Advice on Encoding to x264

[Gamestar]

Hi guys, i recently started backing up my series on my HD. I was wondering if the encoding settings i'm using is good enough or if it could be improved.

Basically, my 44Min series are 120 or 150MB in size. I'm using Nero AAC-LD 64 Kbps for the audio.

Here's my video settings
program --profile high --pass 2 --bitrate 335 --stats ".stats" --level 5.1 --ref 5 --no-fast-pskip --b-adapt 2 --b-pyramid --direct auto
--deblock 1:2 --trellis 2 --partitions all --vbv-maxrate 17500 --me umh --merange 32 --thread-input --aq-mode 0 --output "output" "input"

Also, i was wondering if there are any filters i could use to make the video quality better. I use filters for Anime but not on my recent backup of TV Series.

Any comment and profile improvement is greatly appreciated. :thanks:

[Dark Shikari]

1) Dump everything in the commandline after --bitrate 335

2) Use the presets if you want something higher quality (and slower) than the defaults.

3) Use CRF mode instead of 2-pass bitrate to let episodes that need more bitrate get more bitrate (and accordingly, episodes that need less get less).

[Gamestar]

my profile is custom. i looked at both the Unrestricted HQ and HQ Insane and created it.

Which profile do u recommend i use?

I tried out CRF but the encoding time was extremely long and since it's a backup. I'm aiming for a selected size. Like 150MB or 160MB per episode.

[Inspector.Gadget]

my profile is custom. i looked at both the Unrestricted HQ and HQ Insane and created it.

MeGUI profiles are outdated. Do not use them. Use x264's built-in tunings and presets.

Edit: I also don't know where you got that particular combination of settings, but they're nonsensical. Also, there is NO MAGIC FILTER for content. Filters are for fixing identifiable problems. If you don't have an identifiable problem, you shouldn't be using a filter.

[RunningSkittle]

1.) It seems you do not know what CRF is at all :confused: CRF has no effect on the time to encode!
2.) read this about "official" x264 presets and how to use them:
* http://mewiki.project357.com/wiki/X264_Settings
* http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=148149

[Gamestar]

thanks a lot for the info guys. yeh. i kinda figured my settings sucks. i found a bunch of presets buy Sharktooth.

which settings would u guys recomment using for a good settings / speed ratio. i'm currently thinking of using Unrestricted 2pass HQ

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=101813

[neuron2]

Those profiles are no longer germane for the current x264.exe. Follow the links given you by RunningSkittle.

[Gamestar]

ok. thanks guys. i'm now good. i'm gonna do a few test encodes and decide which settings i like the best.

[dstln]

imo just use --preset veryslow if you have time. if you'd like it faster, go down the presets :P

[pelle412]

This has worked well transferring TV series disc sets to my PCH A-110:

--crf 22 --preset slow --tune film

You can probably squeeze another 10% out of the file size by going --preset slower but encoding time will double.

[valnar]

If you want decent hardware compatibility (Popcorn Hour, Sage HD200, etc), use --preset slow. Change reference frames to --ref 3 for compatibility with 1080p video only. Anything less and the default of 5 is good.

[Dark Shikari]

If you want decent hardware compatibility (Popcorn Hour, Sage HD200, etc), use --preset slow. Change reference frames to --ref 3 for compatibility with 1080p video only.--preset slow --level 4.1 will be enough; you don't need to manually specify refs.

[sreg0r]

I tried running an encode with --preset placebo --level 4.1 on a NTSC DVD and the output still had 16 ref frame / 16 b-frames and was not DXVA compatible. Manually specifying --ref 8 --bframes 3 fixes the problem though.

[Inspector.Gadget]

And what do you think --preset placebo is designed to do?

[nurbs]

Shoudn't matter, for NTSC and level 4.1 the DBP is more than enough to hold 16 refs and there shouldn't be a limit on b-frames anyway.