Comments

LReavis wrote on 11/27/2009, 4:06 PM
I've recently started using Handbrake, and liked .9.3; many thanks for the tip
Al Min wrote on 11/27/2009, 11:47 PM
Hey guys! How do you use Handbrake with Vegas Pro?
musicvid10 wrote on 11/28/2009, 11:45 AM
It's a standalone GUI for the x264 encoder, and a good one.
http://handbrake.fr/details.php
Laurence wrote on 12/3/2009, 8:14 AM
Wow! Handbrake is awesome! Thanks.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/3/2009, 8:40 AM
Wow! Handbrake is awesome! Thanks.

Yes it is; the new version has a couple of quirks, overall it is great because it does away with the need for two-pass encoding (a real time-saver with h.264).

As a test this last week, I took one of my own DVDs, processed it in HandBrake (at 65% CQ), then pulled the shrunk file back into Vegas, and rendered for a new DVD. The quality was surprising, considering what it had gone through. The decomb filter is especially good.

Hint #1: If you want to be able to open HB files in Vegas, use AAC audio (the default). The "AC-3 Passthrough" option is great for playback, however.

Hint #2: Unless you are truly masochistic, be very careful when posting on their forums.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/3/2009, 9:10 PM
OK, I put up this comparison of the HandBrake Decomb filter using SD interlaced source. Default settings used throughout.
Note the preservation of detail in low-motion areas
Link good for two weeks.
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apit34356 wrote on 12/4/2009, 4:09 AM
Thanks, musicvid, for the tips!

"Hint #2: Unless you are truly masochistic, be very careful when posting on their forums." ------ love the warning! ;-)
Al Min wrote on 12/4/2009, 10:15 AM
I've just compared the same short AVCHD clip using Handbrake, NeoScene, Upshift, MXF proxy and the original. I added a couple of FX namely NB Cartooner and Sony soft contrast
(black vignette) to each version. There was not a lot of difference in playback, so how and why is Handbrake so good?
musicvid10 wrote on 12/4/2009, 10:57 AM
As mentioned, HandBrake is (primarily) an x264 GUI. Read that high compression, long GOP AVC delivery format, not an intermediate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC

That you got similar results is in itself a kind of testament, but there is not a valid comparison of x264 to any of the lossless intermediates you mentioned, nor would I use any h.264 as an intermediate (kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?).

If you want to draw comparisons (I have already shared my impressions in other posts), you could run your tests again with the other AVC encoders in Vegas Pro (MainConcept and Sony) and draw your own conclusions using your own material.

I paid particular attention to rendering times, sharpness, color faithfulness, blocking in shadows and transitions, detail in low-motion areas, decomb / deinterlace / pulldown performance, streaming preparation, cropping and audio options.

As always, ymmv. Feel free to post back your own impressions.
;?)