h264 vs X264

i just encoded to x264 for the first time. Its very clean, super duper even. It encodes at 6400 kpbs default so the file size is huge.

The largest difference i saw was the luma. x264 seems to have a superior black and white balance. I normally use a contrast adjustment of +3-5 contrast and minus 5-8 brightness when i encode h264 to compensate for the black level lost. Sometimes, i add the hsl filter also to regain lost chroma (+2-4). My encode was at 1400k.

x264 hardly need anything at the same setting of 1400k. +2 contrast was all it needed. Even hi motion areas seem cleaner.

It plays fine via url but i am unsure if the file can be seen by PC's.

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

x264 is just an open-source h.264 encoder. It produces standard files that can play back on anything that can play h.264. It's very good. What you're seeing is that it's somehow avoiding the gamma bug of Quicktime with respect to it's h264 encoding.

I currently use the x264 CODEC to compress all my web video (and Flip4Mac for those still stuck on WMP!).

With the right settings you can encode a Full Square Pixel SD widescreen in less than 1200Kbps including 48kHz Stereo AAC which will progressive download really fast and looks amazing.

In fact I made an excellent x264, 40 minute HD 1080p which just fitted (and played back) from a CD-ROM.


Not nearly as impressive as RedRay though G



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]

You can get the latest version of the x264 Quicktime encoder here:

[www.macupdate.com]



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]

Yeah that gamma shift is a joy killer in h264. I love this x264.

ben, clear your inbox.

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

i put 1 frame text on the end of my videos. x264 seems to go blotchy.



""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

also setting a poster frame for in qt is eluding me. i did the set poster frame so that maybe when the video ends it would revert to this frame. How ever that make the video play from that frame also.

""" What you do with what you have, is more important than what you could do, with what you don't have."

> > > Knowledge + Action = Wisdom - J. Corbett 1992 """"

You are seeing a mid point between keyframes - the highly compressed frames.

Put more than 1 frame of the text at the end - I suggest a whole second at least it will give the CODEC time to complete the next keyframe.



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]