720p@30fps Possible with Main Profile Level 3.0?

[Thommers]

I have a software program called PlayLater. It is essentially time-shifting software that allows you to legally record shows and movies from the likes of Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, etc. There is a SD and HD version. The HD version boasts 720p recording. You login to your account of whichever media streaming site you have and then search for an episode or movie you would like to record and view later. The recording happens in real-time, so you have to wait the full-length of the episode or movie before it finishes.

I have recorded a couple of different shows in 720p. I bought a few HD shows off of Amazon, and have recorded a couple of Elmo videos for my daughter through Netflix. What I have noticed is that the videos have sub-par quality. They are recording with H.264 in a MP4 container. They normally average between 3100-3300Kbps. Needless to say, they are hefty files.

My qualm is that these shows are not being recorded, or at least recorded properly, in 720p. They all indicate that they use the Main Profile (MP) level 3.0 at 29.97fps. From what I have read MP level 3.0 does not support 720p, but MP level 3.1 does. I did some basic calculations, and even if level 3.0 could do 720p, it would be at a drastically reduced frame rate closer to 11fps. I am wondering if and how it is possible to get a 720p recording at MP level 3.0? And would doing so greatly reduce the quality of a 720p recording in comparison to MP level 3.1?

Doing a bit of research I know that I cannot achieve this with a NLE like Adobe Premiere Pro, it just won't allow it unless I change the profile (or the frame rate as it states). I came across only one other media site that stated they had used MP level 3.0 for 720p in the past, but are now using MP level 3.2 for 720p recordings. I have also seen a couple of Chinese IP cameras that state they use MP level 3.0 for 720p recording. There is of course the chance that these sites are incorrectly stating the specifications actually being used...

The only thought I have had is that PlayLater could be recording the source at something like 480p then re-encoding at 1280x720 so that it seems like 720p, just without the actual quality. Again, is there a way to get true 720p from MP level 3.0?

Thanks, and I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this thread, I just did not see another area where it might fit.

[poisondeathray]

Strictly speaking it's not possible, IF the encoder adheres to profile and level constrants
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC#Levels

However, 1) not all encoders necessarily adhere to level constraints 2) you can "patch" the label with a level editor (so the video will "say" whatever you want, even though it's characterstics might conform to a different level and profile

eg. there are several of these little tools
http://coolsoft.altervista.org/en/h264leveleditor

All they do is change the "label". The underlying data isn't actually altered. Typically they are used to reduce levels, because some HW chip cannot play a higher level . e.g. The "label" might cause a certain video not to play, even though the stream uses lower charateristics

[newpball]

My qualm is that these shows are not being recorded, or at least recorded properly, in 720p. They all indicate that they use the Main Profile (MP) level 3.0 at 29.97fps. From what I have read MP level 3.0 does not support 720p, but MP level 3.1 does. I did some basic calculations, and even if level 3.0 could do 720p, it would be at a drastically reduced frame rate closer to 11fps. I am wondering if and how it is possible to get a 720p recording at MP level 3.0? And would doing so greatly reduce the quality of a 720p recording in comparison to MP level 3.1?

If it bothers you I would suggest you take your complaints to the company in question.

I really do not understand the point of bringing this up on this forum.

PlayLater can claim it is legal but that obviously does not make it so. It seems like a questionable company to me. Why would you need to see something 'later' if you can stream it on demand. Recording contents seems to be a violation of the TOS of most of the companies involved.

[johns0]

Please do not ask for help on recorded streaming video from pay sites,it's against forum rules and is also illegal.This thread is closed.