x264 - 8-bit vs 10-bit?

[minaust]

Howdy everybody...

I've done a bit of homework here as to the pros and cons of 8-bit versus 10-bit encoding, and here are my assumptions:

1. 10-bit encodes will play only on my PC. Nowhere else.
2. 10-bit encodes don't have a banding problem endemic to the 8-bit encoder.

As to my needs, 1 is no problem as I use my PC as a video jukebox, and I haven't encountered 2 (yet). Is there any reason to NOT switch to 10-bit x264? Are my assumptions correct? Any more pros or cons I should know about?

Thanks for any replies.

[Asmodian]

Those are the basics but also:
Pro: 10-bit is higher quality (not just the improvement in banding) at the same bitrate.
Con: 10-bit encodes a bit slower and takes more CPU power to play.

[Overdrive80]

In my opinion, bigger 10bit encoder´s trouble is compatibility. If this isnt trouble then x264 10bit is your best choice.

[minaust]

Originally Posted by Asmodian

Those are the basics but also:
Pro: 10-bit is higher quality (not just the improvement in banding) at the same bitrate.
Con: 10-bit encodes a bit slower and takes more CPU power to play.

I ran a test - I grabbed my nearest DVD and ripped a trailer. Basic processing: Autoceop, resize to 852x364, removegrain, then sharpen a little.

10-bit - 78 fps.
8-bit with same settings - 93 fps.

10-bit is indeed slower, but not unacceptably so. Now on my old 'puter , an old 2.8ghz P4 it would be a big deal.

Playback is with Media Player Classic HC using MADVR as the renderer. Will 10-bit use more CPU, GPU, or both? Not that it really matters - when I'm doing an encode or playing back it's typically the only thing going on. Only my CPU fan will care.

[minaust]

Originally Posted by Overdrive80

In my opinion, bigger 10bit encoder´s trouble is compatibility. If this isnt trouble then x264 10bit is your best choice.

Thank you gentlemen. You've sold me on 10-bit builds of x264 henceforth.



On the other hand, now I gotta re-rip my whole inventory....

[kypec]

Originally Posted by minaust

On the other hand, now I gotta re-rip my whole inventory....

Does your whole inventory suffers from visible deficiencies like banding? Otherwise it's pretty pointless to re-encode dozens of DVD when existing 8-bit quality pleases one's eyes enough.

Originally Posted by minaust

Will 10-bit use more CPU, GPU, or both?

Mainly CPU because 10-bit decoding is not possible with current GPU. I'm not familiar with MadVR requirements for 10-bit post-processing though...

[minaust]

Originally Posted by kypec

Does your whole inventory suffers from visible deficiencies like banding? Otherwise it's pretty pointless to re-encode dozens of DVD when existing 8-bit quality pleases one's eyes enough.

No, they suffer from a brain fart on my part. I accidentally formatted the external drive storing them. Fortunately my vidcaps were elsewhere.

Since I was already going to re-rip anyway.... Let's straighten out this 8/10-bit thingie...

[ChiDragon]

It is possible to "unformat" a drive if you haven't put any new files on it yet. Otherwise things get trickier.

[minaust]

Originally Posted by ChiDragon

It is possible to "unformat" a drive if you haven't put any new files on it yet. Otherwise things get trickier.

I thought about that about 30 seconds too late... Ah well, nothing irreplaceable was lost. Just a bunch of re-ripping.

If my vidcaps has been on that drive.... I wouldn't be fit company for a while.