MeGUI - x264/XviD/lavc/Snow encoder with MP4/MKV/AVI output & audio

[nurbs]

I've already encoded a 24000/1001 fps source with 250/25
Is it worth reencoding with 240/24, or is it only a minor codec/bitrate efficiency issue? (i.e. is the 'rule of thumb' there to be an optimal setting for x264 in some way and how bad is deviating from the rule - just a trivial difference in encoding efficiency I am hoping!!)
If you reencode with a 240/24 gop lenght you will lose quality (if all other things remain equal). Basically longer gops help compression efficiancy, but at the same time they make it harder to seek the stream. The rule of thump is to simply use 10 seconds as the maximum lenght. In reality there probably won't be much difference between 240, 250 and 300 frame gops at the usual framerates.

[Sharktooth]

Hi again,

just used the latest MeGUI build 0.3.0.2002 to auto-encode a 2-pass encode/mux

I notice that even though in my Options|Setting I have "Delete Intermediate Files" unchecked, the job files (jobN.xml) created include directives to delete those very files
(i.e. FilesToDelete sections for e.g. .stats file, pre-muxing .mkv source, etc)

I know I got this to work OK on the last (previous) release.
fill a bug report in the bugtracker on the megui project page on sourceforge.
If you reencode with a 240/24 gop lenght you will lose quality (if all other things remain equal). Basically longer gops help compression efficiancy, but at the same time they make it harder to seek the stream. The rule of thump is to simply use 10 seconds as the maximum lenght. In reality there probably won't be much difference between 240, 250 and 300 frame gops at the usual framerates.
you wont lose quality. unless you re-encode from your encoding. keep in mind the the gop is closed at every i frame... and i frames are placed on scenecuts o or whene there are too much differencies from the previous frame...

[magic144]

fill a bug report in the bugtracker on the megui project page on sourceforge.


done!

[Kurtnoise]

just used the latest MeGUI build 0.3.0.2002 to auto-encode a 2-pass encode/mux

I notice that even though in my Options|Setting I have "Delete Intermediate Files" unchecked, the job files (jobN.xml) created include directives to delete those very files
(i.e. FilesToDelete sections for e.g. .stats file, pre-muxing .mkv source, etc)

It's still there but you should look at the log file instead...you'll see that intermediate files aren't deleted.

[Kurtnoise]

@Roco & Avenger007 : please test this build (http://www.mediafire.com/?mrnzmf7fdf8) and tell me if it's ok...

[magic144]

@Kurtnoise13
thanks for the feedback
I will retest on my next encode this week and confirm the behaviour in the bug report - unfortunately, when I saw the entry in the job files, I manually cleared-out the FilesToDelete sections before invoking the jobs this time around!!

[Avenger007]

@Roco & Avenger007 : please test this build (http://www.mediafire.com/?mrnzmf7fdf8) and tell me if it's ok...
It works! :)
:thanks:

[saint-francis]

When the new b frames decision is implemented into the SVN and is on all the time will there be some kind of notice for us MeGUI users? I still often use bframes 16 and I imagine it would be a bad surprise to find it moving at a crawl in the morning after an entire night of encoding.

[Sharktooth]

i will post a warning message. however i will ask the x264 devs first.

[saint-francis]

i will post a warning message. however i will ask the x264 devs first.

Thanks Sharktooth.

[Riki]

Hello sharktooth, and gang! I asked this on the staxrip thread but I have the same problem with megui that has perplexed me a little, hopefully I can get some insight.

I used megui to encode some videos that I intend to be streamed over the web using the wowza streaming server. I encoded the videos using x264 unrestricted 2pass insane quality (200 bitrate)and Im very pleased with the filesize/quality! The problem is there are large delays when seeking to parts of the video and playing it.

I also used ffmpegx on osx to encode the same videos, they have an option in there to have a "constant bitrate" but even at a bitrate of 200 the filesize is much bigger. The good thing is it seeks much faster and performs better on the streaming server.

The question I have is, how can I encode using megui to have the highest quality, lowest filesize and yet keep it performing great on a streaming server? I couldnt find a "constant bitrate" option in megui, is there something like this, and would it do the trick?

Thanks for the amazing work you guys are doing!
- Riki

[Adub]

Part of the problem is that you used the craziest profile in the collection. Sure you are going to get the greatest quality, but for streaming, it is better to use weaker profiles, as they can allow faster seeking.

As to the constant bitrate option, don't worry about it. Using the 2 pass profiles will always give you better quality at a the same file size. Meaning that you can decrease the bitrate safely for a smaller filesize and still have decent quality.

Try experimenting with other profiles, such as the DXVA, or standalone profiles, as they are a little more realistic in their settings with respect to the streaming setting vs the Insane profile. They may also improve seeking. If you want to decrease file size, then keep decreasing the bitrate.

[Sharktooth]

you may want a fixed gop lenght (optional), a lower min-keyint (for optimal seeking), only 1 reference frame (for streaming) , few b-frames (b-pyramid disabled...), set the VBV parameters according to the desired streaming speed and buffer (for streaming), a bitrate based encoding mode (2 pass is suggested... still required for optima streaming) and some other limitations i just cant remember right now.

[Riki]

Its just strange, I tried all kinds of different profiles, and also I tried adjusting all of the parameters you mention Sharktooth, but there is still an unexceptionable delay when seeking and playing the video.

Has anyone tried ffmpegx and know why it would be able to handle this so much better? In the ffmpegx settings I basically just check all the boxes seen here:
(only 2 are checked here but I check em all! also 2-pass isnt greyed out for me when I do this)
http://www.ffmpegx.com/images/h264options.jpg
http://www.ffmpegx.com/options.html#x264
I also change the ME to exhaustive and the AVC level to 4.1. I leave everything else alone except of course the bitrate is set to 200.

Thanks for helping me with this!

[Sharktooth]

lower the VBV buffer then...

[divin1ty]

I just reinstalled everything on my computer and updated my version of meGUI to that mentioned in the title. Up to this point I have never had any issues with MeGUI, but now am getting some strange error messages. Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

I leave AviSynth as default, make my selection for the iPOD Level 1.3 profile and CTAAC-128Kbps for Audio. I select the container type as MP4, etc, etc. I click the Queue tab and click Start. About 5 minutes later, after noticing the DGIndex is trying to start, the log shows the following information, the the first fatal error screen, followed by the MeGUI has encountered a problem screen, then everything shuts down. Any ideas?

[Sharktooth]

do not attach the images... use some image hosting website otherwise we should wait for a moderator to approve them.

[JPSiemer]

Is there any way to export "Lossless" or "Uncompressed RGB" from MeGUI? I only ask because I'm looking to take minute long clips from movies and I need them to be like 99% similar to the source's quality.

[Dark Shikari]

Is there any way to export "Lossless" or "Uncompressed RGB" from MeGUI? I only ask because I'm looking to take minute long clips from movies and I need them to be like 99% similar to the source's quality.QP0 in x264 is lossless (YV12 though, not RGB).

[Sharktooth]

I just reinstalled everything on my computer and updated my version of meGUI to that mentioned in the title. Up to this point I have never had any issues with MeGUI, but now am getting some strange error messages. Any help would be greatly appreciate it.

I leave AviSynth as default, make my selection for the iPOD Level 1.3 profile and CTAAC-128Kbps for Audio. I select the container type as MP4, etc, etc. I click the Queue tab and click Start. About 5 minutes later, after noticing the DGIndex is trying to start, the log shows the following information, the the first fatal error screen, followed by the MeGUI has encountered a problem screen, then everything shuts down. Any ideas?
OneClickEncoder does not work since the dgindex 1.5.x update. Dont use it until we fix it.

[saza0500]

hi man i dont know its right place to ask questions as a newbie but i have started MEGUI a week ago but i cldnt get my results as my source every thing works fine . can u just guide me what can be the best video profile to get the result like source ..

my system spec
CPU: AMD Turion 64x2 Mobile technology TL-60
RAM : 2 GB
Adapter Type GeForce 8400M G, NVIDIA compatible

MEGUI version 3.0.2005 (All updates installed)
Video Profile: x264:HQ-Slower
Audio Profile: Nero AAC: NDAAC-LC-64kbps

i m using this but result is not like source even its lil blury .. can u help me out what i m doing wrong . i calculate AR maually and use BitrAte 500 may be u have seen movies in 300MB basically i m try to rip a movie of 2GB that is HDRip.x264 in to 300MB .. if some one can help me . specially SHARKTOOTH. i have just waited really 5 days for this to post my question so i hope i will get somehelp..
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[b66pak]

i am transcoding with hardsubs and i noticed that in the 1st pass (x264) the ffdshow is started with subtitles forced to OFF...on the 2nd pass the subtitles are ON...i think this behavior is corupting the 1st pass quality (or not?)...as a quick fix i rightclick on the ffdshow icon and turn subtitles ON as soon as 1st pass starts...best regards
_

[Sharktooth]

hi man i dont know its right place to ask questions as a newbie but i have started MEGUI a week ago but i cldnt get my results as my source every thing works fine . can u just guide me what can be the best video profile to get the result like source ..

my system spec
CPU: AMD Turion 64x2 Mobile technology TL-60
RAM : 2 GB
Adapter Type GeForce 8400M G, NVIDIA compatible

MEGUI version 3.0.2005 (All updates installed)
Video Profile: x264:HQ-Slower
Audio Profile: Nero AAC: NDAAC-LC-64kbps

i m using this but result is not like source even its lil blury .. can u help me out what i m doing wrong . i calculate AR maually and use BitrAte 500 may be u have seen movies in 300MB basically i m try to rip a movie of 2GB that is HDRip.x264 in to 300MB .. if some one can help me . specially SHARKTOOTH. i have just waited really 5 days for this to post my question so i hope i will get somehelp..
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well, the bitrate is really low, also there is no best as per forum rules.
also you have an old version of megui and HQ-Slower doesnt exist anymore so you havent all the updates...

[Sharktooth]

i am transcoding with hardsubs and i noticed that in the 1st pass (x264) the ffdshow is started with subtitles forced to OFF...on the 2nd pass the subtitles are ON...i think this behavior is corupting the 1st pass quality (or not?)...as a quick fix i rightclick on the ffdshow icon and turn subtitles ON as soon as 1st pass starts...best regards
_
definatly, yes. go to your ffdshow configuration (from start menu->programs->etc) and enable the subs before encoding.

[saza0500]

well, the bitrate is really low, also there is no best as per forum rules.
also you have an old version of megui and HQ-Slower doesnt exist anymore so you havent all the updates...

i have updated my MEGUI now its 0.3.0.2008 and 2ndly i know HQ-Slower is not available more but i have imported it. now i have tried new one
x264: DXVA-HD-HQ
and also some others . but i yet get my result blurry and abt bit rate if i increase it will increast its size also . so i want to make its size up to 300 if its 1.30 minutes movie .Basically i m trying to encode a movie that has already been encoded HDRip.x264 into more smaller size with more smaller resoultion but want to maintain its Aspect ratio and its Quality but i cldnt :( i can maintain its Aspect ratio but cnat maintain its Quality it becomes blurry

Source.. HDRip.x264
Resoultion.. 832*416 (Anamorph) ...
AR: 2.423

Ecoded:
Resolution 660*272
AR:2.426
i m using filters in avi synt is progressive and video pRofile is . x264:DXVA-HD-HQ
but what i get u can see, some pics after encoding

http://i33.tinypic.com/1olztd.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/4snn6b.jpg


http://rapidshare.com/files/143950284/DXVA-HQ-HD.mkv

[tebasuna51]

...
but i yet get my result blurry and abt bit rate if i increase it will increast its size also . so i want to make its size up to 300 if its 1.30 minutes movie .Basically i m trying to encode a movie that has already been encoded HDRip.x264 into more smaller size with more smaller resoultion but want to maintain its Aspect ratio and its Quality but i cldnt :( i cant maintain its Aspect ratio but cnat maintain its Quality it becomes blurry ...

You want convert a 2GB (832*416) movie to a 300MB movie with AR=2.423 and same quality.

If you ecuate the quality factor Qf (bits per pixel) from two movies you have:

Qf = Bitrate1 / (fps1 x height1 x width1) = Bitrate2 / (fps2 x height2 x width2)

With fps1 = fps2 and height2 = AR x width2

Bitrate1 / (height1 x width1) = Bitrate2 / (AR x width2 x width2)

width2 = SQR ( (Bitrate2/Bitrate1) x (height1 x width1) / AR)

If Audio bitrate is reduced also, we can replace Bitrate2/Bitrate1 by Size2/Size1 (more or less)

width2 = SQR ( (300/2000) x (832 x 416) / 2.423) = 146
height2 = 146 x 2.423 = 354

Or maybe better 352 x 144
If you use more high resolution you have less quality

[saza0500]

You want convert a 2GB (832*416) movie to a 300MB movie with AR=2.423 and same quality.

If you ecuate the quality factor Qf (bits per pixel) from two movies you have:

Qf = Bitrate1 / (fps1 x height1 x width1) = Bitrate2 / (fps2 x height2 x width2)

With fps1 = fps2 and height2 = AR x width2

Bitrate1 / (height1 x width1) = Bitrate2 / (AR x width2 x width2)

width2 = SQR ( (Bitrate2/Bitrate1) x (height1 x width1) / AR)

If Audio bitrate is reduced also, we can replace Bitrate2/Bitrate1 by Size2/Size1 (more or less)

width2 = SQR ( (300/2000) x (832 x 416) / 2.423) = 146
height2 = 146 x 2.423 = 354

Or maybe better 352 x 144
If you use more high resolution you have less quality

i have tried this resolution even its more worse than before . here is another movie that is encoded by other user. with resoultion of 660*272 it works fine and so smooth .


http://i31.tinypic.com/e6eve9.jpg

http://rapidshare.com/files/140306860/_400MB___HDRip__The.Matrix._1999_-Sample-Adz-Salman.mkv

i want this type of result but i cldnt get it . and the way u told i tried to do that but its more bad even and so small resolution even by using --sar it doesnt even hep..

[sj64]

Hey all,
I'm still working on getting my first encode to work. I'm working from an mkv container with a 1080p bluray movie in it created via eac3to.

Test encodes of various parts of the movie of up to 12k frames long have worked fine. However every time I try to encode the entire movie - The result won't play.
Megui finishes with no error messages after 14hrs of working away. The final file looks about right; in terms of size and properties. However when I try to open it in MPC or MPC_HC, it won't play? The smaller tests play fine, but with the final 11Gb version - MPC sits there saying 'opening' but nothing further happens.

Has anyone got any ideas?

'cheers
S.

[hubblec4]

Hey all,
I'm still working on getting my first encode to work. I'm working from an mkv container with a 1080p bluray movie in it created via eac3to.

Test encodes of various parts of the movie of up to 12k frames long have worked fine. However every time I try to encode the entire movie - The result won't play.
Megui finishes with no error messages after 14hrs of working away. The final file looks about right; in terms of size and properties. However when I try to open it in MPC or MPC_HC, it won't play? The smaller tests play fine, but with the final 11Gb version - MPC sits there saying 'opening' but nothing further happens.

Has anyone got any ideas?

'cheers
S.

I had the same problem. I have deinstalled and reinstalled the Haali Spliter.

i hope thats can help you

[tebasuna51]

i have tried this resolution even its more worse than before .

Maybe the source (2GB) have already some artifacts.
Use always original sources when you make your backup copy.
Try with SD profiles, I can't understand for what you use HD for 660x272 at 434 Kb/s.

here is another movie that is encoded by other user. with resoultion of 660*272 it works fine and so smooth .

This backup have a video bitrate of 546 Kb/s (your movie 434), maybe from a better source, ...
Each movie is different.

[b66pak]

it will be very useful if you extent the timer for shutdown to 60 secs and add a beep sound to it (with an on/off toggle in setting)...best regards
_

[Avenger007]

basically i m try to rip a movie of 2GB that is HDRip.x264 in to 300MB .
Basically i m trying to encode a movie that has already been encoded HDRip.x264 into more smaller size with more smaller resoultion
:readrule: (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm) especially Rule 6. If you own the original then encode from that instead.

[sj64]

I had the same problem. I have deinstalled and reinstalled the Haali Spliter.

i hope thats can help you

Thanks for the advice hubblec4, I'll try that tonight.
Interestingly, just before powering down last night, I tried the full length encode in WMP11, and it played! So I am starting to think it is a problem with the splitter or something similar.

'cheers
S.

[Sharktooth]

@saza0500: re-encode from the original source, not the already encoded material and RISE the bitrate.
if you havent the original then you're violating one of the forum rules (no. 6)...

[saza0500]

@saza0500: re-encode from the original source, not the already encoded material and RISE the bitrate.
if you havent the original then you're violating one of the forum rules (no. 6)...

ahan ok can u tel me is there any thing with ffdshow video decoder in endcoding movie bcoz MEGUi also used FFDSHOW video decoder .

[Sharktooth]

postprocessing options will alter the source in the decoding stage

[saza0500]

postprocessing options will alter the source in the decoding stage
was this ans of my question ? or someone else .
if yes then can u lil explain more :( sory i didnt get it

[poisondeathray]

^ He means if you have any filters enabled in ffdshow (when you right click the icon you will see many options), or other direct show filters in the decoding chain, they will pass through to your encode.

[saza0500]

^ He means if you have any filters enabled in ffdshow (when you right click the icon you will see many options), or other direct show filters in the decoding chain, they will pass through to your encode.

this is what i want to know . which filters will be good one for quality . encoding . or is there any help available for configuring FFDSHOw for geting best quality encoding

[poisondeathray]

this is what i want to know . which filters will be good one for quality . encoding . or is there any help available for configuring FFDSHOw for geting best quality encoding

There is no "Best". Forum rules.

As a general rule, you should leave everything off, otherwise you get incompatibilities and compounding effects.

Do a search and experiment with settings. Test encode small representative samples so you don't waste time. What works well for 1 particular encode might not work for another movie...

[pabloalves]

pessoal quero cria o meu primeiro vide h.264 como faso,queria saber qual programa gratis da internet?

[pabloalves]

quero cria meu primeiro video h.264 qual programa eu uso>

[Sharktooth]

:readrule:
12) How NOT to post on this forum:

5 minutes after your initial post you reply to your own post writing something like "Why is nobody helping me? I'm sure you know the answer". Once somebody replies to your thread but doesn't give you exactly the answer you've been expecting you insult them.
13) The official language is English. Outside the translator forum English is the only allowed language.

[[ReX]]

I'm getting this error on v0.3.0.2008.

---------------------------
Fatal error
---------------------------
MeGUI encountered a fatal error and may not be able to proceed. Reason: Configuration system failed to initialize Source of exception: System.Configuration stacktrace: in System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)

in System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.OnConfigRemoved(InternalConfigEventArgs e)

in System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.RemoveConfigImpl(String configPath, BaseConfigurationRecord configRecord)

in System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)

in System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission)

in System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)

in System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.System.Configuration.Internal.IInternalConfigSystem.GetSection(String sectionName)

in System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)

in System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)

in System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)

in System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)

in System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)

in System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)

in System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)

in System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)

in MeGUI.Properties.Settings.get_OwnerWidth()

in MeGUI.core.gui.JobQueue.InitializeComponent()

in MeGUI.core.gui.JobQueue..ctor()

in MeGUI.core.details.JobControl.InitializeComponent()

in MeGUI.core.details.JobControl..ctor()

in MeGUI.MainForm.InitializeComponent()

in MeGUI.MainForm..ctor()

in MeGUI.MainForm.Main(String[] args)
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

I reinstalled 0.3.0.2002 again (works fine) and updated to 0.3.0.2008 and i got the same error.
Then i manually updated it to 0.3.0.2007 and works fine too.

[Sharktooth]

.2008 only fixes VBV values for levels compliance. so...

[Neillithan]

You're doing a fine job. Keep up the good work.

Quick suggestion. Since video is better suited for .mp4 files and audio is better suited for .m4a, why not make .m4a the chosen file extension by default?

[Sharktooth]

coz the m4a is an apple "invention". the official container format for AAC audio is MP4.

[[ReX]]

;1182665']I'm getting this error on v0.3.0.2008.



I reinstalled 0.3.0.2002 again (works fine) and updated to 0.3.0.2008 and i got the same error.
Then i manually updated it to 0.3.0.2007 and works fine too.

.2008 only fixes VBV values for levels compliance. so...

I don't know why, but it's solved on 0.3.0.2009. :p

[Sharktooth]

which is just not possible since .2009 changelog is:
0.3.0.2009
- (sharktooth) [MkvMergeMuxer.cs] --delay -> --sync for compatibility with mkvtoolnix 2.3.0
- (kurtnoise) [AVS Creator] added "Apply auto Preview" feature. When it's checked, Crop & Resize modifications will be applied automatically in the video preview. No need to click anymore on "Preview AVS Script" button with this...
- (kurtnoise) [AVS Creator] use input filename as default for the save dialog.
and as you can see from the SVN log and sourcecode nothing in regard of your problem has changed.
so, check your system and eventually uninstall megui and do a clean reinstall.

[[ReX]]

which is just not possible since .2009 changelog is:

and as you can see from the SVN log and sourcecode nothing in regard of your problem has changed.
so, check your system and eventually uninstall megui and do a clean reinstall.

I did it already. Is there something from MeGUI on application data folder or in registry?