HD encoding to MPEG-2 questions

[benwaggoner]

Hello,

I'm exploring options for doing HD MPEG-2 encoding on Mac OS X. I'm working with 23.976 progressive source, and want to make a 29.97 interlaced output with the field repeat tags set correctly. Is this what the "Set 3:2" option is for? Neither "Undo 3:2" or "Set 3:2" is described in the manual, so I'm just guessing here.

Also, are there any details about what the Interlace options themselves do? The options are "Not interlaced" which presumably is for progressive output, and "Field" and "Frame" modes. Typically "Frame" mode is picked for compatibility in other tools, but I wanted to make sure that this controls the same parameter here.

Lastly, is there any way to set a peak data rate with mpeg2enc in ffmpegX? I can set an average, and can turn off CBR, but I don't see how to set a maximum bitrate.

[benwaggoner]

I went ahead and tried the encode, and got:

**ERROR: [mpeg2enc] Horizontal size is greater than permitted in specified Level

This is obviously at least a MP@HL encode (1920x1080 59.94 fields a second). Is there any way to explicitly turn on MP@HL support in the tool?

This is my preset file I used:[...]

[major]

For now mpeg2enc mpeg-2 encoding does not support HD resolutions. You should use mpeg-1 or wait for future versions.

[benwaggoner]

For now mpeg2enc mpeg-2 encoding does not support HD resolutions. You should use mpeg-1 or wait for future versions.

Major,

Thanks for the straightforward answer!

If and when you start to plan HD MPEG-2 support, I'd be happy to offer any advice or requirements as you might find useful. I've been doing a lot of HD compression lately, and wrote up some of my findings in the below article from DV magazine:

http://www.dv.com/features/features_item.jhtml?category=Archive&LookupId=/xml/feature/...3/waggoner1003

Hi there, please see my earlier post on this forun entitled "Is HD MPEG2 encoding possible using ffmpegx" It seems it is possible to re-compile Mpeg2enc to encode HD. I know that a guy named Steve Mullen has done this and sells it as parts of a package he calls HDVCinema for $200, though I haven't tried it myself. Also, the person who replied to my earlier posting seemed to be saying that you can get Mpeg2enc to encode HD just by altering some of the command line inputs, or paramaters that are loaded through a text file on start-up of the program. Again, I haven't yet tried this due to lack of time. Please post if you do try this or find a solution, as I would very much like to do this. I do also hope that HD support is made part of future versions of ffmpegx.

All the best.

[major]

I added this feature to my to-do list.

[BJ_M]

it was me who posted about the changes to get HD encoding --

further to that --- on the net , floating in cyberspace - is the source code to the old original tmpgenc encoder -- which could be recompiled i suppose (someone, im told, recompiled it for SGI) ...

tmpgenc has HD encoding and is built on the mpeg2enc foundation .. at least orig (i think)...

a lot of hearsay and conjecture above ...

other HD encoders - pixel tools mpeg repair (great program if you want to be able to change ever aspect of a mpeg file -- it can do it all) and main concept encoder .. alcorn mcbride also has a HD encoder -- but it is built on the pixel tools foundation ...

[BJ_M]

I should mention .. main concept will be releasing thier stand alone encoder for both macs and linux - prob. by the end of the year . it encodes to HD and also transport streams (mpeg audio only - for now) ..

BJ_M and Major,
Thank you for adding HD encoding to your to-do list for ffmpegx, any idea when we might see the next version with this in it? If there was any way you could add PS to TS muxing to that list you'd be making a lot of JVC HD1OU camera owners very happy, as that would then give them a total Mac based solution to their editing, which now has to be taken to a PC to get the footage back to HD MPEG2 TS format.
I did look on the MainConcept website, but couldn't see any mention of a future Mac product, so I'm hoping you may have some insider information here!

All the best

[BJ_M]

it (MC for MAC and linux) was anounced at several trade shows and info on it is on several german web sites....

it is already on the mac if you bought adobe premiere for mac and main concept is releasing several of their products already on the linux platform ...

Another person told me that the MainConcept encoder for the Mac isn't expected to be released until the 2nd quarter of 2004, you never know accurate these things are, but I thought I'd pass it on.

[soholounge]

i've been searching these forums, but can't find an explanation for the "frame" or "field" interlace options.

it seems as if the original poster's question wasn't answered either.

could someone help me with an explanation?
thanks!

[BJ_M]

you raised up an old post which has nothing to do with your question ..

post a new thread please - thanks