Is there a tool to verify the h264 codec used?

[djesteban]

Hi,

Ok, I have demuxed one of my anime Blu Ray and I would like to know which exact codec they used to encode the .264 file.
Anyone here know a tool that can look for this information, like that would say if they used the Mainconcept h264 codec for example.

Thanks in advance

[Comatose]

H.264 is a codec, Mainconcept and x264 are encoders.

Anyway, I might be wrong but I don't think you can tell which encoder was used. You probably could if you were experienced with the output each encoder produces so you could look at how it was encoded (knowing each encoder has its preferences), but the only thing you can easily tell is whether x264 was used or not (with the user data headers x264 writes), and I think the answer to that is obvious :p

[kemuri-_9]

actually some encoders (i.e. x264 and nero) place signatures in the data.
If you were to look at the .h264 data stream in hexadecimal/binary you may find the encoder's signature in it.

[neuron2]

H.264 is a codec Don't be silly. H.264 is a specification (for AVC video).

[smok3]

mediainfo may give you some hints, example, under Format Profile you may get:

qt
Format profile : QuickTime
or
nero
Format profile : Nero Digital AVC Standard Profile
or
x264
Format profile : JVT &&
Encoding settings : cabac=0 / ref=1 / deblock=0:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0 / me=dia / subme=1 / brdo=0 / mixed_ref=0 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=0 / trellis=0 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / chroma_qp_offset=0 / threads=1 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / mbaff=0 / bframes=0 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / rc=abr / bitrate=2600 / ratetol=1.0 / rceq='blurCplx^(1-qComp)' / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40

[djesteban]

thanks guy... i'll check that out :)

[Comatose]

Don't be silly. H.264 is a specification (for AVC video).
Yeah, okay, used the wrong word then >_>

Maybe I should've looked up the definition :P

[LoRd_MuldeR]

Codec = (En)Coder/Decoder = Piece of Software (one specific implementation) ≠ Format/Specification

For example "DivX" is a Codec, but it's not a Format. However DivX implemets the MPEG-4 ASP Format/Specs.

[Comatose]

Yes, I checked the definition after neuron2's post... >_>

[Sharc]

@djesteban
AVInaptic displays the codec info as well, including encoding parameters, e.g.:

[ About H.264 encoding ]

User data: x264
User data: core 60 r944 36caec4
User data: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec
User data: Copyleft 2003-2008
User data: http://www.videolan.org/x264.html
User data: cabac=1
User data: ref=3
User data: deblock=1:-1:-1
User data: analyse=0x3:0x113
User data: me=hex
.... etc ....

[kemuri-_9]

afaik, only x264 places the build info, url, and options used to encode the video in the data stream.
I have not yet seen another encoder that places so much information into the data stream.

[plonk420]

dammit, i wish i had the patience (as i momentarily have the space) to test this out X) ... blu-rays take like 12+ hours to rip from ps3 to a network computer for me...

[Golgot13]

actually some encoders (i.e. x264 and nero) place signatures in the data.
If you were to look at the .h264 data stream in hexadecimal/binary you may find the encoder's signature in it.

It's same for many authoring studio encoder (Nexcode, CineVision from Mainconcept SDK, CC-HDe, BAE-V700, BAE-VX1000,...).
I know that some encoder put data, watermark, on encoded picture (not on private data header).
I'm not agree with this, so I don't recommand Nexcode and Sony encoders (today) ...
I don't know for PeP but I think MS make same (watermark on picture)...

[audyovydeo]

@djesteban
AVInaptic displays the codec info as well, including encoding parameters


avinaptic reports :

1. Apple video trailer (H.264 in MOV container)

Container Type : MP4/MOV
Major Brand : QuickTime version 537199360
...
Codec : avc1

2. my own clip (H.264 in mp4 container done with QuickTime Player 7.5)

Container Type : MP4/MOV
Major Brand : ISO Base Media version 1
Compatible Brands: JVT AVC
...
Codec : avc1



cheers
a/v

[kemuri-_9]

It's same for many authoring studio encoder (Nexcode, CineVision from Mainconcept SDK, CC-HDe, BAE-V700, BAE-VX1000,...).
I know that some encoder put data, watermark, on encoded picture (not on private data header).
I'm not agree with this, so I don't recommand Nexcode and Sony encoders (today) ...
I don't know for PeP but I think MS make same (watermark on picture)...

what i was referring to by 'signature' is something like this:
http://kemuri9.net/forumpics/x264_sig_ex.png
and
http://kemuri9.net/forumpics/nero_sig_ex.png

which is not watermarks but placing a information about itself into the raw bitstream.
this is the data that video analyzers actually pull out to identify which encoder it was.
any encoder that watermarks is just plain fail.