If you can provide the file size for each encoding (I assume that you did the same length for each test) that would be enough for me.
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Ending ATV Media Server
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If you can provide the file size for each encoding (I assume that you did the same length for each test) that would be enough for me.
I think loose anamorphic is necessary for ps3 compatibility.
All it does is adjust the resolution to mod-16 dimensions.
All it does is adjust the resolution to mod-16 dimensions.
saltyzoo
macrumors 65816
It took me 2 weeks of trying things to come up with the options for Handbrake that produced the quality I could accept, but I'm very happy with my results now.
Of course, most of my files are 4 gig and it takes between 3 and 5 hours to encode each one, but I have the space, and it only took a week for my server farm of 6 machines to encode several hundred movies for me.
Not saying it's for everyone, just saying that it can be done.
Of course, most of my files are 4 gig and it takes between 3 and 5 hours to encode each one, but I have the space, and it only took a week for my server farm of 6 machines to encode several hundred movies for me.
Not saying it's for everyone, just saying that it can be done.
4gb? Holy moly that's almost the size of a dvd. How many movies you got and how much space are you using?
saltyzoo
macrumors 65816
saltyzoo
macrumors 65816
I used the CLI (linux server farm), here are the standard CLI options I used for all movies, you can set most if not all these in the GUI as well.
--longest --format mp4 --encoder x264 -P 16 --aencoder aac+ac3 -B 160 -R 48 -2 --markers -x264opts bframes=5:ref=1:subme=5:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:trellis=1:cabac=0 -T
Then, depending on the movie and how important quality was for that movie, I used one of the following in addition to the above standard options:
-b 2500 (Really low quality movie to begin with. Like an old 60's movie in 4:3, etc)
-b 3000 (Comedies, etc that don't have much panoramic or action)
-b 3500 (more action oriented movie, but still not something I'd be picky about quality)
--size 4000 (Anything I wanted maxed out quality on, this is by far the one I used most often)
--size xxxx (I found this an easier way to control quality than bitrate. I'd try a small size, like 2000 or so and if not good enough, increase it until I was happy with the results)
As I already said, these options (using --size 4000 especially) aren't for the faint of heart. It's going to take a minimum of 3 hours to encode an hour and 20 minute flick. (Your results may vary depending on hardware)
Frankly, the guys at handbrake can probably tear apart my options and make even better recommendations, but barring spending months playing around with possibilities, I'm very happy with the results on both my 50" from my mac mini and my 42" from my ATV in the bedroom.
No offense meant, but by using --size 4000 you realize that HB will make the bitrate x length of movie to equal 4000, right ? So a 1:15 movie and a 3:00 hour movie will be the same size, with the shorter movie over twice the bitrate of the longer movie. Wow. For some of your short movies you must have some high bitrates. In fact, in any movie except three hours plus, you must be running bitrates in excess of 2500 to 3000 with that setting.
Otoh, if its working for you. Thats all that matters.
Otoh, if its working for you. Thats all that matters.
saltyzoo
macrumors 65816
Yes, I realize this, and have adjusted accordingly for those movies. And yes, for some shorter movies that I wanted maximum quality the bitrate is well beyond useful. But my priority was quality over time and size.
Hehe...I pointed to that thread earlier in this very thread. 🙂 I thought your name was familiar.
To be honest, I looked over that thread and it's confusing to a non-tech person (me). Can you dumb it down for me?
One thing I was confused on is the CBR thing that is referenced in the thread is that the same as the CQ setting? Also, do I just paste the text into the advanced tab and let it rip?
Example
CRF 68% - bframes=6:ref=6:mixed-refs=1:subq=6:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:trellis=1:brdo=1:direct=auto:bime=1:merange=24:vbv-maxrate=4900:vbv-bufsize=3000
Do I need to click the Apple TV preset prior to pasting this text? Is there anything else I need to do?
Well, to get you audio and stuff setup, yeah just
1. Click the AppleTV Preset
2. Video Tab switch from ABR To Constant Quality and set the slider to 68%
3. Advanced Tab Paste that string:
bframes=6:ref=6:mixed-refs=1:subq=6:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:trellis=1:weightb=1:bime=1:brdo=1:direct=auto:vbv-maxrate=4900:vbv-bufsize=3500
into the text field instead of the old AppleTV string (tabbing out of that text field will cause the correcsponding widgets to reflect the string state).
You are now good to go. Go have a drink, get a sandwich or read a book (like war and peace) cause if you think the stock AppleTV preset was slow, this is slower yet to encode. 🙂 Seriously though, I just set 'em up before going to bed and let it go over night. Thing is, constant quality will vary bitrate according to the source and what x264 needs to maintain that visual quality. So some movies might end up at 2500 abr when they are done, some might only be 1800 and some could be 4000, you dont really know for sure. Though typically I see somewhere in the mid 2000's. Again, try it and see if you like it. I am not saying it is for everyone, but its where most of us at HB who use atv's have been at.
As well, remember if you like that setting for yourself, just save it as a preset so you don't have to go through the steps every time. You can of course always set it to be your default preset (just like any of the rest of them) so HB automatically loads it up at launch. Good Luck 🙂
1. Click the AppleTV Preset
2. Video Tab switch from ABR To Constant Quality and set the slider to 68%
3. Advanced Tab Paste that string:
bframes=6:ref=6:mixed-refs=1:subq=6:me=umh:no-fast-pskip=1:trellis=1:weightb=1:bime=1:brdo=1:direct=auto:vbv-maxrate=4900:vbv-bufsize=3500
into the text field instead of the old AppleTV string (tabbing out of that text field will cause the correcsponding widgets to reflect the string state).
You are now good to go. Go have a drink, get a sandwich or read a book (like war and peace) cause if you think the stock AppleTV preset was slow, this is slower yet to encode. 🙂 Seriously though, I just set 'em up before going to bed and let it go over night. Thing is, constant quality will vary bitrate according to the source and what x264 needs to maintain that visual quality. So some movies might end up at 2500 abr when they are done, some might only be 1800 and some could be 4000, you dont really know for sure. Though typically I see somewhere in the mid 2000's. Again, try it and see if you like it. I am not saying it is for everyone, but its where most of us at HB who use atv's have been at.
As well, remember if you like that setting for yourself, just save it as a preset so you don't have to go through the steps every time. You can of course always set it to be your default preset (just like any of the rest of them) so HB automatically loads it up at launch. Good Luck 🙂
CWallace
macrumors G5
Is the problem with the perceived quality of the conversions not that they do not look good vis-a-vis a DVD projected at 480p, but vis-a-vis a DVD "upconverted" to 720p or 1080i?
I understand that these upconversions are not true 720p/1080i content, but I do know that they look better to my eyes then the "straight" 480p playback.
So even if you encoded at the same bit-rate as DVD to try and get every last original bit of quality, is that conversion still going to look as good as the actual DVD being played back on an upconverting player?
That is kind of the worry I have. I have a Sony upconverting DVD player and I love it. And I too am intrigued with the idea of ripping all my DVDs to digital files and serving them via an
tv or a Mac Mini HTPC. But I worry that no matter the quality settings I use, the video won't look as nice as what the Sony is outputting via upconversion...
I understand that these upconversions are not true 720p/1080i content, but I do know that they look better to my eyes then the "straight" 480p playback.
So even if you encoded at the same bit-rate as DVD to try and get every last original bit of quality, is that conversion still going to look as good as the actual DVD being played back on an upconverting player?
That is kind of the worry I have. I have a Sony upconverting DVD player and I love it. And I too am intrigued with the idea of ripping all my DVDs to digital files and serving them via an
tv or a Mac Mini HTPC. But I worry that no matter the quality settings I use, the video won't look as nice as what the Sony is outputting via upconversion...Thanks for explaining that. Couple more questions. I believe there is also an option that allows AAC or AAC + AC3 which should I use. I also noticed that there are different bitrate options for audio. 160 is the highest. What do you suggest?
Also I seem to recall..could be in this thread someone suggesting setting the deinterlacing to slow...what are your thoughts on that?
well, if you have to deinterlace (*only* deinterlace interlaced sources no matter what) Slow is orders of magnitude better than Fast and as well its .... well 'slower'.
Just use the audio as its setup by the Built In HandBrake preset (AAC + AC3).
Realize that the audio bitrate setting *only* affects the aac track, the ac3 passthru surround track just uses the source bitrate since it doesnt modify it in any way (hence the term "passthru") use 160 for the aac tracks DPL2 bitrate.
Just use the audio as its setup by the Built In HandBrake preset (AAC + AC3).
Realize that the audio bitrate setting *only* affects the aac track, the ac3 passthru surround track just uses the source bitrate since it doesnt modify it in any way (hence the term "passthru") use 160 for the aac tracks DPL2 bitrate.
How do I know if a source is interlaced or not? Sorry for all the questions...you are awesome to help out!
Best explained here. This thread probably has already been hijacked enough (sorry to the OP).
http://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/DeinterlacingGuide
http://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/DeinterlacingGuide
I don't think the thread has been hijacked as the OP wants to get good settings for videos.
Thanks a bunch.
Basically most major hollywood releases on dvd are not deinterlaced. TV series on dvd typically will be, but not always. The macgui picture preview window is the best way to check for deinterlacing.
mallbritton
macrumors 65816
That was me. I had made the suggestion specifically for animation since I typically see more horizontal banding there than in any other source. Although I need to re-encode my Farscape eps using deinterlace because I do get some horizontal banding on those.
Regards,
Michael
Wait for combing detection... 😀
I thought with the VFR improvements in .9.2 I'd finally be done reencoding Futurama... this feature is probably going to make me do it one more time, just to fix the few little glitches remaining. VFR + combing detection = amazing!
Just out of interest, if the HB devs are using these settings for ATV encodes, why isn't this the default ATV preset? Is it too slow, too big files etc.?
Just a note on the Handbrake link a couple people have posted: that's where I originally started when looking to build the media server. 🙂