Running extra passes in CCE...

[astrocity20]

Probly a simple question... but lets say I did a 3pass CCE encode, then decided, y'know what I wanna do 5passes. Can I let the 3 passes go ahead and encode... then run it again load the previous .vaf that was created and set it up for 2 more passes to equal 5 or would that equate to only 2passes? Basically.... does the .vaf always keep track of the previous encode information in this case... the third pass, letting the 4th and 5th refine on it?

edit: This might be more suitable for DVD-DVDR conversion, so I'll post it there

[guns1inger]

No. The VAF file contains the analysis data that CCE uses to alocate the video data when encoding. Each pass refines the allocation. Onc an encode finishes, that's it. You can re-use the VAF file in a subsequent encode, so long as nothing else changes, however you cannot use it to add to an existing encode.

[astrocity20]

hm, now I'm getting conflicting answers. In the other thread, adam said...

Yes you can do what you want. Setting CCE to run 5 passes all at once is no different than running 3 then running another 2. Just make sure the .vaf stays in the output directory.

While you're saying I cannot? Your last line confuses me. Sounds like you're saying, yes you can use it then saying no you can't at the same time :\

[guns1inger]

Once you complete an encode, that's it. You can re-use the VAF file, but you have to start the encode again if you want 5 passes instead of 3, and the original 3 pass encode is thrown out. CCE will use the VAF file, which saves you one pass. If you note my response to your other post, I believe Adam misunderstood your request.

[pijetro]

Why would you repost a question that Adam answered correctly once before IMO??

BTW, after three passes, i don't think there's any noticeable difference in quality..If you're looking to push the quality, then you'd need to get deeper into understanding Matrices...

[astrocity20]

edit: Ok well forget the other topic... so much for trying to put things in their right place

[guns1inger]

If you have posted as suspect you have put it in the wrong forum, use the Report This POst link to get a mod to move it for you. Double posting is frowned upon.

[adam]

Sorry gunsl1inger but I think you're wrong on this one. The information in the vaf from the previous encode is not overwritten when you run another encode of the same file. Its cumulative. You can continue doing as many separate encodes as you want and each one is just like having another pass of a single encoding session.

Here's what the CCE manual says,

A video information file has a history of information for a plurality of times of encoding, and information is accumulated each time encoding is executed.

You can test this yourself. Each new pass creates a larger vaf file than the last. Keep running separate 1 pass encodes and the vaf file will keep getting bigger. Do it 5 times and then compare it to a single 5 pass encode. It should be about the same size.

[guns1inger]

I'm not saying the vaf file is over-written. My interpretation of the original request is that he has completed a 3 pass encode, now wishes it was a 5 pass encode, and whants to add two more passes to the original results, rather than start again.

AFAIK, he can start the encode again, and re-use the vaf file, which will save him redoing the analysis pass, but the original 3 pass encoding will be over-written, with a new, 5 pass encode.

I agree with what you have written, Adam, I just don't believe it actually answers the question the OP asked.

If I have mis-understood the question, then I will bow out

[astrocity20]

Hm... well my vaf has stayed at 34.1mb and hasn't gotten bigger with more encodes whilst using it. :\

[adam]

AFAIK, he can start the encode again, and re-use the vaf file, which will save him redoing the analysis pass, but the original 3 pass encoding will be over-written, with a new, 5 pass encode.

That's what I'm saying. The information in the vaf is kept and reused in whole. Reusing the vaf does not just save you the first analysis pass, it saves you any and all passes you have done so far. Running a 2 pass encode, then running another 3 pass encode using the same VAf is identical to running a single 5 pass encode. I'm positive. And that's exactly what he's trying to do.

Hm... well my vaf has stayed at 34.1mb and hasn't gotten bigger with more encodes whilst using it. :\

The point of diminishing returns for multipass VBR (at least with CCE) is somewhere between the 3rd and 4th pass. That's what they say in their manual at least. You're probably not going to see much change in vaf filesize after the 3rd pass.

[manono]

Adam is correct. The VAF is reused and added to. Say you close out CCE after 3 passes and then open it up again with the ECL. You can access the same VAF in the VBR Bit Allocation screen. If you change the bitrate and then look at it again, you'll see how it changes. You can do more encoding sessions using the same VAF and ECL after the initial ones have completed as many times as you like. I do it all the time.

But, like astrocity20, I also found guns1inger's answers both confusing and conflicting, so maybe I'm misunderstanding his answers.

Edit: More posts appeared while I was writing. I guess it's been sorted out.

[guns1inger]

So doing 5 single pass encodes should result in the fifth encode being equivalent to doing a single, 5 pass encode ?

I wasn't able to reconcile his question and your original answer, but the clarification makes sense. My apologies for being a hard-ass about it.

I might have to step back for a few days until the medication is flushed from my system

[astrocity20]

Hum, you weren't being a hardass. Least I didn't see it that way . I guess this a case closed then. Thanks everyone for the help.