Forcing "No-Reencode" of Video in BDR

[bilbo50]

Greetings, all!

Please, I am wondering if someone could detail a foolproof way to -FORCE- BD Rebuilder to -NOT- re-encode a supposedly Blu-Ray compliant video stream (which is imported as a video file [File-->Import-->Video File])?

My AV video files are compliant enough to create 1.78:1 or 4:3 AR NON-reencoded AVCHDs using multiAVCHD (or 1.85:1, I just accept the 3.8% horizontal "squeeze" of AVCHD to 1.78:1 video). Of course, AVCHD will not help with widescreen or 1.66:1 (or, technically, with 1.85:1) AR videos.

In testing BDR, I've tried:

1) In the BDR install directory, in the file "BDREBUILDER.INI", I've inserted the parm "FORCE_NOENCODE=1" as line 5.

2) At the same time, I've also tried BOTH keeping other video encoding parms below that one, AND deleting them from "BDREBUILDER.INI":
[line 3] ENCODER=0
ENCODE_QUALITY=2
ONEPASS_ENCODING=2
AUTO_QUALITY=0
PRIORITY_CLASS=0

3) I've also tried taking the Input BD size from the log, multiplying it by 1024, and plugging the result into the parm "Custom Target Size" at the bottom of the Setup dialogue panel (before starting up the backup again, from scratch):
"- Input BD size: 4.10 GB"
4.10 x 1024 = 4198.4
"Custom Target Size:" 4198 "Megabytes"

THE BOTTOM LINE:
The parm "FORCE_NOENCODE=1" is accepted by BDR, and it emits the message "- FORCE_NOENCODE: May violate standards". HOWEVER, RBR announces it is "Reencoding video"--and it appears to me that it is really reencoding, since it indicates an ETA of about 89 min. for a 93 min. video (for x264 1-pass VBR encoding, at "Default"["Slow"?] quality).

Help! Am I doing one or more stupid things, or is non-reencoding imported MKVs/MP4s just not possible with current versions of BDR? --Or is this significant processing time normal, and I am I just not waiting long enough through the process?

Many thanks in advance!

[Emulgator]

"supposedly compliant", but BD-RD finds a reason to reencode, so... mediainfo of your source please.
BD-RB log please.

[Lowpro]

For what it's worth. I author MP4's to Blu-ray (using multiAVCHD) all the time, the audio and video of which appear to be Blu-ray compliant. The resulting video plays fine if I don't re-encode, both with my software and hardware based Blu-ray players. Here's the catch though, at least in my case. When attempting to rewind, fast forward, or advance through the chapter stops it's extremely laggy. It's laggy to the point it might as well not even work. If I re-encode the same video there are no issues with the resulting Blu-ray. The ability to rewind, fast forward and advance through the chapter stops is always silky smooth. As for BD Rebuilder, I only use BD Rebuilder to create "Quick-Play" menus, so perhaps others will chime in.

[davexnet]

I fed it a folder created by BR Rebuilder as the source and the re-encode was indeed skipped
It seemed OK when I used the complete bdmv folder as the source.

But when I copied the m2ts file out and used file/import /video files,
the file was successfully imported, the pseudo structure was build, and it proceed to re-encode.

Why?

[Rojones]

For what it's worth. I author MP4's to Blu-ray (using multiAVCHD) all the time, the audio and video of which appear to be Blu-ray compliant. The resulting video plays fine if I don't re-encode, both with my software and hardware based Blu-ray players. Here's the catch though, at least in my case. When attempting to rewind, fast forward, or advance through the chapter stops it's extremely laggy. It's laggy to the point it might as well not even work. If I re-encode the same video there are no issues with the resulting Blu-ray. The ability to rewind, fast forward and advance through the chapter stops is always silky smooth.

It seems to me that the source MP4s you're talking about were not encoded specifying keyint or it was set too long, which is what causes horrible lag when searching or skipping, but especially searching. And when you re-encode the video, you or the encoding software are setting keyint to a shorter length, so it's easier for you to search or skip chapters.

[bilbo50]

his input file worked successfully in multiAVCHD, with no reencoding needed.

==========================
MEDIAINFO:

General
Unique ID : 230702929267602799065844645216297578076 (0xAD8FC499E8297FE9EB7C1BB9866A6E5C)
Complete name : M:\VAULT\Majo No Jouken\AVCHD_[0422]\Majo no Jouken - Ep01_V_AVI-Mux_VE2_[2SR--SS-SOB960x720]_ABR9360_L4.1-4ref-BR_[0422]__Shana-DAN96.ac3.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4
File size : 3.99 GiB
Duration : 59 min 0 s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 9 690 kb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2022-04-27 00:47:25
Writing application : mkvmerge v63.0.0 ('Everything') 64-bit
Writing library : libebml v1.4.2 + libmatroska v1.6.4 / Lavf57.79.100

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 59 min 0 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 9 360 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 40.0 Mb/s
Width : 960 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Original frame rate : 29.970 (29970/1000) FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.452
Stream size : 3.86 GiB (97%)
Writing library : x264 core 157 r2935M 545de2f
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:-1:-1 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.15 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=32 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=0 / chroma_qp_offset=-6 / threads=11 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=1 / slices=11 / nr=100 / decimate=0 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=1 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=1 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=1 / weightp=1 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=1 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=60 / rc=abr / mbtree=0 / bitrate=9360 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=40000 / vbv_bufsize=30000 / nal_hrd=vbr / filler=0 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:1.00
Language : Japanese
Default : Yes
Forced : No
Color range : Limited
Matrix coefficients : BT.470 System B/G

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Commercial name : Dolby Digital
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 59 min 0 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 320 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 31.250 FPS (1536 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -67 ms
Stream size : 135 MiB (3%)
Language : Japanese
Service kind : Complete Main
Default : Yes
Forced : No

==========================
X264 PARMS (report from Mis2x264.exe [http://forum.selur.de]):

MediaInfo - Encoding settings:
...

Converted to x264 cli:
--cabac --ref 5 --deblock -1:-1 --partitions all --me umh --subme 9 --psy-rd 1.00:0.15 --merange 32 --trellis 2 --8x8dct --cqm flat --deadzone-inter 21 --deadzone-intra 11 --no-fast-pskip --chroma-qp-offset -6 --threads 11 --lookahead-threads 1 --sliced-threads --slices 11 --nr 100 --no-dct-decimate --bluray-compat --bframes 3 --b-pyramid strict --b-adapt 2 --b-bias 0 --direct auto --open-gop --weightp 1 --keyint 250 --min-keyint 1 --scenecut 40 --rc-lookahead 60 --no-mbtree --bitrate 9360 --ratetol 1.0 --qcomp 0.60 --qpmin 0 --qpmax 69 --qpstep 4 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --nal-hrd vbr --ipratio 1.40 --pbratio 1.30 --aq-mode 1 --aq-strength 1.00
Warning: a modded version of x264 was used to create this file.

The following entries got ignored:
rc=abr --since rc does not hold any useful info
filler=0

==========================
BDREBUILDER.INI

[Options]
VERSION=0.61.0.25
MODE=0
FORCE_NOENCODE=1
AUDIO_TO_KEEP=eng;jpn;kor;
SUBS_TO_KEEP=eng;
SD_CONVERT=0
OPEN_GOP=1
RESIZE_1080=0
RESIZE_1440=0
RESIZE_720=0
DEINTERLACE=1
SD_TO_1080=0
IGNORE_3D=0
CONVERT_WIDE=0
DTS_REENCODE=0
AC3_REENCODE=0
AC3_640=1
AC3_192=0
KEEP_HD_AUDIO=0
AUDIO_DRC=0
DECODER=0
AVCHD=1
REMOVE_WORKFILES=0
REMOVE_OUTPUT=0
USE_FILTERS=0
BDMV_CERT_ONLY=0
IVTC_PULLDOWN=0
ASSUME_DVD_PAL=0
FRIMSOURCE=0
COMPLETION_BEEP=0
OUTPUT_SBS=0
NEROAAC=0
SUPTITLE=0
PGSTOSRT=0
AUDIO_TRACK_LIMIT=1
SUBTITLE_TRACK_LIMIT=1
CUSTOM_TARGET_SIZE=4090
QUICK_EXTRAS=0
TARGET_SIZE=4850
ENCODE_QUALITY=2
AUTO_QUALITY=0
ONEPASS_ENCODING=2
ENCODER=0
PRIORITY_CLASS=0
[Paths]
WORKING_PATH=K:\TEMP\TX264-WORK\
SOURCE_PATH=K:\TEMP\TX264-WORK\IMPORTS\MAJO_NO_JOUKEN_-_EP01_V_AVI-MUX_VE2_[2SR--SS-SOB960X720]_ABR9360_L4.1-4REF-BR_[0422]__SHANA-DAN96.AC3\

=============================
RUN LOG:

[07/06/22] BD Rebuilder v0.61.25
[19:09:21] Source: MAJO_NO_JOUKEN_-_EP01_V_AVI-MUX_VE2_[2SR--SS-SOB960X720]_ABR9360_L4.1-4REF-BR_[0422]__SHANA-DAN96.AC3
- Input BD size: 4.22 GB
- Approximate total content: [00:59:00.170]
- Target BD size: 3.99 GB
- Windows Version: 6.2 [9200]
- Quality: High Quality (Default), 1-Pass VBR
- Decoding/Frame serving: DirectShow
- Audio Settings: AC3=0 DTS=0 HD=0 Kbs=640
- FORCE_NOENCODE: May violate standards
[19:09:25] PHASE ONE, Encoding
- [19:09:25] Processing: VID_00000 (1 of 1)
- [19:09:25] Extracting A/V streams [VID_00000]
- [19:11:23] Reencoding video [VID_00000]
- Source Video: MPEG-4 (AVC), 1280x720
- Rate/Length: 29.970fps, 106,099 frames
- Bitrate: 8,590 Kbs
- [19:11:23] Reencoding: VID_00000, Pass 1 of 1
- [19:58:51] Video Encode complete
- [19:58:51] Processing audio tracks
- Track 4352 (jpn): Keeping original audio
- [19:58:51] Multiplexing M2TS
[19:59:28]PHASE ONE complete
[19:59:28]PHASE TWO - Rebuild Started
- [19:59:28] Rebuilding BD file Structure
[19:59:28] - Encode and Rebuild complete
[19:59:28] JOB: MAJO_NO_JOUKEN_-_EP01_V_AVI-MUX_VE2_[2SR--SS-SOB960X720]_ABR9360_L4.1-4REF-BR_[0422]__SHANA-DAN96.AC3 finished.

=============================

[bilbo50]

It seems to me that the source MP4s you're talking about were not encoded specifying keyint or it was set too long, which is what causes horrible lag when searching or skipping, but especially searching. And when you re-encode the video, you or the encoding software are setting keyint to a shorter length, so it's easier for you to search or skip chapters.

From my usual, favorite x264 parms, these two have seemed to work fine with multiAVCHD-created discs on an older Sony BR player:
--keyint 250 --min-keyint 1

[bilbo50]

It seems to me that the source MP4s you're talking about were not encoded specifying keyint or it was set too long, which is what causes horrible lag when searching or skipping, but especially searching. And when you re-encode the video, you or the encoding software are setting keyint to a shorter length, so it's easier for you to search or skip chapters.

I don't know too much about x264 encoding, but I always select the encoding parm "zero latency". Could this parm be a factor in this case of search/skipping lag?

[Rojones]

I don't know too much about x264 encoding, but I always select the encoding parm "zero latency". Could this parm be a factor in this case of search/skipping lag?

That, honestly, I don't know. I just know from experience that not setting a keyint to a lower number like one or two seconds as opposed to the default, which I think it's 250, which would be ten PAL seconds, produces videos that are a pain to search whether it's played on computer or disc player.

[davexnet]

Look here for some sample x264 bluray compliant command lines
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/339799-Encoding-SD-video-with-H-264-to-be-100-Blu-ray-compliant#post2113118

[Emulgator]

bilbo50,
Width : 960 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
There is no 960 width in Blu-ray, so non-compliant, BD-RB has to reencode.
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Original frame rate : 29.970 (29970/1000) FPS
There is no 29.970 fps with 720p in Blu-ray, so non-compliant, BD-RB has to reencode.

1280x720 @ 59,94p 16:9 DAR would be a compliant 720p source.
Pad with black bars before encoding, frameinterpolate to 59,94fps.

If the content needs to stay 29,97fps
then
pad & resize to 1440x1080x29,97i @16:9 DAR (progressive content, encoded as fake interlaced is possible)
Or
pad & resize to 1920x1080x29,97i @16:9 DAR (progressive content, encoded as fake interlaced is possible)

[Rojones]

After weeks of researching this, I learned that there's one setting that is named differently, but works as FORCE_NOENCODE=1 does, of course as long as the total of your files is less than your target disc size.

The setting is:

https://i.imgur.com/tXpk9xw.jpg

And I see that this setting is off in your ini file. In the ini file, you can find it as "BDMV_CERT_ONLY=0". If it's 1 instead of 0, then your disc will build without re-encoding, but that doesn't mean that it will play fine in every player.

Emulgator is right in this last post, you have sources that are way off spec, so the disc might build without re-encoding, but when you want to play that particular file, or the whole things if it's just one, it may stop playback or turn off the player.

[bilbo50]

Well, I decided to postpone fixing my x264-encoding-switch compliance issues for now, & concentrated on first of all getting no-encode BDR to work.

I used MakeMKV to rip 2 featurettes from a commercial Blu-Ray, to use as .MKV test input files to BDR. Importing each file separately to create 2 separate projects, in each case BDR worked fine in producing a Blu-Ray without re-encoding, with only 1 video on each disc. However, when importing BOTH .MKV files to create 1 disc, NO menu appears and the disc does not play (dark screen).

By chance, when importing .MKV/.MP4 etc., AV files into a BDR project, is there a limit of only putting 1 file per disc--and the basic menu feature is therefore not available?

Thanks in advance!

[jdobbs]

From my usual, favorite x264 parms, these two have seemed to work fine with multiAVCHD-created discs on an older Sony BR player:
--keyint 250 --min-keyint 1That is not compliant with the BD standard.