<p>Using <a href="http://ffmpeg.org/download.html" rel="noreferrer">ffmpeg</a>, a free command-line tool, you can convert these DATs to MP4 (or MKV):</p>

<pre><code>ffmpeg -i input.dat -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
</code></pre>

<p>Your VLC output doesn't mention it but if the inputs are interlaced (likely), then use</p>

<pre><code>ffmpeg -i input.dat -vf yadif -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
</code></pre>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-27T04:32:46.027Z
2017-09-27T04:32:46.027Z
Gyan
<p>When you say archive, do you mean for long-term storage, such as in a library or museum? If that's the case a lossless, well-documented, open-source codec and container is what you want. FFV1 in a matroska continer (.mkv file) is my preferred archival codec / container format, and it's gaining popularity in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLAM_(industry_sector)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">GLAM</a> sector.</p>

<p>Once again, FFMPEG is the tool of choice for making these–FFV1 is a codec developed by the creators of FFMPEG. A good page on how to encode FFV1 <a href="https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/FFV1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>, and an example would be:</p>

<pre><code>ffmpeg -i input_video.dat -c:a pcm_s16le -c:v ffv1 -level 3 -coder 1  -context  1  -g 1  output.mkv 
</code></pre>

<p>For archival purposes I would <em>not</em> de-interlace because of the loss of resolution, and because it alters the source substantially.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-27T13:09:24.223Z
2017-09-27T13:09:24.223Z
stib
<p>Each file is around 350-650 MB.  </p>

<p>This is the media information from the Files:  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kBcWf.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://i.sstatic.net/kBcWf.png</a>  </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DLeSw.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DLeSw.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>How could I better archive it? </p>

<p>Easily convert &amp; archive a bunch of low res Video CD DAT files MPEG 1/2 to newer better format such as MKV or others?  </p>

<conversion><file-formats>
Easily convert & archive a bunch of low res Video CD DAT files MPEG 1/2 to newer better format such as MKV or others?
Alex S
# Easily convert & archive a bunch of low res Video CD DAT files MPEG 1/2 to newer better format such as MKV or others?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-26)

Each file is around 350-650 MB.

This is the media information from the Files:

<https://i.sstatic.net/kBcWf.png>

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DLeSw.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/DLeSw.png)

How could I better archive it?

Easily convert & archive a bunch of low res Video CD DAT files MPEG 1/2 to newer better format such as MKV or others?

**Tags:** conversion, file-formats


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-27. Score: 5

Using ffmpeg, a free command-line tool, you can convert these DATs to MP4 (or MKV):
ffmpeg -i input.dat -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4

Your VLC output doesn't mention it but if the inputs are interlaced (likely), then use
ffmpeg -i input.dat -vf yadif -c:v libx264 -crf 20 -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart output.mp4


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### Answer by username_2 on 2017-09-27. Score: 2

When you say archive, do you mean for long-term storage, such as in a library or museum? If that's the case a lossless, well-documented, open-source codec and container is what you want. FFV1 in a matroska continer (.mkv file) is my preferred archival codec / container format, and it's gaining popularity in the GLAM sector.
Once again, FFMPEG is the tool of choice for making these–FFV1 is a codec developed by the creators of FFMPEG. A good page on how to encode FFV1 here, and an example would be:
ffmpeg -i input_video.dat -c:a pcm_s16le -c:v ffv1 -level 3 -coder 1  -context  1  -g 1  output.mkv 

For archival purposes I would not de-interlace because of the loss of resolution, and because it alters the source substantially.


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