Converting Dvds, Settings with bitrate

[Ekeus]

Ok, I have had enough with this bitrate. I own a youtube-channel where I am uploading scenes from orginal dvds. The problem is when I convert them. I always convert to 1920 x 1080 and in h264 format. I just converted a lord of the rings movie. When I took 15000 kbps as bit-rate the scene was unwatcheable. It was laggspikes all over and the audio didnt pitch with the video. However, I tried to upload it to youtube. I didnt experience the lagg there, but it hacked a bit and when they were speaking it didnt pitch at all! I know that you should use the highest possible bit-rate for both video and audio to get the best quality. I continued and tried with 9000 kbps. The hacking decreased slightly. I tried to upload this one also. But I had still problems with the audio to match the video and "hacks". Then I tried with 6000 kbps. IT worked perfect! No laggs, everything looked perfect. I have tried this with a few other dvds when converting. To my suprise it differs a lot. I tried with a batman movie, I took 15000 kbps but didnt experience the same problems as with lord of the rings, though there was a few ones. I searched on wikipedia and found this:

DVD-Video discs have a raw bitrate of 11.08 Mbit/s, with a 1.0 Mbit/s overhead, leaving a payload bitrate of 10.08 Mbit/s. Of this, up to 3.36 Mbit/s can be used for subtitles and a maximum of 9.80 Mbit/s can be split amongst audio and video. In the case of multiple angles the data is stored interleaved, and so there's a bitrate penalty leading to a max bitrate of 8 Mbit/s per angle to compensate for additional seek time. This limit is not cumulative, so each additional angle can still have up to 8 Mbit/s of bitrate available.

So, the bitrate for a dvd-video is 11.08 Mbit/s and maxium 9.8 Mbit/s should be splitted amongst audio and video. With my converter "Tipard DVD Ripper" you can just choose 320 kbps for audio bit-rate and 48000 Hz. I dont know what 48000 Hz is in bit-rate but I have heard that it is like 1000 kbps. That means that I should be able to have higher kbps than 6000 when I convert. This problem has confused me a lot and I have searched all over the web without a good answer. I found this forum and the members here seem to be most skilled on these kind of problems. So my question is: How much bit-rate on video and audio should be used when converting a DVD-Video to get the best possible quality, without any type of laggs uploaded on youtube?

Best Regards - Ek鵳

[creamyhorror]

1. Don't upscale it so much, there's simply no point. For a widescreen NTSC DVD, resize 720x480 --> 1024x576 or 1040x576, depending on which you think looks better. This should then be scaled down by Youtube to 480p.

2. For 1024x576, try a bitrate of 4000-5000kbps for good quality. You can use less if you use a better encoder for H.264, like x264 (try Handbrake, which uses x264 to rip DVDs). Using too-high bitrates may cause Youtube to choke.

3. 48000Hz has nothing to do with bitrate. 320kbps is the bitrate.

[ulapines]

I'm not familiar with Youtube so please explain the point in upscaling and
then Youtube downscaling?

[Ekeus]

[QUOTE=creamyhorror;1967628]1. Don't upscale it so much, there's simply no point. For a widescreen NTSC DVD, resize 720x480 --> 1024x576 or 1040x576, depending on which you think looks better. This should then be scaled down by Youtube to 480p.

Ok, but they prefer you to use 1920 x 1080 for best quality on their site: http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=132460

Thanks!

[Ekeus]

I'm not familiar with Youtube so please explain the point in upscaling and
then Youtube downscaling?

I'm not sure, but they prefer you to use 1920 x 1080 or 1080 x 720 for HD quality.

[manono]

Yeah, but you don't have Hi-Def quality. You're starting with a DVD. That link to which you pointed says to upload Hi-Def if the source is Hi-Def, which yours isn't.

[Ekeus]

Yeah, but you don't have Hi-Def quality. You're starting with a DVD. That link to which you pointed says to upload Hi-Def if the source is Hi-Def, which yours isn't.

Thank you, which Resolution should be used?

[manono]

creamyhorror gave you a couple of suggestions. Me, I went 640x480 for 4:3 stuff and 848x480 for 16:9 stuff.

[creamyhorror]

I'm not familiar with Youtube so please explain the point in upscaling and
then Youtube downscaling?

Youtube's re-encoding process damages vertical resolution, according to some investigations on Doom9 (it may perform some sort of resizing operation we don't know about). People found that by uploading an upscaled video, their videos retained more of the original detail. That's why I encourage people to upscale their videos intended for Youtube somewhat, where possible.

[Ekeus]

Ok, but if I got a new movie I want to convert the format is always VOB, should I convert it to h264 or do something else with it? And if 1920 x 1080 isn't good, should I use the resolution from the orginal dvd?

[ulapines]

As I see it, the only reason to convert to h264 is smaller filesize to upload (using lower bitrate when reencoding).
I would keep the original resolution since it obviously is reencoded by Youtube and every reencode lowers the quality.

[Ekeus]

As I see it, the only reason to convert to h264 is smaller filesize to upload (using lower bitrate when reencoding).
I would keep the original resolution since it obviously is reencoded by Youtube and every reencode lowers the quality.

Yea, you might be right. But that is confusing me. Why are they writing on their site that they prefer diffrent kind of resolutions and formats for best possible quality. I don't really care about the filesize, I want the best possible settings.

[ulapines]

Sorry, I have no answer to that, the only thing I know is that untouched video is the best source for reencoding.

[ulapines]

Quote from YouTube:
The less a video is re-encoded prior to uploading, the better the resulting YouTube video quality. We encourage you to upload your videos as close to the original source format as possible, with a minimum of intermediate re-encoding steps. Each re-encoding can generally degrade the quality of your video and create some specific problems too,

[Ekeus]

1. Don't upscale it so much, there's simply no point. For a widescreen NTSC DVD, resize 720x480 --> 1024x576 or 1040x576, depending on which you think looks better. This should then be scaled down by Youtube to 480p.

2. For 1024x576, try a bitrate of 4000-5000kbps for good quality. You can use less if you use a better encoder for H.264, like x264 (try Handbrake, which uses x264 to rip DVDs). Using too-high bitrates may cause Youtube to choke.

3. 48000Hz has nothing to do with bitrate. 320kbps is the bitrate.

Ok, I'm trying handbrake now. Are you sure that x264 is better for Youtube than h.264? Because their site is telling me something else. I am ripping lord of the rings atm. So if normal DvD-videos are not capable of HD I won't use 1920 x 1080 or 1080 x 720. On their site, they are telling me to use the resolution from the orginal file. Should I do that? I really want my videos to be shown on the whole youtube screen with the best possible quality. The bitrate is still a concern, I will try with 5000 kbps, if more can be used for better quality please tell me!

Thanks for your help, it is really appreciated

[Ekeus]

1. Don't upscale it so much, there's simply no point. For a widescreen NTSC DVD, resize 720x480 --> 1024x576 or 1040x576, depending on which you think looks better. This should then be scaled down by Youtube to 480p.

2. For 1024x576, try a bitrate of 4000-5000kbps for good quality. You can use less if you use a better encoder for H.264, like x264 (try Handbrake, which uses x264 to rip DVDs). Using too-high bitrates may cause Youtube to choke.

3. 48000Hz has nothing to do with bitrate. 320kbps is the bitrate.

Just a couple of questions about "Handbrake"

1. Should I use "Large file size" for best quality?
2. Should I use "Web optimized", I don't really understand what It means. But I guess it's something to improve the video when it's streaming on the web?
3. Under video, should I use 100% on "Constant quality" for best video quality? Or do you prefer something else?
4. Should I change some settings under "Advanced" for better video quality? If so, what should I change?

I am using the normal resolution from the video, as youtube prefer for orginal videos. If that's a bad choice please tell me.

I am very pleased if you can answer these questions. Best Regards

[creamyhorror]

1. Should I use "Large file size" for best quality?

Yes.

2. Should I use "Web optimized", I don't really understand what It means. But I guess it's something to improve the video when it's streaming on the web?

Don't need to use this, since Youtube is re-encoding it with its own settings. You only need to use it if your encode is directly place on a server without any further re-encoding.

3. Under video, should I use 100% on "Constant quality" for best video quality? Or do you prefer something else?

Absolutely not. Use 60-65%, and don't go above 70%.

4. Should I change some settings under "Advanced" for better video quality? If so, what should I change?

Just use the High Profile preset and you'll be okay.

I am using the normal resolution from the video, as youtube prefer for orginal videos. If that's a bad choice please tell me.

That's fine. Upscaling is better, due to the vertical resolution issue I mentioned earlier, but it's up to you.

[Ekeus]

1. Should I use "Large file size" for best quality?

Yes.

2. Should I use "Web optimized", I don't really understand what It means. But I guess it's something to improve the video when it's streaming on the web?

Don't need to use this, since Youtube is re-encoding it with its own settings. You only need to use it if your encode is directly place on a server without any further re-encoding.

3. Under video, should I use 100% on "Constant quality" for best video quality? Or do you prefer something else?

Absolutely not. Use 60-65%, and don't go above 70%.

4. Should I change some settings under "Advanced" for better video quality? If so, what should I change?

Just use the High Profile preset and you'll be okay.

I am using the normal resolution from the video, as youtube prefer for orginal videos. If that's a bad choice please tell me.

That's fine. Upscaling is better, due to the vertical resolution issue I mentioned earlier, but it's up to you.

Thanks! This was very helpful. I won't go above 70% now when using constant quality. Which resolution do you personally prefer: 1024x576 or 1040x576?

Best Regards

[creamyhorror]

The choice of 1024x576 vs 1040x576 is determined by the way the video was created/mastered, and it's not really possible to tell which is the right one. You can do a preview using both resizes in Handbrake and save screenshots to compare which looks more correct. You can also resize to 1032x576 for a result that should be okay for both choices.

Handbrake should actually automatically set the resolution for you after you crop, so you can just use that and forget about the exact aspect ratio. The difference should be very small.

[Ekeus]

The choice of 1024x576 vs 1040x576 is determined by the way the video was created/mastered, and it's not really possible to tell which is the right one. You can do a preview using both resizes in Handbrake and save screenshots to compare which looks more correct. You can also resize to 1032x576 for a result that should be okay for both choices.

Handbrake should actually automatically set the resolution for you after you crop, so you can just use that and forget about the exact aspect ratio. The difference should be very small.

1.
Thanks again. I converted a video, City Of God. I used normal settings, with 100% constant video quality though. I didnt use "Web optimized" but I used "Large file size". The output-video turned out to be in great quality. But when I uploaded it to youtube this happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRNTLt_g2Wc As you can see it's unwatchable. It was in m4v format as you wanted. Can that be the problem? I noticed something else. The converted file was huge, 1.21 GB and as youtube just accept 1GB as maxium that might be the problem? It's not blocked though due the file size but as you can see it's something wrong with it. I personally belive that it's the file-size. Do you agree? And If I cut the "constant video quality above 70% the file size will decrease.


2. Can you tell me WHY 100% on constant video quality is bad and why you should stick to 65%?
3. And how do Handbrake automatically set the right resolution for you?

Best Regards

[creamyhorror]

The output-video turned out to be in great quality. But when I uploaded it to youtube this happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRNTLt_g2Wc As you can see it's unwatchable. It was in m4v format as you wanted. Can that be the problem?

There's been some sort of decoding problem on Youtube's end. I don't know why that would happen; I've not seen that sort of problem happen before. I suspect it's because you used 100% quality, which Youtube may not be able to accept.

2. Can you tell me WHY 100% on constant video quality is bad and why you should stick to 65%?

Beyond a certain value, the quality setting makes no difference to the actual visual quality produced and just results in huge files. Common encoding practices use quality values of 54-66%. These quality percentages are actually conversions of an "RF" value, which you can also see in Handbrake. The relationship is %quality = (50-RF)/50 * 100%. See the x264 manual, which explains more about constant quality encoding and RF values.

3. And how do Handbrake automatically set the right resolution for you?

In the picture settings box/tab, set Anamorphic to none, then make sure Keep Aspect Ratio is checked. Leave Cropping as Automatic. Then type 576 (or whatever vertical resolution you want) in the Height box and Handbrake will automatically adjust the Width box to maintain the proper aspect ratio.

[Ekeus]

The output-video turned out to be in great quality. But when I uploaded it to youtube this happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRNTLt_g2Wc As you can see it's unwatchable. It was in m4v format as you wanted. Can that be the problem?

There's been some sort of decoding problem on Youtube's end. I don't know why that would happen; I've not seen that sort of problem happen before. I suspect it's because you used 100% quality, which Youtube may not be able to accept.

2. Can you tell me WHY 100% on constant video quality is bad and why you should stick to 65%?

Beyond a certain value, the quality setting makes no difference to the actual visual quality produced and just results in huge files. Common encoding practices use quality values of 54-66%. These quality percentages are actually conversions of an "RF" value, which you can also see in Handbrake. The relationship is %quality = (50-RF)/50 * 100%. See the x264 manual, which explains more about constant quality encoding and RF values.

3. And how do Handbrake automatically set the right resolution for you?

In the picture settings box/tab, set Anamorphic to none, then make sure Keep Aspect Ratio is checked. Leave Cropping as Automatic. Then type 576 (or whatever vertical resolution you want) in the Height box and Handbrake will automatically adjust the Width box to maintain the proper aspect ratio.

Yes, It must be the large filze size. I will from now on use 65% like you are saying. I will try to let Handbrake set it for me.

Than

[Ekeus]

The output-video turned out to be in great quality. But when I uploaded it to youtube this happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRNTLt_g2Wc As you can see it's unwatchable. It was in m4v format as you wanted. Can that be the problem?

There's been some sort of decoding problem on Youtube's end. I don't know why that would happen; I've not seen that sort of problem happen before. I suspect it's because you used 100% quality, which Youtube may not be able to accept.

2. Can you tell me WHY 100% on constant video quality is bad and why you should stick to 65%?

Beyond a certain value, the quality setting makes no difference to the actual visual quality produced and just results in huge files. Common encoding practices use quality values of 54-66%. These quality percentages are actually conversions of an "RF" value, which you can also see in Handbrake. The relationship is %quality = (50-RF)/50 * 100%. See the x264 manual, which explains more about constant quality encoding and RF values.

3. And how do Handbrake automatically set the right resolution for you?

In the picture settings box/tab, set Anamorphic to none, then make sure Keep Aspect Ratio is checked. Leave Cropping as Automatic. Then type 576 (or whatever vertical resolution you want) in the Height box and Handbrake will automatically adjust the Width box to maintain the proper aspect ratio.

Yes, It must be the large filze size. I will from now on use 65% like you are saying. I will try to let Handbrake set it for me.

Thanks

[Ekeus]

1. Don't upscale it so much, there's simply no point. For a widescreen NTSC DVD, resize 720x480 --> 1024x576 or 1040x576, depending on which you think looks better. This should then be scaled down by Youtube to 480p.

2. For 1024x576, try a bitrate of 4000-5000kbps for good quality. You can use less if you use a better encoder for H.264, like x264 (try Handbrake, which uses x264 to rip DVDs). Using too-high bitrates may cause Youtube to choke.

3. 48000Hz has nothing to do with bitrate. 320kbps is the bitrate.

Hi again! Thanks for you help. Here is the result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCkX-GjtuZ8 Pretty good.

I just got a quick question.

Isn't it best to just keep the orginal settings of the movie? I got this program that can split movies in smaller pieces how many times I want and still keep the orginal quality and settings. I have heard from some people that the video quality can't be better than the original file. Therefore, it is just stupid to convert, is this true? Though I want my videos on Youtube.

Best Regards - CMM

[ulapines]

Sorry, I have no answer to that, the only thing I know is that untouched video is the best source for reencoding.

Or uploading to YouTube.
As I told you before.