MPEG Compression

[MailTruck]

Hello - I could not find this info in a forum search.

When I render my edited AVI files, I go to:
Create Video File -> Type:MPEG -> Options ->

Then I see the Compression option, which is a slider with the range speed<---------->quality with 70% as the default.

What is the recommended setting and how does this effect mpeg quality given any particular chosen bitrate? I've been using CBR 8500 and Dolby Stereo Audio, along with the default compression of 70%, but I would like great quality mpegs. Should I slide the compression up to 100% quality?

Thanks

[Black Lab]

You can, but you may sacrifice some speed. You'll have to be the judge as to whether the (possible) increase in quality is worth it.

[Ken Berry]

Just to expand a little on what Jeff said, that slider is really provided to reflect a balance between the end quality obtained and the time taken to obtain it. The default setting of 70%, in other words, is supposed to reflect obtaining a high quality output in what is deemed to be a reasonable time. If you push the number up to 80, 90 or 100%, then correspondingly the rendering process will take (much) longer.

Now, some people say that the end result when they use a setting of 100% makes the extra wait worth it. But as Jeff said, you have to experiment yourself to see if that is the case for you. Personally, I experimented with this several years ago, and frankly -- it could be my ageing eyes -- I just could not see with the naked eye any marked improvement in the end quality. That was also possibly because I was already using pretty high quality settings to start with... So now, I simply leave the slider alone.

You also need to be aware that some users who *have* increased the rating, have reported having problems with their computer falling over or the program simply grinding to a halt. It's not clear exactly why this happens -- maybe a combination of their computer resources being insufficient and the extra demands made by increasing the quality settings. Usually, lessening the upper setting from, say, 100% to 90 or 80 or (gasp! ) the default 70% got the program (and computer) going again with no further problems...

[MailTruck]

Thanks for the timely responses. I tried it at 100% quality, but I didn't sit with it to see how much longer it took. I've been very happy with the speed of my new Core 2 Quad 6600 and 3 GB of RAM.

As for the results, I too (with great vision) couldn't really tell a difference. I guess it's a non-issue. Maybe I'll experirment with some other encoders next.

Thanks again.

[Ken Berry]

If by 'encoders' you mean codecs from some mega codec pack, be very careful. Installing such packs often cause more problems and conflicts than they solve. That is because a huge variety of codecs is simply thrown together on the basis of quantity is better than quality, with no consideration as to known or potential conflicts between the codecs themselves or with programs installed on your computer.

When dealing with such packs, I have a good idea beforehand exactly which specific codecs I am after, and only install them.

[sjj1805]

Just my thoughts on the subject of 100% -v- 70%
Unless you are a professional / Semi Professional and doing this for a living and so have time constraints (time is money etc.)
Then like me you probably do this for a hobby. You possibly go on holiday and take with you your trusty camcorder then spend a few weeks at home carefully editing the videos to produce a DVD of your holiday.

If you have spent a few weeks editing then why skimp on the time taken to render a video. I set mine to 100%. OK it may take a short while longer but compared to the amount of time spent during the editing stage this time is minimal when taking the entire process from start to finish into consideration.

[MailTruck]

Mr. Berry - Thanks for the warning. I'm trying to keep my system lean and uncluttered so that I don't have any issues. I may not have used the correct terminology. I was thinking of trying Canopus ProCoder. I've read good reviews, but I wonder if it's really that much better than VS11+.

sjj1805 - I agree with your philosophy regarding render time. Quality should be the greater concern. My main problem is making sure I have the editing completely finished before rendering.

Thanks

[Ken Berry]

The ProCoder, as its name implies, is really a professional piece of software. Moreover, you can't really compare it to a video editing program like VS since it is not an integrated editing program in its own right. It is mainly used, I believe, in the conversion of formats or output of professional quality product from a variety of inputs. It also does a very good job of converting PAL to NTSC and vice versa. But as far as I was aware, you don't use it to make actual edits to captured video. Happy to be corrected, though...