AviDemux Mp4 output is bighter and soft

[Saber007]

I am currently using Avidemux 2.5 r4871 and am converting some avi's to MP4 (h264).

I have noticed that they output file seems to be a bit brighter the the original and the focus is a bit soft. I wasn't sure at first but i just used 'Any Video Converter' to compare it to and the output file from this encoder is spot on.
However i wish to keep using Avidemux as it has a lot more options. Is there a setting or something i can do to fix this problem.

Would there be a reason for this.

I am also using LoRd_MuldeR's libx264-r1169, MinGW GCC 4.4.0, optimized for Core 2


Thanks

[LoRd_MuldeR]

Avidemux will give you the identical output as every application that uses x264, given you use the same encoder settings (same encoding mode, same target bitrate, etc) and the same filters.

You problem with "brighter" output probably is a playback problem. See this thread:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=143689

[Saber007]

Thanks.
I don't believe it is a playback problem as both files are being played on MPC and the one from Avidemux is distinctly 'softer' and slightly brighter then the other one.
From what i can see i am using the same encoding mode and bitrate. It hard to tell exactly as 'Any Video Converter' does not offer as many x264 settings.

I had a look at the link above but it seems to be in reference to playback, which i do not believe is the problem here.

Thanks again for the assistance.

[LoRd_MuldeR]

Believe it or not. Most time people compare video and claim that one is brighter, the cause is a playback problem. More precisely different luminance levels.

Did you open both files in MPC at the same time? If so, this even more indicates a playback problem...

[Saber007]

Hi.

Sorry i am just not following you.
I opened both of the files in MPC at the same time and the one encoded via AVIDEMUX was diffidently slightly brighter and softer the then the one encoded with 'Any Video Converter'.

Please excuse the stupidity of this but if they are played at the same time from the same player and they look different how is this a player problem.

Thanks again.

[LoRd_MuldeR]

If you open two videos at the same time, then the first one probably uses the "hardware" Overlay renderer and the second one user "software emulated" Overlay. That's because there can be only single one "true" Overlay at a given time. And hence the different colors. Use something like Haali's Renderer (ships with Haali Media Splitter) in order to avoid this...

[Saber007]

It does it no matter what order i open them or if i play them seperately. The problem is still the same so it can't be the player.

Is there settings in AVIDEMUX mp4(x264) that would affect the brightness/contrast and sharpness of the final encoded video.
I am using the default x264 settings so maybe i just need to change something?

[LoRd_MuldeR]

It does it no matter what order i open them or if i play them seperately. The problem is still the same so it can't be the player.

Is there settings in AVIDEMUX mp4(x264) that would affect the brightness/contrast and sharpness of the final encoded video.
I am using the default x264 settings so maybe i just need to change something?

There is no setting that effects brightness. But there are various settings that effect "sharpness" indirectly!

Basically using "slower" (higher quality) encoder settings will retain more details (at the same bitrate) and hence give the image a sharper look.

Simply using a higher bitrate (or lower CRF value) will have the same effect, of course.

You can also lower the "deblocking" settings. But be aware: Lower deblocking gives a more "sharp" image at the cost of more visible "block" artifacts!

Last but not least Psy-RDO and Psy-Trellis help to retain sharpness/details greatly. Avidemux doesn't exhibit these options, so Psy-RDO will be used at default strength.

BTW: Maybe that "Any Video Converter" uses pre-processing filters, such as a sharpen filter, which would explain the differences you see...