x264 GUI design & development

[stax76]

I'm currently redesigning the x264 dialog of StaxRip, so far it looks like this (beta available here (http://www.planetdvb.net/staxrip/download)):

http://planetdvb.net/non_drupal/images/StaxRip_x264_RateControl.png

I would like to add more sliders, depending on value I want to show a small hint like the AQ Strenght slider does, it displays the following hints:

0: none
0.1-0.7: weak
0.8-1.2: medium
1.3-1.7: strong
1.8-2: very strong

Any ideas which options could also use a slider and what hints should be displayed for which ranges? Any unspecific x264 GUI suggestions?

I've created this thread to improve StaxRip but if there are good suggestions other GUI authors might use them too of course.

[Sharktooth]

AQ has only one option since DS committed the RC changes. aq-mode 1 is "Variance AQ".

[stax76]

Thanks, seems they are changing/adding a lot in recent days, I hope they keep the build-in help in sync, I use it as reference and then check against MeGUI.

[Sharktooth]

if you're interested i just updated megui with the latest changes. including the contexthelp.xml for tooltips. feel free to use the options descriptions from it.

[stax76]

Thanks, problem is I still suffer the issue MeGUI not connecting to the server as described here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1182978#post1182978), I spent a hour already trying to fix my system, so far without success. :mad:

Maybe uTorrent is stressing my system too much or .NET 3.5 SP1 or some other stupid application changed some system settings or components.

Edit:

Proxy problem solved, some application changed a setting in the internet explorer options to use a proxy for lan connections.

[Avenger007]

I humbly suggest including rule-of-thumb tool tips or the like for the various x264 settings. The idea is along the lines of this (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1182435#post1182435) post.

The purpose of the rule-of-thumb tips is to allow the user to tweak x264 settings to achieve the best quality per source. Thus, each tip SHOULD always refer to specific characteristics of the source that would warrant tweaking of that particular setting.
This is probably not a trivial task since I guess its requires understanding the terminology of source characteristics as well as a deep understanding of x264 settings.

A starting point could be to assume the user has a layman understanding of source characteristics and would like to tweak various x264 settings to compress a particular source while trying to achieve optimal quality constrained by space and time.

[stax76]

Interesting but not easy to read, maybe you can explain with a easier language or even provide logic and values, that's the point of this thread. :)

[Avenger007]

Quote from the post I linked to
Like if the source has a lot of repetition then higher --ref might help or if it's mostly static then higher --bframes might help or if there is fast motion then higher --merange might help, etc., etc., etc.
Those are the layman terms I know of, but I don't know much about how various characteristics of a source can affect or be affected by various x264 settings.

In other words, the precise (as low level as possible) relationship between x264 settings and relevant source characteristics should be presented to the user. This allows the user to make informed decisions about tweaking the settings to best suit their particular source.

Note: I'm assuming the use of quality sliders that use predefined profiles suitable for various categories of sources and output.
Quoting from the same post (was referring to MeGUI)
Such a slider would be a facade for the presets, but of course options (check boxes) would be available corresponding to categories related to source characteristics/content (esp. since "best" quality is determined per source) and output. Eg. anime, HD, standalone compatibility, DXVA, portable, etc.
The quality slider should be based directly on Unrestricted profiles but MUST have the ability to adapt its settings based on the options checked.

Various specifics about the rules-of-thumb should come from experienced users who know and have experimented with the x264 settings on a wide variety of sources, preferably the x264 developers.

[stax76]

Added following hints for ref frames:

1: fastest
2: fast
3: balanced
3-5: slow
5-10: very slow
11-16: extremely slow

[buzzqw]

on automkv i am thinking of removing profile for ipod/ps3/xbod/iphone/htpc.. and varius personal device profile.. and add option check for selecting "level" of compatibility (ipod/ps3...)

could be "easier" for user selecting from lesser profiles and simply check the "output" device compatibility (where htpc will be a profile without constraint..)

could be interesting ?

BHH

[Kurtnoise]

Sorry to hijack this thread but just my 2€ cent...:)

Mainly for Avenger007.

I don't think that a quality slider is really relevant here because quality is subjective and more a personal taste. Moreover, each sources/movies are quite different in general, output targets are also different. So, to be fair enough that would be hard to do a such thing. Maybe, create a slider for each type : action - drama - anime - sports - comedy - b&w - ... - mmh, good luck then. :D

[Avenger007]

Some sources can benefit more from certain settings than other settings, but how is a simple user supposed to know this? My answer is rule-of-thumb tips.
Eg. What makes --ref 3 a balanced setting? Some sources can achieve a lot more compression with higher refs and the time taken would be well worth with. So how is a casual user supposed to know that more refs can significantly help compress that particular source?

I agree that the quality slider probably requires a lot more thought for it to be truly practical and useful.

These suggestions are humble, so if it's not appropriate for this GUI then I fully understand. :)

[Kurtnoise]

I'd say that simple users don't care about settings, especially meaning settings. The more appropriate solution for these people are presets. The more they are, the more they are happy...:)

[buzzqw]

I'd say that simple users don't care about settings, especially meaning settings. The more appropriate solution for these people are presets. The more they are, the more they are happy...:)

sorry , i disagree

more preset mean more confusion , expecially when the name is very similar.. and the different is just a word.. like dvxa/pd/unconstricted...

even on megui thread there are some user confused , unable to select the good profile

better to have a max of 6/8 profiles, and some check to enlarge the choice or check/slider to change it

ihmo

BHH

[Kurtnoise]

This kind of issue doesn't rely on presets, more on the UI itself. GUIs like megui or put_whatever_you_like_here are build like generic target uses. So, I think it's quite normal that we can have a large choice.

Problem will be different if :
you decide to create a GUI dedicated completely to hardware or devices or something else.
you decide to select users (noobs or advanced users) for this UI.


@mods: please split this discussion in a new thread...:p

[RickA]

Greets,

I think this is a great idea with the hints. Smartly worded descriptions can help educate those less knowledgeable of what the individual settings actually do. Giving them the chance to make more informed encoding decisions. Upon creating better encodes may give them incentive to learn more. Esoteric verbage mostly benefits those who already have advanced understanding. Deters the newb into thinking there is no way they will ever figure it out. Possibly re-inforcing the desire for 'cookie cutter' presets.

When I first started reading up on the settings and usage of x264. I sadly discovered many of the guides and sources for info about detailed settings have no date posted on them. One has little way of knowing how old the document is - if current or outdated. Settings often change as revisions change. Makes it tough on those starting out, or those seeking a refresher. A wise man once said "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Cheers,
Rick