I can't figure out how to use the h.264 (x264) codec!

[Tahlos]

Whenever I run the x264 I downloaded (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/x264_video_codec.htm) When I run it all it is a command line (I have windows). It does not show up in my Sony Vegas Pro 9. Could anyone tell me how to use it?

[poisondeathray]

It's a command line encoder, it doesn't integrate with vegas. There are many GUI's for it, eg. megui, ripbot264, handbrake, xvid4psp

You can install the vfw version, but it tends to be not very stable with vegas in my experience
http://sourceforge.net/projects/x264vfw/
or
http://komisar.gin.by/

Another option is to use debugmode frameserver to frameserve out of vegas into the x264 encoder or GUI for it.

Another option is to export a lossless intermediate, or uncompressed out of vegas into x264

If you want to learn command line options and what the settings do
http://mewiki.project357.com/wiki/X264_Settings

[Bucic]

I used it today (my first day with Vegas). In the Video Format list choose ffdshow and then press the Configure button. There you will be able to choose from tens of codecs/filters (whatever) ffdshow "supplies".

[poisondeathray]

^I highly suggest that you DON'T use ffdshow's vfw h.264 encoder, it's even worse than sony's or mainconcept in vegas implemenation . It hasn't been updated in years and gives horrendous quality.

[Bucic]

So how do we replace ffdshow's h.264 encoder with a proper one so that it will be as easy accessible through Sony Vegas?

[poisondeathray]

So how do we replace ffdshow's h.264 encoder with a proper one so that it will be as easy accessible through Sony Vegas?

I listed the options above of what people use with vegas (I should mention this applies to vegas pro 8 & 9, not sure about the other versions)

The vfw version of x264 does integrate, but it tends to crash vegas in my experience. Others find it works fine.

[Bucic]

You don't mention a stable implementation that integrates with SV so I guess it does not exist. Well, it seems reasonable to try out the http://sourceforge.net/projects/x264vfw/ first. Thank you very much!

[Bucic]

Can anyone tell my what is at least one quality related benefit of using one of the GUIs for x264 instead of x264vfw? x264vfw has GUI, is accessible from Sony Vegas, features bitrate based encoding and multipass encoding. What more would newbie/intermediate want?

[poisondeathray]

I though I mentioned this in your other thread, but your levels won't come out correctly if you use the vfw version through vegas pro for your screen captures (not sure about the studio version). Grey will become white. Even using a computer=> studio RGB filter doesn't correct it properly. Rendering out uncompressed then using x264 CLI works fine in my tests. The vfw version is also slower than the CLI version, even through vdub (I think it has to do with the VFW 1 frame in 1frame out model). It's also prone to crashes in vegas, at least for me

[Bucic]

Very helpful!
Sorry I forgot about the color levels. I thought they will be fine as long as I give Sony Vegas RGB clips. I will remember now.