minor blocking on anime problem

[rakan]

I am encoding an anime movie using MeGUI. I used the default settings AE-MAXQUALITY but I changed the bitrate to 676 kbps for the movie stream. In areas of the movie where there are similar colors (or a mono colored area) I noticed what looks like flickering blocks. How is the best way to get rid of these? Do I increase the bitrate? Should I change the default AE-MAXQUALITY settings?

I am playing the movie on MPC version 6.4.9.0
I am using FFDShow version "ffdshow tryouts revision 1058 Jan 20 2007 15:55:58 (msvc 2003, x86,unicode)
I am using MeGUI version 0.2.6.1044
I am using x264 version 736-2-Jarod's patched build

I noticed that when I go into FFDShow and set DeBand to 1 that the effect is diminished somewhat. I just want to know if there is something I can set in the x264 settings that might help decrease this effect.

[TheRyuu]

With that bitrate I'm really not surprised you're getting blocking.

It's just too low. Even if you did use AQ (which you should) it would still block because of not enough bitrate probably.

If you wanted to get absolutly the most out of it, try using 16refs, 16 b-frames, b-bias of 10, me range of 24, and 1:1 deblocking.
But I still thing you need more bitrate.

[Sharktooth]

@rakan: 1st, do no ask what's best ( :readrule: )
then post some screenshots or a small clip.

@wizboy11: AE-Maxquality already has most of the settings you proposed

[mahsah]

I think you are talking about DCT blocks. If they are only appearing in the finished encode (and not when you preview the avisynth script) you'll have to raise the bitrate, use AQ, or maybe try the blockbuster filter.

If they are already there in the mpeg-2 encode (could be possible because anime dvds typically cover up blocks with grain/noise) your only real choise is to deblock.

Although frankly, I just use the deband filter in ffdshow. Works nicely on my encodes, unless the blocks are REALLY bad.

See also this thread:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=112968

[TheRyuu]

@rakan: 1st, do no ask what's best ( :readrule: )
then post some screenshots or a small clip.

@wizboy11: AE-Maxquality already has most of the settings you proposed

Oh, it's been so long since I've looked at the defaults. I doubt it has me-range of 24 though (that's a tad bit insane ;))

I guess I was just saying that versus my settings because I happen to use 0:0 for deblocking on my anime encodes (I like to preserve detail more I guess).

[rakan]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll post a small clip as soon as I get home.

I think the blocking effect is most visible on my 22 inch LCD. On my 19 inch CRT they are hardly noticeable.

[Ranguvar]

I always set merange to 32 :p
I rarely ever see a difference, but sometimes there's an improvement. And speed hit is unnoticeable. Although, I believe upping merange has less beneficial effects on anime.