Rendering with Sony XAVC S 3840x2160 creates massive Bitrate..Help?

Blasst wrote on 8/10/2021, 9:50 PM

I have Sony Vegas Pro 12.0 and using it with my Cameras 4K video files has been pretty good for years. However, the rendered videos have a massive file size and a bitrate of over 105 Mbps, trying to stream the video files using Plex. I have not found a way to change the settings once XAVC S 3840x2160 has been selected, so the rendered file does not have such massive bitrates. The files play fine on my windows pc, but have buffering issues with Plex using a server. Any ideas on how to make it so the bitrate is lower than 100Mbps?

Comments

3POINT wrote on 8/10/2021, 11:50 PM

XAVC is a recording and editing format with fix bitrates, not directly a delivery format. In VP12 I can't remember if you can render to 4k AVC or if Voukoder can be integrated. Otherwise use Handbrake to convert your XAVC renders to AVC.

wwaag wrote on 8/11/2021, 1:06 AM

@3POINT is correct. XAVC is not a delivery format. Voukoder is not supported in V12--only 13 and above. HappyOtterScripts still supports V12 from which you can render 4k avc/hevc formats x264/x265 as well as GPU supported encoders including Nvenc, QuickSync and VCE. However, it's a paid app. You would do well to consider an upgrade from V12 to a later version.

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RogerS wrote on 8/11/2021, 1:31 AM

I don't think there are great 4K render options from VP 12.

X-AVC S is a good capture format but not ideal for delivery.
When I used 12 I rendered to SonyAVC in HD which worked fine. If you have a computer that meets the minimum specs, consider upgrading to 18/19.

3POINT wrote on 8/11/2021, 2:17 AM

Than the only option, without spending money, is the Handbrake option. Converting your VP12 XAVC renders to AVC x264 with Handbrake goes quickly resulting in a dramatic lower bitrate (compared to XAVC) and no significant loss of picture quality. Ofcourse, it's an extra renderstep, but really worthwhile.

Musicvid wrote on 8/11/2021, 2:53 PM

Rendering your 4k to x265 in Handbrake will give you much better compression than x264 AVC, but it takes longer.

Blasst wrote on 8/11/2021, 5:08 PM

Thanks for all the posts on my issue. Looks like I need to upgrade from V12 to start with, and then give Handbrake a try as long as it does 4K video. My 4K starts as H265 from my Samsung NX1 and has to be converted to use in V12 which is an extra step. Do the latest versions of Vegas Pro support H265 now?

Blasst wrote on 8/11/2021, 6:14 PM

I just upgraded to V 18/19. I want the best rendering quality in 4K, so choosing Magix Hevc/ AAC would not be a choice. Is Voukoder an add on that will maintain picture quality after rendering?

RogerS wrote on 8/11/2021, 7:52 PM

What's wrong with HEVC from a quality standpoint? I thought it's just harder for devices to playback.

Anyway I'd use MagixAVC with Mainconcept for a decent quality render with broad compatibility. Voukoder through x.264 will yield a better quality for a given bitrate. Try the general recommended preset for starters.

Blasst wrote on 8/11/2021, 10:39 PM

RogerS, Magix HEVC only shows Internet UHD, so I would take this to not be the best quality...guess I could do a short clip with it and see how it looks. I downloaded Voukoder and it looks pretty close to the same quality as the clips rendered into Sony XAVC S files, and the Voukoder rendered files stream just fine using PLEX so looks like I have found a solution I can be happy with. I appreciate all the feedback!

RogerS wrote on 8/12/2021, 12:51 AM

UHD (3840x2160) is your source resolution so that's not a problem.

Bitrate seems high for HEVC though. I'd lower it somewhat.

I use Voukoder x.264 myself.

3POINT wrote on 8/12/2021, 4:40 AM

For final quality and low bitrates renders I only use Voukoder. You always can choose between x264 and x265. Forget about Magix AVC or HEVC render, depending on your hardware it renders a little bit faster than Voukoder but never reaches it's quality and bitrate. I use Magix only for quick test renders, never for final renders.

Musicvid wrote on 8/12/2021, 7:49 AM

x265 software codec in Voukoder will give you an edge on quality vs. size, but it will render much slower than hardware HEVC rendering.

3POINT wrote on 8/12/2021, 8:07 AM

x265 software codec in Voukoder will give you an edge on quality vs. size, but it will render much slower than hardware HEVC rendering.

Quality and filesize always takes some more time than hardware speed rendering, but it's time well spend. X264 and X265 is always CPU rendering, since having a real fast CPU, the difference in time comparing to GPU H264 and H265 rendering is for me negligible.

Last changed by 3POINT on 8/12/2021, 8:07 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

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Blasst wrote on 8/12/2021, 10:30 AM

What about selecting (NVIDIA NVENC) vs X264 & X265 in Voukoder?, as I have a 2080 GPU, it will process faster that way, yet will there be a quality difference?

3POINT wrote on 8/12/2021, 2:08 PM

It will be than H264 and H265 and not X264 and X265. It renders faster as with Magix NVENC, about quality differences I'm not aware. You have to decide for yourself, if faster H264/H265 render can compete with slower x264/X265 render.