MeGUI Presets discussion

[chris.beswick]

Is there something wrong with the --presets and --tune offered by the current builds of x264.exe, or is it just that the current MeGUI doesn't support working "that way"?

[Lyle_JP]

Is there something wrong with the --presets and --tune offered by the current builds of x264.exe, or is it just that the current MeGUI doesn't support working "that way"?

Not sure what you mean by "current MeGUI", but the current dev build of MeGUI (0.3.5.3) uses the tunings and presets of current x264 builds. The "speed slider" chooses the --preset value, and if you need a certain --tune, just use the Tunings drop-down box.

[chris.beswick]

Not sure what you mean by "current MeGUI", but the current dev build of MeGUI (0.3.5.3) uses the tunings and presets of current x264 builds. The "speed slider" chooses the --preset value, and if you need a certain --tune, just use the Tunings drop-down box.

Aww my problem seems to be being clueless, I've not really used MeGUI, I'm really looking at how the profiles that are being referenced to here are being decided upon. From what I can tell the "slider" does set the --preset and the dropdown the --tune but it seems to change / add other settings to the list below as well.

Really what I'm looking for is a "profile" for lets say blu-ray 1080p, which will ensure that my preset and tune etc are tweeked to ensure compatability (for example adding colormatrix's aud max bitrates etc, but not changing the settings that do not effect compability and relate to the speed/quality of the encode)

[Sharktooth]

x264 config window is being reworked as we speak. however, rest assured when it will be finished, the "advanced options" will be set after the "--preset" and "--tune" options, so it will be possible to have, for example, --preset placebo --ref 3 a working combination. now the problem lies with the "default" settings, so for example --ref 3 is not in the generated commandline coz it's the default and it makes megui unable to generate previous example (--presest placebo --ref 3)...

[alexcel]

HI:

I am a rather unexperienced encoder, so I have some basic questions about new presets. Basically because I use them as I guide to my encodings

So, here we go:

1.- In previous versions, megui presets switched to crf encoding. I understood that as a hint so as the new preferred encoding should be one-pass crf. Now we are back to 2-pass enconding...Are you recommending 2-pass instead of one-pass crf? What do you recommend as a general rule?

2- Both DXVA presets HD and SD share the same bitrate 1000. I understood that 1000 was a nice bitrate to happy SD encodings, and I have been encoding at that bitrate since the beginning. Now your DXVA HD preset is targeted at 1.000 and your DivX HD at 10.000. I'd rather suggest to have both presets sharing a "recommended" bitrate in their presets...someting like 6.000 bitrate.

I know that everybody can change this values while configuring the encode, but many users like me just simply use the values defined in the presets as "the best you can use if you do not know enough"

Thanks for your help. I am really grateful for your work

[Sharktooth]

1- it's not a matter of recommendation. it's a matter of filesize. if you're encoding to fill a DVD (for example BD5 and BD9 presets) you need two passes. Same story for Blu-Ray... filesize is a costraint. For other devices PSP, IPod etc... usually there are SD cards or other memories with fixed capacity, so filesize matters again...

2- bitrate is not indicative in presets since most users would use the auto-encode feature. however, yes, i forgot to update those presets bitrates ;)

[hubereevez]

PSP preset seems to be broken...

[Zathor]

In previous versions, megui presets switched to crf encoding. I understood that as a hint so as the new preferred encoding should be one-pass crf. Now we are back to 2-pass enconding...Are you recommending 2-pass instead of one-pass crf? What do you recommend as a general rule?

CRF encodings are the way to go if file size does not matter. As soon as you define somewhere in MeGUI a specific target size the encoding mode will automatically be switched to 2/3pass mode (depending on your default settings) with the calculated bitrate to match this desired file size.

Therefore the default encoding mode in the profiles is CRF.

[Lyle_JP]

I have been doing some testing with Open GOP on r1666 and have come to some conclusions regarding PS3 compatibility. This could be important since Dark Shakiri has hinted that GOP Normal could soon be the default setting for x264 in the future. If that is to be the case then the PS3 profile in MeGUI will need some changes.

My conclusion: Don't use --open-gop if you intend to play the file on a PS3. Although you will create a spec-compliant mp4 file that will technically play back without error, if you try to fast forward, rewind, or use the Square button to seek to a time, you will hang up playback. Thankfully, it doesn't crash the player as the stop key will still work, but once you stop the movie, odds are you will be tossed back to the beginning if you try to play it again.

So, long story short, if encoding for the PS3, don't use --open-gop. Period Although you can play back a file with --open-gop, all seek features seem to be disabled.

[Underground78]

PSP preset seems to be broken...

Hum I'm not sure the preset itself is really broken. I think it's more a problem caused by Megui because as "--ref 3" is default, "--ref 3" is not added to the command line even if the preset is changed to something else than medium.

[hubereevez]

Hum I'm not sure the preset itself is really broken. I think it's more a problem caused by Megui because as "--ref 3" is default, "--ref 3" is not added to the command line even if the preset is changed to something else than medium.

Thanks. What should I do the time it's being fixed ?

[Shevek]

Not sure if this is the correct thread for this question, please point me in the right direction if not!

Which is a good current preset for encoding Blu-Ray to 720p MKV for playback on Windows 7 Media Center?

Unrestricted? DXVA-High Def.?

Sample AVS script created using Script Creator:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\MeGUI\tools\dgindexnv\DGMultiDecodeNV.dll")
DGMultiSource("H:\T1_Video.dgi",fieldop=0, resize_w=1280, resize_h=720)
crop( 0, 94, 0, -94)

[Sharktooth]

Yes, DXVA-High def. would definatly fit.

[hippo88]

Sharktooth,

Could you please recommend a MEGUI preset for encoding mpeg-ts (cap from cable TV) to mkv with ac3 audio.

The footage is sport (football 1920x1080i) 2 hours long. I keep everything the same just want to shrink the video to about 8000kbps/sec.

I've tried various preset and I noticed on passing play (ball movement does not look smooth/crisp) some areas have motion artifacts.

I test same footage on trial version of Sorenson Squeeze 6, encoded as mp4 - this is what I want (no motion artifacts)

Thank you.:confused:

[Sharktooth]

there are no specific presets for sports. what you need is a high compression ratio, so, if you dont care about the encoding time and/or HW compatibility, make a new megui preset and rise the x264 preset bar to veryslow or higher.

[ZEXEL]

dear Sharktooth,
I've new Samsung Monte (GT-5620), it's using MP4 video/audio format which like this:
General
Complete name : H:\Videos\TRIVIUM - Shattering The Skies Above.MP4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media
Codec ID : isom
File size : 17.8 MiB
Duration : 4mn 44s
Overall bit rate : 526 Kbps
Encoded date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:47:38
Tagged date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:50:15

Video
ID : 1
Format : MPEG-4 Visual
Format profile : Simple@L1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, QPel : No
Format settings, GMC : No warppoints
Format settings, Matrix : Default (H.263)
Codec ID : 20
Duration : 4mn 44s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 392 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 790 Kbps
Width : 320 pixels
Height : 240 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 15.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.341
Stream size : 13.3 MiB (75%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:47:38
Tagged date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:50:15

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 4mn 44s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 129 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 134 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Stream size : 4.39 MiB (25%)
Language : English
Encoded date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:47:38
Tagged date : UTC 2010-10-10 14:50:15
Do you think it's available preset like that format or maybe almost same with MegUI?

When using converter from Samsung Kies/PC-Suite it's not customizable like MegUI.

[Sharktooth]

yes, it is. however it will be a MPEG-4 ASP preset (from what you posted). that means MeGUI supports it thru xvid.

[hardkorn]

I've posted this in another thread but thought of posting this here also as this thread is updated regullary.

quantum5uicid3 posted his megui custom command line:
program --tune film --pass 2 --bitrate 5277 --stats ".stats" --slow-firstpass --thread-input --b-adapt 2 --rc-lookahead 24 --merange 64 --me umh --direct auto --subme 10 --partitions all --trellis 2 --no-fast-pskip --aq-mode 4 --profile high --level 4.1 --bframes 3 --ref 6 --slices 4 --aud --nal-hrd vbr --b-pyramid strict --keyint 24 --min-keyint 2 --vbv-bufsize 17000 --vbv-maxrate 17300 --output "output" "input"

My questions were:

Is it necessarily for 6 reference frames(as I've read somewhere it breaks bluray/1080 compatibility - "If you want the target to be Bluray/AVCHD compatible, Ref Frames must be 4.") ?
Also the nb of frames to lookahead you've set it to 24 instead of the 40-50 default value. Is there a reason you did that? Will it not decrease the video quality?

The merange value you've set it to 64. Any reason ?

He also disabled the Color primaries BT.709, Transfer BT.709 and Color Matrix BT.709. Is that recommended?

I've encoded a segment of a bluray disc I got laying around here with his exact profile (which I expected to take forever to finish) and dragged it to mediainfo. I have a Nominal Bitrate field that I couldn't see in all the 720 encodes are floating the web. Is that due to specifying the Bitrate? But there's a huge different from what I've set in my profile 5700 and the real output, shown by mediainfo, Bitrate 6552, Overall Bitrate 6554. And most of the 720 encodes I've looked at, are encoded without the CABAC option enabled? Again, noob question, is that recommended?

What about the Tune Film option? Will that increase the quality of the encoded output?

Sharktooth, can you please guide me on setting megui for the best 720 encoding using a high bitrate somewhere around 5000-5500? The mewiki and all the settings explanations are too tech for me.

Thank you.

[Sharktooth]

too much questions and 1 simple answer. there is no best as per forum rules.
however i still dont understand if you want a x264 preset or a xvid preset.
from the data you posted you need a xvid preset but you quote a x264 commandline...

[hardkorn]

I need a x264 preset, not a xvid one.

[Sharktooth]

I need a x264 preset, not a xvid one.
omg... sorry. i erroneously mixed 2 posts while reading.
all the blu-ray settings are mandatory for compatibility with blu-ray specs.
there are some "less picky" players but it is recommended to leave all the settings there if you want 100% BR compatibility.
however, 1080p and 720p have different "max values". so, check THIS (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=154533) page for optimal settings.
the merange 64 seems to me a bit of an overkill but im not an expert of sports encodes, so it may be better than defaults.
however colorprim, matrix and transfer should not be removed (for BD players compatibility).
about the bitrate, what you set in the x264 profile is VIDEO bitrate... the final filesize/bitrate will also depend on the AUDIO bitrate.
CABAC should be always ENABLED as it gives a better compression ratio.
the tune film option is meant for films/movies not for sports.

[hardkorn]

Thank you for the explanations.

I know that the bitrate I set in x264 is the video bitrate and not the overall one. However, what is with the nominal bitrate I keep seeing in mediainfo?

Some say that setting deblocking strength to -2 gives better results. On mgui wiki there is posted this link http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=810932&postcount=1 where *.mp4 guy says "f you wan't to give your encodes a more detailed look and don't mind the occasional block try a setting of -2:-1. If you like a clean picture and don't mind a little bluriness try 1:2. "

What about -2, -2? I've been using this for a while

[nurbs]

Is it necessarily for 6 reference frames(as I've read somewhere it breaks bluray/1080 compatibility - "If you want the target to be Bluray/AVCHD compatible, Ref Frames must be 4.") ?
The allowed number depends on the resolution. There is a sticky in the H.264 subforum.

The merange value you've set it to 64. Any reason ?
Not really. The inbuilt presets in x264 never use more than 24. It would probably be better to use a slower --me setting if you want better quality, e.g. --me tesa --merange 24.

Also the nb of frames to lookahead you've set it to 24 instead of the 40-50 default value. Is there a reason you did that? Will it not decrease the video quality?
--rc-lookahead can't be higher than --keyint, but there is no reason to set it since it will limited by the --keyint setting anyway.


--aq-mode 4 doesn't exist anymore. What used to be --aq-mode 4 is now --aq-mode 2.

[hardkorn]

Thanks nurbs

The x264: AVCHD default profile has Maximum GOP size of 24 and a minimum of 2, the default being max 250 and a min of 25.

However the x264: DXVA High Def.'s default GOP sizes are the default ones, 250 and 25.

What should I look here for?

Thank you.

edit: Is the --me umh setting deprecated? I have the Multi Hex setting. Is this the same as --me umh?

[hardkorn]

Ok, I've tweaked the profile a little bit. Here's what I have now:

program --preset slow --tune film --pass 2 --bitrate 4000 --stats "work.stats" --slow-firstpass --deblock -2:-1 --open-gop bluray --aq-mode 2 --merange 24 --me esa --subme 10 --partitions all --trellis 2 --no-fast-pskip --level 4.1 --bframes 3 --ref 6 --slices 4 --aud --nal-hrd vbr --b-pyramid strict --keyint 24 --min-keyint 2 --vbv-maxrate 30000 --vbv-bufsize 15000 --weightp 0 --colorprim "bt709" --transfer "bt709" --colormatrix "bt709" --output "output" "input"

What do you think guys?

[poisondeathray]

Ok, I've tweaked the profile a little bit. Here's what I have now:


program --preset slow --tune film --pass 2 --bitrate 4000 --stats "work.stats" --slow-firstpass --deblock -2:-1 --open-gop bluray --aq-mode 2 --merange 24 --me esa --subme 10 --partitions all --trellis 2 --no-fast-pskip --level 4.1 --bframes 3 --ref 6 --slices 4 --aud --nal-hrd vbr --b-pyramid strict --keyint 24 --min-keyint 2 --vbv-maxrate 30000 --vbv-bufsize 15000 --weightp 0 --colorprim "bt709" --transfer "bt709" --colormatrix "bt709" --output "output" "input"


What do you think guys?

is this 1280x720p23.976 and for blu-ray compatibility ?

you need to add:

--sar 1:1



if your target bitrate is only 4000 , you can use 2sec GOP settings - this way you don't need slices 4, both changes will make your encoding slightly more efficient. I would make these changes:

--vbv-maxrate 15000 --vbv-bufsize 15000 --keyint 48 --level 4 --slices 0 (or just delete --slices 4, becaues 0 is default)

[hardkorn]

What is the minimum bitrate for which I need to set the nb of slices by frame? Let's say I'd set the video bitrate to 6000.

Found the wikipedia link.

[poisondeathray]

What is the minimum bitrate for which I need to set the nb of slices by frame? Let's say I'd set the video bitrate to 6000.

For L4.1 blu-ray you need 4 slices
For L4.0 blu-ray you don't need slices
More slices slightly reduce efficiency

"2sec gop" blu-ray settings require maxrate and bufsize <15Mb/s

see
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=154533

If you were using a target bitrate of 6000 , I would still use the 2sec GOP settings. The slices make less of a difference, but the difference between --keyint 24 and 48 can be very large (of course , depends on the source)

[hardkorn]

I'm sorry, I'm kind of lost here. What do you mean by "2sec GOP" setting? The minimum GOP size?

[poisondeathray]

I'm sorry, I'm kind of lost here. What do you mean by "2sec GOP" setting? The minimum GOP size?


maximum gop size.

ie. --keyint

Normally for blu-ray is 1 sec. So for 23.976p its 24

see the link posted earlier

[hardkorn]

Ok, got it.

Thanks.

[hardkorn]

Is the --me umh setting deprecated? I have the Multi Hex setting. Is this the same as --me umh?

[Sharktooth]

same stuff.

[hardkorn]

If I select Multi Hex, the command line doesn't change. Does that mean that multihex isn't applied or is that the default command and needs no extra switch? Should I add --me umh?

[Sharktooth]

it means it's the default.

[poisondeathray]

If something isn't working as to your expectations, I would also double check the custom command line box ; megui has some things hardcoded in there with some presets - this will override the other GUI settings