If I want to convert some of my movies to a format that can be imported into iTunes, would you guys suggest h.264 or mpeg4? I want to keep the same resolution, and not lose quality
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h.264 or mpeg4?
- Thread starter KilGil27
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The best quality per megabit is definately H.264. They are both MPEG-4 actually. H.264 is also known as MPEG-4 AVC.
Joshua.
I personally have been using Nero recode, preserving the 5.1 surround by using AAC 5.1, and encoding using h.264 @ 1800 bit rate. The resulting file is approximately 2.7 GB for a 2 1/2 hour movie, which includes the 5.1 AAC, h.264 video, and subtitle track (track 3). The image quality is absolutely damn near DVD quality.
I am using a PC for the program, a 1.6 Core 2 Duo w/1 GB of ram. With 2 pass encoding, it takes about 3 hours a movie. I let this run over night, as I can queue files.
Some important notes. Firstly, the Apple TV CANNOT output 5.1 surround. My receiver picks it up as stereo from both analog out and optical out. I can force Dolby Prologic, but this isn't true 5.1 surround. I have left the 5.1 soundtrack in hopes of a future patch that will pass this information through. Secondly, the subtitle track is not usable from itunes or AppleTV, but again I hope for a future patch.
Lastly, iTunes 7.1 CANNOT add tags or album art to MP4 files with 5.1 AAC. Hopefully this will be patched in a future release.
I have used the above settings in hope of future proofing my encodes. I hope this helps you.
I am using a PC for the program, a 1.6 Core 2 Duo w/1 GB of ram. With 2 pass encoding, it takes about 3 hours a movie. I let this run over night, as I can queue files.
Some important notes. Firstly, the Apple TV CANNOT output 5.1 surround. My receiver picks it up as stereo from both analog out and optical out. I can force Dolby Prologic, but this isn't true 5.1 surround. I have left the 5.1 soundtrack in hopes of a future patch that will pass this information through. Secondly, the subtitle track is not usable from itunes or AppleTV, but again I hope for a future patch.
Lastly, iTunes 7.1 CANNOT add tags or album art to MP4 files with 5.1 AAC. Hopefully this will be patched in a future release.
I have used the above settings in hope of future proofing my encodes. I hope this helps you.
I did a test in Mediafork/Handbrake of LOTR's Fellowship extended disc 1 in Mediafork using
MP4
H.264 Main Profile
Framerate Same as source
2 Pass Encoding
Picure Settings 720x
Audio Language 1: English (AC3) (5 ch) - Mediafork doesn't offer AAC 5.1 yet
Sample rate 48
Bit Rate 160
and ran 3 rips in my queue at 1500, 2000, and 2500 avg. bitrates.
I can see blockyness in dark sceens on my Mac when watching all three, though to a lesser degree as the bit rate goes up. The 1500 is 1.3GB or so, the 2000 is 1.55GB or so, and the 2500 is around 1.8GB or so. I'd have to check those numbers but I think that is right. The track is 1 hr 45 min 30 sec.
I can't tell any difference between the 1500, 2000, or 2500 bitrates on my 42" Samsung DLP using my Apple TV. I have the Apple TV resolution set to 720p rather than 1080i because my TV says it is a progessive monitor and I have heard that for some things 720p actually looks better than 1080i.
I should also note that at this time I have no video iPod and am not trying to encode to fit both Apple TV and video iPod specs. I am assuming that any true video iPod as well as the iPhone will most likely accept 720 rather than the current 640 limit.
ps. I guess I should check my files size when I get home because I recall that a previous rip of the same DVD in MPEG-4 was 1.57GB at 2000, all other settings the same, and that doesn't make sense that the H.264 file wasn't really smaller. Not sure on my #'s though.
MP4
H.264 Main Profile
Framerate Same as source
2 Pass Encoding
Picure Settings 720x
Audio Language 1: English (AC3) (5 ch) - Mediafork doesn't offer AAC 5.1 yet
Sample rate 48
Bit Rate 160
and ran 3 rips in my queue at 1500, 2000, and 2500 avg. bitrates.
I can see blockyness in dark sceens on my Mac when watching all three, though to a lesser degree as the bit rate goes up. The 1500 is 1.3GB or so, the 2000 is 1.55GB or so, and the 2500 is around 1.8GB or so. I'd have to check those numbers but I think that is right. The track is 1 hr 45 min 30 sec.
I can't tell any difference between the 1500, 2000, or 2500 bitrates on my 42" Samsung DLP using my Apple TV. I have the Apple TV resolution set to 720p rather than 1080i because my TV says it is a progessive monitor and I have heard that for some things 720p actually looks better than 1080i.
I should also note that at this time I have no video iPod and am not trying to encode to fit both Apple TV and video iPod specs. I am assuming that any true video iPod as well as the iPhone will most likely accept 720 rather than the current 640 limit.
ps. I guess I should check my files size when I get home because I recall that a previous rip of the same DVD in MPEG-4 was 1.57GB at 2000, all other settings the same, and that doesn't make sense that the H.264 file wasn't really smaller. Not sure on my #'s though.
H.264 for sure! If you want compatibility with an iPod 5.x Gen, stick with those limits. If just for PC and\or Apple TV, is sounds like the jury is still out regarding where the 'sweet spot' is, the balance between bitrate and file size. The specs the Apple TV can handle are so much better than the iPod 5.x Gen, that it may take some time for the best formula to be determined...
But again, whether you use Handbrake, NERO Recode, or other, H.264 aka AVC is always the best choice... Yeah, it is slower, but there is a savings in file size.
But again, whether you use Handbrake, NERO Recode, or other, H.264 aka AVC is always the best choice... Yeah, it is slower, but there is a savings in file size.
So I checked my files. I have the first disc of LOTR Fellowship of the Ring of the extended edition 1hr 45min 30sec ripped using these settings:
Sample Rate 48
Audio Bit Rate 160
Resolution 720x304
Framerate Same as Source
2 Pass Encoding
Avg Bitrate 2000
I ripped it in December as an MPEG-4 Video / AAC using ffmpeg
and again two days ago as an AVC / H.264 / AAC using x.264 Main Profile
Now I ripped the MPEG-4 using Handbrake and the H.264 using Mediafork. Just so you have all the info. All the settings were the same except the Codecs.
The MPEG-4 file is 1.57GB
The H.264 files is 1.60GB
what do you make of that.
Sample Rate 48
Audio Bit Rate 160
Resolution 720x304
Framerate Same as Source
2 Pass Encoding
Avg Bitrate 2000
I ripped it in December as an MPEG-4 Video / AAC using ffmpeg
and again two days ago as an AVC / H.264 / AAC using x.264 Main Profile
Now I ripped the MPEG-4 using Handbrake and the H.264 using Mediafork. Just so you have all the info. All the settings were the same except the Codecs.
The MPEG-4 file is 1.57GB
The H.264 files is 1.60GB
what do you make of that.
The files sizes you are seeing are about the same because the bitrate is the same. The difference is that h.264 has better picture quality at lower bitrates. It is the bitrate that determines filesize. As for the mpeg-4 being smaller I can only assume that the encoder tended to use lower bitrates than the h.264 where it could.
At least that is how I understand it.
At least that is how I understand it.