ENCODING
GUIDES -> Introduction to video conversion
Video encoding is
one of those important steps in a video that will determine
whether the output looks good or bad. The technical term for
this process is 'encoding' but is often referred to as
'conversion' or 'converting'. This guide will use both terms
interchangeably.
What is encoding/conversion? Why do it?
Not all video is the same. Digital video can exist as
any number of formats, using any number of settings. When a
digital video file does not meet the specifications, or the
file type is bad for the intended use, it must be converted
to the proper format, using video encoder software.
Formats? Specifications?
The word "format" is used for many things in
video, but it tends to confuse people for this very
reason.
- VIDEO FORMAT: This include filetypes, like MPEG-1, MPEG-2,
Quicktime, RealMedia, Windows Media, etc
- PLAYBACK FORMAT: Examples include DVD-Video (DVD), VideoCD
(VCD), Super VideoCD (SVCD), etc
- SPECIFICATIONS: For example, DVD-Video uses MPEG-1 or
MPEG-2 with certain resolutions only. See the UNDERSTANDING
YOUR SOURCE capture guide for more info on the various
digital specs for disc-based MPEG, such as allowed
resolution and bit-rates.
When encoding video, one must consider the
original source and capture methods, any later encodes that
were performed, and then the intended output. Only by
analyzing those aspects, and then considering all the
options, can a high quality encode be performed. Converting
video is not simply a matter of pressing the "just do
it" button in an encoder.
This guide includes several sections:
(1) Optimal encoding solutions
(2) Analyzing unknown sources
(3) and Video encoder suggestions
Optimal
encoding solutions
'BEST METHODS' to encode
video:
A- The first one is to simply avoid it when possible. As was
mentioned in the INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO CAPTURING capture
guide, for direct conversion work, when good
hardware/software is being used, there is nothing to gain by
capturing to an AVI and encoding to MPEG later on.
B- The other one is to start out with high quality
uncompressed or low-compression formats. This is usually
done for one of 3 reasons: (1) because the capture hardware
is inferior, (2) because the device is a DV camera or
limited to editing formats like MJPEG only, or (3) because
the video needed extensive editing. Be sure to write down or
remember these settings. Encode the file with the exact same
framerates, the same interlace method, and either maintain
or decrease the resolution. Only de-interlace if required by
the format or intended output, such as streaming online
video.
'WORST METHODS' to encode video:
How to make bad video: (1) Do not pay attention to the settings and open up the source
file. (2) Use a wizard in some encoder software and just guess
at what you need. Or let the program take control and do it
for you, often equally incorrect as a human's blind guesses.
All-in-one tools are the worst. ......... Again, converting
video is not simply a matter of pressing the "just do
it" button in an encoder!
Bad conversions will result in disappointing video
quality!
Analyzing
unknown sources
Not understanding
the source files when encoding will often result in bad
quality and playback problems. In order to encode an
MPEG (or anything for that matter) into a decent quality
video, you must understand the settings of the source file. Improperly
converting frame rates, aspect, interlace or resolutions
will result in a disaster.
There are two reasons a person will need to analyze the
source:
1. If you did not capture the source then analyze the
source.
2. If you captured it but did not pay attention to the
capture settings, then analyze the source.
I find that the best tool for this purpose is GSpot Codec
Information Appliance. See image below. Open the
video file using the "..." button towards the top
center of the screen. It will open the video and analyze it.
The sections in red are important to helping you figure out
the file, and the sections in green are of utmost importance
for converting the video and audio. You can render to see
more detailed information about how your system currently
reads the file, and the STAT in the audio and video windows
shows if codecs are installed on your system.
Video
encoder suggestions
The following
chart sorts encoders by suggested uses, quality and cost.
Before committing funds to any piece of software, consider
using trial versions.
| Encoder: |
Cost: |
Suggested use, more
info: |
Output
quality: |
| Tsunami
MPEG Encoder (TMPGEnc), Xpress, Source Creator |
$40-60 |
MPEG
encodes, such as VCD or DVD. Suggested for pretty much
any kind of source file, and will open most source
files with codecs installed. Especially useful for the
many built-in video filters to restore video. Enormous
amount of encoding options. GUI and wizard-based
interface. |
Very
good output quality. Has tendency to have slight noise
in files, even with decent bitrates, but not overly
noticeable. Pretty faithful to the source. Fully
customizable. |
| Canopus
Procoder |
$500 |
Professional
MPEG and streaming video. Only suggested for
self-captured high quality AVI files or DV camera
footage. Exists as standalone or as plugin for
NLE timeline output. GUI and wizard-based interface. |
Excellent
high quality, often voted the #1 best quality encoder
on the market. Fully customizable. MPEG output often
looks indistinguishable from the uncompressed source! |
| Canopus
Procoder Express |
$60 |
MPEG
encodes for consumers wanting to make DVDs from DV
camera footage. Exists as standalone or as
plugin for NLE timeline output. Wizard-based
interface. |
Like
its professional version, super high quality. However
it is more limited in the output, for example: MPEG-2
for DVD with proper sequence headers can only be
output as 720x480 |
| MainConcept
MPEG Encoder, including Adobe version |
$150
or
$FREE with Premiere |
MPEG
encodes from high quality sources, or as an output
encode from NLE software like Adobe Premiere. GUI and
wizard-based interface. |
Very
good output quality. Tends to soften the video a bit,
so not overly faithful to the source. Fully
customizable. |
| VirtualDub |
$FREE |
AVI
codec encodes, such as XVID format. Output options
depends entirely on the installed system codecs. GUI
interface. |
Depends
entirely on the settings and codecs being used, but
can achieve quite acceptable results in decent
quality. Fully customizable. |
| Cinemacraft
Encoder (CCE) |
$2,000 |
Only
able to encode MPEG from AVI source. Exists as
standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. GUI
interface. |
Very
good output quality. Tends to add mosquito noise to
the video a bit, so not overly faithful to the source.
Fully customizable. |
| Cinemacraft
Encoder Basic (CCE) |
$60 |
Only
able to encode MPEG from AVI source. Exists as
standalone or as plugin for NLE timeline output. Not
as many options as the pro version. GUI interface. |
Same
as pro version. Very good output quality. Tends to add
mosquito noise to the video a bit, so not overly
faithful to the source. Fully customizable. |
| Freeware:
BBMPEG, QuEnc, etc |
$FREE |
Free
MPEG encoders. Usually very limited in scope, only
able to open certain kinds of files. Not suggested.
Usually GUI interfaces, though some are command-line. |
Often
mediocre quality at best. Some of the better ones have
near-eternal encode times. Not worth the hassle, spend
$50 on a good MPEG encoder. |
| All-In-One
tools: Nero, Roxio, FilmMachine, etc |
$FREE
to
under $100 |
Never
suggested. Usually wizard-based interfaces. |
As
discussed above, all-in-one tools blindly encode
video, often giving dismal results. |
| Special
Use tools: EOVideo, AVi2DVD, etc |
$FREE
to
under $100 |
Not
often suggested. These are usually tools intended to
convert oddball formats to something more standard,
sometimes included in non-mainstream all-in-one tools.
Usually wizard-based interfaces. |
Mediocre
quality. Not much room to complain since these are
often the only methods to convert the oddball video to
more traditional formats. |
| Proprietary
tools: Quicktime, Real, WME, etc |
$FREE
to
under $100 |
Only
suggested for proprietary encodes. Tools released
in-house by the format creators. Usually wizard-based
interfaces. |
Usually
quite decent, tools are dedicated to their formats. |
| Anything
not listed |
Usually
$FREE to
under $100 |
It's
probably not listed for a reason. Either low quality
or a professional specialty use. Interface varies. |
Varies. |
The above table only lists PC software, as
Mac has far less choices (Compressor, Cleaner, MegaPegX,
ffMPEGx, Quicktime, BitVice ... and that's really about it). For
Mac, any of those are good choices, though some are slightly
more advanced than others.
Page Last Updated: May 17th 2005
|
Print
this guide:  |
|
