AnimeSuki Forums

Zijian · 2006-05-01, 05:42

I'm thinking of re-encoding some of the series I have so that the sizes can be smaller.

Does H264/AAC offer better quality than DivX? I'm considering that option as it seems that h264/AAC offers better quality at smaller diskspace usage.

And are there any good encoding software or recommended codecs for re-encoding at good quality?

Thanks thanks

NoSanninWa · 2006-05-01, 05:48

Anytime you re-encode video you are going to lose quality regardless of what codec you use. Modern video compression relies on lossy formats, so it is unavoidable. The only question is how much quality you lose.

With that said, if quality is less important than file size, then feel free to reencode. Any video can be encoded smaller (with the same quality) if you use h264, but the codec is very difficult for a newbie to handle properly while XviD is pretty easy for a newbie encoder to use and get good results from with only minimal effort.

Zijian · 2006-05-01, 09:59

Is there any good re-encoding program?

Kurz · 2006-05-01, 11:09

You can use Virtual Dub.

Sylf · 2006-05-01, 12:00

VirtualDub should not be used for h.264/AAC encode. For one, h.264 interface on VirtualDub (vfw interface) is outdated - missing quite a few features. Two, AVI is not capable of handling all the features available on h.264. If you use VirtualDubMod to make MKV, that MKV authoring part on VDM is broken, so that should be avoided as well.

All anime encoders I know of who use h.264 uses x264 command line (with help of batch file or a GUI front end, MeGUI). Then use MKVToolNix or MP4Box to mux the video and audio to mkv or mp4. But that's not a setup for faint of heart.

Zijian · 2006-05-01, 22:16

Ok, cool.

The main thing was to sort of compress my anime files. Seeing that mp4 seems to offer same quality at lower hard disk space, compressing my current anime over to mp4 seems to be a good idea.

Thanks for the replies.

Sylf · 2006-05-01, 22:32

just a note : recompressing to mp4 doesn't give you an automatic size reduction, especially when you keep the original quality. Also, if you use h.264, it's virtually the same if you use .mp4 or .mkv as the final format.

With mp4, you'll be stuck with either mp3 or aac for audio, where as you can use other format (namely ogg vorbis among many others) with mkv.

(to add some confusion, XviD is also a part of mpeg-4 standard, but I won't go too much details on it.)

2006-05-01, 05:42	Link #1
Zijian Junior Member Join Date: May 2006	Checking on re-encoding I'm thinking of re-encoding some of the series I have so that the sizes can be smaller. Does H264/AAC offer better quality than DivX? I'm considering that option as it seems that h264/AAC offers better quality at smaller diskspace usage. And are there any good encoding software or recommended codecs for re-encoding at good quality? Thanks thanks

2006-05-01, 05:48	Link #2
NoSanninWa Weapon of Mass Discussion Fansubber Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, USA	Anytime you re-encode video you are going to lose quality regardless of what codec you use. Modern video compression relies on lossy formats, so it is unavoidable. The only question is how much quality you lose. With that said, if quality is less important than file size, then feel free to reencode. Any video can be encoded smaller (with the same quality) if you use h264, but the codec is very difficult for a newbie to handle properly while XviD is pretty easy for a newbie encoder to use and get good results from with only minimal effort. __________________ There's not that fine a line between willing suspension of disbelief and something just being stupid.

2006-05-01, 11:09	Link #4
Kurz Gao~ a sound for the ages Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I live in a relm of swirling of thought and emotion, Ever lost in the relm of infinite possiblities. Age: 37	You can use Virtual Dub. __________________ Join the ULF! United Leecher Front. Save your Love ones from Disease. Folding@Home Team Animesuki

2006-05-01, 09:59	Link #3
Zijian Junior Member Join Date: May 2006	Is there any good re-encoding program?

2006-05-01, 12:00	Link #5
Sylf 翻訳家わなびぃ Fansubber Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 50	VirtualDub should not be used for h.264/AAC encode. For one, h.264 interface on VirtualDub (vfw interface) is outdated - missing quite a few features. Two, AVI is not capable of handling all the features available on h.264. If you use VirtualDubMod to make MKV, that MKV authoring part on VDM is broken, so that should be avoided as well. All anime encoders I know of who use h.264 uses x264 command line (with help of batch file or a GUI front end, MeGUI). Then use MKVToolNix or MP4Box to mux the video and audio to mkv or mp4. But that's not a setup for faint of heart.

2006-05-01, 22:16	Link #6
Zijian Junior Member Join Date: May 2006	Ok, cool. The main thing was to sort of compress my anime files. Seeing that mp4 seems to offer same quality at lower hard disk space, compressing my current anime over to mp4 seems to be a good idea. Thanks for the replies.

2006-05-01, 22:32	Link #7
Sylf 翻訳家わなびぃ Fansubber Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 50	just a note : recompressing to mp4 doesn't give you an automatic size reduction, especially when you keep the original quality. Also, if you use h.264, it's virtually the same if you use .mp4 or .mkv as the final format. With mp4, you'll be stuck with either mp3 or aac for audio, where as you can use other format (namely ogg vorbis among many others) with mkv. (to add some confusion, XviD is also a part of mpeg-4 standard, but I won't go too much details on it.)