SynthEditor v0.1.1 Beta - A Video Editor

[gadgetguy]

I think there's a misunderstanding here, so let me try again.
I can accept that McAfee is over cautious, but I don't understand why I'm getting that warning when I'm opening a video file. Are you deleting and rebuilding the Temp folder at that point?

As far as QuEnc settings, maybe I don't understand your interface, so help me out.

How do I specify the bitrate?
How do I specify CBR?
How can I use MPeg1?
Where do I set the GOP size?
Where do I set the Max B-frames?
How do I use 11 bit DC Precision?
How do I set 2:21 or 1:1 aspect ratio?

My point is that if you don't specifically address all of these items in your command line (as well as everything else),QuEnc uses whatever was used the last time you used it directly as defaults.
For example:
You normally want a GOP size of 12 but you have a project that you want to use a GOP size of 10, so you open and use QuEnc directly to encode a video with a GOP size of 10.
Unless SynthEditor specifies the GOP size it will use 10 from that point on. If SynthEditor is specifying the GOP size, then I want to be able to tell it what to use.

[Rockas]

yes you are right!
there are a few things to be reviewed!

I can accept that McAfee is over cautious, but I don't understand why I'm getting that warning when I'm opening a

video file. Are you deleting and rebuilding the Temp folder at that point?

Yes... Everytime you select a file and click ok the temp folder is erased and re-created... I made it that way to avoid confusion between files from different projects... The same happens when you load a project.
But... isn't SynthEditor sending you a warning about that? - I really need to know if I forgot some warning somewhere.

About QuEnc... you are right too in some of the aspects.

How do I specify the bitrate?

You don't
You can set the max bitrate on the setup menu... and you can set the target size on the encode area... the bitrate is calculated to get the target size you choose... do you think it will be necessary to allow a manual bitrate set?
note: The MaxBitrate will be set from the value you select minus the AudioBitrate... it's safer that way to prevent "buffer under runs"... got that experience from DVD Rebuilder.

How do I specify CBR?
How can I use MPeg1?

I haven't introduced it yet

Where do I set the GOP size?
Where do I set the Max B-frames?

Now... this is the hard part... in one hand I want to put those values in a future "Advanced Options" to avoid confusions between newbies... on the other hand... I forgot to set a default value - thanks for pointing that out.

How do I use 11 bit DC Precision?

That is not a DVD compliant option so I removed it

How do I set 2:21 or 1:1 aspect ratio?

Well... the main objective of my app is to edit HomeVideos... at this point I want to make it easy to use... if you use a standard camera you mat get 4:3 and 16:9 (on those that can do it, of course)... 2:21 - I was hoping to introduce it by the time I add a "crop" feature to the program... 1:1... I was hoping to introduce it when I make the MP4 encoding feature available... do you think it's important to make them available now?

As conlusion... I'll add default values for GOP size (15 - will do for Pal and NTSC) and Max B frames (by the way... any suggestion - from your experience - for this value, the Default is 2, but do you think it should be other?) 'cause, as you pointed, if you change the values on QuEnc Gui, at this point, they will be the used values.

Thank you so much for your feedback,
Rockas

[gadgetguy]

I'm not receiving a warning from SynthEditor at the time that I open a file. If there was a warning at a different time (like during install or something), either I missed it or I didn't understand it applying to this.

I definately think it's important to have the capablility to be able to manually set the bitrate. I just want to be able to see the calculated value with an option to override it before encoding. Precalculation by target size is good as a default, but sometimes the bitrate desired has nothing to do with filesize and everything to do with quality. By having the option to override the default it becomes a much more flexible tool, while still keeping it simple for newbies.

I realize that this is still in development and that there are things you haven't introduced yet (like CBR and Mpeg1), but I don't know which options are still under development and which ones you've decided to put off indefinately (or forever). Perhaps a ToDo list in the readme or help would... um, help?

I realize that 11 bit DC precision is not a DVD spec, but it's available in QuEnc, and you have allowed for creating Mpgs that are not DVD compliant in other areas. Perhaps having the option available (because QuEnc allows it), but with a warning that it's not DVD compliant.

As far as the additional aspect ratios, I don't think there's any rush to implement these, but think of it this way. You want me to use your tool for as much as possible so I get in the habit of it. Right now that would mean that if I crop my footage to those aspects in another application, I still can't use your tool to finish it up and encode. So I'm getting in the habit of using someone else's application instead of yours.

GOP values. You just demonstrated why I want control. You've decided that a GOP size of 15 will do, but I prefer to use a GOP size of 12. Neither is necessarily "wrong", it's just a difference of opinion, but I'm less inclined to use your tool if it doesn't do it to my preferences. Along the same lines... I also use 2 max B-Frames, but just because you and I agree on that value, doesn't make it right for everyone, or every project.

I understand wanting to keep the interface simple for newbies, but having an Advanced Encoder Settings option with these things available, IMO would make it a more attractive tool.

[Rockas]

yes... I completly agree with you... I'll add all those aspects.

Just for the record:
Short term TODO list (for 0.1.2 beta):
- Make a complete "Advanced Options" for QuEnc and HC Encoder

-Add MPEG1 output

- Custom Bitrate

- Enable CCE encoding

just a side note about CBR: I'll delay this option or I'll add it as an "hidden option" for one reason "Buffer underflows"... I really need to perform some extensive tests on this.
HC Encoder doesn't have that direct option, of course you can set Max and AVRG Bitrate the same and it will do something near CBR but that will slow down the Encoding process 'cause HC has an advanced "underflows" correction routine that can make second pass really slow. I haven't tested QuEnc yet so I really don't know how it comes out of it.

@gadgetguy
Again... thanl you for your feedback... let's hope I can fill all your requests as soon as I can

[Rockas]

Oh! Just another side note...
The 2:21 aspect Ratio is not DVD Compliant either so I need to be carefull about it (we must always keep in mind newbies )... it can be used on MPEG2, though.
I know... SVCD resolutions are not DVD Compliant either but 90% of the players on the marked play them... the same doesn't apply to 2:21... I guess you can make a first encode using it but then you'll have to add black bars and re-encode it again as 16:9... if you want to make a DVD of course

edit: spelling

[danielk68]

would you implement on the future AVI movies files posibility?
i dont like SVCD and Prefere AVI-Xvid ,So Could you do this in the future?

[Rockas]

Well the main objective of this editor is to edit home videos but I will add the hability to edit XviD and DivX files... at this point, I think, you can edit them IF they have WAV or AC3 audio but I haven't test it...
Anyway... the main problem is the MP3 format... I will write the code to deal with it.

If you mean the format output... well... the main objective is DVD Output, not SVCD (Although it's possible to encode with SVCD resolutions)... I will enable MPEG-4 encoding with MP3 and AAC audio.

edit: just remember... I have no plans to make a commercial application... I'm doing this application on my free time only, so... I'm trying to develop as quick as I can but free time isn't the same every days.

[src2206]

Just for the record:
Short term TODO list (for 0.1.2 beta):
- Make a complete "Advanced Options" for QuEnc and HC Encoder

-Add MPEG1 output

- Custom Bitrate

- Enable CCE encoding

Hello Rockas

Great software, thanks for taking trouble to roll it out for us.

I would just like to know whether you have implemented all your aims which incidentally same as my Wish List.
And to add one:

1. Get an AVS output so that another external encoder maybe used
   Ability to convert MPEG4 files like DivX, XviD and H.264

[manono]

Someone put this idiot out of his misery and ban him. So far today, on his brand new account, he's made 7 posts here, all the same thing, all spam.

Edit later: I didn't mean you, src2206. There was a useless post between yours and mine that has now, thankfully, disappeared into the ether.

[SatStorm]

Banned

[src2206]

Edit later: I didn't mean you, src2206. There was a useless post between yours and mine that has now, thankfully, disappeared into the ether.

:LOL: I was shocked at first, but then I found the original SPAM message in my email account which was auto sent by the Forum system.

Good thing that the post was removed. and thanks for the explanation.

Regards