Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 10:18 AM

As always... a bit confused regarding codecs and render settings. It seems I'll never quite get the hang of it... (sigh).

Probably a simple question: I have a project with standard PAL 720x576 material. I want to render it, creating a file for simple playback on my pc using VLC or some other media player. But file size is not an issue. I'd like to render it to a file using the best settings quality-wise.

What file format to choose?
Which codec? and if the codec has advanced settings - how should I set those up as well?

I have the Lagarith codec installed, but two issues bother me. First of all, VLC player won't play Lagarith codec because it doesn't use the system codec but rather its own. Secondly, there's a small chance that the file might need to be played on a computer I don't know (not mine) and possibly it won't have Lagarith codec installed.
I'm looking for best possible quality, but also high compatibility.

Thanks!

George Palmier · May 3rd, 2011, 10:27 AM

The best way to render a file is to keep its original settings in the render. From what you say it seems that you are using dv. So my suggestion would be to use: "Save as type" choose video for windows (.avi) and in "template" choose whether its wide screen (16:9) or not (4:3). Hope this helps

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 10:31 AM

Thanks for your reply George! Actually, the majority of material is mpeg2 which was imported from a DVD. Far from great quality, I know, but that's the way it is. Would selecting the PAL DV template work in this case? or should I render to mpeg2?... or something else?

George Palmier · May 3rd, 2011, 11:13 AM

Sorry for assuming you were using dv. Since your original clips are in mpeg2, if you render in mpeg2 you will have no loss of quality at all. And I think all PC's can play mpeg2 files.

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 11:15 AM

For straight viewing purposes only, mpeg 2 is not what you want, it is not a delivery format, it is for DVDs. Windows media player produces excellent quality, just choose your settings properly. AVC mpeg 4 is good also.

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 11:56 AM

Thanks George.... but now with Jeff's comment I'm a bit confused again....

Jeff, thanks for chipping in. I'm not sure I follow you though...

I understand from what you're saying that mpg2 is not the preferred format in my case?.... Basically I'm just gonna play on the computer using a media player and with a projector hooked up to it so that the video will be projected on a wall. This will be my only use with this particular file.

What exactly do you mean by "Windows media player produces excellent quality"? Do you mean Windows Media Video (wmv) file format?
Regarding AVC mpeg4... I see that Vegas (v.9) has a file format that I can render to called: MainConcept AVC/AAC (mpg4) - is that what you're referring to?

I've taken a look at both wmv (assuming that this is what you meant) and also AVC/AAC (mpg).... each of them have custom settings and several templates that I can choose from and I'm not sure how to set that part up to best fit my needs. From what I can tell, the default settings are not optimal.

Looking forward to your reply.
thx

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 01:22 PM

I've never had luck with Mainconcept codec, I use mp4 avc. Yes wmv file is the one I was descibing.

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 01:54 PM

Jeff..... I don't see mp4 avc as an option. Here is what I'm looking at:

http://i53.tinypic.com/2nu3xav.jpg

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 01:55 PM

Sony avc

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 02:16 PM

Thanks Jeff. Does this seem right for the Video settings? I just selected "Default" and then changed the frame size to 720x576 (using PAL video). Should I change anything else? What about bit rate?

http://i51.tinypic.com/97odft.jpg

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 03:00 PM

Actually, I shouldn't have mentioned avc to you, it is most commonly used for HD stuff. Why not just render out to wmv? It is the logical choice, IMO and very good quality.

I do mostly HD and avc was just a knee jerk reaction, sorry.

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 03:30 PM

Okay. In that case can you just run by my settings in the Video tab for rendering to mwv format here:
http://i55.tinypic.com/qz4yl5.jpg

and my settings on the bit rate tab here:
http://i53.tinypic.com/24pa007.jpg

In the video tab I just changed the frame rate to 25fps (PAL)
and in the bit rate tab I did nothing. I have no idea what is recommended here.

thanks!

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 03:39 PM

Did you look at the other options? You need to choose based on what you need. The settings you have chosen are for internet, that's what it says. Your settings are for low quality. You should try a couple out and just render them and see how it turns out. This is how you learn how the settings affect things, by rendering it out and looking at it, then if it's not good enough change it.

How long is the project?

You can also use any template that has = sign next to it.

also try avi, and see which template has an = sign next to it, and if there is one, use that.

Adi Head · May 3rd, 2011, 03:47 PM

It's not too long, about 5 minutes.

I actually started out rendering out to .avi before starting this thread. I tried several different codecs. some looked better than others and there's quite a number to choose from. I also realized that quality is not my only concern, but also the compatibility is important. I don't want to face a situation where I render using a codec that looks great on my computer, but then when trying to play it on a different computer I find out it doesn't play.

That's when I decided to post here and get some advice.... :)

I'd be happy to render to .avi, but I need advice on how to configure the custom settings and codec options.

Jeff Harper · May 3rd, 2011, 04:12 PM

choose avi and then find the template with an = sign next to it.

May 3rd, 2011, 10:18 AM	#1
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc As always... a bit confused regarding codecs and render settings. It seems I'll never quite get the hang of it... (sigh). Probably a simple question: I have a project with standard PAL 720x576 material. I want to render it, creating a file for simple playback on my pc using VLC or some other media player. But file size is not an issue. I'd like to render it to a file using the best settings quality-wise. What file format to choose? Which codec? and if the codec has advanced settings - how should I set those up as well? I have the Lagarith codec installed, but two issues bother me. First of all, VLC player won't play Lagarith codec because it doesn't use the system codec but rather its own. Secondly, there's a small chance that the file might need to be played on a computer I don't know (not mine) and possibly it won't have Lagarith codec installed. I'm looking for best possible quality, but also high compatibility. Thanks!

May 3rd, 2011, 10:27 AM	#2
George Palmier Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Malta Posts: 96	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc The best way to render a file is to keep its original settings in the render. From what you say it seems that you are using dv. So my suggestion would be to use: "Save as type" choose video for windows (.avi) and in "template" choose whether its wide screen (16:9) or not (4:3). Hope this helps

May 3rd, 2011, 10:31 AM	#3
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Thanks for your reply George! Actually, the majority of material is mpeg2 which was imported from a DVD. Far from great quality, I know, but that's the way it is. Would selecting the PAL DV template work in this case? or should I render to mpeg2?... or something else?

May 3rd, 2011, 11:13 AM	#4
George Palmier Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Malta Posts: 96	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Sorry for assuming you were using dv. Since your original clips are in mpeg2, if you render in mpeg2 you will have no loss of quality at all. And I think all PC's can play mpeg2 files.

May 3rd, 2011, 11:15 AM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc For straight viewing purposes only, mpeg 2 is not what you want, it is not a delivery format, it is for DVDs. Windows media player produces excellent quality, just choose your settings properly. AVC mpeg 4 is good also. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 3rd, 2011, 11:56 AM	#6
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Thanks George.... but now with Jeff's comment I'm a bit confused again.... Jeff, thanks for chipping in. I'm not sure I follow you though... I understand from what you're saying that mpg2 is not the preferred format in my case?.... Basically I'm just gonna play on the computer using a media player and with a projector hooked up to it so that the video will be projected on a wall. This will be my only use with this particular file. What exactly do you mean by "Windows media player produces excellent quality"? Do you mean Windows Media Video (wmv) file format? Regarding AVC mpeg4... I see that Vegas (v.9) has a file format that I can render to called: MainConcept AVC/AAC (mpg4) - is that what you're referring to? I've taken a look at both wmv (assuming that this is what you meant) and also AVC/AAC (mpg).... each of them have custom settings and several templates that I can choose from and I'm not sure how to set that part up to best fit my needs. From what I can tell, the default settings are not optimal. Looking forward to your reply. thx

May 3rd, 2011, 01:22 PM	#7
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc I've never had luck with Mainconcept codec, I use mp4 avc. Yes wmv file is the one I was descibing. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 3rd, 2011, 01:54 PM	#8
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Jeff..... I don't see mp4 avc as an option. Here is what I'm looking at: http://i53.tinypic.com/2nu3xav.jpg

May 3rd, 2011, 01:55 PM	#9
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Sony avc __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 3rd, 2011, 02:16 PM	#10
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Thanks Jeff. Does this seem right for the Video settings? I just selected "Default" and then changed the frame size to 720x576 (using PAL video). Should I change anything else? What about bit rate? http://i51.tinypic.com/97odft.jpg

May 3rd, 2011, 03:00 PM	#11
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Actually, I shouldn't have mentioned avc to you, it is most commonly used for HD stuff. Why not just render out to wmv? It is the logical choice, IMO and very good quality. I do mostly HD and avc was just a knee jerk reaction, sorry. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 3rd, 2011, 03:30 PM	#12
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Okay. In that case can you just run by my settings in the Video tab for rendering to mwv format here: http://i55.tinypic.com/qz4yl5.jpg and my settings on the bit rate tab here: http://i53.tinypic.com/24pa007.jpg In the video tab I just changed the frame rate to 25fps (PAL) and in the bit rate tab I did nothing. I have no idea what is recommended here. thanks!

May 3rd, 2011, 03:39 PM	#13
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc Did you look at the other options? You need to choose based on what you need. The settings you have chosen are for internet, that's what it says. Your settings are for low quality. You should try a couple out and just render them and see how it turns out. This is how you learn how the settings affect things, by rendering it out and looking at it, then if it's not good enough change it. How long is the project? You can also use any template that has = sign next to it. also try avi, and see which template has an = sign next to it, and if there is one, use that. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

May 3rd, 2011, 03:47 PM	#14
Adi Head Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 642	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc It's not too long, about 5 minutes. I actually started out rendering out to .avi before starting this thread. I tried several different codecs. some looked better than others and there's quite a number to choose from. I also realized that quality is not my only concern, but also the compatibility is important. I don't want to face a situation where I render using a codec that looks great on my computer, but then when trying to play it on a different computer I find out it doesn't play. That's when I decided to post here and get some advice.... :) I'd be happy to render to .avi, but I need advice on how to configure the custom settings and codec options.

May 3rd, 2011, 04:12 PM	#15
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Seeking advice selecting optimal render settings - for playback on my pc choose avi and then find the template with an = sign next to it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."