interlaced-encodes playback options

[minolta]

I usually encode interlaced content, such as sitcoms or sports, as MPEG2, but have been thinking about switching to XVID (w/ interlacing switched on). With my MPEG2s, I can watch them on my computer with PowerDVD, which will deinterlace them at double the fps (not sure if deinterlace is 'bob' or what). What options exist for watching XVID interlaced clips? Preferably, the deinterlacer will double the fps, otherwise I would just deinterlace before encoding. So far, I have discovered:


ffdshow - Has adaptive, tomsmocomp, simple bob, dscaler plugins, and others. Seemed very promissing at first, but could do better. Using any dscaler plugins slows it down too much (or crashes it...). The bob deinterlace simply separates the fields (not smart bob). Also, it applies it to any video, so I must switch it off all the time.

dscaler dshow filter - On my machine, seems to invert the video and messes up the color, but otherwise seems fast. Anyone get this to work?

divx player - Unable to verify since don't have pro version. Anyone know?

tv output - Duh... But perhaps the best deinterlacer of all so far.

xvid decompressor codec - Any plans to put deinterlace in the codec? By allowing users to select from weave, blend, adaptive (??), or smart bob would please most. Also would be great since I could distribute the avi w/o worrying about people complaining.


Anyway, w/o any satisfactory way to play interlaced avis, then MPEG2 combined with PowerDVD or WinDVD will still rule. What are my options? Thanks...

[kilg0r3]

You could try to use the avisynth plugin 'decomb' from within ffdshow.

1. Install avisynth 2.5.x
2. Get Decomb
3. Put it in plugins forlder
4. open ffdshow config dialog
5. look for entry 'Avisynth' in the left menu
6. Activate it
7. Insert something like

LoadPlugin("c:\Programme\Avisynth\Plugins\decomb510.dll")
FieldDeinterlace()

in the text field

8. Please report back.

[minolta]

Thanks for the reply. I usually only consider AviSynth for encoding purposes, and totally forgot that it can be used on-the-fly. Thanks for reminding me. Using decomb.dll incurred too much overhead for my typical 480x480 clips to be used "on-the-fly" (2GHz machine). However, it of course works great for encoding (double the frame-rate and very sharp picture).

I also tried Bob(), which has almost zero overhead and works quite well, considering. Also, using Bob() (and AssumeTFF(), if needed) fixes any tv-output field-order problems, since now a progressive 59.94 fps.

Like I said before, if interlaced XVID ever catches on, I assume that deinterlacing will be part of the decompressor codec (think this is already the case with DivX). In the decompressor config GUI, there should be options for how to handle interlaced, such as picking from weave, blend, or bob (at least).

[kilg0r3]

Originally posted by minolta
I assume that deinterlacing will be part of the decompressor codec (think this is already the case with DivX). If this is true, you might as well decode your movies with their decoder.:)

[kilg0r3]

Originally posted by minolta
Using decomb.dll incurred too much overhead for my typical 480x480 clips to be used "on-the-fly" (2GHz machine).Hm, that should work alright. For I can playback 756*xxx clips with decomb on a 1800+. Be sure to use FielDeinterlace but not Telecide.

[minolta]

Okay. I was using avs scripts before I tried to script within ffdshow. It was using xvid's decoder to decode (which is considerably slower). Now it can use decomb in real-time... It would be better yet if I could use SmoothDeinterlace() in real-time as well, but I'm dreaming.

For now, I'll probably use Bob() since its quick and doubles the frame rate (smooth, just like when watching on actual television). Be nice if I could distribute my interlaced XviDs, but every noob (non-avisynth or ffdshow savvy user) would send me hate-mail.

P.S. DivX claims to have deinterlace in the dencoder, but I'm unable verify since don't have pro version. Certainly, my XviDs are not being deinterlaced when changing the FourCC to DivX: http://www.divx.com/divx/divxpro/versions.php. However, it is well known that most hardware players of DivX and XviD can and do deinterlace during playback.

[kilg0r3]

However, it is well known that most hardware players of DivX and XviD can and do deinterlace during playback.
i hope so ;)