Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Posted by: bruceo

Date:4/7/2006 11:05:34 PM

I can create a nice looking Mainconcept avc, but when viewing online quicktime waits until the file is downloaded to start playing. I then used the quicktime .mov settings and selected H264 and set the bitrate to similar FCP users 640x360 files @1.1MB/sec but no matter what I set the fixed rate at the final output is at a super high quality VERY large file. SO then I tried unconstrained and adjusted the quality slider to 25% and the resultant data rate is around 1.7Mb/sec which is good, but the file quality sucks where the FCP guys have data rates of 1.1-1.4 and the output is AWESOME. To get output close I have to adjust the slider to around 50% which makes the data rate 3.3 or so but the file size is TOO large.

How can I get the same quality & file size with the MC avc mp4 but have a resultant file that buffers and plays????

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: jlafferty

Date:4/8/2006 9:56:16 AM

I'm sorry if my response is in no way helpful to you, but...

I've just completed building what I feel is the best static shallow DOF adapter out there and have been fretting over how streaming codecs trash the details in my footage that I've worked so hard to preserve. I've got QT7 Pro and have begun trying out the H264 implemented therein. I don't have the MC codec, but at I think $20, QTPro should be pretty accessible to anyone.

My export settings from inside the QT Player are, loosely: Original source aspect and resolution; 30fps progressive; 2000kbps maximum; 2-pass VBR.

Here are two samples:

http://go-35.com/vids/outside1-h264-2pass.mov

http://go-35.com/vids/outside3-h264-2pass.mov

These best their QT6 counterparts considerably, with better color retention and more accurate levels -- and they're nearly 35% smaller files. In fact, at quick glance, they look nearly identical to their NTSC DV source files. In short, I'm impressed -- I just wish render times were more agreeable (4+ hours for 3 minutes!)

Time to get a new machine, I guess...

- jim

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: Grazie

Date:4/8/2006 10:30:55 AM

Jim, those samples of your STATIC DoF device are truly stunning!! And static? That is some clever interface you're focussing on.

Are you posting your efforts on DVinfo.net?

Absolute Magic . .

Grazie

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: jlafferty

Date:4/8/2006 10:58:13 AM

Yeah. I'll be posting more work from the adapter later today (it's currently *chuggah chug chug* compressing).

Thanks for your kind words! I've worked pretty hard to figure this out, from speaking with applied optics physicists to guys working in nanotech -- but ultimately it comes down to something very simple -- does it look good?

- jim

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: bruceo

Date:4/8/2006 11:05:07 AM

Damn Jim, I have QTpro I didn't even think about that. Thanks for the call out. What is your source file format that you are using QT to convert?

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: bruceo

Date:4/8/2006 11:11:50 AM

Jut looked at it... Hell yeah it looks good. Racking handheld.... What kind of lens are you using? Dont say a 50MM DSLR still lens.... It's got to be a Film lens because I don't notice any breathing.... What Cam are u using? Z1?

Subject:RE: h264 .mov?

Reply by: jlafferty

Date:4/8/2006 11:32:17 AM

GL1. 50mm Nikon F manual/film SLR still lens, f/1.4.

My source files are all straight DV -- I capture from tape, cut and invert the image on the timeline, and send it out via the NTSC DV template built into Vegas. Then from there, QTPro with the above settings.