A few noob questions for x264

[PhillipWyllie]

Hi, I'm a noob at x264 encoding, using x264 r654 and MeGui 2.4.1039. I was wondering how(if you can) set the maximum bitrate in an automated 3Pass encode. Also is this mode VBR?. Lastly what does ABR mode do?
Thanks.

[Terranigma]

Hi, I'm a noob at x264 encoding, using x264 r654 and MeGui 2.4.1039. I was wondering how(if you can) set the maximum bitrate in an automated 3Pass encode.
it's in RC and ME options. It's called
VBV Maximum Bitrate

[PhillipWyllie]

Thanks for the reply. I have another question, what colour space does x264 prefer?

[Blue_MiSfit]

As a high profile MPEG-4 AVC encoder, x264 requires YV12 input. Some other encoders can perform conversions, but x264 does not impliment this AFAIK.

Feed it YV12 (4:2:0) with AviSynth and call it a day :)

~MiSfit

[PhillipWyllie]

Thanks again. Another question, is it possible to force I-frame insertion like you can in CCE for chapter points.

Edit: I've just found out, under Tools/Chapter Creator

[check]

That won't force I frames, that just writes a seperate text file that you can mux into the final file later. You might be able to do it with zones, I'm not sure.

[foxyshadis]

Zones doesn't have an option to force a keyframe. Editing the stats file might be the only way. (Can also be accomplished by first-passing all chapters separately and merging their stats files with a script to fix up frame numbers. A script to split a chapter file and start the encodes wouldn't be too difficult, but is left as an exercise to the reader. ;))

[Dr.Khron]

Hmmm... why would you want to encode I frames for chapter points? Isn't that a DVD specification thing?

My MKV chapter points work just fine without encoding anything speical for them.

[PhillipWyllie]

@Dr.Khron, for MKV, and to lead onto my next question, are streams encoded with x264 HDVD/ Blu Ray compliant(which is answered yes to a fashion).

[Blue_MiSfit]

They are compliant to the H.264 spec, and H.264 is supported in the HD optical disc formats.

However, these formats have specific requirements regarding resolutions, frame structure GOP settings, etc... I think it's possible to get x264 output to decode on a HD disc player, but only if you have software that can make HD-DVD or BluRay structure and the required burner and media $$$$$ :)

~MiSfit