Parts of my clip are gray

[Maryarena]

Hi,

I just installed ffmpegX with what I think are no errors. I primarily want to use it to send video clips to my son. I have a mov file and used a default setting mov to mpeg4 and parts of the video are light gray. I encoded another one using H264 and it's completely black. What can I be doing wrong??

Thank you!

Gloria

[Case]

Some playback software will show light gray areas where it can't decode the video, either due to encoding/decoding errors, or when it can't keep up by lack of processing power. The latter seems unlikely with an i7 processor.
If your previous playback efforts of the converted file involved QuickTime Player, then give VLC or MPlayer a try, as a test to see if those show the same behavior.

Please tell us de video/audio details of the source file (resolution, video codec, framerate, etc.)
and what your goals are for converting (e.g. format, codec, bitrate, downsizing, playback software, etc.).

[Maryarena]

Thank you very much for your response! I know nothing about video/audio encoding. I just want to compress my videos to be able to get them at an acceptable size and send them through email. I did change the size in one of the options, but I just now chose the option of MP4 ffmpeg mpeg4, 480x272, 878 kbps, 29.97 fps, no crop and it still has gray parts of the clip. I did use VLC and it does show the gray parts. I use a 7D and this is the information I found about the 7D:

Sizes
• 1920x1080: 30/24 fps (NTSC), 25/24 fps (PAL)
• 1280x720 (HD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
• 640x480 (SD): 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)
Audio
44.1kHz Mono (Internal Mic), Linear PCM
Format
.MOV MPEG-4 AVC, H.264
File size
5.5 MB/sec (1080P), 5.5 MB/sec (720P), 2.8 MB/sec (VGA)
Max file size per clip
4GB, max duration 29min 59sec,
Running time
12 min for 1080P, 12 min for 720P, 24 min for VGA

FF shows: h264, yuv420p, 1920x1080
pcm_s16le, 48000 Hz, stereo, 1536 kb/s

The clips Info is:

Quicktime movie
422.8 mb
1920 x 1080
H. 264, Linear PCM
Duration 01:11
Audio Channels 2
Total bit rate: 47,481

What I also find strange is the name the encoder gives to the video file:

20101224-MVI_7551.MOV.ff.avi.mp4

I'm probably doing something wrong. All I want is to get a smaller size with acceptable quality.

Thank you very much!!

Gloria

[Maryarena]

I just used the Save for Web, iPhone option in Quicktime Player and the video plays fine both in QT and VLC. I used the iPhone default in FF and still gray I would like just a bigger size than the iPhone option.

Thank you!

Gloria

[Case]

I just want to compress my videos to be able to get them at an acceptable size and send them through email.

E-mail attachments may have a maximum size, depending on the ISP of the recipient, as small as 5 MB, 10 MB or any size that ISP sets for e-mail messages. Even your outgoing e-mails may have a maximum message size. Video files tend to be much larger, unless you get the resolution way down. I don't consider e-mail an efficient way of sharing videos (*). That shouldn't stop you from trying it out for yourself, though. If it works for you, then go for it.

* (unless it's only a link (URL) to a video sharing site -- many such sites have a privacy setting to prevent public index browsing without knowing the exact link.)

I did use VLC and it does show the gray parts.

If multiple players on different program code show the symptoms, then I think it is safe to presume that the artifacts are part of the video and it is not just a playback issue (I had to be sure). Meaning that something went wrong in the video conversion. It is a bit difficult for me to troubleshoot and get to the bottom of it without actual 7D footage. Perhaps I can find a short 1080p clip from a 7D online somewhere?

What I also find strange is the name the encoder gives to the video file:
20101224-MVI_7551.MOV.ff.avi.mp4
I'm probably doing something wrong.

It is normal for ffmpegX to use a default output name that is made out of the source filename, extended with ".ff". The suffix that goes with the output format would be added if the "save as" name doesn't already end in that suffix.
So, if you start one conversion to AVI (foo.mov.ff.avi), then another to MP4, then the latter would result in foo.mov.ff.avi.mp4, as the existing suffix didn't match and .mp4 would be appended.
There's nothing wrong with the filename or your actions; it's all within ffmpegX's file naming logic.

I just used the Save for Web, iPhone option in Quicktime Player and the video plays fine both in QT and VLC. I used the iPhone default in FF and still gray I would like just a bigger size than the iPhone option.

QuickTime 7's Export for web > iPhone preset uses 480x270 or there about.
ffmpegX's iPhone preset defaults to 480x272.
If you want bigger, how much bigger? Would 624x352 be sufficient? (It would be for me.)

I would advice to use for any conversion H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4 file, to get the most quality per size unit. Other formats of comparable quality would have a larger file size.

You could try the free HandBrake MP4 converter, which has custom encoding and several presets for MP4 at other resolutions (like the iPhone 4 preset, optimized for its 960x480 display). Perhaps HandBrake will convert without gray parts?

Good luck!

[Maryarena]

I really appreciate your taking the time to explain how all this works.

Yes, I learned today of the file limit! I can't remember how much it was, but I think it was 40 mb. Anyhow, I can't risk something so big as the recipient probably won't be able to receive it either. Yes, I think 624 x 352 would be ok, even the iPhone size is better than nothing.

I could do this through my Flickr account, I think, but I also would like to do so through mail. I will even settle for the iPhone option.

I have a short mov of 41.8 mb that I'm uploading to Vimeo. I don't know if they compress it, but I don't think so. Here is the link! The password is: Maryarena
http://vimeo.com/18380779

Hope it works!!

I just downloaded HandBrake!

Thank you sooooo much! Let me know, if you can use the video.

Gloria

OK, so the file name is normal! Thank you

I copied your advice about the settings to use and I definitely will use them. I will check out HandBrake now.

[Case]

I have a short mov of 41.8 mb that I'm uploading to Vimeo.

Thanks for providing a clip.
I could not get a conversion of it to show any gray parts, though. Good color throughout.
Sorry, but it is not happening with this file... :/

[Maryarena]

What could I be doing wrong then? I'll try some more, in the meantime, I will use QT and HandBrake. I will let you know, if I ever get it to work. Thank you so much!!!

Gloria

[Case]

What could I be doing wrong then?

Did you get gray parts with the same "flag" clip that I tried? At this time, I'm still not sure if the issue is with the user, the clip, the app or the system. I'll keep an open mind until this is resolved.

Please keep us informed how you do with HandBrake.

[Maryarena]

OK, I just tried out with the Flag. I used the Mencoder H 262 option as you suggested and I got the gray parts, BUT I then used the h264 x264 option and it worked!! Maybe this could be a clue as to why other options didn't work yesterday?? I also chose, aac, 48000 Hz, 128 kbps. It reduced the file to 6.8 mb, but I still have it at 1920x1088. How can I resize the video without cropping??. I'm going to try out with the original video I tried yesterday using h264 x 264.

I tried HandBrake yesterday and I was able to convert without and gray parts. I still have to learn more about both programs to eventually see which one works better for me. I'm still very confused with both

Thank you!!

Gloria

[Maryarena]

Good morning from PR I just used my original video with FF using the h264 x 264 option and it played perfectly! My first video with FF with no gray parts. I then encoded it with the Mencoder H 264 and it was complete black with sound in QT, but had the gray parts in VLC. There is something in the Mencoder that corrupts the video.

Now my question is how to resize the video using the h264 x 264 option? Just fill in the dimensions?

I will be playing with HandBrake today.

Thank you!

Gloria

[Case]

My first video with FF with no gray parts.

Congratulations.

Now my question is how to resize the video using the h264 x 264 option? Just fill in the dimensions?

Fill in the desired dimensions (*). Then use the [Best] button in the Calculator on the left to optimize the video bitrate, based on frame size and framerate, so that it isn't needlessly high.

(*) The encoder and/or codec x264 wants the width to be divisible by 16 and the height to be divisible by 2. A height divisible by 16 is optimal, as macroblocks can be 16x16.
You may use the Autosize button for optimal dimensions: fill in the width, then autosize "16:9" to automatically fill in the height for that width and aspect ratio. (Autosize "16:9 (keep height)" does the reverse: it calculates the width based on the given height and aspect ratio.)

[Maryarena]

LOL, thank you Case!!

I just followed your instructions and made a 800 x 450 13 mb file from a 44.8 mb one!! The quality is fine for me. What you said about using the Best option was crucial as I had done the same before, but without clicking it and the file was still too large.

I REALLY APPRECIATE all your help!!

I will keep on playing with both programs to get to know them better, but at least I have a nice default setting to work on now. I have a text file with all your instructions!!

Thank you!!

Gloria