Handbrake Possible Frame Skip? Anamorphic Loose vs Strict?

[martinm0]

I've been converting Blu-rays for a while now using the AppleTV2 Preset, but bumping up the resolution to 1080p, setting the AAC track to 192Kbs, changing the CQ to 18, and set framerate to Same as Source (everything else is default). Using 2011 iMac i5 12GB RAM for the encoding process.

Overall, the files look great and have no major issues. However, I swear I see maybe a frame drop, or skip, or stutter...

Playing these through VLC and iTunes (I've made sure to turn off Frame Skipping in VLC), but I'm curious if this is a byproduct of using Loose Anamorphic in the settings vs Strict? I wouldn't think it would be (looks more like an incorrect framerate, except I'm using Same as Source...)

Anyone have this issue before? Or, thoughts on the settings I'm using (any other recommendations for a quality 1080p file)? File size is less of an issue vs getting a perfect copy, hence the 18 CQ).

Thanks in advance to all the MR folks.

 

[rodman109110]

I don't think you need to use the anamorphic setting for hd conversions. From experience I think the anamorphic setting helps with quality on DVD rips. I don't use it and the movies I've done look great to me. That probably isn't the issue but try converting one without it and see how it turns out.

Handbrake also recommends a cq of 22+/-1 for hd movies. Size isn't an issue for you as you stated but maybe that is the source of your skipping. That's probably unlikely as well but doesn't hurt to mess around with the settings.

 

[martinm0]

Thanks rodman109110. My experience with CQ settings 20-22 results in pixelation on some movies that have subtle shades of darkness and motion, so I've moved to 18 which seems good for me (though smaller size would always be welcomed if the quality is there). Problem is I've been batch encoding and don't watch every converted movie right away and err on the side of caution for that those 3-4 movies that need that extra bump in CQ.

Could you tell me what settings you use for BD conversions? Do you ever find even the slightest amount of pixelation or blockiness in any of your movies? And do you use an AppleTV2 at all and do the movies play through it (down covered, of course)?

I'll test out some conversions tonight with strict settings and see how they look.

 

[rodman109110]

I convert my movies to 720 as the quality seems fine to me and the size of the file does matter since I have pretty large collection of hd movies now with limited space. I do get some pixelation in dark scenes or scenes with a lot of smoke or fog, etc., but it doesn't bother me.

I have an apple tv2 and the movies play perfect on my tv. From my understanding 1080 movies should play fine on an atv2 but with down conversion.

Like I said, I don't use the anamorphic setting since, from what I read on the handbrake website, it's really meant for DVD rips.

If you have a short hd movie you can conert like a tv show or short film, use that with various settings and see what works the best since the conversion will be less time consuming then converting a full movie.

I recommend using whatever setting works best for you since your the one watching them. I converted a tv series multiple times until I got it right in my eyes.

Out of curiosity, what is the average size of the files after conversion in 1080?

Also, if you really dont care about size you could use makemkv (you may be using it already) to rip the movie to an mkv file and play it through plex. Not sure if this will play on an apple tv 2, if it does it'll be through jail breaking, but they will be essentially the same quality as a blu ray disc.

 

[martinm0]

I actually have a pretty large collection myself (over 200 HD movies, and 400 DVDs) on a 12TB server. I am also using MakeMKV to rip a full image (and storing on the 12TB server) so I can get the conversion down pat before I scale down. I have over 16TBs of media stored in some form or another presently.

At CQ 18, 1080p, dual sound tracks (AC3 and AAC 192Kbs), avg standard movie is ~5GB range. In some cases, like Unstoppable for example, it must have a high bitrate as the final size is almost 12GB. Older movies that are more grainy seem to also come out in the 10GB+ range (and all the Girl Who Kicked..., Played with Fire, etc, movies are almost 20GBs).

Glad to hear (sort of) that your encodes had some artifacts. I'm rather picky about the quality and am trying to get it perfect, but it might just be a limitation of any conversion (regardless of CQ). Might have to go back and redo everything after some of these tests...sigh...

 

[dynaflash]

Playing these through VLC and iTunes (I've made sure to turn off Frame Skipping in VLC), but I'm curious if this is a byproduct of using Loose Anamorphic in the settings vs Strict? I wouldn't think it would be (looks more like an incorrect framerate, except I'm using Same as Source...)

it has nothing to do with anamorphic at all.

Two things I'd guess....

1. your hitting bitrate spikes on some sources the atv2 cannot handle. in which case it *will* drop video frames to keep the video and audio in sync.

2. the atv2 has a 29.976 fps limit (otherwise known as ntsc video). Using Same as Source may be causing points in which the fps of the movie goes above that limit, in which case you would notice a stutter.

Not knowing your source and not seeing the HB activity log ... its hard to tell without a crystal ball (sadly mine is still in the shop for repair).

My best guess with the limited info is #1. Especially if you are using rf 18 on a raw decoded blu ray source. For the atv2 that would produce pretty high bitrate spikes depending on the source material. A good test would be say ... Saving Private Ryan during the battle scenes with all of the grain in them. Bitrate spikes are huge on that one.

Again, don't waste your time messing with anamorphic. Its not the cause of your issues.

Otoh, its just my .02.