MP4 AVC 10bit 4:2:2 video has MBAFF scan type instead of progressive

[elektro]

How can I losslessly change that MBAFF flag to progressive since the video is progressive? Otherwise the video is unnecessarily deinterlaced during playback with apps like VLC or Pot Player.

[videoAI]

try clever FFmpeg-GUI

[elektro]

try clever FFmpeg-GUI

I downloaded it. I can see the option Progressive at Change scan type tab. But how can I save the changes? It's just an OK button for that tab.

[videoAI]

If you're sure the source is progressive try multiplexing (to save the file) after changing the scan type,
otherwise video encoding might be required.

More info ..

## Changing Scan Type in FFmpeg

Changing the scan type from interlaced to progressive is not inherently a lossless operation.
The process can potentially introduce visual artifacts or quality loss, depending on the method used.

### FFmpeg Conversion Methods

1. Basic Copy Method:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -codec copy output.mp4 [or mkv]

- This might change the scan type flag
- ** Not a true deinterlacing process **
- Metadata change, not actual frame processing

2. Deinterlacing Option:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "yadif=0" -c:v libx264 output.mp4

- `yadif=0` is a common deinterlacing filter
- More sophisticated method
- ** Can potentially reduce quality **

### Lossless Considerations

- Strictly speaking, changing scan type is NOT a lossless operation
- Deinterlacing always involves some form of frame reconstruction
- Quality loss depends on:
- Original video quality
- Deinterlacing method
- Content complexity

### Recommended Approach

1. Use high-quality deinterlacing filter
2. Preserve original frame rate
3. Use a good codec like libx264 with appropriate settings

try clever FFmpeg-GUI

I downloaded it. I can see the option Progressive at Change scan type tab.
But how can I save the changes? It's just an OK button for that tab.

[videoAI]

Macroblock-Adaptive Frame/Field Coding

MBAFF is an advanced video encoding technique in H.264/AVC that allows a single frame to be partially progressive and partially interlaced.

### Technical Breakdown
- MBAFF stands for Macroblock-Adaptive Frame/Field Coding
- It enables an encoder to examine each 16x16 pixel block (macroblock) in a frame
- The encoder can choose between progressive or interlaced encoding for individual macroblocks
- This allows for more efficient compression compared to traditional interlacing methods

### Key Characteristics
- Not a guaranteed fully interlaced or progressive format
- Encoding can vary per macroblock based on motion detection
- Provides more flexible video encoding compared to older methods like PAFF (Picture Adaptive Frame/Field)

### Potential Challenges
- Some media players may not fully support MBAFF
- Can cause playback issues on certain devices
- May trigger unnecessary deinterlacing on some systems

# Check video properties
ffprobe -v quiet -print_format json -show_format -show_streams input.mp4

[ProWo]

First you have to mux your video to mkv.
Then fire up mkvtoolnix gui,
1) click Header Editor (on the left). Drag your new mkv into the window,
2) click the video track,
3) click the Video interlaced flag.
You'll see now the
4) actual flag 1 (for interladed). Set the current value to 2,
5) click the Header editor menu, click save.


[Attachment 89445 - Click to enlarge]

That's it. You mkv is now flagged as progressive.