't change and the audio doesn't play.

If it doesn't play in VLC then something is probably wrong with the file itself. (I.e., VLC contains its own MPEG-2 video codec and does not rely on the Apple QT MPEG-2 Video Playback Component nor does it require the "muxed" audio to be MPEG-1 layer audio nor is it normally troubled by timecode breaks, transport stream or improperly terminated file containers—all of which could be problematic with the QT X/7 media players.)

They play nicely in windows, but I'd like to view them on my Mac.

Then it is very strange that they will not play in VLC which is normally the recommended player for Windows sourced files for Mac users. Can you post a sample file or segment?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10671621/BA_117_28288.mpg

Unfortunately, your file appears to have been edited/modified on a Windows platform which means the targeted file has a number of problems: In the first place, the file is not properly terminated. While this may not be a problem for various Windows media players, QT is very touchy regarding such matters. For instance QT 7 will not even open the file. QT X seems to recognize the file as a program stream, but cannot play the file either because it is not properly terminated or because the audio and video data is of unequal durations. MPEG Streamclip (which basically accesses the same routines as QT 7) will attempt to open the file (probably because it considers the file to be a transport stream) but can't play it because the audio and video have unequal durations.

BA_117_28288.mp4

To get around these problems, I demultiplexed your file to two separate paired elermentary streams (M2V video and AIFF audio). This has the advantage of re-sampling the audio while keeping the original video quality before re-compressing the data streams to a more modern compression format (H.264/AAC) at about 60% of the original total average data rate and thus reducing the file to about 74 Mbs. In any caase, you can view and/or download my modified version which is now playback compatible with both QT 7 and QT X multimedia players, as well as, other QT-based and third-party apps.

But I'll check with the company that I bought them from.

If the sample file you posted is an example of the unmodified product being sold (I.e., not segmented by you from original DVD VOB file content), then I would probably consider the manufaturer's workflow as being substandard unless specifically sold as being Windows-Only compatible—especially since the app I used to recover the data is both free and available for both Mac and Windows platforms. Basically, the only problem is that the data was not edited (segmented) as Group of Pictures (GOP) content nor stored in program stream (PS) file containers which are properly terminated making it more universally compatible. Would normally not say anything if a friend had made the file for me or if the file was a torrent download since those are the hazards that come with sourcing such content. However, as a commercial product, frankly I would expect it to be edited in a more professionally standard manner.

Thank you for explaining possible troubles and troubleshooting in regards with multiplexed mpeg videos.

Is there a (cheap) possibility to do a de-multiplexing on my own? Which software can do this?

Thank you in advance

Chris

Is there a (cheap) possibility to do a de-multiplexing on my own? Which software can do this?

For demultiplexing I normally use the free MPEG Streamclip app. Unfortunately, this software uses the older QT 7 structures embedded in OSX which requires the QT MPEG-2 Playback Codec be installed. While this codec still works under El Capitan, I'm not sure if it is still available for purchase from Apple. If you have this codec installed, then the MPEG Streamclip app can demultiplex "muxed" MPEG-2 files to its constituent content or demultiplex the "muxed" video as M2V and/or demultiplex and convert the original "muxed" audio to any of the following supported formats as seen here:

When conversion is the ultimate goal (or if the MPEG-2 Playback Codec component is not available), I normally try using the free HandBrake app to convert files to H.264/AAC MP4 for editing or H.264/AAC/AC3 M4V files for direct playback compatibility with all current QT player MAC OS X, IOS, and tvOS devices.

Great support! Thank you very much for your quick and helpful response.

I successfully installed streamclip from squared5 and Quicktimempeg2.dmg

But unfortunately I am receiving 'data breaks warnings' right from the beginning of the conversion.

So maybe this video is already destroyed too much.

Anyway, thank you very much! It will work with another …

Chris

I successfully installed streamclip from squared5 and Quicktimempeg2.dmg

But unfortunately I am receiving 'data breaks warnings' right from the beginning of the conversion.

So maybe this video is already destroyed too much.

If you are referring to "Timecode breaks," try fixing them using the "Command-X" keyboard shortcut (or the Edit menu "Fix Timecode Breaks..." option). If the data is actually corrupted, then there may not be a fix for this issue.

Are you actually trying to convert the files here or demultiplex them? If you are converting the files, I believe HandBrake is a better conversion app (as long as the data is not corrupted).

If you are referring to "Timecode breaks," try fixing them using the "Command-X" keyboard shortcut (or the Edit menu "Fix Timecode Breaks..." option). If the data is actually corrupted, then there may not be a fix for this issue.

I can display further than the conversion of the multiplexed video would work. So I'll try your helpful hints soon, though I guess that the clip is somehow corrupted. It's good to know an expert like you reachable.

Many thanks so far!

Chris

"Command-X" keyboard shortcut

SORRY! That should have read "Command-F" keyboard shortcut.