Who wants to test a new MPEG2 encoder

[buzzqw]

just another request :D

is possible to confine the bitrate by -b -maxbitrate in cq mode encoding ?

I try a cq 2 encoding and i had bitrate hight as 34000 (yes, 34000)

Thanks

BHH

[Mug Funky]

currently there's no way to do that (but it'd be cool if there were :))

[dragongodz]

is possible to confine the bitrate by -b -maxbitrate in cq mode encoding ?
it wouldnt be a constant quant mode then of course but yes it could be done, though you are for practical purposes talking about 1 pass VBR then. other modes such as CBR and 1 pass VBR would also be nice i know. remember though that hank315 does work so does this in his spare time. things will happen when and if he has time and the desire.

[buzzqw]

yes, sure i know i asked a "1 pass vbr"...

this is a request, that could be done or not...

But i hope Hank could have more spare time !

Thanks Hank for all your time !!!

BHH

[Rickkins]

@hank315...will this ever be made to work with a straight up avi file,
without having to go the avisynth route...??

[Frameserver]

Originally posted by Rickkins
@hank315...will this ever be made to work with a straight up avi file,
without having to go the avisynth route...??

For what?
You need at least two lines of "Code" in an AviSynth script to
allow avi input in hc.
For example type in:

AVISource("C:\temp\test.avi")
ConvertToYV12

->change "C" "temp" and "test" that it meets your path and filename.
Save this as test.avs (the proper extension is important) and run it
through HCbatch_012.
Of course You have to install AviSynth before.
Simple isn't it?

[hank315]

will this ever be made to work with a straight up avi file,
without having to go the avisynth route...??No, never.
Avisynth is just the optimal program to read and process input, using filters etc.

[Sounddude]

Every test I make with this encoder works fine. But when I do a whole movie and go to author with TMPGEnc DVD Author it complains that the GOP is too long.

What could be causing this? The samples I try work fine.

[onesoul]

Originally posted by dragongodz
onesoul - try again using 12 2 GOP setting and see if iut still undersizes.
i know rate control work is on the list of things to do though, it will take time though. :) I have been trying doing these encode again but surprisingly hc has been crashing (GPF) repeatedly on a couple of cells and it happens at the end of 2nd pass but the encoded file seems to be fine. This wasn't happening with autogop mode on, I did a fresh restart btw.

About the undersize, I'll update in a while about that (waiting for encoding the remaining cells=.

[hank315]

Every test I make with this encoder works fine. But when I do a whole movie and go to author with TMPGEnc DVD Author it complains that the GOP is too long.What GOP size was set?
Try to author it with IfoEdit or Muxman.

[dragongodz]

author with TMPGEnc DVD Author it complains that the GOP is too long.
Try to author it with IfoEdit or Muxman.
i agree 100%. i have seen the same problem reported for other encoders aswell. i really think this is a problem/bug with Tmpgend DVDAuthor. so yes please try some other authoring programs and report back.

oh and more details on what you are encoding, framerate, progressive/interlaced etc would not hurt. :)

[video]

Originally posted by hank315

@mean
I'm pretty much a complete Linux NOOB and don't have a Fortran95 compiler for Linux. There's an experimental compiler ( http://www.g95.org ) but the speed of it isn't optimal yet.


Great effort to see such a huge project as an mpeg2 encoder in fortran. However, I know very well, that in the HPC arena there nothing else, but fortran. regarding linux, there are intel's Fortran compile 8.1 for linux (ttp://www.intel.com/software/products/compilers/flin/) royalty free for non-commercial use. Even promising the support Compaq Visual Fortran.
regards and have fun.

[onesoul]

Originally posted by dragongodz
onesoul - try again using 12 2 GOP setting and see if iut still undersizes.
i know rate control work is on the list of things to do though, it will take time though. :) Hi again, with 12 2 GOP the output was 4026mb (autogop on delivered 3917) so it still undersizes comparing to hc 0.01 batch which did an ouput of 4320 mb.

[video]

hank315 okay it's my problem, but will it be possible to have a linux version? I'll happy with DV codec only (libdv.so) support. mor information on libdv can be found here: http://libdv.sourceforge.net/

[FredThompson]

Is there a hard-coded GOP length upper limit? If so, please consider making it very large. This would help for use with TyTool and other MPGE2 TV-oriented editors which work by re-encoding only modified GOPs.

[video]

Anyway hank315 a big respect for you. Considering 640x360@25fps at bitrate 1Mbps, with matrices hvs best, autogop and dc intra 8 your encoder produces output better visually than x264 does :D

[DoctorRad]

Just a couple of requests hank... could we have a way to load and save settings for the GUI version? And can we also have the command line back for those of us who are just as comfortable with that option?

Thanks,

Dr. Matt...
--

[Ebobtron]

Originally posted by hank315
Just put the new batch version online, new manual included.

get it at: http://hank315.dyndns.org/HCbatch_012.zip

Changelog:
- encoding engine same as GUI version
- runs in a small window, showing statistics
- can use ini file and parameters

Have fun with it :)

Where you been, see above Dr. Matt.

[ernstblaauw]

@Hank315

Your encoder is really great! I've got a question: Can you add the latest batch version to your first post in this topic, and also add a changelog to your first post?

[Xesdeeni]

Has anyone tried to encode HD resolutions? Will they encode at all? I still don't have an encoder that will allow me to create HD test streams to calibrate my HDTV. Will this encoder do it?

Xesdeeni

[Ebobtron]

@Xesdeeni

What resolutions

[hank315]

Can you add the latest batch version to your first post in this topic, and also add a changelog to your first post?Will do that, there will be an update of the batch version as well.
Some bugs are solved, in this case I was the first who saw them ;)
EDIT: not entirely correct, jdobbs also reported one...

Will make one complete zip-package of it, GUI version, batch version and manual.
Coming soon...

[DoctorRad]

Originally posted by Ebobtron
Where you been, see above Dr. Matt.

Heh, not wading through 18 pages of previous forum replies, that's where ;) Thanks for the pointer!

Matt...

[hank315]

Has anyone tried to encode HD resolutions? Will they encode at all? I still don't have an encoder that will allow me to create HD test streams to calibrate my HDTV. Will this encoder do it?No, max. resolution is 720 * 576.

[hank315]

HCbatch updated.

Changelog:
- fixed an error where the scan flag wasn't set properly for interlaced source using argument input
- added *WAIT command to speed up exit after encoding
- some other minor bugs fixed
- 1, 2 and 3 frame clips are now encoded using Constant Quant

Download contains GUI and batch version + updated manual.
Will be in the download section soon.

Also at: http://hank315.dyndns.org/HC_012_total.zip

[Nocturno]

thanks Hank, will try asap, used the previous batch version in my avi2dvd tool, seems to work great.will do more testing when i find the time.

Great work :D

[BugsBunny]

:) will give it a try have some movies comming in begining of week

hope it can take advantage od dual xeons..

looks decent BIG THANKS for the work

[Thor263]

I posted a message (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=630375#post630375) over in the DVD-Rebuilder forum that I think might actually be a HCbatch problem w/ a possible loop. Because of the ongoing discussion in that thread, I just wanted to make sure it was noticed. :)

If you would like additional information, please let me know.

[hank315]

@Thor263
Could you post the avs file which was processed, might help solving it.

[gigaset2004]

@hank

what´s about low bitrate improvment ?

[Indignity]

hank, thanks for your work on this!!! Liking it so far.

I've got a question in regards to the batch encoding.. more like "how to do it"... I've read the manual about 20 times & have tried a few variables I've thought would work for this, but I'm stumped.

This is what's getting me from reading the manual & trying to apply it to run a batch encode:
HCbatch –i d:\movies\test1.avs –o d:\movies\test1.m2v –b 4000 –maxbitrate 9000 –ini d:\movies\hc.ini

I've tried placing this at the beginning of the hc.ini file, which didn't work(in series... test1, test2,..ect).. I tried placing this series in the *infile & *outfile with no luck either.

I've also tried creating an hcbatch.ini file as well.

Call me thick please!!! :D

Is there any way you could maybe post an example of how to use the batch feature? Dummies like me that have never used raw command lines for encoders, will probably get stuck trying to use it.

Great work thus far!!!!

Thanks for your time & look forward to your response!

[Xesdeeni]

Originally posted by Xesdeeni
Has anyone tried to encode HD resolutions? Will they encode at all? I still don't have an encoder that will allow me to create HD test streams to calibrate my HDTV. Will this encoder do it?Originally posted by Ebobtron
What resolutions ATSC HD resolutions are 1280x720 and 1920x1080 (http://support.gateway.com/s/CsmrEltrncs/DigitalTV/Shared/2517984faq42.shtml). Technically the 1080 is encoded at 1088, but I think the window is 1080. (I believe the PAL HD resolutions are the same, although the frame rates are obviously different.)Originally posted by hank315
No, max. resolution is 720 * 576. I can't remember from the MPEG-2 spec--do these higher resolution require the extension fields? Is that the reason for the hard-wired maximum resolution?

Xesdeeni

[cmsoliveira]

Hi,

I' doing my first full dvd backup using Dvd-RB and HC, but i have a question...

When using autogop does the encoder set a maximum length for the GOP, i.e, 15 frames for PAL and 18 frames for NTSC?

Or using a superior GOP could affect the quality, or playback of a movie?

[hank315]

When using autogop does the encoder set a maximum length for the GOP, i.e, 15 frames for PAL and 18 frames for NTSC?Using autogop sets the max. GOP length to 15.

I can't remember from the MPEG-2 spec--do these higher resolution require the extension fields? Is that the reason for the hard-wired maximum resolution?HC is meant to encode MPEG2 at Main profile @ Main level so 720*576 is the max. resolution.
The data structure used ATM is limited to 720*576.

[Thor263]

Originally posted by hank315
@Thor263
Could you post the avs file which was processed, might help solving it.

Ok, here it is. It's pretty basic.

#------------------
# AVS File Created by DVD Rebuilder
# VOBID:08, CELLID:01
#------------------
LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\Video Tools\DVD Rebuilder\DGDecode.dll")
mpeg2source("D:\DVD TEMP\D2VAVS\V03.D2V",idct=7)
trim(71851,71864)
ConvertToYV12()

[video]

hank i feel you are definitely in the game :)

HC-12 (http://feliratok.rpotor.com/jadzia/enough.ac3.mpg) vs x264, build 180 (http://feliratok.rpotor.com/jadzia/enough.x264.mp4). All streams are 640x368@25fps, the bitrate is 1Mbps. Nothing else to say, but respect.
HC-12 setup: best quality, hsv best matrices and autogop.

[katjarella]

Source: PAL,704x576,1Frame

HC.ini: *INFILE F:\TEMP\MUXMAN\V03\TEST.AVS
*OUTFILE F:\TEMP\MUXMAN\V03\TESTX.M2V
*BITRATE 2500
*MAXBITRATE 9000
*LOGFILE F:\TEMP\MUXMAN\V03\TESTX.LOG
*MATRIX HVSBEST
*PROFILE BEST
*ASPECT 4:3
*CQ 1
*DC_PREC 10
*SCANMETHOD ZIGZAG
*CLOSEDGOPS
*NOSCD
*NOVBV
HCbatch rel. 0.12: profile: BEST
frames: 1 1
framerate: 25.00
aspect ratio: 4:3
bitrate Kb/s: 2500
max. bitrate Kb/s: 9000
pass: 1 (Constant Quant)
constant Q: 1
closed gops: yes
VBV check: no
scene change det.: no
interlaced: no
goplen,B-pic: AUTO
dc_precision: 10
scan method: ZIGZAG
time code: 0 0 0 0
CPU: MMX/SSE/SSE2
matrix: HVSBEST
*****
nr. of gops: 1
nr. of frames: 1
nr. of I-frames: 1
nr. of P-frames: 0
nr. of B-frames: 0
average quant (non linear): 1.000
VBV underflows detected: disabled
VBV underflows fixed: disabled
minimum bitrate: 999
maximum bitrate: 90403
average bitrate: 90403
HCbatch rel. 0.12a: profile: BEST
frames: 1 1
framerate: 25.00
aspect ratio: 4:3
bitrate Kb/s: 2500
max. bitrate Kb/s: 9000
pass: 1 (Constant Quant)
constant Q: 4
closed gops: yes
VBV check: no
scene change det.: no
interlaced: no
goplen,B-pic: AUTO
dc_precision: 10
scan method: ZIGZAG
time code: 0 0 0 0
CPU: MMX/SSE/SSE2
matrix: HVSBEST
*****
nr. of gops: 1
nr. of frames: 1
nr. of I-frames: 1
nr. of P-frames: 0
nr. of B-frames: 0
average quant (non linear): 4.000
VBV underflows detected: disabled
VBV underflows fixed: disabled
minimum bitrate: 999
maximum bitrate: 42018
average bitrate: 42018

Hello hank315!

Constant Q isn't working anymore in HCbatch v0.12a. Everything gets encoded with constant Q: 4. Is there a reason for it?

translate (c) Scharfis_brain :)

[hank315]

@Thor263
So a short clip...
Try to encode the avs file with the GUI version, bitrate 4000 and max bitrate 8000.

Constant Q isn't working anymore in HCbatch v0.12a. Everything gets encoded with constant Q: 4. Is there a reason for it?Reason is probably an error :D
Dragongodz also reported this but couldn't replicate the error.
Will do a similar test with your ini settings.

[Thor263]

Originally posted by hank315
@Thor263
So a short clip...
Try to encode the avs file with the GUI version, bitrate 4000 and max bitrate 8000.

The GUI version worked just fine. I'm going to have to do some more testing...

[freelock7]

HC0.12beta seems to encode with a wrong prediction.
Is it known or has to be fixed?
--------------------
| encoder settings |
--------------------

profile: GOOD
frames: 1 1001
framerate: 25.00
aspect ratio: 16:9
bitrate Kb/s: 6000
max. bitrate Kb/s: 8000
restart: no
closed gops: no
VBV check: yes
scene change det.: yes
interlaced: yes
goplen,B-pic: AUTO
dc_precision: 9
scan method: ALTERNATE
time code: 0 0 0 0
CPU: AUTO
matrix: MPEG

--------------------
| source stats |
--------------------

nr. of frames in source: 1001
width*height: 720*576
fps: 25.00
nr. of frames to encode: 1001
frames to encode: 1 - 1001
movie length to encode: 0:00:40 (40.04 s)
est. outfile length: 29326 kB

---------------------
| encoding - pass 1 |
---------------------

pass 1 encoding time: 0:01:49 (109 s)
average fps: 9.1

--------------------------------
| encoding - intermediate pass |
--------------------------------

bitrate set to: 6000000 b/s
est. outfile length: 29326 kB
intermediate encoding time: 0.0 s

---------------------
| encoding - pass 2 |
---------------------

pass 2 encoding time: 0:01:22 (82 s)
average fps: 12.2

total encoding time: 0:03:13 (193 s)

------------------
| encoding stats |
------------------

nr. of gops: 96
nr. of frames: 1001
nr. of I-frames: 96
nr. of P-frames: 397
nr. of B-frames: 508
average quant (non linear): 4.986
VBV underflows detected: 0
VBV underflows fixed: 0
minimum bitrate: 999
maximum bitrate: 7958
average bitrate: 4919

[Thor263]

Originally posted by Thor263
The GUI version worked just fine. I'm going to have to do some more testing...

I was able to replicate the problem in the GUI. When I matched the bitrates specified in the HC.INI file created by DVD-RB, the looping also occurred in the GUI. Both the batch and GUI state they are in the intermediate pass.

HC.INI file contents:

*BATCH
*PROFILE GOOD
*INFILE D:\DVD TEMP\D2VAVS\V03001300008001.avs
*OUTFILE D:\DVD TEMP\D2VAVS\V03001300008001.m2v
*BITRATE 6818
*MAXBITRATE 8360
*WAIT 0
*ASPECT 16:9

Let me know if you would like me to try anything else.

[manolito]

@Thor263

I noticed that you have the *BATCH parameter in your HC.INI. HCBatch does NOT support this parameter, only the old Non-GUI version of HC did that. Don't know if this causes the loop, but I think it's worth a try...

Cheers
manolito

[video]

hank minor bug only, but when i wanted enter manually the gop size, i got a nice runtime error and the app is terminated.

[hank315]

@video
What GOP size did you enter?
GUI or batch version?

[DoctorRad]

A fairly general problem I can't seem to find a way around: if the file referenced in the AVS script is on the network, i.e. not on the PC on which HC is running, HC hangs when I try to open the file. The AVS file plays fine in WMP over the network.

Can anyone else replicate this??

Thanks,

Matt...

[video]

Originally posted by hank315
@video
What GOP size did you enter?
GUI or batch version?

I intended entering 12. but just try delete the value from the combo and you will get 'visual fortran runtime error' - of course gui version, namely hc12_total rls. B frames input suffering from the same problem.

[video]

Originally posted by DoctorRad
A fairly general problem I can't seem to find a way around: if the file referenced in the AVS script is on the network, i.e. not on the PC on which HC is running, HC hangs when I try to open the file. The AVS file plays fine in WMP over the network.

Can anyone else replicate this??

Thanks,

Matt...

have you refrenced the file with unc name or the file is on an already mapped network drive? If not, try to map the remote share as a network drive. somtimes even M$ word having problems reading directly from unc references.

[DoctorRad]

Originally posted by video
have you refrenced the file with unc name or the file is on an already mapped network drive? If not, try to map the remote share as a network drive. somtimes even M$ word having problems reading directly from unc references.

Same problem with UNC refs and mapped drives.

Matt...

[video]

Originally posted by DoctorRad
Same problem with UNC refs and mapped drives.

Matt...

please consider that different levels of file service access are provided by the os for local and remote files. there is no problem with reading, opening, but maybe not possible to seek freely within the file. sequential forward read guaranteed to work on unc remote files, however that's might be not enough to dgindex/avisynth. for proper support, i feel dgindex might be prepared to handle files from an unc...

[Spyn]

hi hank315,

could you add an option to disable P-frames to HC ?

it seems that at very or extremly high bitrates enabling only I-frame give the best quality.