MPEG Streamclip 1.8b1 BETA

Question

MPEG Streamclip 1.8b1 BETA
Mac OS X version - Free download
This beta version should provide better compatibility with the iPod and other improvements.
It has not been fully tested. Please report bugs and issues to Squared 5.
Do not link directly to this file.
Date: 16/10/2006 - Size: 1.3 MB - Show version changes
added support for iPod H.264 640x480 format
two-pass encoding should be compatible with the iPod
added an option to try opening unrecognized files
Fix Timecode Breaks modified to minimize audio dropouts
keyframe interval increased to 5 seconds
added support for 16:9 PAL format of the JVC Everio camcorder
new supported files: DCM, TP, VID, JPEG, TIFF
compatible with Perian for FLV playback/conversion
new options in the frame exporter
added the Spanish localization
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html

Answer 1

mmm...why can't you set key frames in Streamclip?
"The keyframe interval for export has been increased from 1 second to 5 seconds (as recommended by Apple)." -- from the New in Beta Version 1.8b1 Help file.
Qt does 4 or 5 passes you just don't see it happening...Compressor does 4 or 5 passes...
Had wondered in the past but you are the first person to confirm this.
I've seen it when a h.264 is set to multi-passes and the video doesn't has much going on in it...then there is fast encoding...
Always happens in H.264 and is specifically mentioned in the Help file. Would prefer, however, that instead of simply saying "Passing movie at ..." the progress window would say something like "Pass #1: movie at ..." and increment the pass number on each pass so I will know when to expect the last pass. Got into the habit of always monitoring the last pass to scan the video output and keep an eye on the combined average data rate. However, must admit this may no longer be necessary as the data rate appears more stable (i.e., not as "loose" as v1.7) and output is actually iPod compatible.
I've seen it when a h.264 is set to multi-passes and the video doesn't has much going on in it...then there is fast encoding...
Am trying to consolidate workflow to fewer applications rather than expand them. Was forced to use MPEG Streamclip to create consistently cropped/scaled video frames for media sourced from old TV footage. Was totally dissatisfied with ffmpegX in this department and fell back on the old MPEG Streamclip to new QT workflow as the best temporary alternative. And, since there is little visual difference between the single-pass and multi-pass modes, the new Streamclip also provide a much faster workfolw for material that is basically dated and of a somewhat lesser quality to begin with.
Or to take a 10-bit uncompress and make it either smaller x to y or change the frame rate...Or take a 10-bit from FCP flatten the transitions and then bring that back into FCp...
Have to confess that my efforts are only directed exclussively towards personal archiving and easy access of so-called "oldies but goodies" and not "production level" edits.
Do you think Streamclip does a good job on h.264? Compared to Qt...
If pressed, would have to admit that I probably like the "tweeking" done by Apple for quality. MPEG Streamclip, at least using my combination of workflow, filters and settings, produces a somewhat "softer" rendering than I prefer. This is likely due to my using the "wider 2D-FIR" scaler and undoubted contributes to increased processing times since I crop/scale in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Would, however, readily change my workflow if Apple were to add the ability to control alternate audio tracks to both the iTunes application and iPod firmware, as well as, provide AC3 support for QT-to-Optical line output. (This is rapidly becoming a personal "pet peeve" as we approach release of the "iTV" device in Q1 of next year.)