On the PC, I'm able to convert an MPEG2-TS file recorded from TV to an XVid file by using:

ProjectX to demux the MPEG file
MPEG2Schnitt to cut out the commercials
VirtualDubMod to convert from MPEG2-video to XVid
LAME to convert from MP2 to MP3
Avi-Mux to multiplex the XVid video and MP3 audio

Is it possible to convert the MPEG2 file to an Xvid file on OS X? If so, what apps are needed?

Um. Quicktime/Final Cut Pro can probably handle Mpeg editing, but xvid could be harder. Sounds like google might need to be deployed to answer this one!

You got a Topfield TF5000PVR? Sounds like you do.

Actually I was looking at getting the Topfield but they're not cheap. I just saw a Legend Dual Tuner unit which also has a USB connector but know next to nothing about it.

Now I'm using a cheap HD Tuner in my PC to do the recording.

I'm pretty sure ffmpegX will do what you ask. You will need to google ffmpegX (edit: I changed the name to a link) and upon startup/installation find some open source components/plugins (sourceforge and cvs from memory). None of the plugin instructions are that clear but surprisingly ffmpegX is EASY to use and install (one of the components refuses to stay installed but it is an easy thing to locate it on startup (you don't need to install the reallib component for it to work either). This is an incredibly versatile application and far superior to quicktime pro in many respects. Encoding, re-encoding; there is nothing that I have chucked at it that it has choked on yet. Any more questions please ask and I'll try to be more helpful.

cheers, kim

EDIT: I cannot recommend ffmpeg enough and I cannot warn you about the frustrations of quicktime crashing sufficiently (when encoding) in spite of its useful features (and I use quicktime pro)

mpeg2works is a great mpeg muxer/demuxer for os x.
it will convert the streams into quicktime compatible mpeg 2 for editing.
after that you can use quicktime to comvert to divx or xvid

I purchased a Topfield TF5000PVR last year, great little machine. Having the two tuners works a treat. Highly recommeded.

Though the price may come down soon as I believe they a releasing a new version this year with twin HD turners, ethernet, etc. Apparently running on linux OS.

Quicktime pro does handle Divx editing. Well basic editing like trimming etc

Works a treat too :-)

I bought a Topfield in October... paid $850... RRP $1099 it pays to haggle. Out of 3 stores the last one without thinking about it said they would match the price, and even had stock. I am thinking I should of haggled further. Oh well, $850 in my opinion was a good buy for a 120GB model.

I just had a thought.. when I finally sit down and play with converting the .REC file from the PVR on Apple machine, I should write something up as an article for the site. I will sit down soon and get something happening, as I'd really like to figure it out on OSX.

I'm after one myself. Any chance of finding out where you bought it from?

Also, any issues moving mp3s and pictures across from your Mac?

Cheers,

Tom

Hi, have just read this thread with some interest....I am in the process of trying to convert .rec files downloaded from my Topfield PVR and burning the files to dvd. I have tried using Streamclip (which apparently plays .rec files) to demux the files but with no luck. Has anyone had any success doing this?

Does anyone know how I can convert an AVI to MPEG2 (or whatever format will let me make it into a DVD with Toast 6 Titanium v6.0.9)?

I've tried Cleaner 6, Popwire's compression master, ffmpegx, and more but I still can get it to work.

I also can't get it to play in Quicktime, VLC or MPlayer. Any ideas?

Yes,

I do this regulary.

Using -

ProjectX to cut the commercials (You dont need to demux as ffmpegx accepts a transport stream as an input)
ffmpegx to encode to divx/xvid/mpg4

The only real problem is that mencoder (the highest quality encoding engine that ffmpegx uses) does not recognise the ac3 audio in a transport stream. This is a bug with mencoder and I don't know when it will be fixed. This means that you can't convert to the higher quality libavcodec mpeg-4 codec. You have to use the ffmpeg engine to encode anything with ac3 audio.

I've tried demuxing and converting the audio seperately but it always ends up out of sync and I've never found out why.

You can also use mpegstreamclip to cut out commercials but I have found it to be slow and frustrating.

ffmpegx does this without any probs. Just read the instructions and use the pre-sets. (Although sometimes I think it comes out a little soft.)