how do i(do i have to?) make a .stats file for h.264 to use for virtual dub

[skidog]

I'm having trouble encoding in virtual dub, h.264 doesn't seem to want to work unless it's got a stats file and it keeps using the last one generated from GKnot. I'm compressing MPEG to h.264, so i need to use virtualdub, otherwise i'd just use GKnot and there wouldn't be a problem, but alas, GK doesn't work with MPEG2.

Sorry if that's confusing.
Help (again)

[jagabo]

I'm having trouble encoding in virtual dub, h.264 doesn't seem to want to work unless it's got a stats file and it keeps using the last one generated from GKnot. I'm compressing MPEG to h.264, so i need to use virtualdub, otherwise i'd just use GKnot and there wouldn't be a problem, but alas, GK doesn't work with MPEG2.

Sorry if that's confusing.
Help (again) :oops:

The stats file is used in 2-pass encoding. During the first pass the stats file is generated by the codec, during the second pass the codec uses the information from the stats file to determine how to allocate bits. So the procedure:

1) Set everything up the way you want in VirtualDub.

2) Set the h.264 codec to 2-pass, first pass. Save as AVI. There will be no video in the resulting AVI file but a new stats file will be created.

3) Set the h.264 codec into 2-pass, second pass. Save as AVI again. This time the codec will read the stats file and save video to the AVI.

[skidog]

WICKED! Thanks

[celtic_druid]

I would highly suggest not using x264 via VfW. I wouldn't recommend avi as a container either.

Also what's this about GK not working with MPEG-2? DVD's are MPEG-2 and that is what it was originally designed for (ok, originally it was just a bitrate calculator, but still...). Not that I am suggesting GK, since it uses VfW.

[skidog]

wow, 7 hours per pass...

well my mpeg2 is actually a captured 12mbit/s .mpg file, show me how to import that into GK and i'll be a happy camper I looked around and there weren't any .mpg to .vob conversion tutorials

Maybe auto gk will do it ? but i've never installed that one to date.

[jagabo]

If you are going from MPG to VOB (really just a different multiplexing of MPG) why are you bothering with VirtualDub and h.264?

I assume you're looking reduce the bitrate to DVD spec. Since you are basically going from MPG to MPG you need an MPEG2 encoder. Something like TMPGEnc Plus, CCE, etc.

Then you use DVD mastering software to multiplex the MPG data as VOB for DVD.

[skidog]

actually i'm compressing down to h.264 to keep it on my pc since my house (tv's) are all connected for streaming it off my server. But now that you mention it i should make a DVD hardcopy since i had to borrow a VCR to apture the old video.

[vhelp]

Morning everyone

deltic_druid,

I would highly suggest not using x264 via VfW. I wouldn't recommend avi as a container either.

Could you explain further on this, please.

You see, I use vdub in my Testing and Encoding with x264 codec. In my encodes,
I shoot for almost highest quality I can figure out for myself, using the
Quantizer scale feature in first tab. Anyways. I'm also confused by your
comment of the non-avi container route.

What other container are you refering to ?? And, how, via tool/gui whatever ??

Thank you for your comments,

-vhelp 4104

[skidog]

SUPER can use .avi .mov and .mp4 containers i think

[celtic_druid]

x264 VfW is out of date and missing features. VfW itself can't properly handle newer formats like AVC since they didn't exist when it was designed. It is a simple one frame in one frame out design and doesn't work well when the frame order is not the display order.

As for containers; I would suggest mp4 or mkv. They can both store AVC natively, with mkv being more flexible in terms of audio streams supported, etc.

x264 cli has all features enabled and can output raw, mp4 or mkv. Plenty of GUI's that make use of it from the one click style to the more involved.

mencoder can output avi and is usually in sync with x264 development.

AVIDemux can also encode using x264. Can't remember off the top of my head the status, but I think most features are there now.

[skidog]

do i have to do another first pass if i add a "sharpen" filter in virtual dub, or can i just run the "nth" pass again to get my new sharper video file ?

as for AVC support i wasn't aware that .avi hindered encoding, i'm still not exactly sure how though, will using a mp4 container give me better quality at the same size? or can i just make the file size smaller then an avi with no quality loss??

[celtic_druid]

mp4 is just a container, the video stream is still basically the same. You would get lower overhead, can use aac audio (ok AVI-Mux GUI can mux aac to avi) and by not using VfW you get x264's full feature set.