advice on codec

[Tafflad]

With my new camera all video will be HD 1920 x 1080 p 60 fps PAL4

media info file shows:
General
Complete name : E:\sample.MP4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
Overall bit rate : 34.8 Mbps
Performer :


Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.2
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Bit rate : 34.6 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.279
Stream size : 157 MiB (100%)
Language : English
Color primaries : BT.709


Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format profile : LC
Codec ID : 40
Duration : 38s 59ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 128 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 592 KiB (0%)
Language : English


When carrying out any processing in VD, is there a 'recommended' mp4 codec to use to avoid (or minimise) quality loss when saving the file.
I have to save as something, and MP4 would make it highly portable.
I'll probably leave audio set to direct stream copy.


I have ffdshow codec ... but when I have tried that it puts quite a lot of compression noise (squares) on for example trees or grass ... far worse than the original source file ... even though file size is about 10% larger than original (so not over compressed)
Doing a bit of reading I see it states "ffdshow is a discontinued multimedia codec"
Hence my question is there an alternative MP4 codec I should use.

[jagabo]

x264

[Tafflad]

Do I download this as a freestanding codec, part of a pack ? ... don't want to mess anything up.

I have W7 64 bit PC (although run VD 32bit)

Downloaded the x64 ver x264-r2431-ac76440.exe from http://www.free-codecs.com/x264_video_codec_download.htm
but when I try to run it, it tells me it is not a valid win32 application.

[jagabo]

This site has a guide to show you how to use external encoders and muxers with VirtualDub:

http://budmansite.com/VirtualDub.html

[Tafflad]

There is nothing listed when you click on 'Virtualdub'


However have no managed to get codec installed ...
Trying it out throws up a string of errors:



Will work though them .... if there are any recommended settings I need to configure on this codec please feel free to let me know.

[Tafflad]

OK .. found that only the VD hack enabled would work ... and cleared the issue.
Not a perfect way to evaluate .. but played about with quality setting until file size matched original ... and found that setting of 21 achieved that.

Certainly no visible compression artefacts as for the ffdshow codec.

Would be keen to know if anybody has recommendation on any of the other settings (multi pass for example)

[jagabo]

There is nothing listed when you click on 'Virtualdub'

Open your browser full screen. There are links at the far right.

However have no managed to get codec installed ...
Trying it out throws up a string of errors:


[Attachment 25947 - Click to enlarge]

You're using x264vfw and Save as AVI? I though you were saving directly as MP4 files using VirtualDub's ability to use external encoders and muxers. That's what my earlier link was for. Beware, some players won't play h.264 in AVI.

[Tafflad]

You are right I had been saving as AVI thought that wast the only option with VD.

After I have finished processing .. how can I save direct as MP4 (would be preferable), care to tell ?

[jagabo]

The link I gave above tells you how to save with the external muxer.

[Tafflad]

OK ... I didn't realise there were links on right .. just saw the "Item denotes new work in progress" and thought page was empty
I'll go read.