Cannot encode with x264 but MPEG4 is fine

[Targas]

I encode with HandBrake as I find it is the only program that allows me to have multiple attractive soft subtitles and audio tracks (multilingual household) that work easily with all our players. For some reason, I am unable to complete an encode with x264 but I have 100% success with MPEG4 and MPEG2. I'd prefer to be able to use x264 if possible as I'd like the better quality.

The x264 encodes can end at any point, and there is no error, the program just stops, which I'd always assumed meant the error was coming from outside the program somewhere so that it couldn't report on it. From the nightly builds, X265 also fails, as does Theora. I get an error code 4 with Theora which may or may not be directly related (can't find what a 4 means). I use AnyDVD and CloneDVD to get the DVD onto my hard drive and have both DVD and blu-ray drives. Switching reading from one source drive to the other on the initial copy makes no difference. Nothing has been cut from the bottom of the log files.

Obviously the short term solution is to continue to encode in MPEG4, but is there something I can do to get the x264 working?

This is an x264 encode that made it to a little over 200MB before it stopped - http://hastebin.com/lefaqohiga.coffee

Repeat attempt at the above (just hit start again on same settings), and over 500MB before the program fell off the twig - http://hastebin.com/loxejuheva.coffee

This is the log from a x264 attempt but with the libhd option selected - http://hastebin.com/emevoriboy.coffee

This is the Theora encode, with the program ending properly after a experiencing an error code 4. It was a two pass encode that pretty much ended as soon as the second pass started with only 17k being written to the drive - http://hastebin.com/lojibuseli.coffee

This is the x265 encode that ended prematurely - http://hastebin.com/pijiwuroli.coffee

and finally, the MPEG4 2 pass encode that went off without a hitch, can FF and click ahead ok, and came out to about 1.5 GB - http://hastebin.com/ojehosuyak.coffee

[Smithcraft]

I didn't see anything crazy in the two logs I checked.

I couldn't say for certain, but if x264 is more intensive than MPEG4, then your CPU might be overheating if the cooling system is fouled up.

You could try monitoring the CPU temp and see if that's it.

SC

[Targas]

MPEG4 is 59-74ish degrees C. The CPU is definitely running hotter with x264, swinging between 78-86 degrees C. Is that enough to make handbrake stick it's finger in it's ear? I wasn't seeing any temperature spikes before the program fizzled. I can encode x264 with Aiseesoft Bu-ray ripper fine, but that doesn't have the quality of handbrake nor the audio/subtitle flexibility.

[Smithcraft]

As I suggested, your cooling system might be overwhelmed. Perhaps opening up the case (if it's not a laptop) and cleaning out the cooling system of any dust build up might fix the issue.

From a quick look around the interwebs, it looks like that CPU shouldn't go above 80 C. So either make sure your cooling system is up to it, or get a better cooling system.

SC

[Targas]

I opened up the case, put an external fan blowing onto the business end, and no dice. Following advice in another thread, I changed the affinity of Handbrake to only using 5 of the 8 cores. The temperature stayed considerably lower and the encode went through to completion. It will be a pain in the proverbial to have to remember to do that each time I start the program but at least I can encode the way I want. The next time I upgrade I'll take more care with temperature control and not go with the standard fan/grey goop and hopefully this will go away.

[Havor]

I think a better option for you would be to replace the CPU cooler (that is properly a cheap ass Intel or AMD boxed cooler) to for example a Scythe Mugen 4, that is a excellent cooler for its price.