spoRv

As I had some compatibility problems with my past project, I decided to make as many tests I can to reach the best compatibility with standalone BD players.

I should thank a lot Chewtobacca, because he helped me a lot!

Here it is his advice for proper x264 settings to use when encoding BD compliant files:

x264 --pass 1 --bitrate xxxxx --bluray-compat --level 4.1 --preset slow  --tune film --keyint 24 --sar 1:1 --slices 4 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --b-pyramid none --weightp 0 --colorprim bt709 --transfer bt709 --colormatrix bt709 --merange 24 --stats ".stats" --output NUL "input.avs"
x264 --pass 2 --bitrate xxxxx --bluray-compat --level 4.1 --preset slow  --tune film --keyint 24 --sar 1:1 --slices 4 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --b-pyramid none --weightp 0 --colorprim bt709 --transfer bt709 --colormatrix bt709 --merange 24 --stats ".stats" --output "output.264" "input.avs"

I followed these settings, and produced a short clip just to test it using a BD-RE; I tried it alone (video only), with one or more soundtracks, with and without subtitles, and in my PS3 it works flawlessy, while in my standalone BD player (a Philips BD-7100) it stutters after few seconds... as I have a strong suspect it is faulty (because sometimes it doens't play also commercial BD), and because I have no access to further standalone BD player, I need your help...

If you have a BD burner, and a standalone BD player (NOT a PS3), you have to download this small clip (650MB), unzip the folders (BD ready), burn the two folders into a BD-RE - or a BD-R, if you have one to "sacrifice" for the cause (^^,) - play it in the standalone BD player and report if it plays well or stutters; standalone BD player model and BD-RE (BD-R) brand are also welcome!

Here you are the files:

https://mega.co.nz/#!kh9iwJCS!YqdOZLvIbhcfhDJLUjICmUXpHlPP5veBYYOZ861P19g
https://mega.co.nz/#!4lMkEJBZ!wNMX9JS1BV4ciPA8GfyXaMnjlnOI2OkhNfeh4dcHazc
https://mega.co.nz/#!NgNn1JAI!ttm53NEb3HnJxOtfwOMb0XhDLMxgWSmDUl9WDu4UYsw
https://mega.co.nz/#!MgMk1LAC!HZp0i9lDKbcoA5_LXqlEAOAzs7LFcy0PXVvMqr--734

Many thanks in advance!!!

Jetrell, don't worry, we are all happy the tape is safe and sound in your hand, and that it will be carefully captured with the best hardware and software available.

So, I'm happy to hear that, and eagerly awaiting the capture, to start to work at this really interesting movie+extra project!

I was waiting for the french laserdisc, to know if i could use its video to improve the final quality, and to use its audio track. The truth is, this is a 4:3 P&S version, so audio wise it's useless for the project; audio track is good, as almost all laserdisc, so I should capture it in the next days; as I'm waiting a new capture card, I will use it to give a try also on video - even if it will not be used.

The other things are ready, so I can tell (almost) for sure the project will be released in a week or two, depending on the time the brand old capture card will be here.

Last thing: I have not forget this project; at the contrary, I could anticipate I'm working not on another Disney project, but on more than one!!! Stay tuned, you all will be surprised about the new titles I'm working on...

How bad is the problem? Can you post some screenshots?

If it's not that bad, and limited to few frames per episode, you can leave them "as is"; probably no "normal person" (read: most of all out of this forum) will note it.

If it's bad, but still limited to few frames, you could always modify the replaced frames to remove logo.

If it's bad, and with a lot of frames to fix, you could always try some de-logo script; even if they are not perfect, they work very well on animated material; or, make the "patchwork" job, to replace the logo with the non-logo'd part...

This *seems* to be the settings to use for the best BD compliance: (EDIT: modified to follow --fullhelp settings order)

x264 --profile high --preset veryslow --tune film --keyint 24 --min-keyint 2 --bframes 3 --b-pyramid strict --open-gop --ref 4 --cabac --slices 4 --bitrate 23000 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --pass 1 --stats ".stats" --weightp 0 --merange 24 --overscan show --colorprim "bt709" --transfer "bt709" --colormatrix "bt709" --nal-hrd vbr --output NUL "AVPR_final3.avs" --sar 1:1 --level 4.1 --bluray-compat --aud

x264 --profile high --preset veryslow --tune film --keyint 24 --min-keyint 2 --bframes 3 --b-pyramid strict --open-gop --ref 4 --cabac --slices 4 --bitrate 23000 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --pass 2 --stats ".stats" --weightp 0 --merange 24 --overscan show --colorprim "bt709" --transfer "bt709" --colormatrix "bt709" --nal-hrd vbr --output "AVPR_final3.avs.264" "AVPR_final3.avs" --sar 1:1 --level 4.1 --bluray-compat --aud

assuming that the avs file is perfect, here is what I'm going to do for the latest test:

• x264 command line (pass 1 and pass 2) to obtain the encoded file as .264
• EasyBD Lite to make a compliant BD, using .264 file and all audio and subtitle tracks
• result 00001.m2ts file will be used to feed MultiAVCHD
• if final 00001.m2ts file is different from the previous one, it will be replaced using the one made with EasyBD Lite

This is because it seems that TSmuxer doesn't mux well video encoded with b-frames - so at the end, THIS should be the cause of jerky/stuttering video, and not CABAC - while EasyBD Lite seems to be the only free tool AFAIK that is able to mux video with b-frames and still be BD compliant; as using --b-frames 0 will waste a lot of bitrate (maybe up to 25%), I'll try this route first.

OK, going to do this; it will take "only" a day, so be patient for the next reply! (^^,)

I did the last test using -vbv-maxrate 24000 -vbv-bufsize 12000, and spikes are reduced at around 33mbps max; burned the BD, tested into PS3, no video, while in the BD player it has the "usual" problems; I put some other m2ts files from commercial BDs and indeed some of them have spikes over 50mbps; so, it is not "spikes" related.

I noted a thing: comparing both my encoded file, and other commercial BD files, the others have CABAC, while mine not... I don't understand, as I have NOT set no-cabac - so, CABAC should be used by defalt... must I add --cabac to my settings? Could this be the cause of the incompatibility?

I agree: even if watched on a calibrated display, black is too deep and a lot of details are lost.

And, I didn't know about the changed shots until I began to work at this project; plus, the italian BD has only the theatrical cut, so... this project was waiting to be done!

I'm doing a fast test encode right now; in few hours it will be ended; I'll burn it on BD-25 then if it will be OK I'll do the final encode and release it ASAP.

Hey Jerry, just discovered this thread; I like very much your efforts, and the fact that, even if I don't love the Pooh, it will have a proper release.

Personally, as the files you are working on are all AVC encoded, I will leave them "as is", using BD-25 (4 should fit the entire series), and "simple" AVCHD on DVD-5, or BD-5 for the ones who has not a BD burner. Of course, you could always release DVD, too. It's up to you, but to be widespread, I'll do them all, plus "raw" MKV with FLAC for english as well.

Good job!

Cool movie! I remember it; maybe last time I watched it was, what, 15 years ago?

It was aired on Universal HD on May 22, 2005; but if it was the only broadcast, it should be really hard to find out a 1:1 record of it; at the time, the chance was to use a D-VHS to record it, so... then, if it's not possible to find it on the net, rutracker and usenet, almost surely it is not shared...

Yes; I used command-line, x264vfw via VirtualDub, Simple x264 launcher, TX264; with several x264.exe for each, but nothing...

I just finished to encode it, and splikes are just a bit more than 41mbps; I will try another setting, then post results here.

Maybe tomorrow I'll find out some time (and courage) to format the main HD of the twin PC and install (again) the OS... keep fingers crossed!

Great news, Jerry! And great job, of course, but you knew it...

I made a test BD, and video didn't show up on the PS3, while in an old standalone BD player it worked, but after few seconds "slowed down" and remained as is, until I skip to the next chapter; then, it played OK but after few seconds slowed down again etc.

Yes, I used the Bitrate Viewer; I agree it is not perfect, but I tested it with a LOT of other .m2ts files from BD - even my own old project - and none had spikes over 40mbps, while the one I did following bd compliant settings had many well over 50mbps...

I tested further settings; as I need an average bitrate of about 23mbps to stay inside a BD-25, I tried to set -vbv-maxrate and -vbv-bufsize at the same value as the bitrate, and this seems to work; spikes are not under 23mbps, but often over 30/35mbps, still under 40, so I'm going to give it a try for the whole movie; after that, I'll burn another BD-25 and try it with both PS3 and BD player; if it will work, I'll try to test it further in some other standalone players.

This is until I'll install (again) from scratch the OS, this time using a "twin" PC of mine...

I did a lot of tests, and meanwhile read a lot of things about x264 encoding; it seems that final bitrate using --vbv-maxrate is near perfect - maybe around +/- 0.2%!

So, I've gone back to my old projects, checked their bitrate, and they are fine; the conclusion is, after I was forced to reinstall from scratch the OS, the problem arised... still, I have no idea what could cause it, as I used different x264 executables...

Last chance is to take another HD, install (again) the OS from scratch, install avisynth, install x264 (and nothing more), then try to make the same encoding, using the same settings, and see if it works - it SHOULD work that way! It will take a lot of time, but I can't loose sleep anymore! (^^,)

Any advice is really appreciated, though!

I'm getting mad! I tried several way to encode my last project, and also different x264 versions, but the problem is always there: the bit rate frequently spikes over 50mbps, hence is not BD compliant and that should be the case of standalone incompatibility!

I don't know why, as the --vbv-maxrate 40000 MUST prevent this... anyone has this problem?

So, I tried to lower the value, and for example if I use around 25000, spikes go up to 30/35mbps - well over this value, but at least BD compliant, finally...

I'm in the middle of the last encode with this value; it should be finished tomorrow, then I'll check bitrate spikes to see if they are below the 40mbps - strongly hope this, as total encoding time will be about 36 hours! I should upgrade my CPU, I know, but it's not the moment right now...

UPDATES:

• audio tracks are ready: the english DTS-HD MA will be used "as is", as the french and the spanish AC3 - all of them are from the BD; the italian, german AC3 from PAL DVD are converted to 23.976fps and sync'd; the english and the two commentary tracks are from the NTSC DVD and sync'd.
• subtitles are almost ready: english (normal and SDH), french (normal), german, spanish and italian (normal, commentary 1, commentary 2); missing ones are the english and french commentary 1 and 2; if someone would like to provide them, or use one or more of the other languages for translations, you could find them here (256KB) - it will be great to have'em all!
• lossless video is ready, but it should still be encoded; it will be around 22mbps.

2x BD-25 will be probably the final decision, as they cost less than 1x BD-50, plus the original movie with DTS-HD MA is around 16GB, and will be a little more with the other tracks!

BIG NEWS!

Jetrell Fo stepped in the project, getting for it The Making of The Arrival VHS tape; it will almost surely contains some extra stuff not present in the Kinowelt DVD and/or special edition laserdisc.

KUDOS to Jetrell Fo!!!

Project is put on hold for few days, and it will be updated once the capture will be available.

I read somewhere - can't remember where, because I read about this movie a lot lately - that the continous color changes were due to the fact that often a single shot/scene was filmed during different moment of the day, or in different days and also location...

I agree that a perfect single setting to regrade the whole movie does not exist; but I surely prefer this to the original color grading...

About flesh tones; all the settings I used preserve them, apart just a bit of saturation less, as the original grading was a little bit "pumped" in this.

Tell me which shot do you like to see (30 sec) and I'll encode it; meanwhile, if you want to share your color settings, I'll be more than happy to test and eventually, with your permission of course, use them for the project!

I managed to lower the contrast to be similar, if not equal, to the untouched HD-DVD; now blue is less present than the first attempt, but whites are not clipped anymore, it seems:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/67000

http://www.sendspace.com/file/79z6ei

This is the best compromise so far; feedbacks are needed, as I'd like to finally begin to encode...

Thanks to you for bringing another artifact... (**/)

The project will be fixed... sooner or later (probably later)!

I know there is some white crushes, but are not so present throughout the movie, and IMHO a small price to pay to have a better color grading; what do you think?

I could always try other color settings though... OK, OK, I'm going to try them... (^^,)

Same clip with new color correction: http://www.sendspace.com/file/g8bd3k

After some further tweaks, I think I reached a better color balance now, with better whites. I'm going to process this right now.

If you mean to obtain a better open matte final version, using the superior resolution of the letterboxed BD overlaid to the open matte DVD, I would say yes!

Happy my advice helped you; I strongly hope the final burned blu-ray will work flawlessy - a hint: test the disc in as many standalone BD players as you can, not only on PS3/PC, as they are more "forgiving"...

Thief: this reminds me the Halloween "affaire": caps-a-holic

Looking at those screenshots, DVD seems to have too much red, while BD too much blue - it's Blu-ray, at the end... (^^,) so maybe the "right" color grading could be in the middle.