MeGUI Custom x264/AVC video profiles.

[Backflip]

I use settings:
Video/Audio/DVD Cache - harddisk 4096 KB
Video Cache - DVDRom 8192 KB
Audio Cache - DVDRom 256 KB
DVD Cache - DVDRom 4096 KB

All others 0.

I've encoded a small music video clip, but it's x264 + 6CH AC3 *MKV* @ 704 x 384, with Xbox profile, 35MB. I like to keep the orgiinal audio. Plays fine. Yet to try x264 + LC-AAC for this particular clip though.

[Bathrone]

As I said, 704x400x25fps (5 minute clip mix of scenes) requires the hardware overlays not to drop frames. Your resolution is lower than this threshold.

It is not necessary to change the default cache size for AVC playback in the newest XBMC builds. Setting other aspects to zero will cause issues with video playback over SMB and so on. Some users with 1080i playback will require a reduction from the default local network video cache size to have enough free ram.

I have done tests with no audio stream to rule out that as a factor, which it isnt.

No amount of changes within the XBMC setup will enabled full PAL resolution playback using the hires profile for 720*576*25fps.

[Bathrone]

Here's a 21MB sample of PAL 720x576x25fps progressive footage transcoded into AVC with PD-XBOX_HiRes. Lost 21 frames with high quality pixel shader render method, on hardware overlays it still lost frames. Build is 12.04.06 CVS XBMC compile:

http://www.mytempdir.com/594462

My avi synth script:

# Set DAR in encoder to 16 : 9. The following line is for automatic signalling
global MeGUI_darx = 16
global MeGUI_dary = 9
DGDecode_mpeg2source("D:\Encoding\movies.d2v")
#Not doing anything because the source is progressive
#crop
#resize
#denoise

Command line for x264 (R498) PD-XBOX_HiRes profile (V24) with # of threads set to 2 and bitrate at 1200kbps:

C:\Program Files\x264\x264.exe --pass 2 --bitrate 1200 --stats ".stats" --no-fast-pskip --bframes 2 --b-rdo --bime --nf --no-cabac --subme 7 --analyse all --8x8dct --qpmin 18 --qcomp 0.3 --direct auto --me umh --threads 2 --thread-input --sar 16:9 --progress --no-psnr --output "D:\Encoding\movies.mp4" "D:\Encoding\movies.avs"

[Sharktooth]

720x576 is too much for the xbox.
use non anamorphic resolutions.
4:3 sources needs to be resized to 640*xxx.

[Limobar]

[...]No amount of changes within the XBMC setup will enabled full PAL resolution playback using the hires profile for 720*576*25fps.

I think it is not important to play full-dvd resolutions on the XBox for a couple of reasons:

1. The quality difference between square pixel- and anamorphic encodes is marginal. The general opinion is that, at this moment, 720x400 is the maximum the xbox can handle, using AVC/h.264. I share that opinion and think that is very good, knowing the hardware specs of the Xbox.

2. Anamorphic encoding takes 44% more pixels (720x400 versus 720x576), a lot more time to encode and a lot more MegaBytes to store (to use the same average kbits per pixel as square pixel).

3. The Xbox will put out the same resolution, whether the encode is anamorphic (720x576) or square pixel (720x400) is of non importance. Approximately 640x480 on Widescreen-tv's and 640x360 on Bigscreen-tv's.

[Bathrone]

Thanks Sharktooth and Limobar. You make some good points.

Just quickly, do you disagree that resizing can be bad for quality? For example this URL: http://www.100fps.com/how_resizing_affects_quality.htm

[Limobar]

Thanks Sharktooth and Limobar. You make some good points.

Just quickly, do you disagree that resizing can be bad for quality? For example this URL: http://www.100fps.com/how_resizing_affects_quality.htm

No, I don't disagree, resizing affects the original quality, but the examples you refer to, are not comparable to the resizing we are doing with our encodes.

That site is, for the most part, showing examples of extreme bicubic upscaling. With our encodes we are mainly talking about limited lanczos downscaling. There is a difference between bicubic resizing (neutral and soft) and lanczos (sharp) resizing and there is a difference between upscaling and downscaling. Upscaling has a much bigger impact on the quality than downscaling.

I can show you, in some degree, the quality difference between 640x352 (Bigscreen resolution) with a 720x576 anamorphic source, and 640x352 with a 720x400 square pixel source.

720x400 to 640x352:
http://i2.tinypic.com/vgsl5e.jpg

720x576 to 640x352:
http://i2.tinypic.com/vgsn6g.jpg

I think the '720x576 to 640x352' has slightly more detail, but the difference is too small to worry about.

The 720x400 encode has a 1500kbit/sec avg bitrate.
The 720x576 encode has a 2160kbit/sec avg bitrate.
The difference in bitrate makes the bitrate per pixel the same.


P.S. If you're encoding for Standard Resolution tv's exclusively, it might be a wise choice to use a 640 width and do the final downscaling during the encode to achieve the best quality.

[Sharktooth]

I've changed the profiles archive to zip so MeGUI can directly import the profiles (File/Import Profiles) into the MeGUI installation directory.

[Chainmax]

...
The general opinion is that, at this moment, 720x400 is the maximum the xbox can handle, using AVC/h.264
...

But with what features enabled? I'd rather have a 512x384 encode with deblocking, a good number of reference frames and mixed references than a 720x400 encode without those.

[Limobar]

But with what features enabled? I'd rather have a 512x384 encode with deblocking, a good number of reference frames and mixed references than a 720x400 encode without those.

No deblocking, no CABAC and no HE-AAC. That are the Xbox-restrictions, to be able to use 720x400. This might sound ugly, but to be honest, it's not as bad as it sounds.

Deblocking is a matter of taste and only useful using low bitrates. I use average bitrates between 1 and 1,5 Mbit and prefer not to use deblocking, even if I could.

Having to use CAVLC instead of CABAC is not a choice between qualities, but a choice between efficiencies. That's the reason why I use rather high bitrates, to compensate not using CABAC.

LC-NAAC (VBR, internet, High Quality) sounds great. HE-AAC might be a little bit more efficient, but its efficiency gain is marginal.

There's no doubt in my mind. I will always pick a higher resolution/higher bitrate over a lower resolution/lower bitrate. The quality difference justifies the 10-15% larger file size. Not using deblocking, CABAC and HE-AAC does not mean the quality has to suffer. Decreasing the video resolution certainly will.

[dexx]

Ive just downloaded and installed MeGui on my winxp system. When i try and run MeGui is crashes out straight away saying "application failed to initialize properly". Have i missed a step?

[buzzqw]

.Net framework already installed ???

BHH

[Sharktooth]

MeGUI needs .NET framework 2.0...

[check]

Sorry if this was suggested before, but have you considered adding a prefix to all the profiles, like "ST-" or something? I ask because I have a number of profiles myself and your collection gets placed all over (I can never remember the two letter prefixes :P), making the list harder to read.

[Sharktooth]

if you dont like their names you can rename them...

[Adub]

Good point sharktooth. :)

[foxyshadis]

Only problem there is everytime you update sharktooth's build, it recopies the presets with the original names in, making the problem worse... (same for deleting unwanted presets.)

I just prefix all mine with FX- and live with it. :D

[Sharktooth]

uhm, got it...
i'll see what i can do then...

[Adub]

Righteous!

[NeD tHe OnE]

Hey SharkTooth!

Can u plz help me with X.264?

I am totally new in this. Which Encoder should I use ? and where wil i get custom video profiles with settings guide !

Help!

[Sharktooth]

You can start with x264 CLI with an appropriate GUI: MeGUI, StaxRip or RealAnime.
My custom video profiles are linked in the first post of this thread and are made for MeGUI (but IIRC StaxRip support them too).
MeGUI guide is sticked at the top of this board, while StaxRip has it's own Help. RealAnime is so simple it shouldnt require a guide to use it.

[NeD tHe OnE]

MeGUI .. I have this .. now i didnt get ur profiles .. I mean i cant download it from the first post Dont know Y? Do u have any other link?

[buzzqw]

Sharktooth profiles also already included in MkvMagic

BHH

[NeD tHe OnE]

where can i get the profiles?

[NeD tHe OnE]

Profiles for maximizing Quality and hit a desired bitrate/filesize (2 or more passes, SLOW encoding, High Profile)HQ-Slow: Pretty slow but not much. Quality is near the best.HQ-Slower: Slower than HQ-Slow but it tries to squeeze some more compression thru the use of more reference frames.HQ-Slowest: Same as HQ-Slower with more reference frames.HQ-Insane: All settings maxed out

where will i get this presets?

[foxyshadis]

You can either update mkvmagic, or get sharktooth's builds of x264 and megui (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=89979). The site's down now, wait a few hours to try again.

[NeD tHe OnE]

God Plz Help!

[NeD tHe OnE]

eqm_avc_hr.cfg

jvt.cfg

mp4_guy's_AVC_Low_Bitrate_matrix.cfg

mp4_guy's_AVC_Low_Bitrate_matrix_V2.cfg

q_matrix.cfg

q_matrix2.cfg

soulhunter_v1.cfg

soulhunter_v2.cfg

What are these ? I mean when shd v use this? I mean the presets like fast, 1,2,3 CD's Slow encodin, anime etc

[nurbs]

You can find descriptions of the different matrices here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=96159).

[NeD tHe OnE]

Ok, since more and more ppl is asking me how to set the x264/MeGUI options, here's the solution: Profiles.

Instructions
Install MeGUI (http://megui.sf.net/) and put x264.exe in the install directory.
Get the profiles archive (below) and use the MeGUI Import Profiles option to import them.
Once imported you will find the profiles in the "Video Profiles" drop down list.[/color] Before starting encoding set the bitrate or quantizer (manually or thru the calculator) and adjust the inloop filter accordingly to your needs/taste: keep it 1;1 or higher for anime/toons (max 3;3) and not higher than x264 defaults (0;0) for movies.[/i]

Profiles for maximizing Quality and hit a desired bitrate/filesize (2 or more passes, SLOW encoding, High Profile)
HQ-Slow: Pretty slow but not much. Quality is near the best.
HQ-Slower: Slower than HQ-Slow but it tries to squeeze some more compression thru the use of more reference frames.
HQ-Slowest: Same as HQ-Slower with more reference frames.
HQ-Insane: All settings maxed out.

Profiles for Common Encoding (2-passes)
CE-Highprofile: Common settings using high profile options (not compatible with QuickTime)
CE-Mainprofile: Common settings using main profile options (not compatible with QuickTime)
CE-QuickTime: Common settings for QuickTime 7 compatibility.
CE-Baseline: Common settings using baseline profile options (100% compatible with QuickTime 7)

Profiles for maximizing Speed and hit a desired bitrate/filesize (1-pass)
1P-Maxspeed: Everything disabled for max encoding speed (good for live capturing).
1P-Intermediate: Intermediate settings for average speed and final quality.
1P-Goodquality: Settings for good quality with 1 pass.

Profiles for constant Quality/Quantizer (1-pass)
CQ-Lossless: Lossless encoding.
CQ-ASP_Q2_equiv: Almost the equivalent of MPEG-4 ASP Q2 encoding.
CQ-ASP_Q2_eq(crf): Same as above but with "constant quality" (constant rate factor).

Profiles for Anime/Toons (2 passes)
AE-Standard: 2 passes, Main Profile, standard quality.
AE-Goodquality: Slower than AE-Standard, High Profile, higher quality.
AE-Maxquality: Slowest mode with maxed out settings, best quality.

Profiles for Consoles and Portable Devices
PD-PSP: Profile for Sony PSP playback.
PD-Xbox_Hires: Profile for MS XBOX and higher than 512pixels resolution (latest XBMC is needed).
PD-Xbox_LoRes: Profile for MS XBOX and lower than 512pixels resolutions (latest XBMC is needed).
PD-iPod: Profile for iPod Video based on Arstechnica settings (http://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/ipod-video.ars/6).

Download link: MeGUI-x264 Custom Video Profiles V24. (http://files.x264.nl/Sharktooth/force.php?file=./megui/profiles/MeGUI-x264_generic_profiles_v24.zip)

For questions, comments and requests ask in this thread.
Thanks goes to Sirber for suggestions for Anime profiles.


HQ-Slow[/b][/color]: Pretty slow but not much. Quality is near the best.
HQ-Slower: Slower than HQ-Slow but it tries to squeeze some more compression thru the use of more reference frames.
HQ-Slowest: Same as HQ-Slower with more reference frames.
HQ-Insane: All settings maxed out.

I need settings and custom profiles for these PROFILES... Hey Sharktooth! Plz Help me.. Even the download link isnt working

[Sharktooth]

http://www.webalice.it/f.corriga/megui/MeGUI-x264_generic_profiles_v24.zip

[NeD tHe OnE]

Thank You very much! Hey all those are xml files . How do u load them in the encoder? and how is your eqm_avc_hr.cfg

[NeD tHe OnE]

Can you plz give me a guide to use your video profiles

Thankyou

[Sharktooth]

Those are Profiles for MeGUI and other GUIs. They cant be loaded in x264 directly.
There's also a whole thread for my custom matrix and other threads with comparisons between matrices :search:

[NeD tHe OnE]

How do u use profiles then? I searched ... but I didnt get the results for encodin videos for different bitrates ..

Which of ur profile and matrix is good for 3 CD's rip and 2cd's rip and single cd... PLZ! I wont BUG u again!

[foxyshadis]

Load one into MeGUI, and copy its commandline (from the encoder config, or the logs). Or, y'know, just use megui if you're not trying to create batch files for stuff.

As sharktooth said, look to the matrix thread for help with matrices.

[NeD tHe OnE]

Hey Sharktooth! I m havin problem with ur profiles.. I get this Error... For eg .. if i choose HQ - Insane .. and even if i choose any other..

"Generating jobs. Desired size: 254803968 bytes
No audio encoding. Calculating desired video bitrate directly.
Setting video bitrate for the video jobs to 698 kbit/s
Setting desired size of video to 253418496 bytes
Starting job job1-1 at 11:58:21 AM
Job is a video job. encoder commandline:
--pass 1 --bitrate 698 --stats "G:\Vidz\new\English V songs\Enigma\EniGMa - CD TRck ALLSOnGS x264.VoRbis.MatRoska.NeDtHeOnE.stats" --bframes 3 --b-pyramid --filter -2,-1 --subme 1 --analyse none --direct auto --me dia --progress --no-psnr --output NUL "G:\Vidz\new\English V songs\Enigma\EniGMa - CD TRck ALLSOnGS x264.VoRbis.MatRoska.NeDtHeOnE.avs"
successfully started encoding
Processing ended at 11:58:22 AM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Log for job job1-1

bad argument: --direct auto

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
job job1-1 has been processed. This job is linked to the next job: job1-2
Starting job job1-2 at 11:58:22 AM
Job is a video job. encoder commandline:
--pass 2 --bitrate 698 --stats "G:\Vidz\new\English V songs\Enigma\EniGMa - CD TRck ALLSOnGS x264.VoRbis.MatRoska.NeDtHeOnE.stats" --ref 16 --mixed-refs --no-fast-pskip --bframes 3 --b-pyramid --b-rdo --bime --weightb --filter -2,-1 --subme 7 --trellis 2 --analyse all --8x8dct --direct auto --me umh --progress --no-psnr --output "G:\Vidz\new\English V songs\Enigma\EniGMa - CD TRck ALLSOnGS x264.VoRbis.MatRoska.NeDtHeOnE.mkv" "G:\Vidz\new\English V songs\Enigma\EniGMa - CD TRck ALLSOnGS x264.VoRbis.MatRoska.NeDtHeOnE.avs"
successfully started encoding
Processing ended at 11:58:22 AM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Log for job job1-2

unknown option ("

Encoding doesnt start @ all.. But if I Use the default video profile.... Encoding works...

Does snyone know why this is happenin?

[foxyshadis]

God, how old is your x264? Direct auto has been in svn for months. Didn't you update from sharktooth's build sticky?

[NeD tHe OnE]

hey foxy shadis wre will i get d latest x264 .... ?

[NeD tHe OnE]

mine is r364A sharktooth build and megui 0.2.3.2116

plz give me the links 4 d latest 1s

[nurbs]

Have you ever tried to :readfaq: (or rather sticky (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=106189)) or to :search:?
Also you should probably :readrule: while you're at it.

[NeD tHe OnE]

thx i got r517 and i hope that problem will be solved

[Sharktooth]

I added the first EXPERIMENTAL profile for HD-DVD compatibility.
Please advice me if there are wrong settings, it does not work or if it's just too slow...
The new profiles require MeGUI ver 0.2.3.2134.

[wolfmac]

The new profiles require MeGUI ver 0.2.3.2134

[The last version of MeGUI i can find ist 0.2.3.2132!
http://www.chronocrossdev.com/apps/megui/

Where can i get 0.2.3.2134?

Thanks
Wolfmac]

okay here:
http://www.webalice.it/f.corriga/megui/MeGUI-0.2.3.2134.7z

[berrinam]

Beyond 0.2.3.2132, the builds are still unstable development builds. A user build should be coming soon.

[Deinorius]

@Sharktooth
Why do you use for AE_Standard M.E. Algorithm: multihex?
Wouldn't it be better tu use hexagonal and -subme 6? With my tests it brings better compressibility and it's much faster.

[Sharktooth]

hexagonal is faster but inferior to multihex expecially on anime (in terms of quality).
however i doubt that swithching from subme 5 to 6 and from multihex to hex it will be faster.

[Deinorius]

I did some tests about this.

Athlon XP-M 2000+, 512 MB DDR333
x264 R512; --crf 24; everything else AE_Standard

30 min Fansub; no additional filter:

Parameter Speed (%) Size (%)
hex/subme5 100 100
mhex/subme5 77 97,9
hex/subme6/rdo 92,8 95,96

DVD-Rip - 1. Crop/BicubicResize(704,384)/RemoveGrain(1), 2. only Crop, 704,560: subme6/rdo means rdo for b-frames activated.
(1 min 31 s; short Anime clip with no action)

Parameter fps kbit/s
hex/subme5 8,32 404,68
mhex/subme5 7,48 399,38
hex/subme6 7,73 398,53
hex/subme6/rdo 7,44 392,97

hex/subme5 6,04 597,80
mhex/subme5 5,48 590,63
hex/subme6 5,62 587,81
hex/subme6/rdo 5,46 578,48

So converting from a Fansub it's much faster, nearly 16 %, and it compress better.
With DVD-Rips it has nearly the same speed with activated rdo for b-frames, but it compress about 2 % better everytime.

[Sharktooth]

ok, next version will take that into consideration.
thanks:)

[berrinam]

x264 R512; --crf 24; everything else AE_Standardakupenguin has said many times that a crf value only gives a constant quality for a given group of settings, which means that you can't compare the efficiency of settings by the filesize when doing crf compression. What you need to do is a constant filesize encode (eg 2pass ABR, target bitrate) and compare PSNR (or some other quality metric).

Otherwise, you are comparing the filesize of two files which were encoded to different quality levels at different speeds -- there is no control.