VLC 1.0.5 - direct mp4 to mpeg-ts

[CRJ343]

I use a program called "get_iplayer" to conveniently download BBC TV & radio content.
The content of the HD TV arrives as an *.mp4 file.
To use this on my Technomate 6800HD PVR I need to convert this *.mp4 output to a *.ts file (I subsequently build a *.trp, *.idx and *.ifo "set" using C T Movie Maker)
I'd like to be able to convert from *.mp4 direct to a *.ts and although this seems to be practically possible with VLC the output is poor, so currently I'm making a *.mpg first (using WinFF/ffmpeg) and then using VLC 1.0.5 to create the *.ts with excellent results.
Would someone please explain why I need to go through this intermediate step ?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

What codecs?

[CRJ343]

j-b - Perhaps I don't understand your question !
I'm using the WinFF with this command line "-f dvd -target pal-dvd -aspect 16:9 -b 8000kb -mbd rd -trellis -mv0 -cmp 0 -subcmp 2" to create the mpg and then used H-264 + AAC
With VLC - doing a direct mp4 to *.ts I have tried the following :- H-264 + AAC (no good) and Dirac + AAC (no good), MPEG-2 + MPGGA (better) to do a "direct conversion"
Which approach do you recommend ?

[northlondon]

I use a program called "get_iplayer" to conveniently download BBC TV & radio content.
The content of the HD TV arrives as an *.mp4 file.

Sorry to hijack your thread, but what's your get_iplayer command to return an mp4 file? I've got exactly the opposite problem in that get_iplayer leaves me with a .ts file that I've been struggling to convert using VLC!

TIA,