I give up again...

[dvd_maniac]

Also, do I hit the More button, Options, Nero Digital Tab and select "do not ask me, alwasy do a second pass" and if so do I set the delta threshold average quantizer at 2.0?

leave ALL other defaults alone except the Max reference frame setting. I think the average quantizer is more used for one pass.
When doing the Standard AVC profile "I Believe" it always does a 2-pass encode by default.

For some reason I can't see anything in the Start Frame but I can in the end frame. It's just a white background.

If you move the start frame over to the right a little you should then see something. But I recommend you do not cut the beginning as I have had a few issues with Audio sync when attempting this.

For detailed explaination of the settings in AVC video http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.ph...815#post674819

[mike1961]

There's another dropdown Nero Digital Profile (standard, hdtv, standard avc, etc...) any suggestion for that one?

Thanks

[dvd_maniac]

I use Standard AVC profile at 400-500kbps. But like I said before, you should try a 15 minute clip with a couple different types of movies with various profiles and bitrate combinations.

[Kanati]

Don't use any preview modes when converting using AGK btw or it will slow the conversion down IMMENSELY...

(And I have no idea if that comment has any relevance to the current conversation... I just saw AGK mentioned.)

[mike1961]

It asks me "real time encoding 1 pass" or "high quality encoding 2 pass"

I'm assuming I should select 2 pass but nowhere did I see where I can select a format such as AVC. Where is that? I am trying a 7 minute sample size right now and it didn't ask me for a format like AVC. I like the fact that I can select the start and stop for testing.

Thanks for the continued feedback - I'm just wondering where I select AVC format.

Mike

[dvd_maniac]

I think he meant preview in Nero Recode. But I agree not to use preview for either program as it interferes with my Overlay in multi-monitor mode. Might cause other video related problems as well... In addition to the issue Kanati brings up with performance.

[dvd_maniac]

In the Import screen, do you see the more button on the bottom left? If you hit that then on the right you will see where you can select the profiles.

[mike1961]

Yes - I've been selecting Standard...what do you think is best for movies?

Thanks,
Mike

[mike1961]

Also - you said something about that I couldn't play these directly in sage. Is there a link somewhere on how to do that?

Thanks again,
Mike

[mike1961]

Where is that "Max reference frame setting." I think you said you just keep it on STANDARD for the Nero Digital Profile. You are right that overall it looks pretty good on my computer even with resolution at 1024x768 full screen. I figure I may as well get the settings as best as possible so that I only have to encode once and let the computer run overnight per movie so it can take its time to get the best quality.

Thanks again and I just need to know what that max ref frame setting is. It seems like this Nero AVC is about the best thing going today and will probably replace the xvid and divx. By the way, I'm using the Standard for Nero Digital Profile but I also see a Max Definition AVC and I'm not sure if that would be any different since I will be setting to te same filesize (about 500 mb per movie or so).

Thanks for the info,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

Are you using "Standard" or "Standard AVC"? They are two totally different profiles. Standard is the Mpeg-4 ASP and Standard AVC is Mpeg-4 AVC. AVC is the higher quality at lower bitrate version. The encodes take ALOT longer. However, it is worth it as you'll save alot of space with better quality.

[dvd_maniac]

Where is that "Max reference frame setting."

Oops forgot to answer this question.
It is only available when one of the AVC Profiles is selected.
Also, one more thing I forgot about... I do not have Nero 7 installed yet so some settings MIGHT be different. Although I do not believe so after reading about it in various forums.
And if you are happy with ASP then wait until you see AVC in action!!!

[mike1961]

I think I may have found the AVC. I think on the Nero 7 it's not called Standard avc since there is one that says Maximum AVC (something like that). Wow....it is taking a long time....How long do you find it takes to encode a movie? Also, what do you think is best....Intel or AMD Dual processor for a job like this....It seems like it could easily be an overnight job considering my sample 7 minute app is going to take about an hour on my 2.66 ghz pentium.

By the way...how do I set up the plug in so that Sage will view these files?

(can't wait to view this once it's done...but it sure takes a while...)

Thanks,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

I use Sage version 4 with Greggerm's STV. That allows external player support for non-native files. You could use Nero's ShowTime, WMP, Zoomplayer or a countless number of others to view the mp4 file.

I installed 7.0 and I clearly see all profiles
Maximum Definition
Mobile
Portable
Standard
Cinema
Maximum Definition - AVC
Mobile - AVC
Portable - AVC
Standard - AVC
Cinema - AVC
Memory Stick Video (PSP)
Memory Stick Video

How long do you find it takes to encode a movie? Also, what do you think is best....Intel or AMD Dual processor for a job like this

It takes my 2.8 around 4 hours for a 1 1/2 hour movie.
It takes my Dual-core 2.8 around 3 1/2 hours.
I do not know about AMD though.
Recode does not have SMP support yet. It should in the near future.

[mike1961]

If it's taking about an hour for a 7 min sample then that could mean it could take almost 20 hours for a 2 hour movie....seems very excessive. My computer is a little old at 2.66 ghz 1gb ram. But, I noticed the priority was set on low so I think it I change that to Normal it may help a lot...at a minimum it would be nice to allow the computer to process the movie at night. Not sure if it can batch and process several at the same time...I could get a faster computer and let it do that if it is possible (especially at night).

Thanks,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

I think it is taking that long because you are using the MAX DEF AVC profile. That will take considerably longer then the Standard AVC profile.
Changing the priority to normal will not make it any faster. The priority is only for what has the "Right Away" to the CPU available threads. Low menas it will give way to other programs as they need CPU cycles. If Nero is chugging away and nothing else is running then it will not make it faster.

[mike1961]

I see it now...there's a Standard AVC and a Maximum Definition AVC. Not sure how they compare but the Maximum Definition AVC took almost an hour to encode a 7 min file. Anyone know how they compare in terms of time to encode and final quality?

Mike

[mike1961]

That Maximum AVC mode is incredible. Time to go to dinner but I'm going to try the standard avc and see how that compares. How does it compare?

Thanks,
Mike

[dvd_maniac]

The profiles are just for having more features available. The Max reference frames for Standard AVC has a max setting of 2. Where as Max Def AVC profile lets you go higher. I only used the MAX DEF for movies with Incredible visual effects like the Matrix trilogy, LOTR trilogy and Star Wars (Eps I, II and III). for all others I use Standard. But again, try out a few so you know what you like and that way you won't be saying "Why did I do it this way instead of that way"???
Also check your PM in a minute

[mike1961]

A few simple questions:

1. So do I search for Greggerm's STV and will it then also allow sage to recognize the AVC files when doing a Copy imported files also?

By the way, it seems like it's going to take my computer about 7 hours to compress a 2 hour movie. But, it's okay considering I can just do them when I go to sleep at night.

2. Do you know the difference between the Standard AVC format and HDTV AVC format? I'm wondering if the quality is better at the same file size but perhaps it also just takes even longer to encode than the standard AVC (which is long enough to encode as it is).

3. How much better do you find the AVC format is compared to xvid or divx?

Thanks again for the feedback. Now if I could just figure out my other post where channels 29-53 are coming in fuzzy. Tech support replied back but no solutions as of yet as I replied back to them with feedback.

Mike