MpegRepair™
Software Encoding and Repair Utility
MpegRepair is a versatile MPEG encoding utility designed to both ease the difficulty of MPEG encoding and assist in the repair of troubled video streams. MpegRepair is capable of handling HDTV and IMAX video frame sizes. MpegRepair now includes capablity for inserting the Pan & Scan info into your existing MPEG Stream. MpegRepair is composed of four tightly integrated applications:
High Quality, Flexible Encoder - MpegRepair produces fixed or variable bit-rate MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 streams and gives the user with the ability to adjust every important parameter of the encoding process.
High Resolution Decoder- MpegRepair displays full resolution MPEG-1 or MPEG-2, DVD or transport streams and can store individual frames on a disk for analysis or transcoding.
Stream Analyzer- MpegRepair provides graphical and textural visibility into MPEG video streams, encoding decisions and header byte offsets.
Video Stream Manipulator - MpegRepair performs GOP and byte accurate cut, paste, trim, append and replace functions on trouble video streams. Beginning or ending segments can be cut or trimmed.
MpegRepair Increases Productivity
Repair of an encoded video stream is eased by the ability to mark in and mark out video segments, then re-encode and replace the segment without the need to re-encode the entire stream. The trim and cut functions enable re-sizing at the beginning or end of a video stream. Insert enables easy addition and modification of titles and credits at the beginning or end of the video.
Pan & Scan
For DVD producers, whose MPEG Encoder does not insert Pan & Scan info into their MPEG Stream, MpegRepair can inspect the stream and, if requested, it can insert the Pan & Scan info into their MPEG stream without a need to re-encode.

Scenario
Perhaps you've just encoded a 2-hour movie, and have discovered two sections that are not acceptable. A scene, at the start of the video, has bad blocks and jitter on title text. Later, in the middle of the video, a detailed high action scene has turned into blocks.
Using the MpegRepair analyzer, you advance to the troubled scenes and verify the quality problems frame by frame. The analyzer presents in text and graphical detail, the original encoding decisions that have resulted in the problems. With this information, you now have an idea why the problems have occurred.
Next, using the MpegRepair decoder, you mark the section of badly encoded frames. MpegRepair automatically records the required splicing information.
The powerful MpegRepair preprocessing and encoding engine is next used to re-encode original video frames (or those frames saved during the decode process). Preprocessing filters can be applied to problem areas within frames or to the entire video. The MpegRepair encoding engine allows you to add more or fewer bits to problem areas within frames. The encoding of the small clip can be accomplished interactively improving the quality on each pass. And the small size of the problem areas means that the encoding is accomplished within a few seconds. The resultant video clip will have the exact length and VBV buffer states so that it can precisely replace the bad MPEG section. Finally, with the click of the splice button, MpegRepair will replace the original bad video scene with the new repaired video. ThatŐs all it takes.
Additional useful tasks MpegRepair can accomplish
Transcoding Modifying bit-rate or frame sizes of a MPEG or DVD file
Change audio track Extracting video from a MPEG file for multiplexing with a new audio stream
Bitmap to MPEG Converting a single bitmap or TGA frame to a MPEG sequence for appending tiles to the beginning of a MPEG stream
MPEG Properties Display Displaying video, audio and system properties
Video Compliance Highlighting any encoding problems
Change PID Extracting single video or audio PID from transport stream
Cut Cutting frames from within a MPEG stream
Trim Removing MPEG headers, user data, or non-MPEG bytes from the start or the end of a MPEG stream
Analyze Exploring video encoding decisions made in encoding the stream

MpegRepair Encoder
Variable Bit-rate Encoding
MpegRepair provides the ability to change the encoding bit-rate scene by scene throughout an encoding session. This capability provides more bits (resulting in higher quality) in scenes that are more difficult to encode, and fewer bits in those scenes that are easy to encode.
Variable Quantization Encoding:
The quantization values, which determine the amount of compression per encoding block, can also be modified on a scene basis, frame basis, or sub-frame basis. Predefined or user-defined quantization tables can be changed on scene or GOP boundaries. Quantization tables customized for specific bit-rates and encoding complexity are provided with MpegRepair. These tables can also be used as templates for building complete custom tables for specific encoding situations. In addition, the quantization within each frame can be modified to increase or decrease the amount of data that is discarded in that region.
Bit Rate Analysis:
The optional analysis pass details the actual encoding difficulty of the video content. The resultant bit-rate profile and scene change analysis is printed in a text file and plotted on a chart. It is not often obvious which scenes are more or less difficult to encode. The analysis pass provides encoding complexity information. Encoding complexity, combined with knowledge of the relative importance of each scene, provides a good guideline for the allocation of bits for the video and graphics components of a DVD disk.
Automatic Scene Change Detection
MpegRepair can detect scene changes throughout a video and force the start of a new encoding block (GOP) coincident with the new scene. This produces the highest quality video by keeping the I blocks (MPEG key frames) as far apart as possible. I blocks consume the largest number of bits.
Scene Adaptation:
An Edit Decision List (EDL) file, containing parameters that will be changed throughout the encoding session and the frames at which the changes occur, is read by MpegRepair. Variable GOP structures can be specified in this file to support frame accurate GOP entry points for DVD authoring. Slight or significant quantization adjustments can be made to user defined areas within user defined frames. MpegRepair EDL operations include a powerful set of preprocessing options as well. User defined filters can be applied to selected scenes, frames, or even to user defined regions within a selected frame!
Spliceable Segment Encoding:
MpegRepair can encode a segment or a scene with specified starting and ending buffer states. Segment sizes can be of any length. This allows scenes or segments to be removed, moved, and reinserted to create legal MPEG video without re-encoding. This also prevents buffer overflow or under-flow in DVD jumps between segments.
Region or Frame Filtering:
User defined or included standard filters can be applied to a designated region of a specified sequence of frames. The MpegRepair preprocessing engine can apply the selected filter inside or outside the user selected region. This feature is used to enhance a region of interest within frames or to minimize artifacts outside of the region of interest.
Preprocessing:
MpegRepair includes extensive frame resizing and frame conversions in a preprocess operation prior to MPEG encoding. MpegRepair inputs frames directly from digital disk recorders and frame grabbers. Preprocessing options include chroma down-sampling from 4:2:2 to 4:2:0, D1 to SIF, VGA to SIF, and SIF or QSIF format conversions. The output of the preprocess operation can be saved to files or just viewed without encoding.
Closed Caption Insertion:
Closed caption data (or any other data) can be inserted into designated sections of the video stream in the user data MPEG field.
Overlay Mixing:
MpegRepair can mix a logo bitmap or an animation with the underlying MPEG. The logo can be placed in any location within the MPEG video frame and with any mix level.
Enhanced for speed on all Pentium Processors:
Computationally intensive components of MpegRepair are written in low level code that is optimized for speed on the Pentium processor and utilizes the dual processing pipes that exist in the Pentium processors. MpegRepair recognizes workstations that support the MMX instruction set and utilizes the eight parallel processing pipes in MMX machines. MpegRepair high level control is written as threads that take advantage of multiprocessor environments.
Batch Mode Operation:
Batch mode operation of MpegRepair provides for automatic encoding of multiple MPEG files and allows interactively with PixelTools companion products.

MpegRepair Decoder
Converts virtually any MPEG file into a sequence of frames
Stores frames in BMP, YUV or TGA formats
Uses full floating point accuracy to produce no decoding errors
Decoded sequences can be re-encoded with different parameters
Decodes low profile to high profile streams
MpegRepair Analyzer
Presents encoding decisions as graphical overlays.
Presents user selectable overlays of
  Motion vectors: forward and backward
  Encoding blocks: I, forward, backward, interpolated, not coded, skipped
  Numerical block values: M quant value
Displays 24 Bit color with image zoom and roam
Provides motion compensated error window
Plots reported and actual buffer states
Provides details decoding of all headers: video, audio, system, transport
Stores selected stream characteristics in a log file
Includes detailed Quick View Stream properties
 
MpegRepair Stream Manipulator
Provides replace function that is integrated with the analyzer to identify GOP boundaries and the encoder to re-encode replacement sections.
Provides cut and paste of MPEG video data at GOP boundaries (as identified in the analyzer) or at user selected byte offsets
Provides trim and append of all file data at GOP boundaries (as identified in the analyzer) or at user selected byte offsets
MpegRepair is the first tool to integrate full featured encoding, analysis, decoding, and stream manipulations into one powerful application.
MPEG Encoder
  MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Constant or Variable bit-rate
  Flexible user adjustments for bit-rate, frame size, profile and level includes
  Access to most encoding parameters
  Force quantizations within regions of frames
  Filter inside or outside of regions of frames
  Extensive preprocessing capabilities
  Area and region filters with user definable filters
  User definable quantization tables
  Segment encoding
  Fixed quantization encoding
  Encodes from simple to high profile streams
MPEG Decoder
  MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 decoding of elementary transport, system, or DVD streams
  Floating point precision MPEG decode onto computer monitor window Stores frames to BMP, TGA, or YUV file formats.
  Separated elementary video and audio from transport, DVD or system files
  Decodes High-Low Profile, and 4:2:0 to 4:2:2
   
MPEG Stream Editor
  Provides trim, cut, replace, append and insert operations on GOP segment boundaries or user selected byte offsets
  Encodes section to specific buffer endpoints at GOP segment boundaries to be used with stream operations
  Integrated with MPEG-2 decoder and segment MPEG-2 encoder
  Accomplishes instantaneous replacement of segments within huge MPEG files
  Includes byte accurate advance stream editing features
 

MPEG Analyzer
  Provides a quick view of MPEG stream properties
  Provides detailed graphical views, frame by frame, of encoding decisions
  Zoom and roam on decoding windows
  Displays quantization and motion vectors
  Decodes user selectable video and system headers into a text window and into a log disk file
  Prints any stream syntax errors in status window and log file
  Plots reported and actual buffer states
  Records syntax violation errors in a text window and log file

 

Specifications

Video Capture Equipment Encode Output
Integrates with all DV boards, frame grabbers, video editors and animation programs that output AVI format
Inputs frame from digital disk recorders
  Bit-rates from 1Kbits/sec to 168 Mbits/sec.
  Frame rates from 1 frame/sec. to 60 frames/sec.
  IPB, IP, or I-frame only streams
Encoding Speed
  Results of pre-procession without encoding
  SIF format (352x240) 24 frames/sec encoding at 3x real time on Dual Pentium 450
  D1 format (720x480) 24 frames/sec encoding at 11x real time on Dual Pentium 450
   
  Recommended bit-rate to log file in analysis mode
  List of detected scene changes to scene change file
  Encoding statistics to log file
  Current parameter configuration
Operating Systems Decoding
  Runs under WindowsNT, Windows95, Windows98
  Manages files larger then 8 Gbytes
  Precise floating point computations with 24-bit color accuracy
  Inputs MPEG 1 or 2 bitstreams
Processor
  Stores frames as YUV, TGA, or BMP files
  Runs on any 386 or greater processor
  Optimized, MMX and Dual processor
  Decodes elementary systems processing transports or VOB files
Encode Input Analysis
  BMP, YUV, Y-U-V, TGA, AVI, DIB, D1, ABEKAS, and PPM
  Fields and frames in sizes from 16x16 to 16384 x 16384 pixels
  Single frame or frame sequence to produce a longer stream
  Sequences stored on multiple drives
  Output of files from other programs or drag and drop
  Initialization file containing session specific parameters
  EDL file describing scene by scene parameters
  Scene Change file containing known scene changes
  24-bit color frame windows with zoom and roam
  Frames and fields visible at input, motion compensated, DCTed, compressed, and error states
  Graphic windows displaying buffer fullness and encoding statistics
  Motion vectors, block decision types, quantization values
   
   
   
   
Encode Preprocessing User Help Facilities
  Standard or user defined 7x7 kernel filters
  Full frame or regional filtering
  D1, VGA, or SIF downsampling
  Logo or graphic animation mixing with video
  Video or graphics RGB conversion
  Half D1 to D1 upsampling
  Fly-over Hints-Comprehensive
  Users Manual with expert encoding hints
   
   
   
   
Encoding  
  High, Main, and Low Level encoding
  High, Main, and Simple Profile encoding
  Optional MPEG-2 transport packetizing
  8-11 bit selectable DC precision
  Zig-Zag and Alternate DCT scan
  Dual Prime, 16x16, and 16x8 field and frame motion estimation
  Temporal down-sampling to 1 frame per second
  Adjustable IPB frame patterns (ie, M and N values)
  Selectable sequence header insertion rates
  Modifiable start time code
  Target decoder buffer sizes from 1 to 1000 vbv
  Constant bit-rate or constant quantization
  4:2:2 and 4:2:0 Chroma formats
  Compresses from 16x16 to 16384 x 16384 pixel frame sizes
  Supports all 18 HDTV formats
  Scene by scene bit-rate change capability
  Automatic or manual GOP forcing
  Segment encoding to specified buffer states
  Encoding precision control
  Operator control of regional quantization within selected frames
  Closed caption text insertion
  Complete control over encoding precision to optimize session for highest quality or highest encoding speed

MpegRepair is a trademark of PixelTools Corporation. All other brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respected holders

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