Unwatchtable results when converting to H.264 (MPEG Streamclip 1.8)

I converted several movies to H.264 a year ago using an older version of MPEG Streamclip, using the exact same settings (H.264, 720x576, 25 fps, 2400 kbps). These movies play fine on the atv. Movies that I recently converted, using MPEG Streamclip 1.8 and newer versions of QT (whatever the current version is) no longer play correctly on the atv. These newer conversions flicker green and really have no dicernable picture. The atv attempts to play the content (no error message), but the displayed picture is just a torn up mess. These newer conversions play fine on the Mac
(in iTunes or QT Player). Does anyone know what's wrong or how to work around this problem?
Thanks.
Jens Petersohn
PowerMac G4 1.25 DP, AlBk 15 1 GHz, Mac Mini 1.25 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Codec: H.264
Size: 720x576
Bitrate: 300 KBps
Quality: 100%
I stored this settings about 2 years ago as a preset.These settings do lot look right. If saved 2 years ago with a data rate of 300 Kbps, this should have been an iPod preset (likely for a 320 x 240) or possibly quarter PAL display dimensions "Baseline" profile. (I.e., roughly half the recommended iPod setting but a setting likely good for web use.) Baseline, files, despited their low data rate, would have been iPod compatible then and TV compatible now.
As I said before, the resulting movies all work fine on the atv except the very latest.Actually, in your original post, the settings you gave look more like they are for a PAL "Main" profile if you are using 720 x 576 dimensions and a data rate of 2400 Kbps. The problem is if your are using the "Baseline Low Complexity" profile, then this file will likely be trapped by iTunes as not be within acceptable "LC" profile specifications and I would assume not sync with either iPod or TV devices. On the other hand, if you are using the "Main" profile, then the file should be TV compatible but not iPod compatible.
I believe, unlike Handbrake, MPEG Streamclip uses Apple's H.264 Codec.The MPEG Streamclip default is H.264, but MPEG-4 is also available if you select it. However, even the MPEG-4 codec was originally limited to 900 macro-16 blocks back then -- usually assigned as a 480 x 480 display encode matrix. This was increased to 1200 macro-16 blocks when the "Low Complexity" H.264 format was introduced for MPEG-4 640 x 480 compatibility. However, even now, according to Apple, the MPEG-4 "Simple" profile is limited to 1215 macro-16 blocks or a 720 x 432 display encode matrix -- not 720 x 576.
I'm going to attempt to compress something with the Quicktime Pro tool as a comparision.Suggest you run your tests using H.264 "Main" profile at originally posted settings, switch to "LC" compatible H.264 dimensions/data rates, or use MPEG-4 at stated data rate but using compatible dimensions (e.g., 16:9 aspect ratio 720 x 400 display which is equivalent to a compatible 1125 macro-16 blocks).

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Read my article in this magazine...I talk about how to do this:
http://www.lafcpug.org/nabsupermag08.html
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DV clips look bad, good when converted to H.264 in QuickTime and reimported

Still a problem after 7.0.1:
DV camera -> iMovie 08 -> looks bad when playing and exporting/sharing
DV camera -> iMovie 08 -> "reveal in finder" -> clip opened in QuickTime -> looks good -> export as H.264 -> re-import to iMovie 08 -> looks good when playing and exporting/sharing.
In plain words: Importing DV clips from my DV camera into iMovie gives bad results when playing and exporting/sharing. Have tried everything, but the clips look blurry and not sharp at all. The actual DV clip in the events folder looks sharp and clear.
If I take the very same DV clip from the events folder ("reveal in finder"), open it in QuickTime, export it as H.264 and then re-import to iMovie 08, it looks brilliant, retaining the quality the DV clip in the events folder has.
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Some have suggested that this is because iMovie 08 internally re-encodes to AIM or H.264, enabling edits with different kinds of formats, but if I do this myself in QuickTime before importing to iMovie 08, the problem isn't there!
If this is difficult to achieve, why not add the option of importing from a DV camera as H.264 and not DV? That would make my day!
(I have posted this to Apple using the feedback menu item in iMovie 08.)
(Background here in these threads:)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1088568
Sample clips in Apple TV format here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5173005

iMovie '08 stores rendered projects in H.264 form. This happens when you render to the Media Browser. The rendered file(s) (you can have several different sizes) are in the iMovie '08 project package. The original flies in your Events folders stay in whatever format they were in.
Yes, the movies exported to the Media Browser use the H.264 format, the same as iMovie HD 5/6 did when we exported using the presets Email, Web, Web Streaming and CD-ROM. They were all H.264 too. Apple is obviously putting the (powerful) H.264 to good use to prepare movies for Web pages and other purposes.
As you know, the Full Quality export in 5/6 was to the project's native format, which varied according to the type of project. For DV projects, that was DV video. Everything was converted to DV when imported into the project, and to preserve the original quality we could export to a Full Quality DV movie.
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When I export slideshow movies in DV format out of FotoMagico I always select 'Best' and it DOES make a difference in iDVD.
I think of iMovie 7's problem with DV as more profoundly flawed. Exporting ANY DV video that's in the project to DV or ANY OTHER format is messed up. It's the handling of the DV inside iMovie that's messed up, not just the export to DV.
My guess is — and it's only a guess — that FotoMagico's Best setting adjusts the content of the image delivered for iDVD. Put another way, it prepares an image that works best with iDVD's own encoding algorithms.
One long-standing diappointment I've had with iLife is that Apple has never coordinated the image it prepares for iDVD with what(ever) iDVD does best. It's as if the programmers never talk to each other. iMovie engineers have never asked the iDVD engineers how best to deliver the image to deliver the best quality on the DVD.
Given Apple's emphasis on H.264, one would think that iDVD would be written to embrace any H.264 video and deliver great quality on the DVD. It doesn't. And with iLife '08 it doesn't even embrace iMovie's own DV exports!
I suppose Blu-Ray will change all that, but for now we're stuck with a version of iLife that can't deliver a quality DVD of our home movies.
Karl

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I'm trying to convert the video from a DVD camera to a format I can edit then burn to DVD. I have a few questions.
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when I attempt to export it stops me and tells me that I must download apple's MPEG 4 playback
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Are you asking if there's a way to export from mpegstreamclip so you don't need to render when you edit with the file in fcp? If so, yes... (sorry couldn't resist).
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Hi,
I did post this in another topic, then realised I probaby should start a new one.
I am new so please be nice - and I'm not superwhiz with these things...
I am in the process of using the recommended MPEG Streamclip 1.2 (for Windows) to convert my .VOB file to MP4 so that I can play it on my ipod. The file is approx 500MB, and I think I may have selected wrong options as it has taken over 12 hours to convert 65% of the file... and it's still going (obviously :-))
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Button says iTunes not iPod
Limit Data Rate 1.5 mbps
Framesize Other 640 * 480
Interlaced Scaling not checked
http://forum.videohelp.com/topic320388.html
So my questions are:
1. Is it normal for conversion to take this long?
2. Are the settings I chose correct?
Thanks in advance!
*Please note I asked here not on the MPEG Streamclip forums just because you guys recommended it so you obviously have some experience using it.*

There are presets for the iPod and Apple TV-they are located under file->export to mpeg-4. Once the window pops up hit the iTunes button. You get a popup window with a long list of options.
The quickest setting would be 3gp-172 by something(the very last one).
It is designed to stream to the iPhone over the 3g network.
PS.
You can lower the bitrate to speed things up slightly, but using a p4 like yours will take for ever.
Message was edited by: Johnathan Burger

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Barbara B. wrote:
Sorry, ACR = Adobe Camera Raw. How are you converting these files, then?
Just size the image down for the forum, or include screenshots of sample areas instead.
Oh right !
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I agree with Marco U.
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Mpeg streamclip jvc fcp

HI all.
I have a JVC everior. I have read all through the notes all over the internet, my problem though is this. I have transfered the files from the camcorder as they were recorded. When I watch them in mpeg streamclip before I even transcode them, they look like they are de interlaced sometimes, lines go through them. Now when I export, the quality is terrible. I have tried no compression to MP4, and a few other formats including quicktime/prores 422.. Nothing makes the quality how it shows up on the camera.
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the output should match the source file, generally speaking. So if you camera is making HD files then using a HD sized coded would suffice.
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MPEG Streamclip 1.8 is out...

A new version of MPEG Streamclip is out...MPEG Streamclip 1.8
As of 12/30/06
http://www.squared5.com/
added compatibility with DivX 6.5-6.6
improved AVI and DivX playback, encoding and editing
added an internal AVI importer
improved iPod compatibility
added the Open URL command with the Download button
added an internal audio resampler
added support for MPEG-1 in VOBs and transport streams
the Fix Timecode Breaks command has been improved
added 90 and 180 degree rotation
many bugs have been fixed

- MPEG Streamclip can now open and download FLV files.
- MicroMV and HDV camera owners please use Apple's DVHSCap to transfer movies into your Mac; then use MPEG Streamclip to convert them.
- DreamBox and Topfield users can open, download and upload movies with MPEG Streamclip, using the Enigma and Altair menus.
NEW IN VERSION 1.8
The Open URL command of the File menu, can now open and also download (or batch download) streams over the Internet, and it often recognizes and opens movies embedded in web pages. More details later in this guide.
MPEG Streamclip is now compatible with DivX 6. A special codec adapter has been added so now the DivX codec can be selected in the AVI and MOV exporter windows. If DivX 6.5 or later is installed, you can select MPEG Layer 3 audio in the exporter window as well.
The "Save As" command for AVI files has been significantly improved: it is faster, and can now handle B-frames properly. Better B-frame support has also been added in the AVI exporter, when the XviD codec is selected and B-frames are enabled in XviD options. Other improvements in the AVI exporter include proper encoding of AVI files with BMP and JPEG video, "lower" dominance for DivX, and a special frame size called "720x576 DivX PAL" that appear in place of "720x576 DV-PAL", when a DivX compatible codec is used.
An internal AVI importer has been added; it is a component that puts the AVI file in the player when it is opened in MPEG Streamclip. It was necessary because none of the three external AVI importers currently available (QuickTime, DivX, Perian-FFusion) seem to work properly.
Two internal AC3 and MP2 decoder components have been added: now it is possible to play QuickTime and AVI files with MPEG Layer 2 and AC3 sound without having to install any external codec.
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Fixed many bugs; some of them were there since version 1.5, including: a bug in which the last few seconds of the audio track were not exported; a bug in which the video compressor used was sometimes different from the video compressor chosen; a bug in which the picture became darker/brighter when exporting with the same compressor; a bug in which the frame rate was not detected properly.
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HELP! AC3 Files from compressor (FCS2) in MPEG Streamclip!

I'm having a problem - I'm creating 5.1 AC3 audio files with Soundtrack Pro/Compressor. The files are playing back fine, but when I import them into MPEG Streamclip, it is not recognized. Normal (downloaded AC3 files from Dolby, etc) work fine - it must be a setting I am using, but I have tried everything. Has anyone ever had this problem? I've got a project due that I need to be able to stitch together MPG video with AC3 5.1 audio into one MPG2. So far, streamclip is all I have found to do this...I am using Final Cut Studio 2. Any help is SO appreciated!!

Aaah, I wish I could help! I have exactly the same problem! I was going to post about it, but since there's this workaround, I didn't want to take up bandwidth with a problem that was not a total showstopper.
Indeed. I have stopped doing what I used to do before. Before, I used to select "All" in compressor - the files generated were the video, the aiff, and the ac3. Well after burning a few coasters through DVDSP 4.1 where there was picture but no sound, I realized that I needed to drag the aiff file to compressor again, and use that - at that point everything is fine. So, right now, my workflow is to export just the video from FCP through compressor, let it encode. Then export the aiff separately and encode it to a3 in compressor, then import the video and ac3 to DVDSP for good results. In short, no more exporting "All" from FCP through compressor, it's a waste of time.
But as to why, I have no idea, and I'm eager to hear what folks have to say! Anyhow, just letting you know you are not alone. Btw. my set up is: FCP 4.5 HD, compressor 2.1 and DVDSP 4.1.0... what's yours?

Export/Convert to h.264 results in jerky video in WMP

System: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 EN
In Premiere Pro CS4 and Adobe Media Encoder CS4 I have problems exporting video to h.264.
Please download the sample file here:
http://www.tsxn.com/storage/transfer/premiere_h264.zip
Source:
H.264 HDTV Testvideo (e.g. "01-TestVideo_Original_h264.MOV")
Profile: 1920x1080 fps 30, square pixel, progressive
Destination:
For Testing purpose, just converting the original within the Adobe Media Encoder
Profile: same as Source
1) The original source file plays fine using any player, so the hardware of my test systems (3 computers) is ok
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3) Strange: When converting the jerky result video again (e.g. "03-TestVideo_ConvertAgain_wmv.wmv") , but now into WMV, it plays fine again
Can anyone confirm this problem on his system?
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Any help is highly appreciated!
Thank you
Chris

Jim, thanks for testing.
My concerns are about a)distribution and general b)compatibility.
a) When videos are distributed most of the users will probably try to open the files with Windows Media Player. So it is not a good start to have fresh exported h.264 videos which won't run fine with the 'main' player on windows
b) I am wondering if the Problems with Windows Media Player may also be a sign of a general compatibility issue of the h.264 video itself
At least in case b) Adobe would have to look into this.
Here is another test video:
http://www.tsxn.com/storage/transfer/Serenity.zip
Thank you
Chris

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No Audio when playing newly converted video files to MPEG-4

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Try using Videora or MPEG Streamclip to convert the videos; more information on this issue is available in this article.
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Unwatchtable results when converting to H.264 (MPEG Streamclip 1.8)

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