Bitrate

[jcrompton]

This may be a bit backwards from the usuals question but here goes:
I own a D-Link DSM 320 and a DSM-520. These machines handle .vob files pretty well except for some reason they don't work well to "jump" or search to a particular place in the movie (you do this by inputting a time) and the .vob files if ripped straight from a DVD often exceed the max bitrate of 6000 (even though they will often play even higher bitrates, just not consistently).
The .avi files work much better.

For me space has not been such an issue so my goal is to rip DVD and obtain an .avi file that is somewhere between 3000 and 4000 for the bitrate.

Thus AutoGK (what a great program for batching !!). However, when I specify a file size, often around 2900 I end up with a smaller file and the bitrate is usually around 2500.

I get an error in the log that says something like this:
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] Expected quality of first pass size: 225.96%
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] Trying to adjust settings.
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] No adjustment is possible
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] Warning: final AVI will likely be undersized.
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] Running second pass.

Is there not a way to force higher bitrates with AutoGK or SVid encoding?

PS the manner that i have been using is to rip the entire DVD with AnyDVD, then recode the Main Movie with Nero Recode at 100% (which give several .vobs that total around 4500 in size), then run AutoGK on the resultant vobs (This seems to be the easiest way to get around audio sync problems).

THANKS

[Sharktooth]

you cant get higher bitrates coz you saturated the codec.
use Quality Mode with 100% quality.

[BigDid]

...For me space has not been such an issue so my goal is to rip DVD and obtain an .avi file that is somewhere between 3000 and 4000 for the bitrate.

Thus AutoGK (what a great program for batching !!). However, when I specify a file size, often around 2900 I end up with a smaller file and the bitrate is usually around 2500.

I get an error in the log that says something like this:
[5/24/2006 12:17:56 PM] Expected quality of first pass size: 225.96%...
Hi,

You did'nt paste the full log so I will have a few questions:
1/ Did you use "force sharp MPEG matrix" from hidden options (ctrl+F9) ?
2/ Did your log states somewhere (should be in or near comptest) disabling B-frames ?
3/ Did you use no-options aka no ESS or MTK options ?

If answers to these questions are yes, you are out of the scope of AGK and have maxed the codec and the matrix used: you cannot make 225% enter in 100% :eek:

How to? I am afraid you'll have to go manual tweaking or encoding. For semi to manual encoding, see apps related: GKnot, Megui, maybe Staxrip and/or Mkvmagic ... and of course completely manual VDub/VdubMod or ARCalculator (maybe easier).

For tweaking, use the 3 above settings and let AGK do the comptest and begin 1st pass; abort encode.
Feed the movie.avs (from AGK folder) in VDub/VdubMod
Before batching 1st and 2nd pass, go in the xvid encoder and change the matrix by one less compressible that will be sharper and keep more details and will be bitrate-hungry; batch, save.
There are guides for the manual procedure that depends on the apps. I can point you to some good matrixes here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83125
I recommend, HR or UHR, EHR maybe too much.

There are more than one answer to this question so others proposals are welcome :)

Did

Edit: Sharktooth beats me on this one, he's the author of the matrixes I pointed out so his advice is valuable

[jcrompton]

I did not have "Force Sharp mPeg matrix checked"


Here is the log portion that I believe answeres the other re: b frames:
===========================================================
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Duration was: 6 minutes 42 seconds
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Speed was: 13.30 fps.
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Compressibility percentage is: 305.73
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Switching b-frames off
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Chosen resolution is: 720x416 ( AR: 1.73 )
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Predicted comptest value is: 228.68%
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Running first pass.
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Writing the following script to L:\Movies\CLIFFORDS_REALLY_BIG_MOVIE\ReCoded\agk_tmp\CLIFFORDS_REALLY_BIG_MOVIE_movie.avs
===========================================================

I believe that you suggested to check "Enable Standalone support support" prior to MTK or ESS options -- is that correct?


I'll start another test run on Clifford and post my results. Prior to these changes that movie ended up with a bitrate of 2529 with the bitrate beig about 5000 in the .vob format.

I REALLY appreciate your input -- althought this has been bit of a hobby for years now I have not had the time to devote to REALLY learning it and I hopr to keep the "batchablitiy" of AutoGK.

[BigDid]

I did not have "Force Sharp mPeg matrix checked"
It's just to be cautious, AGK by default, uses the sharp matrix over 700Mb file size but does'nt indicate it; on the contrary it indicates "softer matrix used" or/and "softer resizer" when used.

[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Compressibility percentage is: 305.73
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Switching b-frames off
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Chosen resolution is: 720x416 ( AR: 1.73 )
[5/24/2006 10:50:14 AM] Predicted comptest value is: 228.68%
Yes it did switch the B-frames off so you go down from 305% to 228% expected (225% after 1st pass).

I believe that you suggested to check "Enable Standalone support support" prior to MTK or ESS options -- is that correct?
Opposite: ESS or MTK options are more Standalone friendly (SAP) and limits the bitrate to 4000kbp/s; you want more bitrate so no SAP options

I'll start another test run on Clifford and post my results. Prior to these changes that movie ended up with a bitrate of 2529 with the bitrate beig about 5000 in the .vob format.
I'm afraid it won't change much but if you post (copy/paste) the interesting parts of the logfile it can be commented.
For info, I encode around 1200/1500kbps around 640/672*xxx (1:220/235) with ac3 audio for usually 1/3 of DVD and I am really satisfied of the quality (but I use avisynth filtering :) ) So 2500kbp/s should really be good.

Try Sharktooth suggestion (one pass 100% quality) to see if you gain; if not you will have to quit AGK easygoing and try more "rustic"(not auto) solutions :rolleyes:

Edit: I forgot but no one having done it, welcome to the forum :)

Did