Need encoding advice

JackW wrote on 6/19/2014, 12:43 PM

I have an SD project on the timeline. Client has asked for delivery as follows:

* * * * * * *
1. DVD that you can copy (I think the resolution is 720x480)
2. For internet (MP4 containing - Video: H.264 baseline profile level 3, 30 fps, Audio: AAC-LC 44.1Khz, 128 Kbps (stereo) )
1. 480x360
2. 640x360
3. 1280x720
Do these parameters make sense? The goal is to be able to support the videos on the majority of devices in the market.
* * * * * * *
No problem creating the DVD, but I'm not sure what's the best way to give him the other formats. Would appreciate advice on how best to accomplish this.

Project is in Vegas 8.0

Jack

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 6/19/2014, 1:35 PM

If the source is SD, 1280X720 upscaling is not the best choice.

JackW wrote on 6/19/2014, 1:53 PM

Thanks for the quick response, musicvid10.

The source is SD. The client is trying to achieve a universal product, something that he can link to from his web site that will play on every known handheld and desk-top device. They hear my advice and don't take it. I've been waging this battle for several weeks with regard to the editing. Now it's with the delivery package(s).

Jack

larry-peter wrote on 6/19/2014, 3:18 PM

There are various opinions on which MP4 encoder is best for certain tasks. but I would suggest the Main Concept AVC/AAC and using the "Internet:" templates as a starting point..

And I would verify that your clients want square pixel, widescreen for all deliverables. 640 X 360 and 1280 X 720 (although, as musicvid10 says, I would avoid upscaling to that) are 16 X 9 formats. 480 X 360 is 4 X 3.

I would suggest 854 X 480, which would best reflect the original SD widescreen source in a square pixel format. The MainConcept encoder has a 480 widescreen template that is perfect for this. If you set the profile from "Main" to "Baseline" you will be rendering at Level 3.1 or 3 using the above frame sizes. And the MC encoder will be read by most players (Quicktime in particular) as h.264.

If your source is 4X3, however, you need to work out with your client if everything remains 4X3, or if it should be letterboxed to widescreen, or if their specs are just plain wrong. Their specs need some clarification, regardless.

Edit: I just caught that you are using VP 8. I don't have it loaded currently, so the templates I referred to may need to be created from scratch.

musicvid10 wrote on 6/19/2014, 3:26 PM

"something that he can link to from his web site that will play on every known handheld and desk-top device."

Then they should be supplying you with HD source. There isn't any discussion to be had with the client about that.