Fast-decompressing codecs?

[mg262]

In order to test some framerate upconversion methods in AVISynth, I want to be able to frameserve data into AVISynth as fast as possible (i.e. using as little processor time per frame as possible). I was wondering if anyone could recommend a few fast-decompressing codecs to try?

I'm only going to be trying short clips, so space is not an issue -- although obviously if the clips become too large then the HDD is going to become the limiting factor. I need to keep the quality reasonably high -- certainly to the point where there are no visible blocks in the output when it is being played back. Content will be live-action PAL DVD source; I may either upconvert the source and then recompress it, or recompress the source and upconvert on playback, depending on the speed of the conversion method. I'm using a P4/2400, and a serial ATA HDD.

I hope that's enough specifics... please do prod me if I've omitted anything.
Thanks in advance,
M.

[akupenguin]

MPEG4 ASP without qpel/B-frames is about as fast as you can get. Should be <10% cpu without postprocessing.

[mg262]

akupenguin,
Thank you. I will stick with XVid, then, and the decompressor that comes with it.

[webwonk]

A related question - What is the systems utilization (CPU, RAM, etc.) of On2's VP6? Specifically the version in Flash 8 (SWF 8.0.22.0 or SWF 8.5 alpha) compared to XviD without qpel or b-frames? And generally, are there any folks here who have used the new Flash 8 video for full-screen/full framerate DVD conversion? Lots of questions I know - but this forum has all the best experts.

[Zarxrax]

You might want to try mjpeg at a low quality setting. Mjpeg is about as fast as codecs get, and at low quality the Hard Disk wont become an issue.

[webwonk]

Thanks Zarxrax, that's good to know. I'll play with MJPEG and XviD w/out qpel and b-frames - but I really want to know how Flash 8's implementation of On2, VP6 works in SWF8 or SWF8.5 - Can Flash8 video with VP6 "do" fullscreen 23.976 or 29.97 progressive fps at around 700-900-1000 kbs? - I'm looking for the highest SSIM without crazy playback requirements - any help?

[mg262]

XviD manages to decompress 100 FPS* at PAL DVD resolution using about 60% of processor power (P4/2400). Beautiful and fluid!

*There's no point trying to boost the frame rate beyond that because my screen only refreshes at 70 Hz.

Thanks for the guidance.

[webwonk]

Has anyone here had any experience on measuring cpu/ram/hd utilization of playing back fullscreen, full framerate, near-dvd quality video from flash 8 video (On2, VP6.x + FhG, MP3 in a flv2 container as read by a swf 8 or swf 8.5a client-side player)?

I'm interested to know how Sorenson, Squeeze 4.2 w/VP6 Pro plug-in or On2, Flix Pro 8 - produced flv2 (vp6+mp3) video compares to XviD 1.1 playback in terms of client-side systems resource utilization.

Anyone use Flash8 video with VP6???

[scharfis_brain]

MJPEG is also a very fast CoDec.
I use it always for 100 (120) Hertz TV simulations.
I own an AthlonXP 1600+ (1400MHz)