CCE - multipass VBR -- at what point do you hit diminishing

[dc91gt]

With CCE, what is the optimal # passes to do before you just end up wasting time.

Currently, I've been using 3 pass - does the quality get better at say 5? or has it hit the point of diminishing returns v.s. encode time?

thanks

[wayned16]

anythink over 6 passes is a waste of time. The quality will not get better.

[sterno]

According to the CCE documentation, the point of diminishing returns is usually 3 or 4 passes.

[defense]

I use 1 pass VBR, and there is NO WAY ANYONE can tell me using 2, 3, 4, 6, or 100 passes can yield any results where the quality is more noticeable then on 1 pass. At least for me. As a matter of fact, the quality still looks like the original DVD. It takes anywhere between 1 and a half to 2 hours to complete. It creates a .VAF file, so in a way I believe it is like a 2 pass but completes in 3 or more fewer hours. I guess everyone should use what works best for them.

[vitualis]

Obviously diminishing returns will come faster if you use a higher enough bitrate (as would be indicated if you get near transparency in encoding from ONE pass).

Regards.