My Encoder Comparison Results

[BJ_M]

Ok so when I capture miniDV from my camcorder to my pc how do I check what levels are my video files. What should they be. Is there a variation among camcorders where the levels are different.

When I capture using premiere my avi files have a fourcc of dvsd. If I change the fourcc to cdvc will this change my levels.

mindv levels are 0 IRE , though i dont use DV much at all ..


if you change the FOURCC , it will not change the level - the compression was done in the camera ..



if someone misses your question - next time please be more polite, as that is a more courteous method of rapport .. thanks

[troyvcd1]

Is there a program or a way to check these levels or is this something that has to be done with professional equipment.

[BJ_M]

sony vegas is one method - but

this is a freeware product that looks interisting

http://www.dynapel.com/products/downloads/VideoScope_InstallV1.2.8.exe

it tells you color space and also:

VideoScope is a tool for analyzing digital videos. VideoScope gives you access to the internal components of AVI-video files in an intuitive user interface.

All the key properties of a clip are displayed graphically in a frame-by-frame basis to allow you to determine the best opportunities for enhancing your video clip. Most importantly, VideoScope shows you where frames in the video have been dropped, creating gaps that make playback jerky. This information is key to creating the ideal, smooth video.

Take VideoScope for a test drive, the fully functional version is totally free. We're sure you'll see more about your videos than ever before.

General Features

* Present and missing frames are displayed graphically.
* Including a graphical display which ranks the possibility of restoring the missing frames with MotionPerfect®.
* Detailed text listing of file Information that can be viewed on-screen or saved to disc (ASCII-format).

VideoScope analyzes the following video properties:

AVI General Info

* File size (Byte)
* Total number of frames
* Total playback time
* Number of video streams
* Number of audio streams

Video Stream

* Playback time
* Number of total frames
* Number of captured frames

Video Frame Rate

* Stated frame rate (in frames per second)
* Average frame rate (measured)
* Lowest instantaneous frame rate
* Highest instantaneous frame rate

Gaps

* Statistics on missing frames
* Average size of a gap (in number of dropped frames and seconds)
* Longest gap (frames and seconds)
* Longest contiguous string without gaps

Image properties

* Image width and height
* Color depth (Bits / Pixel)
* Video Color space

Compression properties

* Compression type (Codec, producer)
* Maximum size of the stream (uncompressed)
* Total compression efficiency (Total Reduction factor)
* Compression efficiency / Reduction factor due to
o Palette colors
o Frame drop
o Compression
* Actual data rate

Audio Stream

* Audio-Format
* Play time of the Audio Stream

[BJ_M]

you can also use any photo editor or even virtualdub to get a close idea with their histograms - but this is not that true always because black borders and letterboxing will skew the results


you CAN use a photo editor and check sections of black with the eyedropper to see rgb values

AViD and other NLE apps also have scopes

[troyvcd1]

If your sick of all the encoder comparisons then just read on. Here is what I get from my encoder results. As you can see cce is closer to the source and procoder is more contrasty. I tried to framserve with debugmode and get the same results. This source is from a minidv cam and exported to avi with premiere. The codec is dvsd and there should be no conversion needed as the source should be at 0 ire.

Original:




Procoder:



CCE: