QuickTime codec H264 quality question at DVinfo.net

Nathan Quattrini · April 30th, 2007, 08:42 AM

Awhile back I asked around and was told h264 was the best quality for file size out there, and alot of people here use it to post videos. But when I use it it looks very flushed/washed out. Here is a screen shot with mpeg-4 vs. h264 so you can see what I mean. While the h264 file is about %40 smaller, the image to me looks horrible in comparison. They were both on best/highest quality going out of premiere (m2t) through debug frameserver and compressed with tmpgenc pro. Why does my h264 look so horrid? :(

http://www.kiukle.com/temp/qt.jpg

Matthew Craggs · May 3rd, 2007, 07:42 AM

I have to say I'm a tad disappointed no-one has responded. I, as well, have had this same problem. I tried doing some tests using h264 after hearing how good it is, and also got the same washed out result.

Steve Maller · May 3rd, 2007, 08:03 AM

Are you using Premiere's encoder or Quicktime's?

I'm a Final Cut Pro user and the H.264-encoded videos are clearly superior to MP4, and even better if I twiddle with some of the esoteric settings in Apple's Compressor.

Adam Tirapelle · May 3rd, 2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Maller

Are you using Premiere's encoder or Quicktime's?

I'm a Final Cut Pro user and the H.264-encoded videos are clearly superior to MP4, and even better if I twiddle with some of the esoteric settings in Apple's Compressor.

Agreed. I use QuickTime as well (from Final Cut Pro) through Compressor and the quality is outstanding. The only thing I've heard of that can rival it is On2 Technologies Flix Series (eg Flix Exporter). Check here:

http://on2.com/

Andzei Matsukevits · May 3rd, 2007, 10:45 AM

I have same problem, when exporting it from After Effects. Result looks washed out and much brighter than original

Steven Cowie · May 3rd, 2007, 11:13 AM

Ive generally found quicktime player itself actually contributes to the problem, playing the same clip in another player returns results more in line with the original clip with both at their default settings

eg dual screen grab of the same clip paused in two different players

http://www.webhosted4u.com/vlc_v_qt.jpg

I've overlayed a section from the QT player screen grab on top of the VLC players grab to make them easier to compare

Emre Safak · May 3rd, 2007, 12:03 PM

It's a color space problem. I think it is QuickTime's fault. See this

April 30th, 2007, 08:42 AM	#1
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	QuickTime codec H264 quality question Awhile back I asked around and was told h264 was the best quality for file size out there, and alot of people here use it to post videos. But when I use it it looks very flushed/washed out. Here is a screen shot with mpeg-4 vs. h264 so you can see what I mean. While the h264 file is about %40 smaller, the image to me looks horrible in comparison. They were both on best/highest quality going out of premiere (m2t) through debug frameserver and compressed with tmpgenc pro. Why does my h264 look so horrid? :( http://www.kiukle.com/temp/qt.jpg __________________ Cinematography Site

May 3rd, 2007, 08:03 AM	#3
Steve Maller Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Burlingame, CA USA Posts: 285	Are you using Premiere's encoder or Quicktime's? I'm a Final Cut Pro user and the H.264-encoded videos are clearly superior to MP4, and even better if I twiddle with some of the esoteric settings in Apple's Compressor. __________________ me@facebook: http://facebook.com/stevemallerphotography

May 3rd, 2007, 07:42 AM	#2
Matthew Craggs Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 311	I have to say I'm a tad disappointed no-one has responded. I, as well, have had this same problem. I tried doing some tests using h264 after hearing how good it is, and also got the same washed out result.

May 3rd, 2007, 10:45 AM	#5
Andzei Matsukevits Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 300	I have same problem, when exporting it from After Effects. Result looks washed out and much brighter than original

May 3rd, 2007, 11:13 AM	#6
Steven Cowie Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glasgow United Kingdom Posts: 32	Ive generally found quicktime player itself actually contributes to the problem, playing the same clip in another player returns results more in line with the original clip with both at their default settings eg dual screen grab of the same clip paused in two different players http://www.webhosted4u.com/vlc_v_qt.jpg I've overlayed a section from the QT player screen grab on top of the VLC players grab to make them easier to compare

May 3rd, 2007, 12:03 PM	#7
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	It's a color space problem. I think it is QuickTime's fault. See this