Encoding Standard Definition with H.264

Richard-hardy escrito el 09.02.AM a las 06:21 horas

Is it at all possible that H.264 simply isn’t as good at encoding/compressing standard definition video compared to MPEG-2? The reason I ask is because when I encode a 720x576 VOB file in MPEG-4 H.264, the resulting quality ends up pretty rubbish and with a thin green line at the top of the frame. Whereas if I encode in MPEG-2, the resulting quality looks identical to the original.

Comentarios

emmrecs escrito el 09.02.AM a las 10:21 horas

@Richard-hardy

Is it at all possible that H.264 simply isn’t as good at encoding/compressing standard definition video compared to MPEG-2? 

Yes, because H264 is intended for mp4 export, not mp2!! I have no idea why you have the green line but, given what I've just said, I'm honestly not surprised that you are seeing this unwanted artefact.

Jeff

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Richard-hardy escrito el 10.02.PM a las 18:41 horas

Hi there,

So the reason why the output quality is crap and jerky/un-smooth, is because I am encoding/re-encoding an MPEG-2 file in H.264, and MPEG-2 videos should not be touched by an H.264 encoder?

emmrecs escrito el 10.02.PM a las 18:46 horas

@Richard-hardy

Never having even attempted to encode an MP2 file with H264, I suspect your answer is correct.

Win 11 Pro 64 bit, Intel i7 14700, 32 GB RAM, NVidia RTX 4060 and Intel UHD770 Graphics, Audient EVO 16 audio interface, VPX, MEP, Music Maker, Vegas Pro, PhotoStory Deluxe, Xara 3D Maker 7, Samplitude Pro X7 Suite, Reaper, Adobe Audition CC, 2 x Canon HG10 cameras, 1 x Canon EOS 600D, Akaso EK7000 Pro Action Cam

johnebaker escrito el 10.02.PM a las 19:31 horas

@Richard-hardy

Hi

. . . . the reason why the output quality is crap and jerky/un-smooth, is because I am encoding/re-encoding an MPEG-2 file in H.264, and MPEG-2 videos should not be touched by an H.264 encoder? . . . .

The first immediate difference is that you are going from Interlaced to Progressive video, this will show some reduction in quality, and jerky movements when there are pans or movement across the screen.

However - there are many other factors involved ie:

  1. What export settings are you using?
  2. Which codec settings are you changing
  3. Which encoder are you using Intel or MainConcept?
  4. What resolution screen are you viewing?
  5. Are you viewing at full screen?

John EB

 

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Richard-hardy escrito el 10.02.PM a las 23:00 horas

Hello John,

Well the source video that I’m exporting is 720x576i 25fps 4:3, and I am selecting the 720x576 H.264 preset and not touching any of the advanced settings. The encoder I’m using is MainConcept, the resolution of the screen that I’d be watching on is 768x576. I wasn’t aware that you had to use progressive scan with H.264. I guess that would explain the judder, because the source is interlaced.