Render as h.264 in 720x480?

AaronShaf wrote on 11/28/2008, 12:16 AM

I upgraded to version 9 from version 8 but I am totally bummed about still being locked into choosing 640x480 or 320x240 when rendering as h.264 (MediaConcept). Any ideas on how to render as h.264 in 720x480?

I want freeeeeeedom with h.264.

Comments

Eugenia wrote on 11/28/2008, 2:32 AM

You don't use MainConcept on v9 for h.264, you use Sony AVC, Sony's h.264 encoder. MainConcept is a third party company, and "freeing" their codec, would mean a more expensive Movie Studio. So, use Sony AVC.

BTW, if your camera is DV, then you should not export at 720x480 for h.264 uses, you should export at 874x480 if it's widescreen, or at 656x480 if it's 4:3.

AaronShaf wrote on 11/28/2008, 11:50 AM

It looks like MainConcept is the only h.264 codec available on version 9. Sony AVC is render as "avc1" video codec, not h.264. Try exporting a video in MainConcept and then Sony AVC and then compare how the codecs not only look (wow, big quality difference... MainConcept looks so much better), but also in how the codecs are identified in VLC Media Player.

Eugenia wrote on 11/28/2008, 1:06 PM

Aaron, the difference in quality between SonyAVC and MainConcept is very small:
http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/10/23/h264-encoder-benchmark/
Also, AVC *is* h.264. You are splitting hairs. If you see visible difference between the two codecs then you didn't export with the exact same way for both.

AaronShaf wrote on 11/28/2008, 1:47 PM

Thanks for your enlightening help.