Question re settings in CCE Basic

[eclipse95]

I want to use CCE Basic to encode my home videos to MPEG-2. These videos are DV files (created from Hi-8 tape using a Canopus analog to digital converter) that are interlaced, bottom field first. I have seen conflicting information in various guides and forum postings as to whether, in CCE Basic's advanced video settings, "output top field first stream" should be checked and whether the offset line should be set to 0 or 1. For example, one person says to leave the "output top field first stream" box checked but set offset line to 1, and another says to uncheck the box and leave offset line at 0 (the latter of which, based on the guide that actually comes with CCE, sounds correct). (Of course, either of these may have the same end result, but I'm not certain of this.) I need to know the proper settings for these two parameters to maintain the video interlaced, bottom field first.

I am also curious as to whether, because all of the material is home video, I should check the "quality settings" box (on the main options screen) and check "natural picture" and if so, where to set the simple/complex slider. And if I should not check the quality settings box, where to set flat part priority; again, some say leave it around 16, others recommend 27-30.

Finally, I am correct in assuming that these videos are not RGB and that I can thus leave the luminance setting at "16 to 235"?

Thanks.

[poisondeathray]

It actually depends on the version used, IIRC it was switched on one of the revisions. In the version I'm using, the offset should be 0, with top field unchecked, but I remember using different settings on earlier versions. The sure way to figure this is to do a short test encode and examine it. If it's shifted 1 line and doesn't look like the original, use the opposite setting.

Definitely disable the low pass filter, it substantially degrades the sharpness and should only be used in specific scenarios, (e.g. noisy footage). The specific settings would change depending on the source used. e.g. you might use different settings for indoor concert vs. an outdoor waterfall scene. Just experiment, as there is no hard and fast rule. 16-235 is the proper range.

[eclipse95]

Thanks for the quick reply. I am using the currently available version (2.70). I'm not sure what you mean by "disable the low pass filter." Is this related to the quality settings options and/or flat part priority?

[poisondeathray]

OK sorry that might not be an option in the basic version?

[eclipse95]

No. Only the "Simple Settings" on your screenshot are available in Basic. And one need not even check any of the three options. I'm trying to determine whether the "natural picture" option should be checked. If any of the three options are selected, it disables the ability of the user to manually adjust flat part priority (although the flat part priority will change depending on where the simple/complex slider is set).