HC AQ feature

[rendez2k]

Just got my latest update and notice that HCs adaptive quantization feature has been added. I'm not 100% what it does and if it improves the picture in all cases, but is it something thats switched on all the time or an option somewhere? Are there any discussions to the benefits of it anywhere?

[Dark Shikari]

I believe its based on x264's VAQ--a basic complexity mask that allocates more bits to flat areas and takes them away from complex areas to reduce blocking and blurring.

[jdobbs]

It's an option. You would add it to your REBUILDER.INI file (per the README) in the "[Options]" area. If you set it to "2" (a good setting for most encodes) it would look like this:

HC_AQ=2

You can read more about the setting in the HC manual. It is loaded into the "c:\program files\dvd-rb pro\encoders\hc encoder" directory with the DVD-RB install.

I'll may add it to the "HC SETUP" menu in the next version...

[blutach]

I think that's a good idea to add it to the HC Settings submenu (like Lumgain).

Regards

[jdobbs]

I just originally thought that most people will never use it... and I'm trying to keep the menu space from getting too crowded & confusing.

[rendez2k]

Thanks guys. I guess the big question should be then... should it be off or on for most encodes?

[blutach]

I doubt it can hurt (especially at 2), but experiment with a few segments and see for yourself.

Regards

[Sharc]

Experience and comparison will tell, I guess.