HCenc comments and questions

[AlanHK]

I've been using HCenc for a week, so I'm almost a complete newbie. So my comments are probably naive or well worn, please don't take offence if so.

I use HCenc to convert AVI files via AVS scripts to make MPEGs to DVD author.

Bug observed: I was running an encode and stopped it several times (with "Resume"). Then let it finish, but according to the log it took about three times as long as usual, the resulting MPEG file was extremely jerky and unusable.
Extract from the log:
---------------------
| encoding - pass 2 |
---------------------

pass 2, avisynth error in frame 84
pass 2, avisynth error in frame 86
pass 2, avisynth error in frame 88
pass 2, avisynth error in frame 90
pass 2, avisynth error in frame 92
pass 2, avisynth error in frame 94

... and every even frame to the end
So I ran it again; and it was fine. So I guess the database was corrupted.

Request: a way to run it at lower priority, rather than just pausing. Or is there a way to do that -- I see in Windows (I have 2kSP4) the Task Manager lets me set a priority for processes, but with dire warnings of stability. Would that work?

A few small points about filenames: in the log file it lists:
input: p:\avi2\11_.av
When the actual file was "11_.avs".
The HC.INI file lists it correctly.

The output m2v file has its name forced lowercase, even if the input filename is upper and lower (eg My_London_Holiday.avs -> my_london_holiday.m2v). This is a minor anoyance; my authoring app uses the filename for the inital menu title, now I have to rename the file or edit the menu text.

Some "special" characters don't display in HC_gui; if I have an ampersand in a filename it is just omitted, eg "Love_&_Death.avs" is displayed as "love__death.avs", though it's correct in the ini file and the encode proceeds.

Documentation: the file hc018.pdf is essentially the manual; hidden in the "misc" folder. Something like "docs" would be more obvious.
This refers to a file "HCbatch". Finally I worked out, after reading the change log, that this is now "HCenc_018.exe". The manual should be updated to show this.

There is a folder of matrices included, 68 with HCenc18. The names are mostly cryptic, nowhere is there any explanation of what they're supposed to do; how one would choose which to use (other than running 68 trials). I guess these are in a format used in other apps, if so a link to somewhere with background on these would be welcome. Otherwise I might as well delete them all.

It would be illuminating if there was some background on HCenc itself. Such as what it's doing in its first pass. I was mystified that it seemed to be creating no files in this long process, finally I discovered a large file created temporarily in the HC program folder. I really wish this was configurable and by default in the same folder as the data; I don't like programs dumping data in my program folders (which is on a separate partition from my data).

Though the files are hosted at bitburners.com the forum there seems moribund. Obviously I found this one, but it would be nice if Hank designated a forum or two he prefers questions to be posted in and where a body of knowledge (FAQs, etc) could accumulate.

And just to end on a postive note; HC is really cool and useful; it's just a few problems are what drives me to post.

[Wicker_man392]

Damn I was hoping to put the suspend option to good use in HCEnc, but that doesn't sound too good... Anyway I have never had a problem lowering the priority of any app, or raising it, ever. Not explorer.exe, not CCE, HCenc, cygwin based programs, etc. So doing that should be absolutely fine. Also I use CachemanXP to change the priority, and not task manager, but that PROBABLY doesn't make a difference. About the custom matrices, you can probably find info on alot of them here by using search, like for soulhunter's, sharktooth's or most of the other ones. If that fails, try google.

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=83125&highlight=sharktooth+cqm

for info on the sharktooth matrices...

[dragongodz]

i am pretty sure hank315 said something about resume not working properly with the latest version, in the HC thread.

i do agree all those matrices being included is overkill but no doubt if he removed most of them people would be asking for them. still maybe he will reduce them in later versions with enough pushing. :)

as for what they are all for, they are there for those that want them. if you dont know what they are or can not find any information on this forum, which is where many come from, then just dont use them. nobody is making you.

and why start a new thread for, what seems to me, mainly minor complaints instead of posting in the HC thread ?

[hank315]

So I guess the database was corrupted.
No, certainly not.
You get this message if Avisynth isn't able to serve the requested frame.

Request: a way to run it at lower priority
HCenc runs at a normal priority, that's the one you see in the Task Manager, but this is only the main message loop,
the real encoding is done in a separate thread which is set at a low priority (THREAD_PRIORITY_LOWEST) so there's no need to change the priority.

I just fixed the input filename bug in the logfile.

"Love_&_Death.avs" is displayed as "love__death.avs"
Can't do anything about it, it's a compiler or Windows error, it just won't show these characters.

About the matrices collection, well that's just what it is and I won't give any comment about their quality.
They're only included so people can experiment...

Though the files are hosted at bitburners.com the forum there seems moribund. Obviously I found this one, but it would be nice if Hank designated a forum or two he prefers questions to be posted in and where a body of knowledge (FAQs, etc) could accumulate.
In the early days HC could be downloaded from my home server, the connection wasn't always as stable as it should be,
Bitburners offers a stable server, which is a far better solution.

[~bT~]

Can somebody recommend a custom matrice instead of the mpeg one pls? Thanx in adv.

[Revgen]

Can somebody recommend a custom matrice instead of the mpeg one pls? Thanx in adv.

Test them yourself and see what you think is best.

[~bT~]

Test them yourself and see what you think is best.
That wasnt the answer I was looking for but nevertheless... thanks.

[check]

That wasnt the answer I was looking for but nevertheless... thanks.
:search: This question is impossible to answer - a bit of research will show you why.

[~bT~]

:search: This question is impossible to answer - a bit of research will show you why.I didnt ask which is the best matrice. I asked if anybody can recommend one other than the Mpeg matrice. Like something they use most times.

[Audionut]

It really depends on the source video and the final bitrate.

You will not get the quick answer you are after to this question.

Research will show you why. :)

[feedback]

I didnt ask which is the best matrice. I asked if anybody can recommend one other than the Mpeg matrice. Like something they use most times.
For different sources I use a different matrix.

If you are using an anime source you may be interested in this thread below...
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=107432&highlight=matrix

If you perform an advanced search in DVD Rebuilder you will find the above thread.
Also, If you look in the Xvid forum those guys are always coming up with new matrices. Be warned though that many of those matrices will not work in a standalone player. I am just pointing you there to learn something about a Matrix.

For indepth reading checkout this matrix link...
http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=732235&postcount=6

[Mug Funky]

the default MPEG matrix still does a pretty good job... that's why it is the default.

the one used by default in TMPGenc and CCE is slightly different - the non-intra matrix is weighted to low frequencies, unlike the flat 16 non-intra that the default matrix uses.

of course if your source greatly varies from "natural video", or you have bitrate demands (either high or low), a different matrix will probably help.

[audioslave]

What do I need to change in REBUILDER.ECL to get the Notch matrix?