H.264 Video Export Quality Options - Why no difference?

Hi all, first post so go easy on me!
I've been playing with the various options for exporting videos to H.264 as the original files are just too large. Lightroom 5.5 gives the impression that each quality option should result in a different output file size:
Max: "As close to source as possible"
High: "High quality, but with a possible reduction in video bit rate"
Medium: "Suitable for web sharing and higher end tablets"
Low: "Suitable for mobile devices"
I tested the output for a source file with a resolution of 1280x720, 30.000fps, bit rate 512kbps file size of 369 MB and got the following results:
Source
Resolution: 1280x720
Bit Rate: 512kbps
File Size: 369 MB
Max / High / Medium - all identical
Resolution: 1280x720
Bit Rate: 253kbps
File Size: 108 MB
Low
Resolution: 480x270
Bit Rate: 125kbps
File Size: 19 MB
Any reason why the Max, High and Medium options would all be identical? The only thing I could think of is that the higher options are for higher quality videos, and for movies taken with my compact digital, there isn't enough scope to differentiate between the various options.
This is still disappointing as the difference between 108 MB and 19 MB is quite substantial. I'd hope the High and Medium options would offer alternatives in between.
Not having used Lightroom for long, I was unsure whether I've just encountered a bug or whether this is normal behaviour and if so, why this is the case. I've looked for options to change the default resolutions for the different quality levels but it looks to be hard-coded as I couldn't find a setting.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

I think you need to start with a higher-resolution and bitrate file to start with to see more variation between the higher settings.
I say this because I just tried a 1920x1080x22Mbps MP4 video file from my phone and Max and High are the same, but Medium steps down to 1280x720x8Mbps and Low is 480x270x1Mbps.
I expect you’d have variation between all the quality settings if you started with a 4K video file.

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First off, I'm not the most tech savvy person out there. However, I have a really simple 8 minute video that i shot with my Canon SX20 IS. It's a still camera but it also shoots HD video. Anyway, the video looks great in imovie but when i export it it's pixelated and just awful quality. I've tried exporting it using different sizes, and all the different export options it has, nothing seems to work. This video is for a very dear friend of mine and I'm leaving to see them really soon, so i need to get this video up to par and into idvd as soon as possible. if anyone can help me to fix this problem it will be greatly appreciated.
Also, am i going to have a similar problem with idvd? like will ti look fine until i decide to burn it onto the disk?

mlop wrote:
... Canon SX20 IS. ... I've tried exporting it using different sizes, and all the different export options it has, nothing seems to work. ...
your cam records in 720p, which is AVCHD-lite, which is not supported by iM08 (=you posted in the im vers08 section of this board). How did you import? is 08 correct? or, perhaps, 09/11?
in Share, choose 'Export Movie'/Apple-E, choose the 'HD' called option, which generates a 720p movie with a more than acceptable quality.
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and Welcome, mlop, to the  boards ...

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I've noticed that the mpg-4 videos are most dramatically effected. My iTunes downloaded TV/movie/videos are all fine. I do not notice a change in quality checked or unchecked with those specific formats.
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Hello there,
Am kind of a newb, but am getting used to the basics and am happy with the video export quality. For some reason, the TITLE objects are coming out grainy, even when viewed at 100% size. I tried different output types, bitrates, changed fonts, font size, position, etc. Put black background behind, removed background, no matter what am still getting the fonts looking crappy once exported.
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http://fms.whoajack.com/textIssue01.png
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Dear Readers.
I have a question regarding an export of a video from Final Cut Pro. I am about to have an exhibition of my work and I really need to have it projected High Quality. I have decided to play it straight from the laptop instead of burning a DVD (which takes a lot of information). The only thing that I am not sure how to do, is an export of Video. Which in your opinion would be the highest possible quality of playback if the video is going to be screened via Quick Time (unless there is something better that goes full screen on a computer?)? I would be very grateful for some help.
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That is your answer then.
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H.264 Video Export Quality Options - Why no difference?

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