Youtube Upload, increase quality/control (HQ hack obsolete)

[Vlenbo]

but whats so great about &fmt=35? isn't it the same as &fmt=18?

[qatestdev]

but whats so great about &fmt=35? isn't it the same as &fmt=18?

Congratulations Vlenbo! you have a way to force YouTube generate the format 35! So YouTube for the moment in certain videos, like yours, generates not 8 but 9 different versions.

For your video:
Nill 4781 KB
5 4780 MB
6 12.8 MB
13 1977 KB
17 1196 KB
18 8799 KB
22 29.9 MB
34 4729 KB
35 10 MB

You could see that 35 is different from 18.

What software do you used to invert the video reproduction?

Could you post the characteristics (using Super or Media Info) of the original file you uploaded to YouTube?

[Vlenbo]

Ah so I see just a 2000kb difference, so it has better quality? Cause...hehe. I see only no difference when I tried to do it on someone elses..XD

Sure thing, I need to get back to my pc first, I encoded it with sonyvegas7, and I used x264 for it, I used the quanitizer thing, I like using staxrip though, but I had to hurry and edit the video, so sony was my only choice.

Edit:OMG! I just saw it in fmt=35, it is better than 18! its like fmt=22 but a little weaker. ;P thanks for the info.

[atropine]

youtube is doing strange things.

I watched that 'jizz in my pants' standard quality video a few days ago when it was on the front page (most viewed), it was stereo and video quality really good. Now it's pixilated and looks crappy, and is in mono.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

Strange. All standard quality videos served from google were in stereo, I hope they're not changing them back to mono.

(Looks like it was previously 'standard quality' linking to &fmt=34 , now it's not)

[Vlenbo]

heck, I'm afraid of what youtube will become of the future, i mean, my video hasn't finished processing yet, and I don't even know when the youtube player will be fixed to play 60 fps, man, I wish they would stream 60 fps videos.

[zoobie]

wasn't youboob going to clean up those illegal videos? I guess that would reduce the site size by half...

[Captain Satellite]

I got default stereo on my latest video for the 'high quality' link. Not sure how long it will last. The picture is sharper than my other videos uploaded in the past few days. Hmmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeAALAlyC6o

[kovezett]

I got default stereo on my latest video for the 'high quality' link. Not sure how long it will last. The picture is sharper than my other videos uploaded in the past few days. Hmmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeAALAlyC6o

Same here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6W_ZchnyRI&fmt=6

Flash video with AVC video and stereo AAC audio:

Format : Flash Video
File size : 21.6 MiB
Duration : 3mn 17s
Overall bit rate : 917 Kbps
starttime : 0.000
totalduration : 197.560
totaldatarate : 915.006
bytelength : 22638098.000
canseekontime : Yes
sourcedata : B4A7DD062

Video
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L3.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 3 frames
Duration : 3mn 17s
Bit rate : 802 Kbps
Width : 600 pixels
Height : 360 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.667
Frame rate : 25.005 fps
Colorimetry : 4:2:0
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.148

Audio
Format : AAC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec
Format version : Version 4
Format profile : LC
Format settings, SBR : No
Duration : 3mn 17s
Bit rate : 107 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits

[Captain Satellite]

I'm at work so I can't check, are you having to add '&fmt=6' to get it?

Mine is stereo without it. The strange thing is, I've seen stereo for 'normal' and 'high quality' come and go on my videos and videos I've done for my son's account.

[kovezett]

The 'normal' quality is the old mono stuff:

Format : Flash Video
File size : 7.73 MiB
Duration : 3mn 17s
Overall bit rate : 328 Kbps
Writing application : YouTube, Inc.
Tagging application : YouTube Metadata Injector.
flvsource : cdbp

Video
Format : H.263
Duration : 3mn 17s
Bit rate : 328 Kbps
Width : 320 pixels
Height : 192 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 1.667
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.214

Audio
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Layer 3
Duration : 3mn 17s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 64.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 1 channel
Sampling rate : 22.05 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Writing library : LAMEUUUUUâ€*ŞÖ´.LĹƒ¸

[kovezett]

I'm at work so I can't check, are you having to add '&fmt=6' to get it?

Mine is stereo without it. The strange thing is, I've seen stereo for 'normal' and 'high quality' come and go on my videos and videos I've done for my son's account.

This is what Mediainfo says about your video in normal quality (same as mine: not stereo):

Format : Flash Video
File size : 9.14 MiB
Duration : 3mn 53s
Overall bit rate : 329 Kbps
Writing application : YouTube, Inc.
Tagging application : YouTube Metadata Injector.
flvsource : cdbp

Video
Format : H.263
Duration : 3mn 52s
Bit rate : 329 Kbps
Width : 320 pixels
Height : 180 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16/9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 29.970 fps
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.190

Audio
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Layer 3
Duration : 3mn 53s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 64.0 Kbps
Channel(s) : 1 channel
Sampling rate : 22.05 KHz
Resolution : 16 bits
Writing library : LAME

[kovezett]

I think I was wrong with the &fmt=6. The 'Watch in high quality' link now leads to the &fmt=34 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6W_ZchnyRI&fmt=34

[JeanLucPicard]

Hi - newbie here

I'm trying to get my head around all this stuff and I noticed this:


This link gives great stereo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89g1P_J40JA


But if I add "&fmt=18" it turns into mono:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89g1P_J40JA&fmt=18


Can anyone explain please?

[atropine]

Can anyone explain please?

Yes. That would have been uploaded as a stereo .flv back when that was possible. &fmt=18 versions are in mono for some reason. It's the same with all my uploaded stereo .flv videos.

[atropine]

I think I was wrong with the &fmt=6. The 'Watch in high quality' link now leads to the &fmt=34 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6W_ZchnyRI&fmt=34

No it links to &fmt=35, &fmt=34 is a high quality but 'standard quality' resolution 320x240, or 320x180. It's what many standard quailty videos were being linked to, but now they're not. Youtube seem like bumbling idiots. I wish they'd stop changing stuff.

(Actually I think you're right it is going to &fmt=34, that's just stupid.)

[JeanLucPicard]

Can anyone explain please?

Yes. That would have been uploaded as a stereo .flv back when that was possible. &fmt=18 versions are in mono for some reason. It's the same with all my uploaded stereo .flv videos.

Yes, you're right - I always tried to upload stereo .flv files if the original track was in stereo, but haven't been able to do that for quite a while - Youtube were re-processing freshly uploaded .flv's and changing them to mono, whereas a year or so before they were not re-processing them and leaving them as stereo.

...Youtube seem like bumbling idiots. I wish they'd stop changing stuff...

Seconded!

[cjwcorp]

&fmt=35 is the best high quality video you can get.

The only other alternative is &fmt=22, which is the HD link that is given to users who upload a HD video with resolution 1280x720 or more.

I have tried uploading videos in many formats and this is the format that has been most stable for me.

Resolution: 640x352 (Fills entire widescreen window of YouTube)
Frame: 29.97 FPS
Format: xVid AVI
Codec: xVid/Mpeg4
Bitrate: Over 1,000

This format will guarantee you the &fmt=18 link and it will actually look pretty neat.

[Chemikilla]

For great justice
Look at the audio/video quality i managed to get out of youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XmD10mv_dc&fmt=22
hd video and stero audio

[Captain Satellite]

That's amazing!

[zoobie]

ha ha...I guess you you mean the source is amazing...

[tworegon]

Yes, it appears YouTube has officially announced HD videos. Article here:

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/YouTube-Shines-Spotlight-on-New-High-Def-Content-65586.html

Another really good sample someone did here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cpd_lHjFDk (click on "Watch In HD" link at bottom of screen)

Does this mean we can all turn out the lights and go home from this thread?

From the YouTube FAQ http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=132460&topic=16621

YouTube recently began offering users an option to view content in high definition- 720p resolution (when the source upload supports it). Please note, we are currently experimenting with this feature and optimizing it accordingly, so we can't guarantee that your videos will always be transcoded into this format with this user option present. (Please also note this is only visible in US right now).

And the youtube announcement:
http://www.youtube.com/blog?entry=--fMNA_lkPM

[zoobie]

it probably means we'll have to turn more lights on seeing as every tom, dick, and hairy will soon flood the forums wanting to make their 320x240 video into youboob's "HD"...

[qatestdev]

I was not able to reproduce Vlenbo test to force YouTube to generate formats 35 and 22, for 4:3 videos.

Anyone knows if YouTube continues to generate those 2 formats for 4:3 videos?

In my tests for 4:3, YouTube generates only 7 different formats, in my first test:
4:3 and Stereo - Test (960x720) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8pZzU7fMcM
fmt size
Nill 535 KB
5 535 KB
6 1162 KB
13 126 KB
17 127 KB
18 862 KB
22 off
34 469 KB
35 off

The same for tests 02 trough 04 (upload file details in “(more info)”). 4:3 tests playlist http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EFD43BA14D7B1958 .

Thanks.

[Placio74]

For HD need width 1280 or more and height 720 or more - not below.

Well... source 960x720 not enough.


Source > YT HD (22)
1280x720 > 1280x720
1440x810 > 1280x720
1920x1080 > 1280x720
1280x800 > 1125x720
1280x960 > 960x720
1440x1080 > 960x720
1920x1440 > 960x720
1280x1000 > 922x720


BTW
Format 35... it's mysterious. I do not know from which is dependent.

[qatestdev]

Thanks Placio74 for the clue! 8)

I was trying to use minimal specs to achieve HD on YouTube. For 16/9 format it is enough a source of 1280x720, 1296Kbps, 25fps and 44.1KHz, 96Kbps for stereo. I tried to use a “similar” configuration but for a 4/3 format, so I used 960x720 and I think YouTube will not go over that for 4/3.

From your information, I may conclude that the minimum spec for HD 4/3 will be 1280x960 > 960x720, so going to do some more tests… and returning after.

I suspect that each 4/3 video generated by YouTube that has format 22 will also have format 35, that was the case with Vlenbo with 9 different videos generated by YouTube, but for the time been I was not able to reproduce that 35 format.

Anyone knows any 16/9 video with format 35?

[manono]

If you want your 1.33:1 video to get HD at YouTube, make it 960x720 and then add black bars to the sides to bring it up to 1280x720. In AviSynth language it would go:

Lanczos4Resize(960,720)
AddBorders(160,0,160,0)

Encode and then upload that.

[qatestdev]

Thanks manono, but 16/9 was solve in my earlier tests at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HUK91sDULm4 (previously posted).

4:3 HD Solved in Test 05 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfN7mT2k-E , according to Placio74 clue, thanks.

But to upload a 4:3 1280x960 video so YouTube generates a 960x720 (4:3 HD video, fmt=22), I prefer to upload a 16/9 1280x720 video and YouTube generates a 1280x720 (16/9 HD, fmt=22).

But the format 35 mystery remains.

An Happy New Year to all of you! 8)

[justinslee]

Does anyone know how to reproduce Youtube creating a fmt=35 640x360 version of a non-HD video and defaulting the High Quality option to it?

I seem to only get it this with a particular video of mine. When I upload my different videos with the same exact settings and somewhat similar time lengths, no fmt=35 version is created or defaulted to. My video is non-HD with the original file being 640x360.

Here's my video:
[s:01ca9e0041]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjjQzKRJ8yQ[/s:01ca9e0041] (reuploaded with a very slight change)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skeVc-kH_G8

With high quality selected it plays the fmt=35 version

Below is my mediainfo from the fmt=35 flv file. Notice how its 640x360. I did not know this size was possible with a non-HD video. Definitely the quality and size I want more of! How can I get this to work for my other videos?

To answer some of the posters' questions about fmt=35, based on observations of my video, fmt=35 gets my video in higher bitrate and in 640x360 instead of say 480x270 that fmt=6 would give.


[s:01ca9e0041]*** MediaInfo Mac // Plain text file report
2009-01-01 00:07:37 -0800
Information for File: video.flv

General / Container Stream # 1
Total Video Streams for this File -> 1
Total Audio Streams for this File -> 1
Video Codecs Used -> AVC
Audio Codecs Used -> AAC LC
File Format -> Flash Video
Play Time -> 3mn 48s
Total File Size -> 24.5 MiB
Total Stream BitRate -> 897 Kbps
Video Stream # 1
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec Profile -> Main@L3.0
Frame Width -> 640 pixels
Frame Height -> 360 pixels
Frame Rate -> 29.965 fps
Total Frames -> 6861
Display Aspect Ratio -> 16/9
Scan Type -> Progressive
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Description -> AVC
Codec Settings (Summary) -> CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 0.114
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> Yes
Video Stream Length -> 3mn 48s 700ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 788 Kbps
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Audio Stream # 1
Codec -> AAC
Audio Stream Length -> 3mn 48s 963ms
Audio Stream BitRate -> 99.9 Kbps
Number of Audio Channels -> 2
Audio Channel's Positions -> L R
Sampling Rate -> 44.1 KHz
Bit Depth -> 16 bits[/s:01ca9e0041]


*** MediaInfo Mac // Plain text file report
2009-01-02 08:20:11 -0800
Information for File: Passacaglia hq ver 2.flv

General / Container Stream # 1
Total Video Streams for this File -> 1
Total Audio Streams for this File -> 1
Video Codecs Used -> AVC
Audio Codecs Used -> AAC LC
File Format -> Flash Video
Play Time -> 3mn 48s
Total File Size -> 24.5 MiB
Total Stream BitRate -> 898 Kbps
Video Stream # 1
Codec (Human Name) -> AVC
Codec Profile -> Main@L3.0
Frame Width -> 640 pixels
Frame Height -> 360 pixels
Frame Rate -> 29.965 fps
Total Frames -> 6861
Display Aspect Ratio -> 16/9
Scan Type -> Progressive
Colorimetry -> 4:2:0
Codec Description -> AVC
Codec Settings (Summary) -> CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
QF (like Gordian Knot) -> 0.114
Codec Settings (CABAC) -> Yes
Video Stream Length -> 3mn 48s 700ms
Video Stream BitRate -> 789 Kbps
Bit Depth -> 24 bits
Audio Stream # 1
Codec -> AAC
Audio Stream Length -> 3mn 48s 963ms
Audio Stream BitRate -> 99.6 Kbps
Number of Audio Channels -> 2
Audio Channel's Positions -> L R
Sampling Rate -> 44.1 KHz
Bit Depth -> 16 bits

[qatestdev]

Since last year many things happened at YouTube. . . 8)

Justinslee, your video is the first 16/9 I see to generate fmt=35, all the formats:
Nill 9197 KB
5 9195 KB
6 21.4 MB
13 1783 KB
17 2403 KB
18 17 MB
22 off
34 9000 KB
35 24.5 MB

Could you post the details of your upload video?

Thanks.

[Placio74]

Some testing...


Used VirtualDub and Xvid codec with defalt config (Target quantizer 4).

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 1280x960, 4:3 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9CyoIHqtj4
format 35 works

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 960x720, 4:3 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=330VXDLZ6_s
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 768x576, 4:3 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3HBMMcLXvM
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 640x480, 4:3 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em3vSQelKYQ
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

---

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 1280x720, 16:9 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icfj18Ij168
format 35 - fail

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 960x540, 16:9 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7HYG5aznE
format 35 - fail
format 6 by default under watch in high quality

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 768x432, 16:9 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2j9uKrF5xU
format 35 - fail
format 6 by default under watch in high quality

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 640x360, 16:9 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8t1u5V3V18
format 35 fail
not see watch in high quality button

---

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 1280x720, 16:9 (VirtualDub)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phqWpYaKWhA
format 35 works

-----

Used Avidemux and MPEG-4 ASP (Xvid4) with Single Pass - Quantizer 4 (rest default);
and...
used Avidemux and MPEG-4 AVC (x264) with Single Pass - Quality Quantizer (Average) 4 also Single Pass - Quality Quantizer (Constant) 4 (rest default).

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 1280x720, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4v-9p5B_E
format 35 works

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 768x432, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3leGhoJqGq4
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

AVI, Xvid, Qz4, 672x378, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oCtvjjFYMA
format 35 - fail
format 6 by default under watch in high quality

---

MP4, x264, Qz4, 1280x720, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4pzoCyLQNc
format 35 works

MP4, x264, Qz4, 960x540, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6rmjaxr-L0
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

MP4, x264, Qz4, 800x450, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgBWpQIF-Gk
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

MP4, x264, Qz4, 640x360, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmu6nyoZDzM
format 35 - fail
format 6 by default under watch in high quality

---

MP4, x264, Qz4, 1280x960, 4:3 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRgkPkxfOyI
format 35 works

MP4, x264, Qz4, 960x720, 4:3 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udjCn1WCCLM
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

MP4, x264, Qz4, 800x600, 4:3 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ViUD8I7qVs
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality

MP4, x264, Qz4, 640x480, 4:3 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jklULHsQZ0E
format 35 works
by default under watch in high quality


I think... maybe for format 35 source must be (?) encoded with constant quantizer.
(I had not format 35 when try with source encoded with Target bitrate / Average Bitrate.)
HD source is not required for format 35.
I don't sure about minimum source resolution (640x480?).

Works even with awful source quality, but encoded with constant quantizer.
AVI, Xvid, Qz26, 768x432, 16:9 (Avidemux)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3640k9dZ-I

Odd... I don't know, why sometime not works with 16:9 source (with constant quantizer)...


And some other.
Unexpectedly... now by default under watch in high quality is played format 35 or 6, but not 18...(?)
Maybe just played available clip with the highest video resolution and bitrate...

For example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=330VXDLZ6_s
- format 18 (MP4 with AVC/AAC) > ~496 Kbps, 480x360
- format 35 (FLV with AVC/AAC) > ~656 Kbps, 480x360
Unfortunately audio under fmt 35 have ~106 Kbps and under fmt 18 have 123 Kbps (both stereo).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7HYG5aznE
- format 18 (MP4 with AVC/AAC) > ~497 Kbps , 480x270
- format 6 (FLV with H.263/MP3) > ~634 Kbps , 480x270
Unfortunately audio under fmt 6 have ~96 Kbps mono and under fmt 18 have 123 Kbps stereo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=330VXDLZ6_s
- format 18 (MP4 with AVC/AAC) > ~502 Kbps, 480x270
- format 35 (FLV with AVC/AAC) > ~734 Kbps , 640x360
Unfortunately audio under fmt 35 have ~104 Kbps and under fmt 18 have 117 Kbps (both stereo).