Is level 4 h264 ok for sd dvd conversions or is it overkill?

[yoda313]

I've only used h264 for bluray rips. I haven't done any h264 conversions from dvds.

I use ripbot264 for that (I've stuck with an older version 1.16 or something like that because I like the layout and the cq options).

So for converting a dvd to h264 is it ok to stick with level 4?

Or since it's sd do I need to go lower?

Size is not an issue for my planned conversions. In fact its really only for one movie and one anime set, maybe two sets.

I'm only going to be leaving the presets and not doing anything fancy to it. So will leaving it at level 4 be ok for sd? I also won't be resizing it at all since its sd.

THanks.

[_Al_]

It should be ok.
Same CRF number (quantizer) will set the same quality, doesn't matter what profile you use.

So it just decision for video file volume and how much power needed while decoding. Lower profile bigger file and less power hungry while being decoded.

Not sure how max bitrate allowance stated by standard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264#Levels for levels and profile actually limits playability. x264 encoder will not watchdog those limits while encoding.

[redwudz]

I've been using VidCoder, a GUI for Handbrake, for DVD to MKV/H264/AC3 conversions for the last couple of years. My normal settings are: Detelecine and Decomb at Default; Video at CQ 19.3 (This to get a average MKV size of ~2GB.) Audio at AC3 pass through. All other settings at default. I have never messed with the profile levels.

I like the quality and the conversion speed, about 20min for a DVD disc on my system. I use RipBot for BD to MKV conversions.

[Case]

Level 3.0 is enough for SD, as it allows for 720×480@30.0 fps or 720×576@25.0 fps; upto 10 Mbps video (baseline/extended/main profile)
Going with level 4 would make some level 3.0/3.1 devices reject your videos needlessly.

[jagabo]

Going with level 4 would make some level 3.0/3.1 devices reject your videos needlessly.

This is the only real issue.

[yoda313]

Going with level 4 would make some level 3.0/3.1 devices reject your videos needlessly.

That I did not know.

This is the only real issue.

There's two for doing lower than 4 for sd.

So it looks like when I line up my couple of dvd conversions I'll set it for 3 or 3.1.

Thanks everyone for posting.

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Fyi in the past I would do a divx/xvid or even wmv conversion for dvds.

However I don't even really need to do the h264 conversion now for the dvds as my tablet will play a dvd rip with daroon player.

The only thing is for an episodic disc I'd prefer to have individual files per show. And it would be more compact to have a single file for the movie disc.

Thanks everyone.

Edit - and yes I know you can rip to individual vobs for a dvd but mkv will make it more efficient with an h264 conversion and you can still do chapters.