Settings For HCenc 21

[six13]

I have been capturing some TV movies from my sat. rec with SVIDEO and 2 chan audio NTSC standard Def. I then take the mpeg and demux with projectX and author the DVD files with DVDauthorGUI.

I then use DVD-RB and HCenc 21 to compress the 7GB files to fit a DVD5. I have selected BEST in the HCenc GUI, and set HCtargetsectors=2260000 in the RB ini file.

I am wondering if there are any other settings I can select? I don't have any problem with my present output but I want to learn more about the other options in the HCenc GUI like the matrix, I see ZIGZAG is uesd quite often and MPEG also.

Please remember that my sourse isn't a DVD rip, it is TV capture. If anyone has a sugestion for HCenc setting for my aplication please post them, I enjoy learning from the people on this board.

[45tripp]

The best thing about HC is you hardly have to bother with settings.
Output is great with just a few clicks.

Zigzag is for progressive, alternate is for interlaced.

As for setting a matrix,
you may get a few good hints from experienced users but it's something you really should take a little time to test yourself, so you settle on one that suits your needs/likes.

You could also test the new luminance control feature.
There's some info on first contact in the hc 21 thread.
If you try it out, let us know what you think of the results.

gl

[six13]

What about the Constant Quantization setting in HCenc 21? I see that it makes the encoder run only a single pass at a set rate rather than 2 passes. Some qusetions:

(1) What does checking VBR do to this if you have already set the rate at 3000, or 3500?
(2) This means that the output files may not fit a DVD5 since the constant rate. Is there a formula that can be used so if the single pass method is used (to save time) a bit rate could be entered in so the output would fit a DVD5? Could the figures from the prepare phase be used to calculate the ideal bit rate so the process is faster and the PC isn't tied up?

Thank you,

[45tripp]

What about the Constant Quantization setting in HCenc 21? I see that it makes the encoder run only a single pass at a set rate rather than 2 passes.

Set quant, not rate. It's a constant quality encode.
Make sure to check the vbv/max bitrate option, to get dvd compliant files.
It's been a while since I've used it but if memory serves, there's little point in using values under 2.5.


(1) What does checking VBR do to this if you have already set the rate at 3000, or 3500?

?
It's one or the other. VBR or CQ.


(2) This means that the output files may not fit a DVD5 since the constant rate.

It means you can't predict the final filesize.
You're aiming for a constant quality, rather than a bitrate/filesize target.


B]Is there a formula that can be used [/B]so if the single pass method is used (to save time) a bit rate could be entered in so the output would fit a DVD5?

Software like autoq3 (for cce) do short prediction encodes of a 1-2% magnitude to try and estimate a Q value that will have an output filesize that approximates target.
DVD-rebuilder also does it.
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=122724
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?t=58302

gl

[six13]

Thanks Immersion!

I don't quite understand this Set quant, not rate. It's a constant quality encode. I see that the # was originally 5.000 I thought that was refering to the constant bitrate of 5000 (the decimal has me wondering 5.000). So the # is a quality rating. I looked at AutoQ3 and as you said it is for CCE so it won't help me with HCenc. I came across this other program from the same author called GetCQ + HIG for HCEnc works with HCenc 17 when he wrote the code can be downloaded. Program is part way down the page here, http://home.arcor.de/autoq2_amsoft/

can't figure it out thought, has anyone ever used it?

[45tripp]

I don't quite understand this Set quant, not rate. It's a constant quality encode. I see that the # was originally 5.000 I thought that was refering to the constant bitrate of 5000 (the decimal has me wondering 5.000). So the # is a quality rating.
No.
HC doesn't really do constant bitrate, although you could set vbr bias to 100.
Read this about Encoding modes:
http://tangentsoft.net/video/mpeg/enc-modes.html

You're already using Rebuilder, if it's pro just use opv mode.
If not consider the upgrade.

I got getCQ to work, but for my first test it couldn't have been any slower.
HC just hung forever before starting.
Anyway
Extract GetCQ to a path without spaces (c:\getcq).
Run GetCQ.
press the HIG button. Import avs script. Set output and log file.
set bitrate and max bitrate.
save ini file (c:\getcq\test.ini)
close HIG.
You'll see your ini file loaded in GetCQ.
Set mb sizes, prediction percentage and starting CQ value.
start.


gl

[six13]

I must be doing something very wrong. I run the pgm click on HIG and I det a message (list index out of bounds 39) but click on OK and I can continue. I then select my input from the my work folder that has the .avs and .m2v and I set the log to the c drive. I hit start and HCenc opens up and I get a error message saying I need a input file not complete, bit rate, max bitrate. I have these figures entered like the defaults in the pgm?

[45tripp]

I det a message (list index out of bounds 39) but click on OK and I can continue.

I get it too. It still works.

The ini file is not being loaded to HC
All i can say is follow my instructions word for word.

I'll post a pic or two later if you like.

Edit:The most important thing.
Extract GetCQ to a path without spaces (c:\onetwo\getCQ) not (c:\one two\getCQ)
You must import a valid avs script, set output, set a log file, set bitrate and max bitrate.
[img=http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1601/getcqtw6.th.jpg] (http://img404.imageshack.us/my.php?image=getcqtw6.jpg)

I tested with a vob chapter.
Set output target to 200MB, i.e total of 317MB including GetCQ overhead calculation of 117MB. (I think the program is supposed to set differing overheads depending on the filesize zones, but it obviously didn't work for me.)
Doing a full encode with the included version 17, filesize was 190MB.
Using the CQ value with HC 020, filesize was 188MB.
Using the CQ value with HC 021, filesize was 190MB.

I believe the only thing preventing getCQ from working with HC 021 is the inclusion of the *frames setting
in the ini file which sets start and end frame overriding sample size set in the avs, completely defeating the purpose.

gl

[six13]

@Immersion,

Thank you, I am using HCenc21. I sure wish you could set the bitrate or average bitrate. You could let RB do the prepare and see what it says for max, avg.,min. bitrates stop the program and then select a average bitrate and do the encoding during 1 pass. However, I am sure it just isn't that easy.

I know the better way is with 2 pass VBR but my PC is tied up for 2 hrs. I am so impatient I record more TV with my Media Center than watch live so I can ff through the comercials and the slow parts in a TV show. I can get a 60min show down to about 40 mins. I need to be more patient, I could let RB work through the night. LOL

Thanks for the help Immersion