H.264 Converter Comparison

[Joynr]

Hi Im a noob and just starting to get my feet wet ripping and encoding.
Ive used before Dr DivX, DivX Author and Nero 10 Recode but thats the extent of my knowledge in converting

If all of the below implement H.264 standards

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/x264_Encoder
https://www.videohelp.com/tools/TMPGEnc_Xpress
https://www.videohelp.com/tools/Mainconcept_Reference
What is the difference in the h.264 implementation between them? Or is it "exactly" the same and its a matter for the frontend in choosing which features to implement? Does one produce higher quality than the other?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X264
“As of August 2008, x264 implements more features than any other H.264 encoder. “

I take it this is of course a good thing

Im basically looking for the absolutely best quality output for backing up my DVDs and BDs. Time used to encode is not much of a factor. Retaining the menu is good but not absolutely necessary as I can just name the files in alpha/numerical order. And besides would take up some good space where the movies could use.
Looking up on the subject I came upon this site and although h.264 is the best of all of them, there is a distinct difference from original. I assume that the listed software uses their own brand and not h.264 algorithms although they may support it.
http://mirror05.x264.nl/Dark/website/compare.html


From what I understand of x264 its that it is a lossy compressor and not lossless. Is there a way to split a DVD9 or BD into the individual episodes, so they can be process for MKV (highest quality but lossy) or just backed up (essentially is lossless backup)


I take it that if I were to use something other than x264_Encoder I would not be able to use the MeGui frontend and will need to to use the frontend for the respective library


Can MeGui use the full set of options available in H.264? MeGui uses x264_Encoder but I have also seen that there are alternatives to x264_Encoder, and sorry if I offend anyone but I read that handbreak is not as powerful as MeGui so does this mean the quality output is not as good? Or is it that due to the frontend (handbreak) not utilising all feature set of x264 its not as powerful as Megui which does?


Is the only difference in frontends like MeGui in the utilisation of full feature set is the key to getting so-called “the best quality possible”
Is there difference in quality of output between the frontends when set at highest quality? Ie
FFCoder, HandBrake, RipBot264, StaxRip


If there are differences in quality can you please recommend in your opinion the best possible quality without regard to time, what techniques, setting and software solutions is there.


Thank you and I greatly appreciate any help you can give this nooblet

[El Heggunte]

Hi there.

Doubtless x264 is the "most-featured" H264 encoder.
However it's not a "one-click wonder", and if you cannot do without a GUI-frontend for it,
then I'd recommend VirtualDub + the most recent build of the x264 VfW DLL
(which can also output to MKV, MP4, and FLV, if you need/prefer so).

Guide: "X264 Settings" @ http://mewiki.project357.com/wiki/X264_Settings

Latest x264 VfW DLL:

http://komisar.gin.by/

HTH.

P.S.: and have fun!

[Joynr]

Thank you El Heggunte I will look at your links