Sony AVC (.mp4) vs. MainConcept AVC/AAC (.mp4)

Rich Parry wrote on 10/13/2010, 8:25 PM

I want to render a full HD (1920x1080P) project. If I chose .mp4, VP10 provides two codecs, the MainConcept and the Sony. Is there a preferred choice?

The file will be played on a large HDTV home theater system (Samsung). The TV also supports AVI and MPG files. Any suggestions for selecting a codec is appreciated?

thanks,
Rich

Comments

john_dennis wrote on 10/13/2010, 8:58 PM

Which codecs and what bit rate is the source material? Also, are you playing the files in the built-in media player in the TV, a hardware media player, a media PC or making Blu-rays?

In Vegas 9.0e, I have used the Sony codec mostly for online posting at around 6 mbps, but I have also rendered some files at 15 mbps and I was quite pleased with the way the video looks on a plasma panel.

Both codecs allow you to build your own templates from the default template and save them as your own. The MainConcept codec allows you to select much higher bitrates, however. Given my source bit rates, that is not a differentiator for me.

Rich Parry wrote on 10/13/2010, 9:15 PM

John, thanks for reply, here are answers, appreciate any further advice you may have.

Source material: Canon 5D Mark II
Target format: Full 1920x1080 24 and 30P (mostly 30P)
Source Bitrate: Canon 5D selects, but one of the MOV files shows 46kbps
Player: Built-in HDTV, I insert a USB thumb drive and TV plays it
HDTV: 55" Samsung LED LCD, 8000 series

When you say you render to 6 or 15mbps, is that CBR? If VBR rate, are the values you provided "average" rates and what is max rate.

I have used the MainConcept codec to create .MP4 file at 1920x1080x24P with a VBR at 10Mbps Max and 4Mbps average rates. The results are acceptable, but don't know if I could do a lot better with a different codec and/or settings.

I know I can experiment, but I don't have golden eyes and there are almost an infinite (a lot) number of combinations. I prefer to use a tried and true standard and take advice of the experts here.

thanks again for any suggestions you may have,
Rich

john_dennis wrote on 10/13/2010, 9:58 PM

"When you say you render to 6 or 15mbps, is that CBR? If VBR rate, are the values you provided "average" rates and what is max rate."

I used the Sony AVC Internet 16:9 HD 30p template and selected a value from the drop down on the Video tab under Custom. I take it that it renders CBR as there are no options to set a range. For the 15 mbps, I created my own template from the default template. The MainConcept codec allows VBR. I'm no expert, I just tinker a lot.
I suspect your TV is a good one. I don't know where you would start wasting bits if you always selected a high bit rate.

While I was typing, I rendered twelve minutes of video simultaneously using both codecs. The MainConcept codec VBR at 20 mbps (50 maximum) finished first at one hour and twelve minutes. The Sony AVC render at 20 mbps is running alone now and predicts one hour thirty-two minutes. I don't know if the MainConcept is more efficient or just grabs the CPU. Oviously, the file sizes are essentially the same.

Rich Parry wrote on 10/14/2010, 9:49 AM

John, thanks for response and useful information. I appreciate your effort.

RIch