Introduction:This is a step-by-step guide on how to convert a physical 3D ISO Blu-ray disc into a Remux ISO file format. A Remux strips the menu and bonus content while keeping the wanted video/audio/subtitles at ZERO quality loss AKA lossless. This will reduces the total file size greatly. Depending on the movie I have saved anywhere from 5-28GB.
The Remux ISO is intended to be played on a 3D capable hardware device such as a Mede8er. Newer Android based players should also be supported. You can also play it on a computer/HTPC. I use ISO instead of MKV due to better subtitle support as they have a better “3D” effect and better overall compatibility. The file size is roughly 1GB larger using an ISO compared to a MKV which is not much for the sake of better future compatibility.
Theoretically, you can burn the ISO to a BD-R but you will need a Cinavia free Blu-ray player. There are some 3D movies that do not have Cinavia protection and those will burn fine. Also, apparently it is possible to now remove Cinavia, however you will have to research that elsewhere.
Software Prerequisites: (Windows Only)SlySoft AnyDVD HD (Paid, but can use 30 day trial) – Removes the latest copy protections and region codes.
Configuration: I just use the default settings.
tsMuxer (Free)
http://www.videohelp.com/software/tsMuxeR – To convert Blu-ray/ISO to a Remuxed ISO.
Configuration: Use the default settings. tsMuxer will AUTOMATICALLY select the “Use base video stream for right eye” setting on the very rare situations when it is needed.
BDInfo (Free)
http://www.videohelp.com/software/BDInfo – Free tool that helps in finding the best .MPLS playlist file for tsMuxer.
Configuration: Go to Settings and Deselect "Enable SSIF scanning" and set "Filter playlists with length <" to 180 seconds.
Eac3to (Free) [Use via HD Blu-ray Stream Extractor GUI]
http://www.videohelp.com/software/eac3to - Needed in some circumstances to get more information on certain .MPLS playlists.
SlySoft Virtual CloneDrive (Free) – Use if on Windows 7 and if/when you have a need to mount a ISO file. This feature is built into Windows 8+.
Tutorial:1. Insert 3D Blu-ray disc or mount the 3D ISO.
2. Open BDInfo, Click ‘Browse’ and navigate to the Blu-ray disc drive and click on “Select Folder.”
3. Now look at the ‘Playlist File’ window. This is the trickiest part as you have to determine the proper playlist (.MPLS file) to use. It is typically the one with the longest time length. However, sometimes there will be multiple playlists with the same length. In this case, go through the different playlists and you will see the associated M2TS contents under the ‘Stream File’ window. Some tips to find the best playlist:
a. Scenario #1, some playlists will have hidden tracks. Hidden tracks have an asterisk in front of it under the ‘Codec” window. I would choose the playlist with the least/zero amount of hidden tracks or the one that best suits your localization.
b. Scenario #2, I had two identical playlists. However, when I opened both in tsMuxer (Look at chapters under Blu-ray tab) I noticed one was split into numerous chapters while the other was just 1 chapter. Thus I chose the playlist with the numerous chapters. Chapters can also be seen if you import playlist in eac3to.
c. Scenario #3, sometimes the disc includes both the 2D AND 3D version of the movie. Open the playlists with tsMuxer and the 3D version is the one that has both an MVC AND H.264 codec stream.
Correct 3D Subtitle example:
Incorrect 2D Subtitle example:
d. Scenario #4, I have seen several occasions where multiple playlists are 100% identical, so does not matter which you choose.
e. Scenario #5, some studios such as Pixar uses custom video files to better suite a particular language. For example, a clip may have a scene where someone is reading a newspaper in the English writing, while in the other clip the newspaper is in Spanish writing.
For example:
Playlist 00800 contains the following .m2ts files: 312.M2TS + 315.m2ts + 320.m2ts etc.
Playlist 00801 contains the following .m2ts files: 312.M2TS + 318.m2ts + 320.m2ts etc.
As you can see, the second M2TS is different. Open both 315.m2ts and 318.m2ts with your favorite media player such as VLC and then visually inspect to determine your localization playlist.
f. Scenario #6, use Process Monitor to see what playlist is loaded. Excellent video tutorial -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlhBmIbReaog. Scenario #7, analyze the playlists with eac3to which sometimes gives additional information.
4. Once you have determined the best 3D .mpls playlist for your needs, write it down (for future reference).
5. Open tsMuxer and ‘add’ this .mpls playlist.
6. Now you MUST select the first two video files (MVC & H.264). If there is only one, then it is not a proper 3D playlist. Now select the audio and subtitles tracks you want.
7. Under the ‘Output’ option select “Blu-ray ISO” then select a save location and disc/file name. Should look something like this:
8. Press the “Start muxing” button at the bottom. It can take 10-15+ minutes depending on the speed of your hardware.
9. Test the newly built ISO remux file. If you encounter errors, read additional tips in thread below.
10. Enjoy!
I spent 3 days learning this as I have never remuxed before. Just wanted to pass this information along. Works PERFECT with my Mede8er's!!
Also, if there are any typos/mistakes please shoot me a PM so that I can make corrections.
Revision History:
1. Updated information on the “Use base video stream for right eye” setting in tsMuxer.
2. Added solution to Blu-ray's that use Multiple Angles. [See Below for Tutorial]
3. Added additional troubleshooting tips. Fixed typos/mistakes.
4. Corrected mistake with discs that use multiple angles. Must use Add for first SSIF, then Join for the rest.