Nero Recode and horrible Macroblocking?

[scs32]

Help! I'm at my wits end.

Whenever I use Recode to do MPEG4 files (Part 2 or 10) about 30% of the time the file starts with MASSIVE macroblocking. Over the course of the first couple of minutes it goes away but that's just not acceptable!

I've tried multiple computers and multiple versions and I always get the same thing. Am I really the only person having this problem? If not, how the heck do I use Nero so that I can count on the results?

[Mug Funky]

we need more info...

what bitrate are you using, and what ratecontrol method? (1 or 2 pass).

1 pass VBR with a too-low bitrate will likely give you that kind of result, but without knowing your settings we can't help.

[PuzZLeR]

Are you using "Fast encoding (1-pass)" for Rate Control (with a quantizer range between 0-51)?

If that's the case then that's your problem. Recode sucks at quality based one pass encoding, or maybe, you and I have yet to get it to work properly. I only use the two pass option for Recode. Nothing else.

For some reason in 1-pass mode, Recode needs several frames/seconds/minutes, etc. to search out the right quantizer. I believe this is because Recode uses your bitrate as a parameter for this type of encoding (which is rather strange for an encoder) and needs to "adjust" to it. Unfortunately, it needs some frames during the encode to "adjust", hence the "bad start".

It's for this very reason that if I ever want to do a one-pass mode on any clip, particulary when it's a long encode, I use x264. Nero's quantizers have never worked for me. I have yet to figure them out. Anybody?

Having said that, I love Recode in two-pass encoding and have never experienced this problem when I use this mode.

Unless someone knows what causes this, or Nero fixes it, I would recommend you only stick with 2-pass mode with Recode. If you really want to do one pass, go with x264 instead.

Then again, as a side note, I am a personal believer of 2-pass being better than 1-pass when files sizes are equal so it's no big issue to me anyway (for both Recode and x264).

[tintin1001]

Help! I'm at my wits end.

Whenever I use Recode to do MPEG4 files (Part 2 or 10) about 30% of the time the file starts with MASSIVE macroblocking. Over the course of the first couple of minutes it goes away but that's just not acceptable!

I've tried multiple computers and multiple versions and I always get the same thing. Am I really the only person having this problem? If not, how the heck do I use Nero so that I can count on the results?

I´m seeing the same thing, i have been playing around with music videos that i wanted to convert to MP4 and place on the PS3.

2 pass helps, but there i see some very low bitrate stuff on "slow scenes" where the background is one giant mess.

I wonder if there is some kind of guide that explains some of the Nero settings? Like min bitrate for 2 pass and stuff like that.

Also does anyone know if the new Recode will enable all of the AVC features for the PS3, or is the PS3 limited in the AVC support?

[JohnV]

I'll find out what can be done for the 1pass macroblocing issue.
For PS3 all other AVC settings should be ok except 8x8 transform (high profile feature).

[PuzZLeR]

Hello JohnV, thanks for joining in.

Don't get me wrong, I love Recode for certain jobs, however I can never get any 1-pass "quality based encoding" working on it. After several confusing attempts, and "bad starts", I kind of gave up, sorry.

It's great for 2-pass and thanks for organizing the dual pass differently in recent versions. More efficient.

JohnV, is there some sort of online guide describing Nero's quantizers? And how are they related to the bitrate, which actually seems to be an actual parameter, or benchmark, used in the encoding?

And about the fact that Recode seems to botch a few initial frames before it gets on track with 1-pass, hopefully it's just a bug that can be addressed in future versions.

Thanks!

[JohnV]

The thing is there really isn't "quality based encoding", meaning constant quality/quantizer 1pass encoding in Recode at the moment. The user adjusted bitrate is always taken into account in calculations (ABR). That's why messing too much with the quantizer setting may create even borked encodes.

I wish there was decision to put resources on implementing constant quality mode in Recode (Ateme encoder of course does support this), I have suggested this before and just now suggested again.

[PuzZLeR]

Implementing quality based encoding would be a very welcome addition with Recode. :)

However, I do believe more documentation on existing features can be provided for as well, such as how to better use the bitrates with the ABR feature (to not botch up output so much at the initial frames).

Most of us are rather clueless on how the Ateme implementation functions in this area.

Anyhow, thanks for listening JohnV.

[tintin1001]

I'll find out what can be done for the 1pass macroblocing issue.
For PS3 all other AVC settings should be ok except 8x8 transform (high profile feature).

Okay, i thought the Prediction setting should be disabled as well..
Time to burn some CPU hours then :-)

Regarding the settings, do you know of any guide to these?
I really like the tool (best money spend in a long time) and i wish it could be my savouir when it comes to the PS3. I could really need something that eats all kinds of media and spits out high quality files :-)

And on a second note, any plans to support "Nero Smart Encoding" for MP4/AVC/H.264 stuff. I´m of course thinking about h.264 .TS files that i would like to put on my PS3 instead of watching them on the PC via the capture card.