Blocky artifacts. See attached pic.

[Walker66]

Well I've made my first DVD of something I filmed my new Canon HV30 and let's just say the results are less than stellar. Macroblocking and other video artifacts all over the place. See below for a picture of my HDTV screen that I took:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/walker66/blockiness.jpg

I used HDVSplit to capture the video, and that looks great on my PC, but once I use DVD Moviefactory 6 to make the DVD the above picture quality is the result. I might have to buy a new NLE as I have tried everything to get a better output and its not working. Any ideas what could be causing this and any idea how to prevent it? These are the settings I used:

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
Field type: No fields (I also tried upper field first, no change)
Frame Type: Frame based
Compression: 94 (I also tried 50, no change)

If you need my computer info I have a Dell 531 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ and 4GB of memory. O/S is Windows Vista.

I really need help with this. My family is counting on me to make this DVD of their cruise. I can't give them something of such bad quality. Thank you.

[berighteous]

That is dang ugly. Your compression looks way to high.

[Zibri]

Well, raise the bitrate (double it).
Don't use a variable bitrate but a fixed one.
Audio can be mpeg2 you won't have a great quality improvemente using dolby digital if the audio is the one recorded by the cam.

And keep this in mind: USE A GOOD ENCODER.
For me the best encoder around is (and has always been) TMPG ENC (or TMPG XPRESS).

[Rumpelgeist]

Can you people read? He uses 7Mbps already. DVD allows for up to 10Mbps, though bitrates above 8.5Mbps are considered unsafe for use on some older players. I don't know what went wrong. Try another encoder.

[Walker66]

Well, raise the bitrate (double it).
Don't use a variable bitrate but a fixed one.
Audio can be mpeg2 you won't have a great quality improvemente using dolby digital if the audio is the one recorded by the cam.

And keep this in mind: USE A GOOD ENCODER.
For me the best encoder around is (and has always been) TMPG ENC (or TMPG XPRESS).

I changed the bitrate from "variable" to "constant" and raised it to 9800. That's as high as the program allows me to raise it. The result was even crazier looking. What would cause this???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/walker66/IMG_1625a.jpg

I have used TMPG ENC in the past for converting things to other formats, but not sure how I would use it to make a DVD (making a menu, etc) and burning it. Do you have a recommendation for an all-in-one program I can buy to replace this DVD Moviefactory I am using?

[kafeero]

I changed the bitrate from "variable" to "constant" and raised it to 9800. That's as high as the program allows me to raise it. The result was even crazier looking. What would cause this???

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/walker66/IMG_1625a.jpg

I have used TMPG ENC in the past for converting things to other formats, but not sure how I would use it to make a DVD (making a menu, etc) and burning it. Do you have a recommendation for an all-in-one program I can buy to replace this DVD Moviefactory I am using?


I think the easiest way would be to get different software or deliver on a different format. Maybe a data DVD instead of a video DVD?

[berighteous]

That's just wrong. Try capturing the hdv footage directly in moviefactory and then make the dvd with the defaults. Don't change any settings. See what it wil do automatically.

I use DVD architect pro 5. I can drag the hdv mpegs right in and make a dvd.

[Rumpelgeist]

I changed the bitrate from "variable" to "constant" and raised it to 9800. That's as high as the program allows me to raise it. The result was even crazier looking. What would cause this??
Either your NLE does not deinterlace before downscaling, or you fed interlaced video into it which was marked as progressive, or you fed progressive video which was improperly deinterlaced.

[Walker66]

Either your NLE does not deinterlace before downscaling, or you fed interlaced video into it which was marked as progressive, or you fed progressive video which was improperly deinterlaced.

I figured out what happened with the interlacing and fixed that. It was not interlaced in the first picture I posted as you saw, it just had the compression artifacts. I am now back to that problem.

Can you answer the below questions for me:

1. For HDV rendering/encoding which field order should I use? Upper field first or frame based/no fields?

2. How can I get rid of compression artifacts? Lower the compression?

3. Variable or constant VBR?

[2Bdecided]

I use DVD Moviefactory 6No offence, but that's a toy.

MPEG decoders are standard. MPEG encoders are not - there are all manner of clever tweaks in there to improve quality, and you get what you pay for. Broadcasters use hardware encoders costing many thousands of dollars. Most people here are using the one with their NLE, or a stand-alone one costing a few hundred dollars.


However, if you want to persist with what you have, first tells us what mode you're shooting in? HDV (60i), 30p or 24p? That determines how you should encode the content.

One thing is certain for maximum quality on a DVD: the bitrate should be about 9000kbps to max it out - there are compatibility problems with a few really crappy players, but that seems to be the least of your worries.


You will really struggle to make completely artefact-free 60i DVDs from typical camcorder footage - especially when viewed on an HDTV, which amplifies the artefacts. Movies are 24p, which is much easier to encode without visible artefacts.

Cheers,
David.

[berighteous]

9000? Geez. I typically encode at 3500 or 4000. With a good encoder (I prefer Cinemacraft - even the basic one is great) your video will look fine, and you'll get more than an hour on the DVD. For DVD compatibility sake I never go above 6000. I can't tell the diff above that anyways, at least not on a CRT TV.

[Walker66]

No offence, but that's a toy.

MPEG decoders are standard. MPEG encoders are not - there are all manner of clever tweaks in there to improve quality, and you get what you pay for. Broadcasters use hardware encoders costing many thousands of dollars. Most people here are using the one with their NLE, or a stand-alone one costing a few hundred dollars.


However, if you want to persist with what you have, first tells us what mode you're shooting in? HDV (60i), 30p or 24p? That determines how you should encode the content.

One thing is certain for maximum quality on a DVD: the bitrate should be about 9000kbps to max it out - there are compatibility problems with a few really crappy players, but that seems to be the least of your worries.


You will really struggle to make completely artefact-free 60i DVDs from typical camcorder footage - especially when viewed on an HDTV, which amplifies the artefacts. Movies are 24p, which is much easier to encode without visible artefacts.

Cheers,
David.

Yes, I know DVD Moviefactory is a toy, but I have used versions of it since 2004 and it's like an old pair of shoes you are comfortable with, used to, and don't want to get rid of. I also have trouble learning new things due to having a learning disability, so I like to stick with stuff I know. However, due to not being able to correct the problem I went and spent over $50 today on Movie Edit Pro 14 and got the same exact results with the artifacts. So at least I know it's not a problem with the program.

I shot my footage in 60i. Any other tips you can give besides having a high bit rate would be appreciated. Thank you.

[um3k]

I always use HCEnc+Avisynth for MPEG2 encoding, whether HD or SD. It gives great results, is reasonably fast, and best of all, it's free!