MP4 - How to encode...

[Cunhambebe]

I'd like to render to MP4 and /or to x.264 from Vegas' timeline using Debugmode's Frameserver (or simply using the codec - x.264 seems not to work with Vegas). What's the best way to achieve that?
On more question: I know MP4 does not accept AC-3 files, in this case, I'd have to render to aac. How can I do that?
Thanks in advance

[Cunhambebe]

Hey, is there anybody around here???

[celtic_druid]

I wouldn't recommend using x264 VfW. With the frameserver is it possible to frameserve to the cli encoder? Would mean a video only mp4 though. Otherwise ffmpeg can encode via x264 and faac.

[Cunhambebe]

With the frameserver is it possible to frameserve to the cli encoder?

-Pls, what's the cli encoder?

Otherwise ffmpeg can encode via x264 and faac.

-It seems not to have a GUI. Faac????? Difficult isn't it? I'm trying to encode to MP4 for a long time, but it seems so difficult if compared to our good and old Divx/Xvid (in an AVI container).

Could you please explain a little bit more on how to encode to MP4 (MP4 or H.264/x.264)?
Thks in advance.

[celtic_druid]

CLI = Command Line Interface. In otherwords, no GUI. FAAC = http://www.audiocoding.com/ a free aac encoding used by ffmpeg for encoding. Definatly not the best aac encoder out though. Nero's free encoder offers better quality.

The easiest/best way to create AVC mp4's is to use a GUI such as MeGUI which uses x264 cli for video encoding and Nero for audio encoding.

Easiest way with Vegas would be to use the built in mp4 support to export.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks for replying

CLI = Command Line Interface

Sorry for my ignorance

Nero's free encoder offers better quality

Didn't know that, but I guess it's just for the audio file, isn't it? If that's what you mean, how do I mux both audio and video?? Thanks in advance (I'm used to encoding to Xvid and muxing AC-3 in VirtualDub).

The easiest/best way to create AVC mp4's is to use a GUI such as MeGUI which uses x264 cli for video encoding and Nero for audio encoding.

-you've just said you wold not recommend x264... So where do I go??? I guess this answers my question above; am I right?

Easiest way with Vegas would be to use the built in mp4 support to export.

-sure, but how?

Thanks in advance

[celtic_druid]

I said, I don't recommend using x264 via VfW. Not that I don't recommend x264. x264 I would say is currently the best publically available AVC encoder.

Yamb/mp4box can mux Nero's audio with video. Like I said though, a GUI such as MeGUI is easier, since it does it all for you.

Don't have Vegas. All I know is that some time last year they added AVC support.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks so much for the input. I know Vegas supports MP4, but you've got to install Quicktime 7 in order to preview the file on your PC - funny isn't it???
The audio is encoded as MP3 128, 160, etc... Furthermore, there's no option to encode the audio as AC-3. And there's more: my NTSC widescreen project does not fit the sceen at all - that means black bars do appear and ruin everything!!!
Now I've got to find a way to get this video and mux it with the aac audio file rendered in Nero (using some of the tools you've already mentioned). Guess Nero and those tools may be a better option since they seem to do it all at once.

Besides, I have already installed x.264, but unfortunately the codec doesn't appear on Vegas's dropdown list when you hit File>Render as, even though VirtualDub shows that the codec is installed.

Let's see what I can do around here. Hope my stupidity does not surpass my intelligence. If I need more help, I'll post a message soon.
Thank you very much and I hope this topic helps other users who want to render to MP4 and x.264.

Cheers,
Mark

[celtic_druid]

What you have installed is x264 VfW, which as I said, I don't recommend.

[Cunhambebe]

What about that???
VfW
I was just wondering what it is And what about the black bars??????
Thanks in advance

[celtic_druid]

VfW = Video for Windows. It is the interface that VirtualDub and some other apps use for encoding/decoding.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks again for replying. Since you do not recommend encoding x264 via VfW, is there any other way to encode with this codec??? Maybe using some of the tools you've mentioned...
Thanks in advance

PS: And the most important... What do you recommend, Sir???

[j4gg3rr]

Try 3ivX D4 filters to view most mp4 in VFW/DS apps without the need for QT.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks for the hint, j4gg3rr.
I was experiencing black bars on de screen, but checking the box (no letterbox) on a screen that pops up when hitting Render As in Vegas, has fixed the problem.
Vegas also encodes the audio to AAC. As you may be aware of, Vegas can render AC-3 projects with its plug-in Dolby Surround which is full and certified by Dolby Laboratories.
My doubt is: if I have a 5.1 project, the aac will also be rendered as 5.1 or as a stereo file?? That's a good question isn't it?
Anyway, I'm finishing downloading Quicktime 7 (free version). Let's see and hear the result!
Note: The same project was rendered as Xvid. Size is 47 MB; MP4 size is 14 MB; I am astonished. Let's see the quality. I'll reply soon.
Thanks to all.

I guess all these MPEG4 codecs (Xvid, Divx - already supported by most new players - MP4, H.264, Nero's..) will give a big headache to the DVD industry, that wants to introduce the new Blu Ray....

[celtic_druid]

3ivX can't handle AVC. Quicktime isn't the best mp4 player either. It can't handle he-aac and supports AVC upto (almost) main profile.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks again for the tips, Celtic_Druid. In fact I'm going to take a course on druidism in order to decipher your enigmas... lol (just kidding).
So, what do you suggest me do this time, friend? FFdShow? Is this a better choice than Quicktime?
Thanks in advance.

[MeekloBraca]

The thing ive found is that nobody seems to have a straight answer. Good luck.

[celtic_druid]

ffdshow uses libavcodec for decoding, which is faster than quicktime and supports more features, like lossless and other high profile decoding. The best current decoder would however be coreAVC. It isn't free though. You also need a splitter such as Haali's or Gabest's and an aac decoder such as ffdshow or coreaac.

[Cunhambebe]

Celtic_Druid is taking me to Stonehange LOL....

The thing ive found is that nobody seems to have a straight answer.

-It may be true!

Thanks for the input on CoreAVC, Celtic_Druid. I'll try it...

You also need a splitter such as Haali's or Gabest's and an aac decoder such as ffdshow or coreaac

-Man, it's going to take time to learn MP4. You're such an advanced user for sure... I couldn't realize MP4 was such a difficult thing! Encoding to Divx and or Xvid is much easier and besides, you can always use VirtualDub to mux and demux AC-3 files, all in an AVI container - much, much easier. I agree that MP4 has much more quality than Divx and Xvid, but these 2 codecs are already supported by most brands ( I mean, most newer DVD players are compatible with both of them)... I guess it's going to take a little time to happen the same thing with MP4...(x.264 or H.264, AVC Sony, etc...)

[celtic_druid]

DivX and XviD are MPEG-4 Part 2. No reason at all why you can't store them in an mp4 container. mp4 is just a container.

[Cunhambebe]

Celtic_Druid,
Thanks a lot. I knew both Dvix and Xvid were MPEG4, part of MP4, but I didn't know they were called part 2. Thanks for the input.

Quicktime isn't the best mp4 player either. It can't handle he-aac and supports AVC upto (almost) main profile.

You're absolutely right. Playing MP4 with Quicktime 7.0 is difficult... I mean, heavy...
So what do you really recommend me do? Install the new FFdshow?
Thanks in advance

[celtic_druid]

ffdshow is good since it supports MPEG-4, AVC and aac decoding. Requires more CPU power than coreAVC though, so for HD stuff it might be no good, depending on your hardware. Still much better than Quicktime.

[Cunhambebe]

Thanks a lot for the input!
Cheers,
Mark