Best H.264 encoder?

[Cornucopia]

You wanted the best encoder, yes? So we told you x264. You wanted to know how best to use it, yes? So we told you that you had choices: through VFW interface (if that's how you like to use it) which might be slightly outdated, or through Command Line Interface if you have not trouble writing a script, or through a Graphical Inteface front-end to the Command line (or library) if you DO have trouble writing a script and you don't use a VFW-based editor to start from.
Now you start saying you don't want to go to the extra effort of a 3rd party app, yes? So either stick with a VFW-based editor (and use x264vfw), or give up your quest for the BEST QUALITY (and use Sony 264, or Mainconcept 264, etc).

That sounds to me like you want to take a trip across the ocean but you only bring enough gasoline to get 3/4 of the way, so you want to turn around and go back!

Scott

[PowerFalcon]

I installed x264 vfw - H.264 / MPEG-4 this must be the wrong codec installation, because no program that can write to a video compressor lists this codec ?

[davexnet]

There is a program called filmerit that may help.
https://www.videohelp.com/tools/Filmerit

VCM/ACM is separate from directshow codecs and may not show up as you expect.

[poisondeathray]

I installed x264 vfw - H.264 / MPEG-4 this must be the wrong codec installation, because no program that can write to a video compressor lists this codec ?

Any program that uses VFW (video for windows) system can access it if you have matching 64bit or 32bit version (64bit apps require 64bit version of x264vfw) . Basically all windows NLE's (e.g. sony vegas, adobe premiere), vdub, etc...

[PowerFalcon]

I installed x264 vfw - H.264 / MPEG-4 this must be the wrong codec installation, because no program that can write to a video compressor lists this codec ?

Any program that uses VFW (video for windows) system can access it if you have matching 64bit or 32bit version (64bit apps require 64bit version of x264vfw) . Basically all windows NLE's (e.g. sony vegas, adobe premiere), vdub, etc...

I downloaded the x64 bit version. Restarted the PC, loaded up the program, looked for this newly installed codec, it wasn't there ?

[jagabo]

I downloaded the x64 bit version. Restarted the PC, loaded up the program, looked for this newly installed codec, it wasn't there ?

What program? If it doesn't support VFW it won't be able to use x264vfw.

[poisondeathray]

I installed x264 vfw - H.264 / MPEG-4 this must be the wrong codec installation, because no program that can write to a video compressor lists this codec ?

Any program that uses VFW (video for windows) system can access it if you have matching 64bit or 32bit version (64bit apps require 64bit version of x264vfw) . Basically all windows NLE's (e.g. sony vegas, adobe premiere), vdub, etc...

I downloaded the x64 bit version. Restarted the PC, loaded up the program, looked for this newly installed codec, it wasn't there ?

There should be an option in the start menu for the configuration x264vfw, but you can't actually encode anything without some program that accesses VFW

e.g. if you use 32 bit vdub, install the 32bit version of x264 vfw, open vdub and look under video=>compression

If you want something not installed, portable exe, then use x264.exe , or ffmpeg.exe


Please clarify EXACTLY what you are looking for? What are your requirements ?

[PowerFalcon]

I don't have vdub installed. This is a screen capture of the program I'm using this is all the codecs it shows I can write to for video, why isn't x264 vfw listed ?

[poisondeathray]

Which program ? It might be 32bit, if it is, install 32bit x264vfw

[PowerFalcon]

It works, I needed the 32-bit version

[PowerFalcon]

I did some searching and find out, as some of you were saying already. It is best if I re-encode to h.264 and export to a lossless format. What is the best lossless format that can do up to 1080p, when I convert to h.264 I loose little or no quality ? Any good re-encoding software, doesn't matter if either are commercial or open-source \ freeware although open-source \ freeware is preferred

Also I read that vfw is bad, because Virtualdub can only use vfw, therefore virturaldub cannot be used for any serious encoding purposes, what is your take on this ?

[jagabo]

It is best if I re-encode to h.264 and export to a lossless format.

Why would you reencode to h.264 and then reencode again to a lossless format? Without knowing what you are starting with and where you are going nobody can give you useful advice.

What is the best lossless format that can do up to 1080p

UT Video Codec, Lagarth, HuffYUV... Depends on what you are doing.

Any good re-encoding software, doesn't matter if either are commercial or open-source \ freeware although open-source \ freeware is preferred

Again, without knowing what you are starting with and where you are going nobody can give you specific advice. Handbrake, XMediaRecode, Xvid4PSP, MeGUI, etc.

Also I read that vfw is bad, because Virtualdub can only use vfw, therefore virturaldub cannot be used for any serious encoding purposes, what is your take on this ?

Not really true. Again, it depends on what you are doing.

[PowerFalcon]

I want to encode the video to a lossless codec, then re-encode to h264. I don't want re-encode, I want to right off the bat write the file to a compression in this case lossless, understood ?

[jagabo]

I want to encode the video to a lossless codec, then re-encode to h264. I don't want re-encode, I want to right off the bat write the file to a compression in this case lossless, understood ?

What are you doing? Are you capturing analog video? What kind of capture device? Why do you think the less information you give the better advice you'll get?

[PowerFalcon]

I'm creating video.

[jagabo]

That's real helpful.

[poisondeathray]

What is the best lossless format that can do up to 1080p, when I convert to h.264 I loose little or no quality ?

What do you mean by "best"? "Best" in terms of what ? What criteria ?

In terms of quality, lossless codecs are the same when used in the same colorspace...hence the name "lossless"

Which one you might choose depends on what you are doing , the situation specifics, which software you're using, many factors . For example , encoding speed might be more important in a certain situation, or compatibility with certain software, or compression efficiency / filesize, or editing performance . There is no single one that is best at everything.

If all the information you're going to give is "I'm creating a video", then just pick one at random.

[PowerFalcon]

General over all which one would you recommend for playing video on the web and/or DVD/BluRay ?

[Selur]

leave DVD out and H.264 has the best compatibility, for DVD normal MPEG-2 is the king

[jagabo]

General over all which one would you recommend for playing video on the web and/or DVD/BluRay ?

Which lossless codec for playing those sources? That makes no sense.

[PowerFalcon]

Which lossless for compressing a video. When you record something on a screen capture program, or create a video file which is the best lossless format to create this video into ?

[PowerFalcon]

The best lossless compression is MPEG-2 ?

[Selur]

Lossless codecs compared: http://compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/lossless_codecs_2007_en.html

The best lossless compression is MPEG-2 ?

MPEG-2 is not lossless

[jagabo]

The best lossless compression is MPEG-2 ?

MPEG 2 is not lossless. If you take an MPEG 2 video and recompress it with a lossless codec the file will grow 10x or more in size.

Your questions make no sense. Since you have no idea what you're talking about you should start at the beginning. State what your source is, what final product you want, and what software you are using. And don't answer "Video. Video. It's a secret".

[pras92]

Hi PowerFalcon,
These guys at videohelp are really great when it comes to helping others.
And you'd have already solved your problem, if you had asked it right.
Start with what you want to achieve with what you have in hand.
Just name your input and output, and any other conditions to be fulfilled with the output file. Real Simple.

[PowerFalcon]

When exporting video or creating video in any VFW program you can choose to either save it as a bunch of individual files or a compressor, some may call it a CODEC, some may call it a compressor. What I want to know is when I'm saving a video file in any program whether it's a program that I use to record my desktop, or it's HD video what is the best lossless compressor that can save up to 1080p ? To clear something up, when I say HD video, I mean uncompressed frames. I want to have alot of control over the output of the lossless compression I'd prefer something that is almost identical to uncompressed frames. I'd also like to know what would be your second choice if there is a need for a second choice ?

After I have my video compressed out to a lossless compressor it probably will be large in size. If I want it smaller, or more specifically I want to put it online what is the best method to re-encode the lossless video into H.264 ? I know using the word best is cliche, it is the only word I can use to describe my goal. Are there any specific programs that you would recommend, command line or GUI, with options ? It doesn't matter if either is commercial or freeware\opensource although I'd prefer open source obviously. I read it is recommended to re-transcode rather then write directly to the h.264 compressor because you have more control over the final h.264 codec, is that correct ?

[Steve(MS)]

What are you trying to do specifically?
It appears you are trying to capture, perhaps a video game output or what?
Likely there is not a fit all type solution for every situation so be more specific.

You have attracted the attention of some very knowledgeable folks in this thread but
if you continue to write in vague generalities, they likely will lose interest in giving replies.

[PowerFalcon]

I thought I did explain myself. I'm creating a video file from a program like Adobe Premiere as an example, or a screen capture program. I never said a video game.

[jagabo]

I'm saving a video file in any program whether it's a program that I use to record my desktop, or it's HD video what is the best lossless compressor that can save up to 1080p ?

Desktop capture will be RGB. So you'll probably want a lossless codec that works in RGB. UT Video Codec is a good compromise of speed and compresssion.

I'd also like to know what would be your second choice if there is a need for a second choice ?

Lagarith compresses well but may be slow with too few threads (your profile says dual core). HuffYUV doesn't compress as well but may be faster with few cores. There's a multithreaded variant which may be worth trying. Speed will be important if you're capturing 1920x1080 RGB at 30 frames per second.

After I have my video compressed out to a lossless compressor it probably will be large in size. If I want it smaller, or more specifically I want to put it online what is the best method to re-encode the lossless video into H.264 ?

Best here will be a matter of personal choice. There are many programs that use x264 as the h.264 encoding engine. They differ mainly in the user interface, ranging from simple (few options, not very configurable) to complex (many options, very configurable). Several have been mentioned already. Handbrake or XMediaRecode may be in your ballpark.

Keep in mind that your RGB 4:4:4 source will be converted to YUV 4:2:0 when compressing so colors will get a bit blurry.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/294144-Viewing-tests-and-sample-files?p=1792760&vie...=1#post1792760
Avoid very small colored text, etc.

[Selur]

as a side note: x264 does support other color spaces them 4:2:0; but since most decoders do not, so depending on you settings color space conversion will take place or not