Good Codec for Minecraft YouTube videos

[quadrplax]

I want to upload Minecraft videos to YouTube (/user/quadrplax if you want to see).
Anyway, I can't find a good codec. I have a bad internet connection and am not allowed to leave my computer running overnight. My videos are about 30 minutes long. I tried Lagarith and it was predicting 48 hours. I tried XViD and it "failed to process". Please help! My uploading window is 20 hours. P.S. Does a YouTube upload resume after standby?
Thanks, quadrplax

[manono]

I tried XViD and it "failed to process".

Tried it using what program? If it doesn't work, then try a different program. There are many. However, for smaller size at the same quality (slower encoding but faster uploads), try x264 video with AAC audio inside an MP4 container. YouTube accepts that too.

My uploading window is 20 hours. P.S. Does a YouTube upload resume after standby?

I think so, because I think I remember some videos completing even after my internet connection failed temporarily. But I'm not positive. Maybe someone else knows better.

[quadrplax]

Oops. I forgot to mention I edit with VirtualDubMod. I think internet connection failure would be different than standby, too. Processing time is also fine as long as it's within the 20 hour window aswel.

[quadrplax]

Speedtest.net says my upload speed is .99mbps. I hate my ISP!

[manono]

I haven't seen the 'Failed To Process" message from VDubMod before. The videos open OK but won't encode? And the XviD codec is installed? You can choose and configure it under Video->Compression? I guess the answer is 'yes' because you say you tried XviD. Lagarith is lossless and will make for huge filesizes and probably isn't what you want to upload to YouTube. Have you tried Virtual Dub itself, rather than the much older VDubMod?

And exactly what kind of AVIs are these videos of yours? Post a MediaInfo Text file of them please.

[quadrplax]

Failed to process comes up when I uploaded it to YouTube. I can process it in VDubMod, but WMP won't play it, and apparently neither will YouTube.

[manono]

Then you must be doing something very wrong if even a software player won't play them. And WMP plays other XviD videos you have, perhaps ones you've downloaded? Maybe it's time for you to find an all-in-one program to create the videos for upload to YouTube since, apparently, you're not quite ready to do it on your own.

Just for the record, I've created over a thousand XviD AVIs and successfully uploaded them to YouTube. I now use x264 video in MP4s, but all the XviD AVIs I ever made played in my players.

You neglected to provide the requested information:

And exactly what kind of AVIs are these videos of yours? Post a MediaInfo Text file of them please.

[TrackingError]

If you want to encode to x264 (which IIRC gives significantly better quality vs. XviD), you can use Handbrake.

[quadrplax]

Didn't see MediaInfo request. Input or output? This in the input (from https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/356623-What-free-editing-program-can-_____/page2)

-----------------
|THE VIDEO FILES|
-----------------
General
Complete name : F:\Videos\MC Server\1 [NEEDS REEDITING] - Giant Explosion\1.avi
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 213 MiB
Duration : 10mn 0s
Overall bit rate : 2 982 Kbps
Writing application : BandiAviMuxer 1.0
Writing library : VirtualDub build 32817/release

Video
ID : 0
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 6 frames
Codec ID : H264
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate : 2 778 Kbps
Width : 1 272 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.101
Stream size : 199 MiB (93%)
Writing library : x264 core 130 r2273kMod b3065e6
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=6 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x133 / me=umh / subme=9 / psy=1 / fade_compensate=0.00 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=6 / sliced_threads=1 / slices=6 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc=crf / mbtree=0 / crf=23.0000 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=10 / qpmax=51 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / pb_ratio=1.30 / aq=1:1.00

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : 50
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 13.7 MiB (6%)
Alignment : Split accross interleaves
Interleave, duration : 33 ms (1.00 video frame)
Interleave, preload duration : 500 ms
|--------------|
|THE AUDIO FILE|
|--------------|
General
Complete name : F:\Videos\MC Server\1 [NEEDS REEDITING] - Giant Explosion\audio.wav
Format : Wave
File size : 422 MiB
Duration : 41mn 45s
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 1 411 Kbps

Audio
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 41mn 45s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 411.2 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 44.1 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 422 MiB (100%)

[quadrplax]

If you want to encode to x264 (which IIRC gives significantly better quality vs. XviD), you can use Handbrake.

Really? I tried x264. The color quality was messed up (ex: the dirt looked pinkish)

[manono]

Really? I tried x264. The color quality was messed up (ex: the dirt looked pinkish)

But your source is H264, which is pretty much the same thing. In fact, you could just upload that file you showed me to YouTube. Or are you editing it in some way, perhaps cutting out parts? If the colors change, are you downsizing the resolution to standard definition? If going from Hi-Def to Standard-Def, the colorimetry should also change. I don't know which programs might take that into account. VDubMod doesn't, I don't think. The best way to do that is within an AviSynth script.

Actually I was more interested in the XviD result to try and understand why it was being rejected by YouTube.

1272x720 is a peculiar resolution. It's usually 1280x720. But that's not the reason for the XviD problems, I don't think.

[quadrplax]

But your source is H264, which is pretty much the same thing. In fact, you could just upload that file you showed me to YouTube. Or are you editing it in some way, perhaps cutting out parts? If the colors change, are you downsizing the resolution to standard definition? If going from Hi-Def to Standard-Def, the colorimetry should also change. I don't know which programs might take that into account. VDubMod doesn't, I don't think. The best way to do that is within an AviSynth script.

Actually I was more interested in the XviD result to try and understand why it was being rejected by YouTube.

1272x720 is a peculiar resolution. It's usually 1280x720. But that's not the reason for the XviD problems, I don't think.

Oops! I never realized, that's the wrong video file. That was an old attempt at trying to make it look good.
As for the resolution, my screen capturing program always makes the recording box fit within the screen (1280x1024 resoultion) upon startup and sometimes I forget to set it back.

[quadrplax]

I've been doing some tests with XViD's settings. Either 1 of 2 things happens:
A. The 2nd audio steam (Using VirtualDubMOD) doesn't get included (It does with laragith)
B. The video fails to process when I try to upload it to YouTube
Either way, WMP will not playback the file. Do you know an XViD setting that will fit my needs, or do you have a good codec to reccommend? Much appreciated.
-quadrplax

[quadrplax]

XViD looks fine, youtube.com/ethoslab uses it and his videos look great. However, I doubt he needs multiple audio streams. Details about audio streams:
1: Comes with video, MP2 format, direct stream copy
2: External audio, PCM (.wav) format, full processing mode
If the full processing mode is the problem, that audio file's volume has to be increased, but the audio file has already run through Audacity. I could change the volume in Audacity instead if nessesary.

[manono]

Do you know an XViD setting that will fit my needs, or do you have a good codec to reccommend?

Originally Posted by manono
And exactly what kind of AVIs are these videos of yours? Post a MediaInfo Text file of them please.

Can't offer advice on how to make them unless we know where you're going wrong. Why are you trying to include a second audio track? Does YouTube even accept 2 audios in an AVI?

[quadrplax]

Does YouTube even accept 2 audios in an AVI?

That may be it. Again, WMP refuses to play XViD. If so, would there be some way to merge the audio streams or something of the like. The best way to test it would be to use a different codec, like lagarith. Perhaps I should try to upload a short video with 2 streams in lagarith format.

[quadrplax]

Tried Alphreysoft (something like that) and FastCodec, but the file sizes were HUGE. The XViD file (w/ failed audio) is 696MB. Those 2 codecs were over 24gb! No way I can upload that!

[El Heggunte]

These are the things that IMHO you should not be doing:

1) use VirtualDubMod instead of VirtualDub

2) capture with lossy codecs

FWIW, I capture video and sound with FRAPS, and only later I edit them and encode the result to a new AVI file (w/ uncompressed audio) for YouTube.

[quadrplax]

1) use VirtualDubMod instead of VirtualDub

2) capture with lossy codecs

FWIW, I capture video and sound with FRAPS, and only later I edit them and encode the result to a new AVI file (w/ uncompressed audio) for YouTube.

1) I do use VirtualDubMod, siad that wrong. Whoops

2) It's a bit too late for that. The MediaInfo for the video files I gave before was wrong. My video files are about 10 minutes and the file size ranges form 0.6-1.2 gigs. However, many of my output files are much larger from what I've tried.

I record with free Bandicam. The codec they record in (BandiMPEG or something like that) is great. However, I can't select it in VDM, it is locked or something. I would not do full processing mode, but I have to in order to crop off the Bandicam logo

[El Heggunte]

So Bandicam doesn't give you the option to use a lossless codec?

Because YouTube will screw your uploads anyway, and the "lossless stage" should be the first step, not the second one, IF you really want to avoid an "infinite" upload E.T.A. with your slow connection Unless of course you don't care very-much about the quality of your YouTube videos

[quadrplax]

So Bandicam doesn't give you the option to use a lossless codec?

Because YouTube will screw your uploads anyway, and the "lossless stage" should be the first step, not the second one, IF you really want to avoid an "infinite" upload E.T.A. with your slow connection Unless of course you don't care very-much about the quality of your YouTube videos

Bandicam's codec looks perfectly fine. I wish I didn't have to re-encode it in order to ctop the video. The codec looks fine, and has a great file size. I'm uploading in 720p. The Bandicam files have a resolution of 1280x835, cropping it enlarges the file size or decreases the quality with all the codecs I've tried. XViD uploads fine and looks fine in default config, but the second audio stream is somehow removed. Is there a way to merge them or is it b/c of FPM?

Lots of btw.

[quadrplax]

Bandicam's codec is called (according to VDM) "Bandi MPEG-1 Video Decoder"
If I try to use it, it fails.

[El Heggunte]

Hi there again. It would be nice if you posted a NEW MediaInfo report about the ACTUAL file you're working on.

And of course you cannot encode with the Bandicam VfW codec, since it's only a decoder

Anyway, the ENcoder used by Bandicam must be heavily-modified stuff, because AFAIK standard MPEG-1 doesn't support odd resolutions like 1280x835 And if Xvid looks OK for you, just use it. But I still don't understand why there are TWO audio streams in your source file,

can't you simply recompress to Xvid WITHOUT AUDIO, and add the sound later

[quadrplax]

Hi there again. It would be nice if you posted a NEW MediaInfo report about the ACTUAL file you're working on.

And of course you cannot encode with the Bandicam VfW codec, since it's only a decoder

Anyway, the ENcoder used by Bandicam must be heavily-modified stuff, because AFAIK standard MPEG-1 doesn't support odd resolutions like 1280x835 And if Xvid looks OK for you, just use it. But I still don't understand why there are TWO audio streams in your source file,

can't you simply recompress to Xvid WITHOUT AUDIO, and add the sound later

New MediaInfo:
------------------
General
Complete name : F:\Videos\MC Server\1 [NEEDS REEDITING] - Giant Explosion\bandicam 2013-04-23 16-22-38-795.avi
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
File size : 935 MiB
Duration : 10mn 0s
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 13.1 Mbps
Writing application : BandiAviMuxer 1.0

Video
ID : 0
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 1
Format settings, BVOP : No
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Codec ID : MPEG
Codec ID/Info : Chromatic MPEG 1 Video I Frame
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 12.9 Mbps
Width : 1 272 pixels
Height : 832 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 3:2
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.405
Stream size : 920 MiB (98%)

Audio
ID : 1
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 2
Codec ID : 50
Duration : 10mn 0s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 192 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 13.7 MiB (1%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves
Interleave, duration : 24 ms (0.72 video frame)

------------------------------------


Bandicam has a weird codec. You can modify the resolution while recording and it will only affect that part. As for two audio streams, the first one comes with the video, in-game audio, and the second one is me talking from my microphone, only the file has been modified in Audacity to improve sound quality. Maybe adding the sound later will work. I'll try that next. However, If I open the XVid file w/ the 2 audio streams, it still has 2 streams. I heard someone talk about demuxing and remuxing or something like that in Audacity. Do you know anything about that? Would that fix this problem?
-quadrplax

EDIT: Just looked at MediaInfo. Looks like Bandicam is automatically rounding down to standart (835 to 832)
If your wondering, this if for episode 1, on this one and a few others I accidently made the width 1272 instead of 1280.

[El Heggunte]

Thanks for the updated info, ( better late than jamais, I think )

1272x832 is mod8, so it's legal for MPEG-1 As for the audio, well, since probably neither YouTube nor Adobe Flash Player support simultaneous playback of different audio streams, you really should MIX the game sound and your voiceover into a single audio track, and then mux this to the Xvid reencode through VirtualDubMod itself. I advise you to NOT recompress the audio, just save it a normal stereo WAV file from Audacity or other audio editor(s).

[quadrplax]

So are you saying I can somehow take the MP2 audio out of the .avi file and put it into the PCM .wav file despite the fact that they are different formats? If so, how?

[El Heggunte]

I suggest AVI-Mux GUI for extracting the audio to a standalone MP2 file, then you can open this latter in Audacity, and edit it as needed.

VirtualDub has an option to "save WAV" for the "Direct Stream Copy" mode, but I know nothing about VirtualDubMod.
Also, I don't know whether Audacity supports compressed WAVs correctly , I only use Wavosaur, Goldwave, sox, Avisynth and other unfriendly tools , depending on the circumstances Anyway, you can also decode MP2 to WAV through lame.exe

[quadrplax]

VirtualDubMod has a direct stream copy option if that's what you mean. The PCM file has already ran through Audacity so it should work with it. BTW what is lame.exe? Also, I downoad AVI-Mux GUI via the auto-link and if I click on it to run it nothing happens. No idea why, and don't see a readme file.

EDIT: Noticed that edit MP2 thing. There is nothing wrong with the MP2 file, I'm leaving that as-is, only the PCM needs to be modified (Volume and Pitch)

[El Heggunte]

You must download and extract the ZIP archive to an adequate folder, example "C:\AVI-MuxGUI"

As for his infamous "rtfm.txt" , here you go,
http://www.alexander-noe.com/video/amg/avi-mux_gui.pdf

OK, so after adjusting the voiceover stream, you'll still have to mix it with the UNCOMPRESSED MP2, normalize, and save the result to a new, uncompressed, PCM audio.

[quadrplax]

I just extracted it in my downloads folder. As I said, I can't get the excutable to launch. It does the whole do you want to run this file security thing, I say yes, and it never opens.

EDIT: Opened it while looking at processes in Task Manager. It appears for about 2 seconds in the processes list, then disappears. IT does not appear in applications.