MeGUI Custom x264/AVC video profiles.

[Kurtnoise]

@Sharktooth: --sar 1:1 is duplicated with the x264 profiles which use the CustomEncoderOptions...

[Sharktooth]

uh??!?

[Kurtnoise]

[08/03/2008 19:06:13] Started handling job
[08/03/2008 19:06:13] Preprocessing
Job commandline: "C:\tmp\megui_all\trunk\megui\bin\Release\tools\x264\x264.exe" --pass 1 --bitrate 8000 --stats "D:\Tor_\Script ED 2.stats" --level 4.1 --keyint 24 --min-keyint 1 --bframes 3 --direct auto --subme 1 --analyse none --ipratio 1.1 --pbratio 1.1 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --vbv-maxrate 38000 --qcomp 0.5 --me dia --threads auto --thread-input --sar 1:1 --progress --no-psnr --no-ssim --output NUL "D:\Tor_\Script ED 2.avs" --mvrange 511 --aud --nal-hrd --sar 1:1
[08/03/2008 19:06:13] Encoding started
Standard output stream
Standard error stream
-avis [info]: 1920x1080 @ 23.98 fps (126 frames)
-x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
-x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 3DNow!
-x264 [info]: slice I:6 Avg QP:18.36 size:145516
-x264 [info]: slice P:32 Avg QP:19.42 size: 62645
-x264 [info]: slice B:88 Avg QP:21.06 size: 28972
-x264 [info]: mb I I16..4: 28.9% 0.0% 71.1%
-x264 [info]: mb P I16..4: 11.0% 0.0% 0.0% P16..4: 55.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% skip:33.8%
-x264 [info]: mb B I16..4: 2.2% 0.0% 0.0% B16..8: 25.5% 0.0% 0.0% direct:14.4% skip:57.9%
-x264 [info]: final ratefactor: 21.16
-x264 [info]: direct mvs spatial:1.1% temporal:98.9%
-x264 [info]: kb/s:8261.9
-encoded 126 frames, 1.84 fps, 8266.59 kb/s
[08/03/2008 19:07:23] Job completed
[08/03/2008 19:07:23] Postprocessing
-Deleting intermediate files
- Log for job4 (video, Script ED 2.avs -> Script ED 2 tttt.mp4)
[08/03/2008 19:07:23] Started handling job
[08/03/2008 19:07:23] Preprocessing
Job commandline: "C:\tmp\megui_all\trunk\megui\bin\Release\tools\x264\x264.exe" --pass 2 --bitrate 8000 --stats "D:\Tor_\Script ED 2.stats" --level 4.1 --keyint 24 --min-keyint 1 --ref 3 --mixed-refs --bframes 3 --b-rdo --bime --weightb --direct auto --subme 6 --analyse p8x8,b8x8,i4x4,i8x8 --8x8dct --ipratio 1.1 --pbratio 1.1 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --vbv-maxrate 38000 --qcomp 0.5 --me umh --threads auto --thread-input --sar 1:1 --progress --no-psnr --no-ssim --output "D:\Tor_\Script ED 2 tttt.mp4" "D:\Tor_\Script ED 2.avs" --mvrange 511 --aud --nal-hrd --sar 1:1
[08/03/2008 19:07:24] Encoding started
Standard output stream:
Standard error stream
-avis [info]: 1920x1080 @ 23.98 fps (126 frames)
-x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
-x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX MMXEXT SSE SSE2 SSE3 3DNow!
-mp4 [info]: initial delay 524288 (scale 12570329)
-x264 [info]: slice I:6 Avg QP:18.28 size:145391
-x264 [info]: slice P:32 Avg QP:19.25 size: 53424
-x264 [info]: slice B:88 Avg QP:21.48 size: 25445
-x264 [info]: mb I I16..4: 7.2% 44.3% 48.6%
-x264 [info]: mb P I16..4: 1.2% 2.9% 4.1% P16..4: 36.4% 18.7% 8.3% 0.0% 0.0% skip:28.4%
-x264 [info]: mb B I16..4: 0.2% 0.6% 1.0% B16..8: 41.3% 3.0% 5.7% direct: 2.3% skip:45.9%
-x264 [info]: 8x8 transform intra:40.4% inter:36.6%
-x264 [info]: direct mvs spatial:13.6% temporal:86.4%
-x264 [info]: ref P 70.1% 21.1% 8.9%
-x264 [info]: ref B 77.5% 22.5%
-x264 [info]: kb/s:7339.1
-encoded 126 frames, 0.86 fps, 7343.59 kb/s
Final statistics
-Desired video bitrate: 8000 kbit/s
-Obtained video bitrate (approximate: 7344 kbit/s
[08/03/2008 19:09:51] Job completed
[08/03/2008 19:09:51] Postprocessing
-Deleting intermediate files
--[08/03/2008 19:09:51] Successfully deleted D:\Tor_\Script ED 2.stats


I meant, MeGUI uses already the --sar switch to pass the SAR value from the avisynth script...

[shon3i]

Sharktooth first i want to thanks for you profiles in megui, and i want to give some proposition for you.

Since we found what is max settings for DXVA and standalone compatability, did we need anymore profiles such HQ-Slow, Slowest, Insane without Level 4.1 or 3.1 and HRD?

I think is not hard to implement some code which automatilcly choose right level for resolution for selected profile. And Slower/insane profiles to use up to 4 ref-s for HD and up to 8-9 for SD.

And ofcourse make some Unrestricted profile.

I mean why to encode without these "restrictions" when quality is same. And aslo hel newbes.

[Sharktooth]

@kurtnoise: what profile you used? i cant find the --sar switch in any of the profiles...
EDIT: nevermind... they're the blu-ray profiles, i didnt made them but i will fix in for the next update.

@shon3i: i have completely new profiles. they will be up when the 0.3.x profiles refactor will be completed.

[shon3i]

Thnaks Sharktooth :)

[tenkai]

--level 4.1 --ref 6 --mixed-refs --no-fast-pskip --bframes 6 --b-pyramid --b-rdo --bime --weightb --direct auto --subme 6 --trellis 2 --analyse p8x8,b8x8,i4x4,i8x8 --8x8dct --vbv-maxrate 38000 --qcomp 0.5 --me umh --threads auto --thread-input --progress --no-dct-decimate --no-psnr --no-ssim --output "output" "input" --mvrange 511 --aud --nal-hrd --sar 1:1

Does this look good for a high quality hddvd encode in 1080p? I want it near the orginal but also compatible ;]

[gav1577]

--level 4.1 --ref 6 --mixed-refs --no-fast-pskip --bframes 6 --b-pyramid --b-rdo --bime --weightb --direct auto --subme 6 --trellis 2 --analyse p8x8,b8x8,i4x4,i8x8 --8x8dct --vbv-maxrate 38000 --qcomp 0.5 --me umh --threads auto --thread-input --progress --no-dct-decimate --no-psnr --no-ssim --output "output" "input" --mvrange 511 --aud --nal-hrd --sar 1:1

Does this look good for a high quality hddvd encode in 1080p? I want it near the orginal but also compatible ;]

@ tenkai i have a good profile i made earlier which gave me excellent results for near original quality pm if u want it :)

[Sharktooth]

why dont you post your magic "banding removing" profile instead of just promising the moon?

[gav1577]

why dont you post your magic "banding removing" profile instead of just promising the moon?

Calm down Sharktooth i never said it was magic. its just what works for me. it is by no means anything special just thought it might be worth him trying it out. i am a noob two and thought i could help him out btw i understand every source is different and the profile i use are for high bitrate grainy sources only as i noticed in the other thread u are referring to the source is quite grainy and he was using
--crf 18.0 .just in my opinion when it comes to banding filters don't really make a difference and often make banding worse with the exception of adding noise or grain which sometimes works sometimes not.i am in no way trying to say i know better than anyone else because i don't.i was just trying to help the guy

here is the profile i was using for anyone who wants to give it a shot i was using the prestige.cfg for heavy grain and your matrix for light to medium http://www.mediafire.com/?zgwy5lh2jp9

[tenkai]

that sounds good no doubt, but i also would like to learn more about megui u know.. so i would apriciate if someone could tell me if the cmd line above blows, or what i could change to squeeze more quality.. at the mom i got like 19fps first pass and 3,6 in the snd.. the speed should be around that if possible.. i already got a q6600 @ 3,4 ghz :(

[tenkai]

Calm down Sharktooth i never said it was magic. its just what works for me. it is by no means anything special just thought it might be worth him trying it out. i am a noob two and thought i could help him out btw i understand every source is different and the profile i use are for high bitrate grainy sources only as i noticed in the other thread u are referring to the source is quite grainy and he was using
--crf 18.0 .just in my opinion when it comes to banding filters don't really make a difference and often make banding worse with the exception of adding noise or grain which sometimes works sometimes not.i am in no way trying to say i know better than anyone else because i don't.i was just trying to help the guy

here is the profile i was using for anyone who wants to give it a shot i was using the prestige.cfg for heavy grain and your matrix for light to medium http://www.mediafire.com/?zgwy5lh2jp9

Hey m8, u got pm´s disabled :) if u want to share the profile, upload it somewhere and pm me the link i will try it out. ty :)

[gav1577]

@tenkai i posted the link in my last post here it is again :rolleyes: http://www.mediafire.com/?zgwy5lh2jp9

[tenkai]

sorry missread it. ty

[Sharktooth]

Calm down Sharktooth i never said it was magic. its just what works for me. it is by no means anything special just thought it might be worth him trying it out. i am a noob two and thought i could help him out btw i understand every source is different and the profile i use are for high bitrate grainy sources only as i noticed in the other thread u are referring to the source is quite grainy and he was using
--crf 18.0 .just in my opinion when it comes to banding filters don't really make a difference and often make banding worse with the exception of adding noise or grain which sometimes works sometimes not.i am in no way trying to say i know better than anyone else because i don't.i was just trying to help the guy

here is the profile i was using for anyone who wants to give it a shot i was using the prestige.cfg for heavy grain and your matrix for light to medium http://www.mediafire.com/?zgwy5lh2jp9
well, it's the matrix making a difference. x264 tends to block/band, and sadly there's no way except AQ or CQMs to change this behaviour.
changing options (or profile in megui) makes just x264 compress less or more or makes it "respect" certain limits. just that.

[rica]

Hi guys,
i had some issues with interlaced HDTV encoding:

Hi guys,
I've been making some trials with megui and re-encoding h264 HDTV records into HA capable xvid mkvs or ts files.
I got the best results with DXVA HD HQ profile and automated 2pass selection.
Both progressive and interlaced source h264 files returns to HA decoding capable x264 mkvs.

But every time i have to change Cyberlink h264 decoder settings; video mode from auto to bob since decoder's auto selection doesn't recogize the video as interlaced or progressive.
If i leave video mode at auto, interlaced video doesn't make HA deinterlacing.(with "bob", it works)


Then, even i made them interlaced, "auto mode" didn't work and gave 25fps again.

Even i'm not experienced in encoder details, this profile worked for me:
http://rapidshare.com/files/100078866/DXVA-HD-HQ-interlaced.xml.html

This is for interlaced 1080i h264 HDTV broadcast re-encoding.
I will add the link here which i uploaded my encoded file with that profile. It works at 50 fps on "auto mode".

EDIT:
OK, here is the file:
http://rapidshare.com/files/100088687/Socker_out.mkv.html
(no audio)
original file was 150MB.

[michaelhill]

thanks shark going to try them out !

[Chainmax]

Can a file encoded with the Blu-Ray profile be burned into dual layer DVD and be played back as-is or does some kind of authoring have to take place?

[edit] By the way, is there enough info around to create a YouTube profile so that what one uploads there doesn't get re-encoded?

[rica]

Hi,
this is the profile for full HA capable interlaced SD x264 re-encodings:

http://rapidshare.com/files/100858838/DXVA-SD-HQ-interlaced.xml.html

And here is the sample file (without audio):

http://rapidshare.com/files/100829835/beyaz.mkv.html

[Wakka]

I started using MeGUI for AVCHD conversion, but noticed that with the Blu-ray profiles the encode tends to get a bit brighter?
What settings are best to change for that?

I noticed it with some blu-ray anime movies from the 90's I'm doing.

Thanks for setting up the profiles :)

[Sharktooth]

profiles or encoders do not change the brightness.
some avs filters, colorspace conversion or different renderers may affect it though.
also do not ask what's best as per forum rules (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm).

[elguaxo]

I've seen some posts about 'standalone compatibility', but this is still not very clear to me. I plan to buy in a near future a SA that seems to be popular, the Popcorn Hour A-100. The specs say it supports HP L4.1. If I use for example the current HQ-Slowest profile and change the AVC level from Unrestricted to Level 4.1, would that be enough to ensure SA compatibility?

I've seen there are also some DXVA profiles, have Standalones the same features/restrictions as DXVA graphic cards? Thanks.

[Sharktooth]

no. you have to use a special profile for your standalone depending on the supported features (including VBV limits)

[elguaxo]

I see. Thanks!

[Wakka]

profiles or encoders do not change the brightness.
some avs filters, colorspace conversion or different renderers may affect it though.
also do not ask what's best as per forum rules (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm).

Ok, gotcha. I'll figure out why there is a difference then using x264 with another GUI.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Sharktooth]

megui feeds the avs script to the encoder.
if yuo see difference in brightness it's probably due to avs script or the renderer used by your player.
ensure you use the same renderer for both the source and the encoded clip and post your avisynth script.

[Wakka]

Maybe the compression is too high, which causes a loss of color information.

[Sharktooth]

can you post a couple of screenshot?

[Wakka]

Sure, I'm only able to post screenshots from the encode, as VLC Player won't play the big original .m2ts files at the moment,
as the PC is buzy doing an encode :P

First one is an Encode from Perfect Blue, done in 1920x1080p, without resize or any other settings with avisynth,
bitrate about 5800 so it would fit on a dvd5 with audio (81 min movie)

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/2570/vlcsnap1645070ml7.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap1645070ml7.jpg)

Second one is from Ghost in the Shell, also done in 1920x1080p with a crop and resize, to get ride of huger then overscan borders,
using Lanczos4. Bitrate about 5200, also for dvd5 with multiple audio (82 min movie)

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/1945/vlcsnap1651043aj1.th.jpg (http://img388.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vlcsnap1651043aj1.jpg)

both saved as max quality .jpg (.png are too big for imageshack)

any input is welcome.

edit: to be honest, I'm not that sure anymore...original are also very bright sometimes, and GITS has a lot of noise.
Was able to make screenshots with PowerDVD of original .m2ts, but they seemed lighter then the VLC snapshots...weird!

[arrirc]

Hello sharktooth

Thanks for all the profiles.

Being a newbie I was wondering which profile I should use if I do not have much worries about the output file size. Stax was kind enough to recommend X.264/Constant Quality. But here I can see there are 3 CQ profiles, could it be possible for you to detail a little about these CQ profiles and which profile is most suitable for works like mine? I generally convert movies (not animation) to X.264 in MP4 container, with preferable video Bit Rate of about 2000 kbps.

[Sharktooth]

@wakka: without the original pics i cant tell anything except 5800 seems an adequate bitrate.
if there's colormatrix() filter in your .avs script try removing it.

@arric: cq-lossless is for lossless encoding. no details are lost, the encoding will look exactly like the original, but it will be way much bigger. the q2 profile is comparable to xvid constant quant 2 quality (almost visually lossless) and uses a constant h.264 quantizer of 18.
the crf profile is almost the same but it uses constant rate factor instead of constant quantizer and should end up in a more "stable" quality between frames. most users prefer CRF to CQ.
all those 3 profiles do not have bitrate restrictions. the encoder will just use the necessary bitrate. a higher quantizer (or CRF value) will lower the final bitrate though while lossless is basically quantizer 0.

[arrirc]

Thank you so very much sharktooth. For a 2 hr DVD movie what may be the approx. size of the output? And it should be faster, isn't it? Because all these CQ profiles use 1 pass (if I have understand it correctly).

[Adub]

The approximate size varies, depending on source footage and bitrate desired. Since you are using CQ it is even harder to tell. If you use CQ 23, expect anywhere from 1 to 2 gb.

[Shaocaholica]

I can't seem to get iTunes to put a level 3 video onto my 5.5G ipod. At least I think its a 5.5G. The last 3 chars of the serial number match those given by Apple as 5.5G. Keeping everything else the same but changing the level to 1.3 works. Changing the resolution or bitrate at level 3 doesn't help. I'm using the latest staxrip with the included 5.5G profile.

Whats going on?

[arrirc]

If you use CQ 23

Which is the this CQ 23 profile? Shartooth kindly pointed me to CQ-ASP_Q2_eq(crf) profile, but I could not understand the one you have mentioned. :?:

Thanks

[ditche]

Select this profile, click on "Config" button and set "23,0" in the first tab. :)

[arrirc]

Ok...thanks ditche :)

But what is its significance? :confused:

[buzzqw]

CQ mean Constan Quality

in x264 mean "CRF" encoding

CRF encoding mean that every frame will have a Constant Rate Factor, in simply words every frame will have the same quality as the other

CRF values goes from 0 (lossless) to 51 (ultra block), where 18 is good quality, 16 very good quality, 23 medium quality, 30 not so good quality (vhs..)

so if you want an encoding that work in 1 pass, and don't want to hassle about bitrate or size, JUST want a good quality, you must specify how MUCH quality you want

the "CQ-ASP_Q2_eq(crf)" profile is the base, after selecting it, you must select how much quality to apply

BHH

[Atak_Snajpera]

where 18 is good quality, 16 very good quality, 23 medium quality, 30 not so good quality (vhs..)

I would say 18 is insane , 22 is very good :)

PS. My opinion with default AQ

[arrirc]

CQ mean Constan Quality

in x264 mean "CRF" encoding

CRF encoding mean that every frame will have a Constant Rate Factor, in simply words every frame will have the same quality as the other

CRF values goes from 0 (lossless) to 51 (ultra block), where 18 is good quality, 16 very good quality, 23 medium quality, 30 not so good quality (vhs..)

so if you want an encoding that work in 1 pass, and don't want to hassle about bitrate or size, JUST want a good quality, you must specify how MUCH quality you want

the "CQ-ASP_Q2_eq(crf)" profile is the base, after selecting it, you must select how much quality to apply

BHH

Thanks very much for your very clear explanation....:)


I would say 18 is insane , 22 is very good :)

PS. My opinion with default AQ

Hmmmm, I would like to settle for Very good...so would it be 16 or 22 (quite a difference numerically)? :confused:

[Atak_Snajpera]

1920x1080 with 22 will give you ~12mbps and 6mbps for 720p.

[buzzqw]

I would say 18 is insane , 22 is very good :)

PS. My opinion with default AQ

i agree for AQ always on

BHH

[arrirc]

Sorry for this mundane question, but what exactly is AQ and how do one turn it off/on?

[Sharktooth]

--aq-strength 0 in custom commandline options to turn it off.
AQ is on by default.

[~bT~]

--aq-strenght 0 in custom commandline options to turn it of.
AQ is on by default.
sorry to nitpick but it can be a prob. spelling is wrong, it should read: --aq-strength 0

[arrirc]

So for newbies like me there is no need to fiddle with this AQ setting- right?
And set the CRF value to 22 to get the very good quality- right?

[~bT~]

^ yeah, that should work.

[arrirc]

Great ~bt~ thanks very much for your help. :)

EDIT

Hello ~bt~

As i am using staxRip, If I choose the CQ Profile as discussed above, the quality factor is already selected as 18. I have changed the Loop Filter to 0,0. Now the quality factor in this window is to be changed to 22.

Here is a screen shot:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8180/x264nf1.png

Hope that I have understood everything correctly.

[~bT~]

^ i'm not sure if StaxRip uses the patched x264 builds mate but apart from that, settings look OK.

[arrirc]

Thanks very much ~bt~, you have been really helpful. :)