Re-encoding h264 Without Colour Blocks ?

[blewyn]

Hi, I have some GoPro Hero 4 videos (720p, 59.94fps, h264) that I have stabilised in Mercalli (standalone version), edited in Magix Vegas, exported to h264 AVI (using x264VFW codec) then converted to MP4 using HandBrake (which as I understand it is a container change only, not change to encoded data). Up to the AVI stage the footage shows nice smooth graded blue skies, but when I convert to MP4, even at a slightly higher bitrate, I get visible colour banding in the sky. Both versions at YUV with 8bit colour depth.

Any ideas ?

[jagabo]

then converted to MP4 using HandBrake (which as I understand it is a container change only, not change to encoded data).

Handbrake always reencodes the video.

[smrpix]

Why not export to .mp4 directly from Magix? What are you gaining from your AVI intermediate?

[blewyn]

Why not export to .mp4 directly from Magix? What are you gaining from your AVI intermediate?

I couldn't find an option to do that. There are some Sony MP4 presets but none giving me unconstrained control over frame rate / bitrate etc

I tried HandBrake again using a quality-based encoding criteria rather than bit rate, and it came out nicely, no blocks.

[smrpix]

Why not export to .mp4 directly from Magix? What are you gaining from your AVI intermediate?

I couldn't find an option to do that. There are some Sony MP4 presets but none giving me unconstrained control over frame rate / bitrate etc

I tried HandBrake again using a quality-based encoding criteria rather than bit rate, and it came out nicely, no blocks.

You must be using a very old version. Glad you got it sorted.

[jagabo]

Why not export to .mp4 directly from Magix? What are you gaining from your AVI intermediate?

I couldn't find an option to do that. There are some Sony MP4 presets but none giving me unconstrained control over frame rate / bitrate etc

Then export as uncompressed or losslessly compressed video so you have only one h.264 compression.

[blewyn]

then converted to MP4 using HandBrake (which as I understand it is a container change only, not change to encoded data).

Handbrake always reencodes the video.

Are you sure ? The speed of processing was very fast, did a 16min 720p 60fps video in seconds.

[jagabo]

then converted to MP4 using HandBrake (which as I understand it is a container change only, not change to encoded data).

Handbrake always reencodes the video.

Are you sure ? The speed of processing was very fast, did a 16min 720p 60fps video in seconds.

That's fast enough to be a remux. The version I have is about a year old (I don't really use the program) but I don't see a video remux option anywhere. Maybe it's been added since?