Trying to make a high quality Youtube video. Where am I going wrong?

[Maikeru-sama]

I have done alot of searching on google and this forum to try and figure things out for myself but I to no avail. My goal is to be able to make a very high quality Youtube video. I am not sure if my original source is not high quality enough (VOB), or that I am putting it into a AVI, or something else I am doing wrong during the process.


Step 1. I record something on my DVD Recorder

Step 2. I use DVD Decrytpter and its IFO Mode to place 1 VOB file on my computer. Below is the GSPot picture that shows the quality of the VOB.
image

Step 3. In this step, I have used a multitude of programs to convert the VOB to avi. The reason I am converting it to AVI is I want to be able to cut out small clips in VirtualDubMod. I am open to suggestions on doing
things a different way.

Here is the command line I used for Mencoder to copy:
<MENCODER>
mencoder.exe "C:\Part1.vob" -o "C:\Part1.avi" -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=1200:vpass=1 -ffourcc XVID -oac mp3lame -vf scale=320:240
</MENCODER>

The rendered AVI had these specs:
image

Here is the command line I used for Mencoder to re-encode:
<MENCODER>
mencoder.exe "C:\Part1.vob" -o "C:\Part1.avi" -ovc xvid -xvidencopts fixed_quant=4:vhq=4 -ffourcc XVID -oac mp3lame -lameopts cbr:br=128:mode=0 -vf scale=320:240
</MENCODER>

I don't have the GSpot specs, but the result was not as good as the copy, which was kind of surprising.
I got the best Gspot specs when I used WinFF (at least I believe it is the best). Below is the specs I used in WinFF:
image


Here is the Gspot Specs for the rendered AVI using WinFF:
image

Note:I also used a program called Riva but got the same results as far as uploading it to Youtube and having poor quality.

Step 4. I open up the AVI file in VirtualModDub, cut out different parts and do "Save As" and "Direct Stream Copy" in AVI.

Step 5. I post the new clip on Youtube and here is an example of one with very very poor quality:
Youtube Link


I even re-encoded the clip I cut out in VirtualDubMod in WinFF, with the same specs I used to go VOB->AVI. Here is the Gspot specs on that file:
image

Now, from looking at the Youtube video, you can see that it is very bad quality. I am open to all suggestions and new Software to get better quality.

Also remember that I am pretty much a newbie in this department, so please keep it simple .

[redwudz]

Have you read through this thread? https://forum.videohelp.com/topic336882.html That covers quite a bit of info on Youtube quality.

[olyteddy]

See if you can open the DVD in DVD Shrink and use re-author mode. If so, it will let you cut the clips out without any change except length. Then re-encode them for YouTube. Eliminates a couple of steps and should look better.

[Krispy Kritter]

I've never messed with youtube videos much, but isn't all of their content converted to flv after you upload anyway? So regardless of how good your submission looks, you have no control over what happens to it when they convert it. I would look at two things: 1) the submission file type. Maybe the youtube conversion process works better on some formats than others (ie: mpeg may convert better than avi) 2) Your file specs. The closer your submission files match the youtube standard, the less they should be affected by the conversion process. This would include resolution and file length (which affects bitrate).

[Maikeru-sama]

Thanks for the comments.

Looks like Avanti is not available and I got mencoder errors when using the 45Tripps' command line.

[t0nee1]

Try this,
Open the one VOB in MPEG Streamclip,and trim/cut out section and save(don't convert)..Now open new saved file in WinFF and save as FLV...works great and no need to re-encode with VDub, check with MPC before uploading to Youtube. Try it.

[Maikeru-sama]

Try this,
Open the one VOB in MPEG Streamclip,and trim/cut out section and save(don't convert)..Now open new saved file in WinFF and save as FLV...works great and no need to re-encode with VDub, check with MPC before uploading to Youtube. Try it.

Good stuff.

Now, the rendered flv file on my PC was pretty good quality. When I played it in Mplayer and MPC it looked very good.

This is what it looked like on Youtube. Is this the best quality I can hope for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW9b461j27w

[t0nee1]

As krispy kritter stated, "you have no control over what happens to it when they convert it."
IMO, I'd say that looks better than the first one, for Youtube that is!....

[mgh]

Have you read through this thread? https://forum.videohelp.com/topic336882.html That covers quite a bit of info on Youtube quality.

no use. you are casting pearls before swine. the thread clearly states what needs to be done to prevent youtube from reencoding videos. if people are not bothered to read the thread or do not have the time, why should we waste our time?

[45tripp]

Step 3. In this step, I have used a multitude of programs to convert the VOB to avi. The reason I am converting it to AVI is I want to be able to cut out small clips in VirtualDubMod. I am open to suggestions on doing
things a different way.

Use avisynth to frameserve and split into sections, encode to flv.
Or at least put something less lossy in the avi, not mpeg4, then encode to flv.

Here is the command line I used for Mencoder to copy:
<MENCODER>
mencoder.exe "C:\Part1.vob" -o "C:\Part1.avi" -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=1200:vpass=1 -ffourcc XVID -oac mp3lame -vf scale=320:240
</MENCODER>

That's not a copy command.
Your commandlines are not comprable.
1200k vs qscale 4 are probably not close to equal,
also you might prefer lavc to xvid...

Looks like Avanti is not available

It should be available again soon enough

I got mencoder errors when using the 45Tripps' command line.

If you're not specific about errors,
it's unlikely you'll ever get help with them.


gl

[Maikeru-sama]

Good stuff 45Tripp

I have a few questions for you, based on your responses in this thread and the link redwudz provided. After I post this, I will try to find some of the answers myself, but I am going to post just in case I don't find the
answer.

First off. I did what TOnee1 stated, used MPEG StreamClip to trim/cut the section of the VOB that I want and saved as a VOB. Is the rendered VOB file from MPEG StreamClip a good starting point?

Use avisynth to frameserve and split into sections, encode to flv. Or at least put something less lossy in the avi, not mpeg4, then encode to flv.

Option 1 (frameserve) - How do I frameserve with AviSynth? I am assuming I would use Mencoder for this? Could you provide the optimal command line for me? Now, I noticed that you said, after I frameserve, that I should encode to FLV. I have two questions regarding this. First, does that mean I don't have to do things you stated in your guied, like the Hex stuff? Also, are these the optimal settings in WinFF to convert to WinFF?

Link

Option 2 (less lossy fiel in AVI) - The Clips are not that big, so I am confused as to why I would split it. Also, how could I ensure that something lossy is not in the AVI?

[Maikeru-sama]

45Tripp, here is the error I get when I run the Mencoder command line in your guide:

mencoder input.avi -o men.flv -af resample=22050:0:0 -sws 9 -vf scale=448:-3,expand=448:336 -of lavf -ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=flv:vbitrate=400:trell:v4mv:mv0:mbd=2:cbp:a ic:cmp=3ubcmp=3 -oac mp3lame -lameopts abr:br=48:mode=3

[45tripp]

Is the rendered VOB file from MPEG StreamClip a good starting point?

yes

How do I frameserve with AviSynth? I am assuming I would use Mencoder for this?

You install avisynth and write avisynth scripts.
It's fairly simple.
http://avisynth.org/mediawiki/Main_Page

First, does that mean I don't have to do things you stated in your guied, like the Hex stuff?

That depends doesn't it?
If you keep the total bitrate below 350k, you don't have to hex,
if it goes above, you have to hex.
Read the guide.

Also, are these the optimal settings in WinFF

the winff preset uses my command.
optimal=tailor made

Option 2 (less lossy fiel in AVI) - The Clips are not that big, so I am confused as to why I would split it. Also, how could I ensure that something lossy is not in the AVI?

use a lossless codec.
you said you wanted to go to avi to cut into small clips...
my answer is based on that. If you do it in two encoding steps, use something less lossy in the
first step. Or do mpeg4 with qscale 1 or 2. keep that in mind.
cutting in mpegstreamclip sounds like a good solution though, so stick with it.

45Tripp, here is the error I get when I run the Mencoder command line in your guide:

your mencoder build is outdated.
either update, or add

-lavfopts i_certify_that_my_video_stream_does_not_use_b_frames

to the commandline.

gl

[Maikeru-sama]

I just want to take the time to give a shout out to 45Tripps and everyone else on this thread for their help.

I was finally able to successfully implement higher quality YT Videos with the help of 45Tripps' guide.

Here is a before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHP3vOvRLO8

Here is an after:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7oCko6Yvok

Right now, I still don't have a full understanding of the hex part, as far as being deadly accurate with the times. For now, I have been able to manipulate the first two digits.

This particular YT video, I only changed the first digit in the Hex 16 digit block, so the timing is way off.

[45tripp]

Right now, I still don't have a full understanding of the hex part, as far as being deadly accurate with the times. For now, I have been able to manipulate the first two digits.

And turning 38 seconds to 5 plus minutes was the best you could do?
There are hex values at the end of the guide to help.
For 1 min, 2 mins ......

for 38 seconds you want something a bit over a minute.
5090 0000 0000 0000

gl