SMV format description
 

In order to create an SMV encoder for GNU/Linux, I've cracked the SMV format. I don't know how many programmers frequent this forum, but if any do, they may want the format description to create their own encoders, so I'm posting it here. Given the quality of the Windows encoders I had to fight to get sample SMV files, the average amateur Windows programmer with a little bit of experience with media files could probably write a better one.

Anyway, here it is:
If anybody's interested, my encoder is at http://www.codu.org/smvconv/

Wow, thanks. I'm by no means a programmer but i do have some knowledge in the internal workings of files and know a little linux too.

I just got a SMV player yesterday and i have noticed that the transcoder is pretty slow. I'm sure your info will be of use. ;)

smv encoder
 

Hi Gregor,

I tested your encoder with my player and it does not work.
I am trying to find what is the problem.

Re: SMV format description
 

I made small changes in smvconv and it works for me now.
However, there are still several issues with the movie quality.
I put the modified version at
http://www.cs.bgu.ac.il/~yurac/interests/smv-encode/

Re: SMV format description
 

Hi yurac;

I've tested your smv-encode, version 0.22, on my Philips GoGear SA3125 mp4player.

It works! I've used the following parameters:

-w 127, -h 159, -f 11, -fps 11, -q 50

and the following change on mencoder calling command: rotate=2 to rotate=1. Can this is specified as option on command line?

There is noise for some files on right headphone, as you said. Another little issue is the input file have to be given as full path.

Thanks for your amazing work. My MP4 can be used on linux now.

Thanks !
Thanks to GregorR who cracked the format.

I will add the rotate parameter you request.
I am also writing a gui now.

Tayroni,

Could you please try the new version 0.27?
It includes the changes you requested.

Relative names are ok now.
The rotate parameter is -r
The framerate is now -f

Your command line should look as follows:
smv-encode <input> -w 127 -h159 -q50 -f 11 -n 11 -r 1

Add -d if you want to see the mencoder,mplayer output.

Thanks.

I added a gui and autotools support (smv_encode0.4)
It works for me on Ubuntu Hardy

Re: SMV format description
 

Sorry Yurac for the delay to answer. My notebook goes down and I was unable to answer.

I tested version 0.52 with gui and the above parameters work very well.

I'm using Ubuntu Hardy too.

Re: SMV format description
 

hello , i have tested smv convert with a philips sa 3485 and work very well with this parametres smv_encode -b -g 220x176 -f 24 -n 11 -r2 -q 41 but the only one is tht before ia have to rotate the movie 90º with another program to see it fullscreen .

thanks for your work. hugs masmiguel

Pd: there are some way to rotate 180º the movie with de smv convert ?

See version 0.55. Is it ok now?

Hi I just gave 0.55 a try with my smv-video-only Sylvania SMPK2066.

Many fruitless attempts to get the many proprietary converters working in wine. GUI pops up, but convert button always crashes it.

I finally stumbed across this thread after some google-search-kung-fu.

I tried yurac's program, the GUI, and it works great! Videos convert fast, decent file sizes, and they work on the player. Also, the GUI is very nice, better than the proprietary GUIs.

Paremeters I used for the Sylvania SMPK2066 player were:
Geometry 128x128
Framerate 10
Tile factor 5
Rotate degree 0
Image quality 41

Thanks yurac, and thanks GregorR of course for cracking the format.

One thing I wanted to point out, yurac, is if the file name or path contains spaces, the GUI will not work. I think this could be fixed by passing the path and file name to smv_encode with the path and filename surrounded by double quotes.
Example: smv_encode -b -g 128x128 -f 10 -n 5 -r -1 -q 41 "/home/username/Some File.mpg"


Great work, and thanks again.

Thanks!!

I will fix the bug.

Re: SMV format description
 

hello , first of all thanks yurak i have tested smv convert 0.55 with a philips sa 3485 and work perfet with this parametres:

smv_encode -b -g 220x176 -f 24 -n 11 -r -1 -q 80

thanks for your work. hugs masmiguel

Re: SMV format description
 

Hi all. I know it's been a while since this thread has grown, but I wanted to declare my intentions to use smv_gui, or at least the underlying tools, to convert video for a Phillips GoGear ViBE, which also plays (only) smv videos, just so people knew I was doing it.

I'll be attempting to do so on a 64-bit computer too, to make things interesting, and I'll be using gentoo.

So Far I've been able to build .58 and have received the error 'combine failed' in the progress meter. Looking into the matter.