Bits/Pixel Frame vs. Resolution vs. Compressibility

[suppperj]

Since I started using GK, which is very recently, I've been using the settings recommended by a walkthrough guide I found online.

The guide suggested I try and get a Bits/(Pixel*Frame) rate of between .2 (for a 700mb movie) and .27 (1400mb movie).

The guide also said the best results are when the compressibility is between 60-80% and that the Bits/(Pixel*Frame) and compressibility rates are more important than resolution.

My question is this...which of these factors is most important and what am I giving up when one of them doesn't fall within those suggested ranges. Obviously when I adjust the resolution it changes the other numbers and it's not always possible to keep them within those ranges.

Also, does resolution really not matter? I stream my movies to a dlink media player and watch them on a 46" tv. Would a larger tv screen make resolution more important?

Thanks in advance. I'm a newbie and have tried several other programs before finding GK and so far I think it's a great program.

[Brother John]

As soon as you have a comptest percentage you can forget BPF because the comptest is more accurate.

Resolution does matter because lower resolution means a less detailled picture. Also when playing back a small resolution on a high res screen in fullscreen resizing artefacts are more likely to occur and macroblock arefacts are more visible because the more you upsize the video on playback the larger and easier to spot blocks become.

In most cases I'd go for a lower comptest percentage (if it's not low already) and keep a higher resolution. For your large 46" screen this might be especially important. When in doubt (if you aim for quality encodes) better switch to a higher target size than sacrifice resolution and/or a high comptest value.

The best way to find out what you require is testing: Encode a short clip with several resolutions and examine them on the TV at close range and at usual viewing distance. That should give you a good idea how much resolution you really need.

[suppperj]

Thanks for the advice. That's exactly what I was looking for. So I'll keep the resolution higher even if I have to sacrifice some of the comptest. I've already tried several that have had comptest values between 40-50% and i've been satisfied with the results. Thanks again.