FFMpeg performance

[aeroliteflyer]

I have many DVD's I own I ripped to my computer as full quality DVD .mp2. I am using FFMpeg to convert them to h264 for my ipod classic. After I convert them the video is jerky, not always but enough to make it irritating. WinFF has a neat feature that you can just watch the video you want to convert and the video is jerking the same there. So it seems WinFF is having a hard time playing a DVD file. I also just made a straight .vob backup to the computer and that still jerked on playback. Is there anyway to improve the performance of FFMpeg so it can playback the .mp2 file so I can encode my movies. I have a Core 2 duo at 2ghz, with 2gb of ram I know my computer can handle it just fine. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[disturbed1]

It doesn't sound like a problem with ffmpeg, more like a problem with the way you've ripped the files to your computer.

also just made a straight .vob backup to the computer and that still jerked on playback.

If the original is jerky, one would assume it would be still jerky after conversion.


Try using DVDFab to back up the DVD first, then compress it to another format.

[aeroliteflyer]

The original isn't jerky at all, i can play the .mpg all day long and its smooth, just like a DVD. When i play it using the winFF preview it is jerky.

[disturbed1]

Good, that clears up that issue. Reading your post, and the part I quoted, it sounds like the problem is with the source file

What settings are you using to encode with? Could be a FPS problem or telecine problem.

Out of curiosity, what program did you use to get a .mp2 from a DVD? Most rippers create .vob files.

[45tripp]

it sounds like the problem is with the source file

in which case providing a sample that reproduces the problem is a good idea

you could also grab the commandline from winff, run it from the command console,
and report full ffmpeg output.

winFF

I much prefer Avanti

[halsboss]

And please provide the full ffmpeg commandline in case something can be seen and suggested with that.

[aeroliteflyer]

Thanks for the responses. first let me clear up, i ripped the dvd to .mpg, (mpeg 2) files, the ext is not .mp2, my bad. I use magic dvd to copy those, it will do a full quality back up to either .vob or to .mpg with dvd quality and .ac3 surround sound. i figure the .mpg is easier to browse in a folder for. the .mpg video plays back perfectly on my computer, using any of my dvd viewing software(media center, wmp, hp quick play). its when i play it back using either winFF preview, or after i encoded the movie and it plays back kind of jerky. I am using 29.97 fps encoding. The command line is below, thanks. 2 pass encoding

C:\Program Files\WinFF\ffmpeg.exe" -i "D:\Movies\Transformers.mpg" -deinterlace -r 29.97 -vcodec h264 -s 640x352 -aspect 16:9 -flags +loop -cmp +chroma -deblockalpha 0 -deblockbeta 0 -b 1000k -maxrate 1250k -bufsize 4M -bt 256k -refs 1 -coder 0 -me umh -me_range 16 -subq 7 -partitions +parti4x4+parti8x8+partp8x8 -g 250 -keyint_min 25 -level 30 -qmin 10 -qmax 51 -qcomp 0.6 -trellis 2 -sc_threshold 40 -i_qfactor 0.71 -acodec aac -ab 80k -ar 48000 -ac 2 -b 2000kb -r 29.97 -s 640x384 -ab 160kbps -ar 44100 -async 2 -passlogfile "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.log" -pass 1 -y "NUL.avi"

"C:\Program Files\WinFF\ffmpeg.exe" -y -i "D:\Movies\Transformers.mpg" -deinterlace -r 29.97 -vcodec h264 -s 640x352 -aspect 16:9 -flags +loop -cmp +chroma -deblockalpha 0 -deblockbeta 0 -b 1000k -maxrate 1250k -bufsize 4M -bt 256k -refs 1 -coder 0 -me umh -me_range 16 -subq 7 -partitions +parti4x4+parti8x8+partp8x8 -g 250 -keyint_min 25 -level 30 -qmin 10 -qmax 51 -qcomp 0.6 -trellis 2 -sc_threshold 40 -i_qfactor 0.71 -acodec aac -ab 80k -ar 48000 -ac 2 -b 2000kb -r 29.97 -s 640x384 -ab 160kbps -ar 44100 -async 2 -passlogfile "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.log" -pass 2 "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.mp4"

[Abond]

C:\Program Files\WinFF\ffmpeg.exe" -i "D:\Movies\Transformers.mpg" -deinterlace -r 29.97 -vcodec h264 -s 640x352 -aspect 16:9 -flags +loop -cmp +chroma -deblockalpha 0 -deblockbeta 0 -b 1000k -maxrate 1250k -bufsize 4M -bt 256k -refs 1 -coder 0 -me umh -me_range 16 -subq 7 -partitions +parti4x4+parti8x8+partp8x8 -g 250 -keyint_min 25 -level 30 -qmin 10 -qmax 51 -qcomp 0.6 -trellis 2 -sc_threshold 40 -i_qfactor 0.71 -acodec aac -ab 80k -ar 48000 -ac 2 -b 2000kb -r 29.97 -s 640x384 -ab 160kbps -ar 44100 -async 2 -passlogfile "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.log" -pass 1 -y "NUL.avi"

"C:\Program Files\WinFF\ffmpeg.exe" -y -i "D:\Movies\Transformers.mpg" -deinterlace -r 29.97 -vcodec h264 -s 640x352 -aspect 16:9 -flags +loop -cmp +chroma -deblockalpha 0 -deblockbeta 0 -b 1000k -maxrate 1250k -bufsize 4M -bt 256k -refs 1 -coder 0 -me umh -me_range 16 -subq 7 -partitions +parti4x4+parti8x8+partp8x8 -g 250 -keyint_min 25 -level 30 -qmin 10 -qmax 51 -qcomp 0.6 -trellis 2 -sc_threshold 40 -i_qfactor 0.71 -acodec aac -ab 80k -ar 48000 -ac 2 -b 2000kb -r 29.97 -s 640x384 -ab 160kbps -ar 44100 -async 2 -passlogfile "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.log" -pass 2 "D:\Zune Movies\Transformers.mp4"

I am not very familiar with the comm. lines for ffmpeg, but I wonder why the bitrate (different!), the output resolution (also different) and the framerate are specified two times for 1 and 2 pass. Is there any special consideration for you to deinterlace and use 29.97 fps? Because I think (but I am not sure) that the movie is 23.976 fps with soft telecine applied and therefore is not trully interlaced. It is well possible that the jerkiness appear exactly as a result of this handling.

[halsboss]

alternatively, leave it interlaced and see what happens... (needs the interlaced flags set)

[aeroliteflyer]

Interestingly enough, i used 23.976 for frame rate and it is much much better, i wouldn't say perfect, but much improved. I could have swore the movie was 29.97, even ffmpeg detected 29.97, i thought. which is better thou, interlaced or not. I thought progressive was better but i cant tell a difference. Thanks for all your responses.

[thymej]

I had the same problem when using FFMPEG. My problem was the telecine problem talked about by disturbed1. I could never find a way for FFMPEG to do a correct reverse telecine (convert the 29.97fps to 23.976).

It was not until I learned how to use AviSynth. I use the filters TFM, TDecimate to do the reverse telecine. TFM and TDecimate is part of the TIVTC package found here: http://web.missouri.edu/~kes25c/

It would be good to learn AviSynth, then you could completely eliminate the jerkiness; I did.

[thymej]

BTW, aeroliteflyer

Telecine is a special conversion process of Film (23.976fps) to Video (29.97fps). Most DVDs store the videos/vobs as 23.976fps with the soft Telecine flag set in the vobs. That means it will play back at 29.97fps. That is why FFMPEG reports it as 29.97. I dont know if FFMEG knows how to ignore the soft telecine flag. Thats why you need to learn use AviSynch and also Dgindex.

ThymeJ

[disturbed1]

As far as I know, ffmpeg does not have a built in ivtc filter like mplayer/mencoder.

LIke thymej stated, avisynth is an easy way to get past this. Use DGMPGDec/DGIndex on the mpg file to create a d2v file and ac3 file. The d2v file will have notes on the telecine for propper encoding. You would load the d2v file and ac3 audio with an avisynth script and pass it on to winff.

mpeg2source("file.d2v")
NicAC3Source("file.ac3")



That is just a very, very, very, VERY basic script to load the d2v file and ac3 file. You can then open the avs script with winff* and convert. Make sure you keep the fps at 23.976, as that is technically what the movie is. Check out the glossary (top left ) to see what pulldown and telecine is. There are also a slew of guides on avisynth, DGIndex, and everything in between. On the guide section, you can search by the tool you want to use.
Glossary
Guides
Probably confusing if you've never used these tools. It is quite easy after you try it out.

* Providing ffmpeg and winff was compiled with avisynth support. I don't use Windows, so someone else would have to answer that