Bitrate X265 vs X264 comparable?

[linuxuser]

I have a general question re X265 and X264.

Should the bitrate be nearly the same, when I change the settings from X264 to X265 and do not change the rest of the settings?

When I searched the net, I am unsure if using X265 should lead to a lower bitrate. I understand that X265 produces a smaller file size, but less bitrate too?

[Woodstock]

Smaller file size is because of a reduced bit rate.

[linuxuser]

Thanks, so when I was happy with a bitrate of 1300-1500 with x264, a bitrate of 1000 with x265 should be compareable in quality? Most of my sources are DVB-recordings with an enigma-box in 720p. The quality of the sources is not the best and not comparable with BD.

[Woodstock]

I cannot comment on "comparable quality", because I haven't seen the two side-by-side. There is no exact correspondence between settings for x264 and x265 quality settings.

Generally speaking, though, 1080p is considered the cross-over point for where h.265 performs better than h.264, unless you're very bandwidth-constrained. The additional computational requirements to decode h.265 eat into its lower bandwidth advantage.

[Deleted User 13735]

When I searched the net, I am unsure if using X265 should lead to a lower bitrate. I understand that X265 produces a smaller file size, but less bitrate too?

Time x Bitrate = File Size
Therefore, smaller File Size = Lower Bitrate
It is called a direct proportion in arithmetic

[linuxuser]

Ubuntu 20.04
handbrake-gtk 1:1.3.3.1-zhb-1ppa1~focal1
NVIDIA Corporation TU116 [GeForce GTX 1660]
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core Processor

In this case I am discussing DVB-recordings in 720p, where it is unsure, if it is really 720p or upscaled.

I need a generally strategy how to encode this videos. Filesize matters, quality is always bad, when seen with a UHD-TV. I am copying the handbrake-encoded video back to the enigma-box, where the hdd is limited with 2TB.

I am also guessing if DVB-T2 in 720p is more worse that DVB-S2 in 720p. I will do tests ASAP and record the same movie with DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 reception. It looks like that bitrate with DVB-T2 recordings is a lot lower than bitrates with DVB.S2 recordings.

[Deleted User 13735]

That's an entirely different subject than your topic title, suggesting it is worthy of it's own thread, thanks.

Generally, at HD and lower resolutions, x265 is not considered necessary nor desirable, because of the encoding time involved. You will have to make your own decisions, however.

[Devore]

There has not been a single instance in my testing or experience where x264 gives a better bitrate than x265 with equivalent settings (x265 files are significantly smaller), so the idea of a "crossover point" mystifies me. I regularly encode low res content with HEVC, and I'm very happy with it. The only drawback is the increased encode time. If the goal is smaller file size, there's never any reason to not use x265 afaict. You get quicker encodes and more playback compatibility with x264.

[mduell]

It's a matter of "worth it" (slower encoding time, more limited compatibility, etc) rather than a lack of any possible gain.