How to... Use mp4UI to Create .MP4 Container Files

What is mp4UI ?

mp4UI is an excellent little tool that will allow you mux multiple Mpeg4 video streams and multiple AAC audio streams together, into an MP4 container.

Why bother using the MP4 Container ?

Because it's so flexible. And because if properly used the MP4 container can do just about everything that a VOB container can do - And more, if the hype is true.

Anyway, I'm using it because as an Sigma Xcard owner, I can finally get to generate true 16:9 anamorphic encodes and view the results in hardware on my TV.

Assumptions

OK, before we start I'm afraid I'm going to have to make the following assumptions: -

*    That you know how to generate 'Mpeg4 video streams'  - preferably without B-frames (B-VOP), GMC (S-VOP) and Qpel

      Using tools such as of DivX5, XviD, 3ivX, mpegable and QuickTime.

*    That you know how to generate 'AAC audio streams' - 2 channel or 6 channel

      Using tools such as QuickTime, AACMachine, BeSweet, BeSplit, FooBar2000 and dBpowerAMP.

Step 01 - Adding the Audio Stream(s)

Launch mp4UI and press the 'New/Open' button.

Navigate to, and select your AAC audio stream. Which must be stored within an MP4 container.

At this point, you can 'Import...' even more raw .aac streams if you like.

Please Note:

It's important to add audio before video, otherwise the file will be written but cannot be played back properly.

Step 02 - Adding the Video Stream(s)

Press the 'Import...' button.

Navigate to, and select your .AVI video stream.

At this point, you can even 'Import...' more .AVI streams if you wish.

Please Note:

During this stage, an 'Operation' window should appear. Which should display the 'status' of the imported AVI video stream as it's muxed into the MP4 container.

This can take a while, so please be patient.

Step 03 - Optimizing the MP4 File

Press the applications 'Exit' button.

Please Note:

During this stage, an 'Operation' window should appear. Which should display the 'status' of the Optimization of the MP4 file layout.

This can take a while, so please be patient.

Step 04 - Playing Your .MP4 Contained Encode

With any luck you should now have an fully playable .MP4 encode.

MP4 Spec Compliancy Issues

Although there's nothing wrong with generating Mpeg4 AVI encodes with multiple b-frames, but the use of packed bit-stream is not encouraged. Packed bit-stream is an Mpeg4 in AVI innovation and must either be removed or better still not used/selected at all, if you are intending to mux your video streams into the MP4 container.

Known Issues

When generating XviD encodes with b-frames (B-VOP's), Sigma Xcard (hardware player) users will experience problems playing them. Software player users should be unaffected.

When generating DivX encodes with b-frames (B-VOP's), both hardware and software player users should be unaffected, despite the fact that packed bit-stream was used during encoding (by default).

Sigma Xcard (hardware) player users should note that the muxing of 6Ch AAC (LC or HE) streams is not advised. As the Xcard can only decode 2Ch AAC audio streams.