Rendering to m4v vs. mp4

Mark Lewis · April 25th, 2009, 05:49 PM

After a painful attempt to move my workflow into Adobe cs4, I am back to Vegas 6.0. Tried and true, and does a great job for me.

For Archiving, I use 1) the MainConcept MPG2, or 2) MainConcept AVC/AAC codec to render my files to mp4 - for best bang for my buck quality/speed/size. Works for my needs.

However, my iphone won't play the mp4 files. So, when I use the MainConcept AVC/AAC ipod codec, the quality is very bad, same size files.

I can (and am) using the AVS video converter to convert the MP4, MPG files to M4V for my iphone, but want to save the step (and the conversion loss) by using an M4V codec direct from the Vegas Timeline.

Does anyone have a favorite codec? Low price is always appreciated.

Mark

Mark Lewis · April 26th, 2009, 11:19 AM

After playing around a bit, I discovered that the default bit rate settings in Vegas for MainConcept ipod mp4 were really low. I raised them up to 768 normal, 2mil maximum VBR, and my results both play on my iphone and are much clearer. I can hardly tell the difference between 768/2mil and 4mil,10mil VBR. Is that normal?

Will there be significant differences between codecs from different companies? Is it worth it to purchase a codec to create "better" quality/size tradeoffs than MainConcept?

Seth Bloombaum · April 26th, 2009, 12:15 PM

I've not seen an encoder quality comparison for h.264, aka. MPEG4 part 10.

There is very interesting info at wikipedia, including an encoder feature comparison H.264/MPEG-4 AVC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

MainConcept does have a very good reputation for their encoders and codec implementations. Encoder and codec quality for the kind of use you're targeting is really measured by quality-for-the-bitrate. Or, looked at another way, what is the minimum bitrate that provides you acceptable quality? If that bitrate is acceptable to your users, you're done!

Sean Seah · October 10th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Had to dig up this old thread as I'm having problems playing the avc mp4. Its strange that the old mp4 files could be played on the itouch 1G. I'll have try the mainconcept later.

Sean Seah · October 11th, 2009, 07:51 AM

oops the avc works at 1.5Mbps! The diff is the videos go under "ipod" videos instead of a movies icon in itouch. Resolution is as good as 1G ipod Touch.

April 25th, 2009, 05:49 PM	#1
Mark Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 35	Rendering to m4v vs. mp4 - for ipod/iphone After a painful attempt to move my workflow into Adobe cs4, I am back to Vegas 6.0. Tried and true, and does a great job for me. For Archiving, I use 1) the MainConcept MPG2, or 2) MainConcept AVC/AAC codec to render my files to mp4 - for best bang for my buck quality/speed/size. Works for my needs. However, my iphone won't play the mp4 files. So, when I use the MainConcept AVC/AAC ipod codec, the quality is very bad, same size files. I can (and am) using the AVS video converter to convert the MP4, MPG files to M4V for my iphone, but want to save the step (and the conversion loss) by using an M4V codec direct from the Vegas Timeline. Does anyone have a favorite codec? Low price is always appreciated. Mark __________________ Mark Michael Lewis www.TheThriveCoach.com Integrating Prosperity, Pleasure, Purpose. CS5, win7x64, i7-2600, evga x58 16g, Asus z68, Sony HC1

April 26th, 2009, 11:19 AM	#2
Mark Lewis Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 35	MainConcept works fine - any others you prefer? After playing around a bit, I discovered that the default bit rate settings in Vegas for MainConcept ipod mp4 were really low. I raised them up to 768 normal, 2mil maximum VBR, and my results both play on my iphone and are much clearer. I can hardly tell the difference between 768/2mil and 4mil,10mil VBR. Is that normal? Will there be significant differences between codecs from different companies? Is it worth it to purchase a codec to create "better" quality/size tradeoffs than MainConcept? __________________ Mark Michael Lewis www.TheThriveCoach.com Integrating Prosperity, Pleasure, Purpose. CS5, win7x64, i7-2600, evga x58 16g, Asus z68, Sony HC1

April 26th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	I've not seen an encoder quality comparison for h.264, aka. MPEG4 part 10. There is very interesting info at wikipedia, including an encoder feature comparison H.264/MPEG-4 AVC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. MainConcept does have a very good reputation for their encoders and codec implementations. Encoder and codec quality for the kind of use you're targeting is really measured by quality-for-the-bitrate. Or, looked at another way, what is the minimum bitrate that provides you acceptable quality? If that bitrate is acceptable to your users, you're done! __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

October 10th, 2009, 11:41 PM	#4
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Had to dig up this old thread as I'm having problems playing the avc mp4. Its strange that the old mp4 files could be played on the itouch 1G. I'll have try the mainconcept later.

October 11th, 2009, 07:51 AM	#5
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	oops the avc works at 1.5Mbps! The diff is the videos go under "ipod" videos instead of a movies icon in itouch. Resolution is as good as 1G ipod Touch.