Converting Showsqueezed files to Archos AV700

[willowpc]

Bought an Archos AV700 and haven't found a way to convert my library of Showsqueezed .wmv files to run on it. Archos only supports .wmv simple profile and mpeg4/divx and WMP doesn't do the conversion for the Archos. Wonder if anyone else has found a way around this.

[willowpc]

By trial and error found a way to convert the showsqueezed wmv simple profile to the Archos. Its painful in terms of the number of steps, but works fine: 1) I convert the .wmv files to divx with the drag and drop Divx converter (using the portable file) 2) then use the Archos supplied MPG4 Translator/Virtual Dub to convert to avi by using the Archos Default for the device, LCD setting and 1200kbs setting; finally found I needed to use WMP to sync the file over to the Archos which goes very quickly. I've pretty much abandoned showsqueeze now for new recordings, as WMP synchs the mpg files over easily in one step, but needed this procedure above to get my old wmv files to the Archos.

[riffy]

I'm trying to figure this out too! I can't find a simple solution at all. Just can't see the point of going threw so many steps to do something that seems so simple. God I hope Version 4 fixes this, going to DivX would solve this issue. Just want my tv shows put on it in a format that's not to grainy on a normal view but small file size.

On a side note... how you liking yours? I've thrown every DivX thing at it and it's played it, even though the site says it won't play DivX 6 stuff it does. I did upgrade to the latest firmware thought too.

[Eric3a]

I don't have the AV700 but the PMA 400 from Archos. i understand they read the same video files.
All I do to convert my wmv files is to drag and drop them to DivX Convert 6 using "home theatre" setting (although any setting will work).
Then simply rename the output file from .divx extension to .avi

The process is reasonably fast.
Eric

[willowpc]

Thanks for the tip. Live and learn I guess. Renaming the file to avi and then copying it to the AV700 (using WMP sync) works fine. Not sure how it seems to come out about the same quality as converting the divx to avi using virtual dub (which gives a file about 4 times the size), but works for me! Will save me a lot of time going forward. Also find that its worth coverting non-showsqueezed .mpg files to divx/avi for transfer, as this allow skipping past the ads / fast forwarding with the AV700 (vs. not possible when just convert the files directly with WMP sync). Thanks again.

[riffy]

Ya I've been useing the DivX Converter and copying them over to get them on my AV700. I didn't know you could rename them to *.avi though.... AV700 plays them great with the *.divx name so wasn't a problem. I don't use the WMP sync at all cuz I don't like how it syncs stuff up. Easier to just use the AV700 as a HD when it connects and drag and drop or run a sync app. Sort out file folders that way so it's not a mess on it.

Funny that the AV700 says it will not play DivX 6 files.... but it does.

Now if only I could find a script to convert *.wmv from the showsqueezed folder and put the *.divx files into my divx folder I'd be set! But I'm sure by the time I find one BTV 4 will be out hehe.

[timisme]

Version 4 definitely will record / Convert files to Divx, it works on my archos 400.

[riffy]

That's good to know timisme, thanks for the info. Can't wait for version 4 to come out! Seems like it will solve what few problems I have.

*waits* :-p

[Tony414]

Hey! I tried this with my AV700 and it work great! http://www.imtoo.com/mpeg-encoder.html. I onlyh had the AV700 for a few days now but I'm not sure if I want to keep it or get the Creative Vision. Any thoughts? I know the screen is much smaller but I think there might be more out there as far as support etc.. Has anyone got BTV showsqueezing yet so a conversion isn't necassary?

[riffy]

Personaly I like the AV700 much beter. It can play much more things than the creative one from what I saw. Plus I think the screen is just a perfect size. As for BTV... nope it doesn't do simple profiles that these use for wmv files, but the new version when ever it comes out will do divx again (thank god!) so it's just a mater of time before it can just be copied over instead of reencoded.

I just don't want the added rereencoding running all the time on my TV puter, so I'm just going to wait and for now use the lame windows media player. It does an ok job of converting them for use on it, but is to low for a bigger screen. So hate wmv format :-p

On a side note... the AV700 has been able to play every divx and xvid file I've thrown at it even though there site says it can't play some of the formats hehe.

[riffy]

Originally Posted by timisme

Version 4 definitely will record / Convert files to Divx, it works on my archos 400.

OK now that ver 4 is out... This works on yours? Mine can't do the audio on the files BTV makes in DivX! It says unknown audio format, and I see no place to change the DivX showsqweeze to make them mp3 audio anywhere.

[willowpc]

My AV700 packed up a couple of weeks ago (wouldn't boot - black screen only). Sent it back on RMA and Archos just got the tracking number on Friday (after they had it for 9 days) for the repair or replace unit. Will have to wait until the 17th or so to be able to try it out with showsqueezed divx recordings. A bit concerned though because the first divx ones I tried with V4.0 seemed to be bigger than the files I get when I convert with DivX creator. If your audio problem also applies, may have to keep using this manual process rather than go with showsqueezing. Have you tried taking a showsqueezed DivX and converting this with DivX creator as well to see if the audio problem goes away? Guessing this might save some time with the conversion at least.

[bitstream]

The reason the Divx files don't seem to work is that the audio is MPEG-1, Layer 2 which the Archos doesn't like. A fairly fast translation can be done in VirtualDub by first installing qmpeg.acm and then processing in virtualdub.


You must load the file, selevt video->Direct Stream Copy, then Audio->Full processing mode, then Audio->Compression... select MP3. Then File->Save as avi.


Takes about 8 minutes to convert an hour.


It really would be nice to be able to change the Divx settings.