mpeg 2 encoding time - would dual processor help?

[doradee]

The computer I'm using right now has Pentium 4 1.4GHz processor, 1GB RAM. It takes about 120 hours to encode a 1:15hr long NTSC DVD-compliant mpeg2 file (2-pass Variable Bitrate) from a DV avi source file, using TMPGEnc 2.5 It takes quite long because I also use filers like noise reduction and clipping.

I want to buy a new computer within the next two weeks. I'm thinking one with dual AMD MP2100 processors with 1GB RAM. I've heard that dual processors can shorten the encoding time, but how much? Let's say, if with the system I have takes 120 hours, how many hours will the new system take to do the same job?

[Jason A]

I'm running a 1.6a @ 2.4ghz, DUAL DDR chanel memory the WORKS !!!

But a 1hr30min video takes 32hrs to encode using 2passvbr/and noise reduction.......

I've heard that a dual mp1800 will do the same in 12hrs. FLAT !!!!

Dual CPU's really don't help with the MPEG encoding, but screams through the filters and other effects which is all SMP based...

I've read this on many sites including HARDOCP & 2cpu.com

Now according to Tmpeg sources, amd support is maxed but a faster P4 support will be included soon...

but for me.....my next compression machine will be a dual AMD system..

that is..until a good dual p4 board comes out !!!

Jason

[jfl330]

I too am in a similar situation and would love to know some quantifed data on this.

I am willing to go out and buy new hardware for this process IF I can be sure it would help.

If a qualified answer does not exist, I may just build another machine just for this purpose so I can keep using a computer while the mpeg2 conversion is going on.

I am running a Athlon 1GHZ with 512 M ram with fast hard drives and Windows XP, still painfully slow.

[Jason A]

Go to 2cpu.com guys and look in the forums.....

Mostly over there, everybody is running dual MP's and a few run Xeon's...

If you want the most cost effective/price ratio, then AMD MP's are the way to go...

If you've got deep pockets, then I'd go with DUAL AMD's !!!!

Of course dual CPU's of any type speed up Tmpeg encoding as well as Ligos LSX encoder.....

Again..there's many reports on this....but for now....I'm waiting for the new Intel P4's that will be SMP capable later this year (woopee !!!)

Jason

[MoovyGuy]

The computer I'm using right now has Pentium 4 1.4GHz processor, 1GB RAM. It takes about 120 hours to encode a 1:15hr long NTSC DVD-compliant mpeg2 file (2-pass Variable Bitrate) from a DV avi source file, using TMPGEnc 2.5 It takes quite long because I also use filers like noise reduction and clipping.

I want to buy a new computer within the next two weeks. I'm thinking one with dual AMD MP2100 processors with 1GB RAM. I've heard that dual processors can shorten the encoding time, but how much? Let's say, if with the system I have takes 120 hours, how many hours will the new system take to do the same job?

Yes, a dual processor can practically cut your rencoding time in half. But to be honest with you, your existing machine is no slouch. If your taking 120 hours to process something that is only a little over an hour long then you may have a configuration problem.

Without understanding how your system is set up, you will undoubtibly duplicate whatever misconfigurations that exist on this system on any new system that you aquire.

So I have to ask, in order to better understand where you are comming from;

You say your source is DV Avi. How big in megabytes is this 1:15hr source ?

What encoder are you using ?

What pre-encoding steps did you take, ie DVD2Avi/Avisynth/FitCD. ?

How many filters are processing the video at encode time ?

What is the DV Avi resolution and what resoulution did you set for your output ?

Is your output Mpeg1 or Mpeg2 ? I assume it's Mpeg2, but I have to ask to be sure.

Later 8)

[doradee]

Hi... yeah, some people have told me before that my encoding time is ridiculously too long. Here's what I usually do: I first capture video from my DV camcoder through firewire (resolution 720x480). Then, I use Ulead Media Studio 6.5 to edit before saving the final project in a DV avi format. The file is about 15GB. After that, I open up TMPGEnc, load the video file, use 2 filters (video noise reduction and clipping). Then, set the motion detector to High Quality (slow). As I mentioned before, I set it to encode 2-pass VBR. The output file is NTSC DVD compliant mpeg2 (720x480). I also set the task priority to High, and the whole time that it's encoding, I do not run any other applications at all... and that takes 120 hours.

[Jason A]

Hi... yeah, some people have told me before that my encoding time is ridiculously too long. Here's what I usually do: I first capture video from my DV camcoder through firewire (resolution 720x480). Then, I use Ulead Media Studio 6.5 to edit before saving the final project in a DV avi format. The file is about 15GB. After that, I open up TMPGEnc, load the video file, use 2 filters (video noise reduction and clipping). Then, set the motion detector to High Quality (slow). As I mentioned before, I set it to encode 2-pass VBR. The output file is NTSC DVD compliant mpeg2 (720x480). I also set the task priority to High, and the whole time that it's encoding, I do not run any other applications at all... and that takes 120 hours.

Well...I know that my 1.8ghz P4 (non-a) oc'd to 2ghz took 70 hours to encode a movie 1hr45min long with 2pass/noise/color !!!!

So you are on par with the time....filters kill....simple as that, but a 2nd CPU helps a TON !!!!

Jason

[jfl330]

Hardware Update:
I changed from a 1GHz Athlon to a 2GHz Athlon XP and encoding time was cut by almost 60%, was 75 hours for project, now it took 32 hours.
It was 2H20M vhs I captured to AVI using Studio AV, then converted to SVCD MPEG-2 using TMPEGenc, noise filter, high quality.
I guess 2 cpu would have been faster, but I do not have that many 2H + tapes to convert.
Will try OCing the Athlon XP just to see how much more it can be squeezed.
Just an FYI..............................

[lattedfw]

doradee,

Your encoding time is about what I experience on my PC: 1.7GHz P-4, 256MB RAM, 60GB hard drive. I also encode from DV source. A 2-hour video (about 27GB DV .avi file), took 56-hours to encode to MPEG2 with TMPGEnc's 2-pass VBR, no filters. This all ends up getting burned to DVD-R/RW.

[movienut2002]

Wholly guacamole!!!

72 hours -

32 hours

My computer can't run that long without locking up. :LOL:


You guys are dedicated in the pursuit of quality.


I'll stick to adding to my VCD collection with my Dual AMD.


In 72 hours I can do about 90 hours of DVD to vcd
In 32 hours about 40.

It would take some of you 100+ days to encode 90 hours to get the results you're after.


Dual AMD has been great for me.


No offense to any of you ! I wish I had the time to get your results.