Jonny_R
14th April 2011, 14:23
Hi,
I have transferred some old (interlaced) VHS tapes to DVD (via a DVD/HDD recorder). These are PAL format. The VOB/MPEG2 video size is 720 x 576 (5:4) and are for display at 4:3 ratio (on TV).
I have done some trial conversions using HandBrake (Windows) to convert to MPEG4 AVC (video)/AAC (sound track) and these are successful but...
If I trim the rough black borders (poor VHS) the video size is reduced to 684 x 554 (so sits between 5:4 and 4:3). Fundamentally the pixel ratio (if that's the right term) remains at 5:4 as the video image has only been cropped. It seems to me if I do this (the crop) there is no way to record/register that the image actually has a 5:4 source format. Do I rely on resizing the image during conversion to a 4:3 ratio so it is then implicit in the H x V size ratios? Or, do I not resize and somehow just set the height/width/PAR values appropriately (and 'Keep Aspect Ratio') to get the video to display correctly at 4:3?
I'd appreciate if someone can advise and provide the numbers/settings I should use (and include the maths so I understand for future reference. I have tried a couple of options (with no re-size) and the video seems to be displaying at approx 5:4 in Windows media classic even though when I inspect the file via MediaInfo the video stream says 684 x 554 (4:3), however, any reference to the source being 5:4 appears to be lost.
I have looked at the HandBrake help and I am more confused! SARs, PARs & DARs!
FYI, I am encoding using VBR at 2500kbps that produces good quality output. When I tried constant quality (CQ = 20) the quality was comparable but the filesize was x3!
I have set ref frames to 3 and B frames to 3. I understand what a ref frame is but not a B frame, anyone? Are 3 & 3 appropriate values for these settings? - I can't say I have the time (conv very slow on my old laptop) or experience to determine otherwise. I am archiving these old videos for reference.
Many thanks, Jonny
I have transferred some old (interlaced) VHS tapes to DVD (via a DVD/HDD recorder). These are PAL format. The VOB/MPEG2 video size is 720 x 576 (5:4) and are for display at 4:3 ratio (on TV).
I have done some trial conversions using HandBrake (Windows) to convert to MPEG4 AVC (video)/AAC (sound track) and these are successful but...
If I trim the rough black borders (poor VHS) the video size is reduced to 684 x 554 (so sits between 5:4 and 4:3). Fundamentally the pixel ratio (if that's the right term) remains at 5:4 as the video image has only been cropped. It seems to me if I do this (the crop) there is no way to record/register that the image actually has a 5:4 source format. Do I rely on resizing the image during conversion to a 4:3 ratio so it is then implicit in the H x V size ratios? Or, do I not resize and somehow just set the height/width/PAR values appropriately (and 'Keep Aspect Ratio') to get the video to display correctly at 4:3?
I'd appreciate if someone can advise and provide the numbers/settings I should use (and include the maths so I understand for future reference. I have tried a couple of options (with no re-size) and the video seems to be displaying at approx 5:4 in Windows media classic even though when I inspect the file via MediaInfo the video stream says 684 x 554 (4:3), however, any reference to the source being 5:4 appears to be lost.
I have looked at the HandBrake help and I am more confused! SARs, PARs & DARs!
FYI, I am encoding using VBR at 2500kbps that produces good quality output. When I tried constant quality (CQ = 20) the quality was comparable but the filesize was x3!
I have set ref frames to 3 and B frames to 3. I understand what a ref frame is but not a B frame, anyone? Are 3 & 3 appropriate values for these settings? - I can't say I have the time (conv very slow on my old laptop) or experience to determine otherwise. I am archiving these old videos for reference.
Many thanks, Jonny