TmpgEnc settings for best quality

[vanderbog]

Hey guys,
I have an .avi downloaded from my miniDV camcorder and I encoded it to mpeg2 with TmpgEnc in order to burn a dvd. Everything was ok but watching the dvd I noticed that when something in the scene has a sudden move...that part of the image is pixelated for the length of the sudden move. After the move...it becomes clear again. So this is everytime a sudden move occurs.
Am I missing some setting in TmpgEnc ?
Help would be greatelly appreciated
Thanks guys !

[BSR]

Is it pixilated, or are you seeing interlaced lines?
Were you watching it on TV or on your computer monitor?
If watching on computer monitor, try watching on TV and see if the lines disappear. Interlacing is normal and TV's can show it properly.

[daamon]

I have an .avi downloaded from my miniDV camcorder and I encoded it to mpeg2 with TmpgEnc...

What settings did you use in TMPGEnc? i.e. Was it CBR, VBR etc. What bitrate(s)?

[vanderbog]

Thanks for replying !
No, it was pixelated (small squares) and ONLY in the area where the sudden movement occured. And I was watching it on the tv (the burned dvd).
Any ideas ?

[BSR]

Was it CBR, VBR etc. What bitrate(s)?

You will have to post your settings in order for us to give feedback.
Looks like you missed daamon's post since you posted at the same time.
A guess is probably not enough bitrate for your resolution.

[FulciLives]

As daamon was trying to get too ... the bitrate you use has a lot to do with compression artifacts.

The higher the bitrate you use the better.

I'm talking here of course about the VIDEO bitrate.

It can be no more than about 8000kbps

If you do a CBR (constant bitrate) encode at 8000kbps then that is the best you can do ... however that will only fit approximately 60 minutes on your DVD (give or take depending on the audio bitrate you are using).

If you are using a bitrate that is say lower than around 7500kbps then I suggest you do a 2-pass VBR (variable bitrate) encode with a MIN or around 2000kbps to 2500kbps and a MAX of 8000kbps along with your AVG bitrate ... in a 2-pass VBR it is the AVG bitrate that determines the final size.

Do you understand how to determine the bitrate and are you familiar with different audio such as LPCM, MP2 and AC-3?

I suggest you use 256kbps AC-3 audio.

Then use a BITRATE CALCULATOR to determine your AVG for the 2-pass VBR encode.

For FullD1 resolution (720x480/576 NTSC/PAL) especially from camcorder sources I would try to not put more than 90 minutes on a DVD otherwise your bitrate will be too low and compression artifacts will be noticeable.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[gshelley61]

Here's a pretty comprehensive guide for using TMPGEnc to encode DVD compliant MPEG2:

http://dvd-hq.info/Compression.html

[vanderbog]

Thanks for reply's guys,
II wanted to fit 2hrs of video on my dvd, since it says all over the place that a normal dvd can fit 2 hrs of perfect quality video. My video bitrate was a little more than 3000, but indeed I don't know if I used CBR or VBR and also second pass. I have to redo a sample to see if it makes a difference. But anyway, why is it that they write on the dvd's that they can store 2hrs of good quality video if you cannot go for the 8000 bitrate (the good quality) ? It's frustrating ! What do you guys do for this ? Just store 1 hr and that's it ?! How about the oroginal dvd's ? They can store a lot of excelent video on the same support. How ?
Thanks for everything guys ! Any words from you can help. It's hard beeing a "sad newbie"

[gshelley61]

You need to do 2 Pass VBR to achieve good results for a 2 hour DVD. High motion scenes are encoded at high bitrates, still and low motion scenes are encoded at lower bitrates. That's how you can get 2 hours on one DVD-R at decent quality. TMPGEnc Plus is pretty slow at 2 Pass VBR, especially if you have a relatively slow PC, but is a really good encoder.

Manufactured DVD's are generally two layer and hold twice as much data (9.4GB) as single layer DVD's (DVD-R's, etc.) - that's how they can fit a movie, complex menus, multiple soundtracks, extras, interviews, etc. on to a single disc.

[FulciLives]

What gshelley61 but bear in mind that usually camcorder footage is tougher than the norm because the camera is not so steady.

With most TV shows and MOVIES you have a pretty steady camera. Even with fast action most of it is smooth flowing motion.

Camcorders tend to be non-steady and that makes it harder to compress. Sometimes even with a 2-pass VBR you might still see some slight pixelation on really fast movement if the AVG is too low.

Hence the suggestion to only put 90 or so on a DVD

After all most camcorder tapes are only 60 minutes so I don't see why putting 90 or even just 60 minutes per DVD of camcorder footage is a big deal.

It's not.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[gshelley61]

great point, Fulci - makes sense