5D MKII, 1080p, Recompress, MPEG Streamclip

[wslam]

Smugmug has already enabled 1080p on my account! But uploading is a real problem as the file size is just too big.
I want to use MPEG Streamclip to recompress first before uploading. What are the optimal settings for the smallest file size while retaining the quality from the 5D MK II? Do I simply transcode to H.264 at 1080p?

[Andy]

We have two expert heroes - Doc & Tristan. I'll get one of them to post here - please be patient as it's early on east coast time here... thanks!

[docwalker]

:deal http://wiki.smugmug.net/display/SmugMug/How+to+convert+and+format+a+video+for+upload+to+Sm ugMug

Those are the settings I use and they do work well.

Instead of the limit quality options listed, you can use the 1920x1080. We need to change that page, but we want to wait until the beta is over.

[wslam]

:deal http://wiki.smugmug.net/display/SmugMug/How+to+convert+and+format+a+video+for+upload+to+Sm ugMug

Those are the settings I use and they do work well.

Instead of the limit quality options listed, you can use the 1920x1080. We need to change that page, but we want to wait until the beta is over.

Thank you Andy and Doc!

Doc, the Wiki page is most helpful
But the bitrate recommendation only goes up to HD, what would you recommend for FULL HD? Should I limit the BitRate?

Thanks.

[phototristan]

Smugmug has already enabled 1080p on my account! But uploading is a real problem as the file size is just too big.
I want to use MPEG Streamclip to recompress first before uploading. What are the optimal settings for the smallest file size while retaining the quality from the 5D MK II? Do I simply transcode to H.264 at 1080p?

Here are our recommended settings:

http://wiki.smugmug.net/display/SmugMug/How+to+convert+and+format+a+video+for+upload+to+Sm ugMug

Keep in mind that that 'quality' slider will effect the file size. We recommend first trying it at 100%. If the video is too large with it there, try decreasing it to 75% or even 50%.

EDIT - Doc and I were answering at the same time ;)

[docwalker]

I usually leave the data rate alone and use the scaling or quality. Usually you can drop the quality by about 10% or so without noticing any change.

[wslam]

I usually leave the data rate alone and use the scaling or quality. Usually you can drop the quality by about 10% or so without noticing any change.

Thanks again Tristan and Doc.

I am encoding them at 75% now. Will see how they turn out... Thanks again.

[peestandingup]

Smugmug looks like they are encoding their FullHD res videos at around 7200 Kbps. I'd go with that. Anything less for 1080p & your stuff will look pretty bad.

Also, here are Apple's recommended settings for H.264 export:

For H.264, here are some general guidelines:

For a frame size of 1920 x 1080 (full high definition), choose a data rate of 7,000-8,000 Kbps.
For a frame size of 1280 x 720 (commonly-used high definition), choose a data rate of 5,000-6,000 Kbps.
For a frame size of 640 x 480 (standard definition), choose a data rate of 1,000-2,000 Kbps.
For a frame size of 320 x 240 (Internet-size content), choose a data rate of 300-500 Kbps.
For a frame size of 176 x 144 (3G), choose a data rate of 50-60 Kbps for 10-15 fps content, or up to 150-200 Kbps for 24-30 fps content.

The rest of the H.264 guide (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/h264.html) from Apple. Follow this & you'll be OK.

[MrSandman]

Smugmug looks like they are encoding their FullHD res videos at around 7200 Kbps. I'd go with that. Anything less for 1080p & your stuff will look pretty bad.

Also, here are Apple's recommended settings for H.264 export:



The rest of the H.264 guide (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/h264.html) from Apple. Follow this & you'll be OK.

Question...if we encode our files to 8Mbps H.264 before uploading, will you re-encode the file again to a lower bitrate H.264 once its uploaded? Or will you retain the native bitrate?

[docwalker]

ALL VIDEOS are processed to some degree when uploaded. That is the nature of the converter. We have to create the multiple display sizes.

[Gambit]

The wiki page is great and so is the thread very useful, however this was the result of my first attempt:
BTW i am a Power user so i understand that i am limited to 640*480 standard DVD quality.
1. Converted to Mpeg H.264 at 50% quality @ 640*480, interlaced checkbox selected, plays fine once uploaded to smugmug, however obviously image/video quality is very poor, however it plays smoothly with sound.
2. Converted to specified Mpeg code at 100% quality @ 640*480 deselected interlace checkbox, video now plays at a much better quality on smugmug once uploaded however it has audio for the first 5 secs and then the audio drops out??

a) Why is option 2 not working, the converted clip out of MPEG streamclip works, but not the uploaded version on smugmug??
b) Should i upgrade my account to a professional account from power user??

Thanks!

[docwalker]

Gambit, What audio format did you use in MPEG Streamclip.

I use AAC and it works well. That 5 second audio usually means that the audio codec was not supported.

[Gambit]

thanks doc, i had converted with MPEG 4 - AAC when trying it at 100%, i just tried it again at 85%, deselect interlace with AAC selected and it worked with audio. However i dont like the quality of 640*480, much prefer the HD video with minimal conversion loss....
:rolleyes

[docwalker]

I would not change the resolution/frame size. Use the unscaled/or original size. Instead of 85% try 90-95%