Thinking about it, I have had this problem with certain files too. I think it has to certain frame-rates at 1080p. I have a WD HD media player that doesn't like certain 1080p files that have 25 fps as a frame-rate, but is fine with 720p at whatever combination of frame-rate and resolution.

I still don't think what you did in tsmuxer is a proper conversion for the audio, so I wouldn't be surprised if you had a problem with the audio, even if you could hear it, if you see what I mean. I don't know what to suggest. I really don't think you'd have a problem with ESB if you downloaded it, but it's your decision.

Thinking about it, Adywan's 14 gb download of ESB was still on the newsgroup last time I looked. I downloaded it a little while ago. That is an mkv, so it might be worth your while downloading that. You wouldn't have to convert it or anything, so you could rule out the conversion to .ts as being a factor - although I don't think it is. It sounds like your best solution.