PuzZLeR
10th June 2007, 01:38
Yes, I want to convert VCD content that I created in the 90s (yeah, I’m that old and it was supposed to be “high tech” then) into H.264. It sucked back then, and sucks even more now. The VHS source is long gone.
The video is MPEG-1, 320x240 at 1150kbps.
Ok, I know what most of you are going to say,
“Keep it at MPEG-1 because going from one lossy format to another is worse.”
“MPEG-1 is still very much supported, and for a long time yet.”
“H.264 will only improve it if you have the source.”
“H.264 isn’t magic.”
Ok, yes I know. But I have certain reasons:
1. I want to rip these VCDs for similar reasons one would want to rip DvDs (archive, manageability, etc).
2. The future will be H.264, not MPEG-1, and I’ll take a slight quality penalty hit to get there (devices, stand-alones, etc.)
3. The blockiness of MPEG-1 has always been unbearable to watch for me, then and now, especially with movement. H.264’s standard de-blocking alleviates for this. Yes, a bit blurry at times, but no blocks - an “improvement” in my eyes.
4. The small screen size of VCD looks horrid on today’s larger screens. H.264 somehow, whether it’s the de-blocking, or other, manages to implement “love” between the pixels and I can thus increase the screen size to 720x480, which makes up for some lossiness. What I’m trying to say is that on a big screen 720x480 H.264 looks better than 320x240 MPEG-1, even if MPEG-1 is the source and H.264 a converted version of it (at least in my eyes).
5. MPEG-1 sucks the way it is. As far as I’m concerned, I have nothing really to “lose” anyway.
My question:
Is there a good way of converting an MPEG-1 clip with 1150kbps to H.264? What kind of bitrate/settings/CRF would I need?
As long as I eliminate most of the blockiness, I don’t mind the lossy transition. I would even be willing to jack up the bitrate to get a larger screen size as well. It would be worth it for me.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to any feedback. :)
The video is MPEG-1, 320x240 at 1150kbps.
Ok, I know what most of you are going to say,
“Keep it at MPEG-1 because going from one lossy format to another is worse.”
“MPEG-1 is still very much supported, and for a long time yet.”
“H.264 will only improve it if you have the source.”
“H.264 isn’t magic.”
Ok, yes I know. But I have certain reasons:
1. I want to rip these VCDs for similar reasons one would want to rip DvDs (archive, manageability, etc).
2. The future will be H.264, not MPEG-1, and I’ll take a slight quality penalty hit to get there (devices, stand-alones, etc.)
3. The blockiness of MPEG-1 has always been unbearable to watch for me, then and now, especially with movement. H.264’s standard de-blocking alleviates for this. Yes, a bit blurry at times, but no blocks - an “improvement” in my eyes.
4. The small screen size of VCD looks horrid on today’s larger screens. H.264 somehow, whether it’s the de-blocking, or other, manages to implement “love” between the pixels and I can thus increase the screen size to 720x480, which makes up for some lossiness. What I’m trying to say is that on a big screen 720x480 H.264 looks better than 320x240 MPEG-1, even if MPEG-1 is the source and H.264 a converted version of it (at least in my eyes).
5. MPEG-1 sucks the way it is. As far as I’m concerned, I have nothing really to “lose” anyway.
My question:
Is there a good way of converting an MPEG-1 clip with 1150kbps to H.264? What kind of bitrate/settings/CRF would I need?
As long as I eliminate most of the blockiness, I don’t mind the lossy transition. I would even be willing to jack up the bitrate to get a larger screen size as well. It would be worth it for me.
Thanks in advance, looking forward to any feedback. :)