x264Encoder 1.2.x for QuickTime Thread

[Dark Shikari]

Originally Posted by MyCometG3

Humm.

To make single pass + smaller gop size works better, limiting qpmin seems to be one choice, I guess.

Currently QuickTime's default Key frame interval (used as keyint) is 24, it is too smaller value compared to rc_lookahead's default value.
If default keyint is larger value like 120 or so, rc_lookahead perfectly controls each frame's qp. But it is not for now.
Under this restriction (as common QuickTime Component), limiting QP-min value seems to be one of resonable solution.

Well-known user always changes, but novice user may not change. It is easy to overshoot on this case.

rc-lookahead doesn't even affect frame QP except in the case of VBV mode... and an rc-lookahead of 24 is quite fine enough for that.

[Blue_MiSfit]

@Adub:
Yes, it absolutely is. It works almost everywhere that any other QuickTime component would. Strangely it crashes AJA VTRXchange (A simple capturing app for AJA's Kona cards).

@MyCometG3
I think you're a bit misguided in trying to mimic QuickTime. Why optimize around the corner case of short GOPs? I would bet the vast majority of people use the default max keyint of 250, as it's a well chosen number and x264 is highly adaptive in frametype decision.

I would VERY MUCH prefer if the defaults precisely mirrored x264cli, and the slider adjusted the --preset. This would make things a lot more familiar to us daily x264 users, as it's much closer to how other x264 GUIs have done things. Also, adjusting the --preset is basically the only adjustment most folks make (in addition to bitrate) between encode.

Having the slider adjust --qp-min doesn't make sense at all, because this value should almost NEVER be adjusted. Unless you think you're smarter than x264

~MiSfit

[MyCometG3]

Mapping preset as q-slider seems to be good idea.

But q-slider is analog, and no way to feedback what preset is specified. Also it seems to require re-design dialog, because under crf mode preset is specified in complex dialog.

If user doesnot see common compression dialog, it is easy though.

To achive all of request, user can not use common movie export component... Behaving as quicktime component seems to be not smart.

EDIT - I guess just ignoring slider is simple but best solution for ABR. Planed to implement on next update.

[Adub]

@Blue_MiSfit
Thanks for the info! Looking forward to getting my Macbook Pro and testing this out.

[MyCometG3]

x264Encoder Version 1.2.6 is now available at:
- http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mycometg3/

Based on libx264.a r1564.

When abr, q-slider is ignored by default now.

[Blue_MiSfit]

Excellent!

I've always been confused as to how CRF mode worked in your QuickTime component.

If I set CRF mode in the config page, where do I enter the CRF number I want to use? Based on a previous post of yours, I see that the quality slider adjusts the CRF number - at least it did at one point. Is this still the case? If so, I assume moving the slider to the right will lower the CRF value, correct?

~MiSfit

[MyCometG3]

Originally Posted by Blue_MiSfit

I assume moving the slider to the right will lower the CRF value, correct?

Yes.

Datarate:automatic runs as crf.
Datarate:any value runs as abr.

exeption: if you checked lossless, datarate/slider are ignored.

[porfitron]

Very cool, MyCometG3.

Just tried it out with iMovie on Snow Leopard. Generally, I use auto-leveling, but do you think it would be possible to let users set to level 4.0 (you skipped up to 4.1).

I ask because our DivX Plus HD profile is 4.0: http://developer.divx.com/docs/divx_...ion_with_x264/

Also, is there a way to get it to export in a container other than MOV? It's very simple to mux to MKV with MKVtoolnix or MP4 with Subler, but if it is possible directly from iMovie/Quicktime I would like to know how.

Again, very nice work! Thanks!

[MyCometG3]

Originally Posted by porfitron

but do you think it would be possible to let users set to level 4.0 (you skipped up to 4.1).

Currently, it is limited to a few levels. I am not sure, but 4.0 seems to have little difference from 4.1. (VCL value only?)
Anyway, I can mod my code to add support 4.0 in addition to 4.1.

Originally Posted by porfitron

Also, is there a way to get it to export in a container other than MOV? It's very simple to mux to MKV with MKVtoolnix or MP4 with Subler, but if it is possible directly from iMovie/Quicktime I would like to know how.

I do not know any export component for mkv.
MPEG Streamclip works with mp4, but no support for mkv.

No plan to mkv exporter in next DivX for Mac?

[MyCometG3]

x264Encoder Version 1.2.7 is now available at:
- http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mycometg3/

Based on libx264.a r1570.

Support many levels now.

[smok3]

i still need a short guide for dummies:
a. what do i clicky to get crf23 going &
b. what to clicky to get crf21 going (with default profile)?
(readme/docs stuff are totaly useless btw)

thanks for your work!

[MyCometG3]

CRF value takes analog values. Try log info checkbox.
Console log shows what crf value is specified when slider is changed.

[Gser]

Oh I sooo would have needed this a year and a half ago. Thank Apothis that I will never need to use a Mac again.

[creamyhorror]

Originally Posted by MyCometG3

CRF value takes analog values. Try log info checkbox.
Console log shows what crf value is specified when slider is changed.

No instant indicator for CRF value?

Keep up the good work!

[Mug Funky]

hey, mycometg3! love your work - x264encoder has been a bit of a workhorse at my last workplace for about a year - much better for delivering proofs to clients than apple's crap colour-tainted stupid slow bad quality encoder.

perhaps a little textbox in the settings dialog that maps to the quality slider would help relieve the confusion. and if it's possible, the ability to set a crf in the textbox and have it change the position on the slider?

interesting about streamclip having mp4 output... i had been making movs and using applescript and some bash with mp4box to handle the mp4 creation after encoding.

[MyCometG3]

x264Encoder Version 1.2.8 is now available at:
- http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mycometg3/

Based on libx264.a r1583.

Fix crash issue. Numeric field for crf is now available.

[porfitron]

Originally Posted by MyCometG3

Fix crash issue. Numeric field for crf is now available.

You totally fixed the crash issue

Encoding some stuff now... I'll let you know what happens.

[Blue_MiSfit]

Awesome! This keeps getting better and better!!

[creamyhorror]

MyCometG3, you're a real example to us. Thanks for implementing suggestions, and so quickly.

(Now someone needs to write a blurb about doing CRF encoding for all the QT users out there, so they know there's an alternative to 2-pass...)

[MyCometG3]

x264Encoder Version 1.2.9 is now available at:
- http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/mycometg3/

Based on libx264.a r1602.

Support fake-interlaced.