Soft image want to sharpen a bit

[markrb]

I am using Megui with Sharktooth's HQ-Slower settings in x264.
I don't resize and use a bitrate of around 2000.
The video ends up coming out a bit softer then the original.
Other then using an avisynth sharpen command is there anything I can change in the Megui settings that will help.

I thought I saw Sharktooth mention adjusting the deblocking threshold to -2, but I am not sure of this.


Thanks,
Mark

[check]

nothing in megui will let you sharpen the image. reducing x264 deblocking can somewhat help, but it will only reduce blurring (and only slightly at that) - not sharpen the image.

Your best bet will be to insert your own sharpener into avisynth.

[*.mp4 guy]

With deblocking at 0:0 the picture gets smoothed, a lot. Try -3:0, that should give a better compromise between sharpness and blocks. If you want to get your output to be every bit as sharp as your source -6:-6 will work the best. Of course the sharper you wan't your output to be the more bitrate you will have to invest to avoid artifacts.

If you want more information I wrote a short faq (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=810932#post810932) on deblocking that goes into more detail.

[markrb]

I was using the settings -2 -1.
I tried -2 -2 and noticed it slightly less blurry.
I will up it to -3 -2 and keep on trying combo's based
on the faq you wrote.
I am using a bitrate of 2000 or a CQ of 16 depending on my mood.
I am hoping that will be enough bitrate.

Thanks I am off to test now.

Mark

[Sharktooth]

CQ 16 is quite an overkill... try CRF mode.

[markrb]

I don't see CRF mode listed in the modes.
Is it named something else?
I only see ABR, Constant Quantizer, different pass modes and Constant quality.
Do I need a number also and if so what do you suggest?

Thanks,
Mark

[foxyshadis]

It's called constant quality in MeGUI. It's sort of an average quantizer, instead of average bitrate. 18 is generally artifact free in non-problem scenes, for a given inloop smoothing. (The less the smoothing the higher the bitrate.) Experiment with higher values if you'd like to save space.

Problem areas are the occasional dark, misty scene that causes weird blockiness from mispredictions.

[markrb]

I thought CQ was constant quality. Ok then that is what I used.

Thanks,
Mark

[check]

There are two modes of 1 Pass that are of interest here:
CQ = Constant Quantizer = every frame is encoded with the set quantizer value
CRF = Constant Quality = frames are done to the 'equivalent' quality of the same CQ value. As a result, p and b frames are small for an identical visual experience, and the entire file is smaller.

Unless you are archiving for future re-encoding, CRF is usually a better option.

[thuongshoo]

I see mp4.guy's FAQS and akupenguin's post this (http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=689115&postcount=26)
I also tested . I also agree that deblock -6:-6 and +6:+6 are not good. 0:0 is the best . So another method ? LanczosResize ?

[bond]

moved

[Blue_MiSfit]

warpsharp, unfilter, Xsharpen (supersampled?) are all good basic sharpeners. Try a super sampled xsharpen

lanczos4resize(source resolution *4).XSharpen(255,255).LanczosResize(original resolution)

Good luck
~misfit