Best Settings for Home Movies

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lbfergus
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 4:17 am

Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by lbfergus »

Description of problem or question:

I am trying to get a recommendation on settings to use to downsize home videos. I recently purchased a Sony a6100 and the video it takes is incredible. However, I use it primarily to take videos of my family, very basic. I don't want to store cinematic 4K quality video, just memories of the kids. What would be a good size to encode those videos to, a good mix between basic good quality and storage size?

Thanks.


Steps to reproduce the problem (If Applicable):

N/A

HandBrake version (e.g., 1.0.0):

1.3.2 (2020050300)


Operating system and version (e.g., Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Windows 10 Creators Update):

Windows 10


HandBrake Activity Log ***required*** (see How-to get an activity log)

Code: Select all


HandBrake 1.3.2 (2020050300)
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.18362.0
CPU: AMD A10-7800 Radeon R7, 12 Compute Cores 4C+8G 
Ram: 11208 MB, 
GPU Information:
  AMD Radeon(TM) R7 Graphics - 26.20.12028.2
Screen: 1920x1080
Temp Dir: C:\Users\myuserid\AppData\Local\Temp\
Install Dir: C:\Program Files\HandBrake
Data Dir: C:\Users\myuserid\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake

-------------------------------------------


# Starting Encode ...

[04:59:26] base preset: Fast 480p30
[16:59:26] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[16:59:26] Starting work at: Sun May 24 16:59:26 2020
[16:59:26] 1 job(s) to process
[16:59:26] json job:
{
  "Audio": {
    "AudioList": [
      {
        "Bitrate": 160,
        "DRC": 0.0,
        "Encoder": "av_aac",
        "Gain": 0.0,
        "Mixdown": 4,
        "NormalizeMixLevel": false,
        "Samplerate": 0,
        "Track": 0,
        "DitherMethod": 0
      }
    ],
    "CopyMask": [
      "copy:aac",
      "copy:ac3",
      "copy:dtshd",
      "copy:dts",
      "copy:eac3",
      "copy:flac",
      "copy:mp3",
      "copy:truehd"
    ],
    "FallbackEncoder": "ac3"
  },
  "Destination": {
    "ChapterList": [
      {
        "Name": "Chapter 1"
      }
    ],
    "ChapterMarkers": true,
    "AlignAVStart": true,
    "File": "C:\\SSD Process\\C0007-2.m4v",
    "Mp4Options": {
      "IpodAtom": false,
      "Mp4Optimize": false
    },
    "Mux": "av_mp4"
  },
  "Filters": {
    "FilterList": [
      {
        "ID": 4,
        "Settings": {
          "mode": "7"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 3,
        "Settings": {
          "block-height": "16",
          "block-thresh": "40",
          "block-width": "16",
          "filter-mode": "2",
          "mode": "3",
          "motion-thresh": "1",
          "spatial-metric": "2",
          "spatial-thresh": "1"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 12,
        "Settings": {
          "crop-bottom": "0",
          "crop-left": "0",
          "crop-right": "0",
          "crop-top": "0",
          "height": "480",
          "width": "720"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 6,
        "Settings": {
          "mode": "2",
          "rate": "27000000/900000"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  "PAR": {
    "Num": 32,
    "Den": 27
  },
  "Metadata": {},
  "SequenceID": 0,
  "Source": {
    "Angle": 1,
    "Range": {
      "Type": "chapter",
      "Start": 1,
      "End": 1
    },
    "Title": 1,
    "Path": "C:\\SSD Process\\C0007.MP4"
  },
  "Subtitle": {
    "Search": {
      "Burn": true,
      "Default": false,
      "Enable": true,
      "Forced": true
    },
    "SubtitleList": []
  },
  "Video": {
    "Encoder": "x264",
    "Level": "3.1",
    "TwoPass": false,
    "Turbo": false,
    "ColorMatrixCode": 0,
    "Options": "",
    "Preset": "fast",
    "Profile": "main",
    "Quality": 20.0,
    "QSV": {
      "Decode": false,
      "AsyncDepth": 0
    }
  }
}
[16:59:26] CPU:
[16:59:26]  - logical processor count: 4
[16:59:26] Intel Quick Sync Video support: no
[16:59:26] hb_scan: path=C:\SSD Process\C0007.MP4, title_index=1
udfread ERROR: ECMA 167 Volume Recognition failed
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:323: failed opening UDF image C:\SSD Process\C0007.MP4
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:424: error opening file BDMV\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:424: error opening file BDMV\BACKUP\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/bluray.c:2585: nav_get_title_list(C:\SSD Process\C0007.MP4\) failed
[16:59:26] bd: not a bd - trying as a stream/file instead
libdvdnav: Using dvdnav version 6.0.1
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread:DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed
libdvdread:DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.BUP failed
libdvdread: Can't open file VIDEO_TS.IFO.
libdvdnav: vm: failed to read VIDEO_TS.IFO
[16:59:26] dvd: not a dvd - trying as a stream/file instead
Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from 'C:\SSD Process\C0007.MP4':
  Metadata:
    major_brand     : XAVC
    minor_version   : 16785407
    compatible_brands: XAVCmp42iso2
    creation_time   : 2020-05-24T21:57:13.000000Z
  Duration: 00:05:00.81, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 17181 kb/s
    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 15329 kb/s, 29.97 fps, 29.97 tbr, 30k tbn, 59.94 tbc (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-05-24T21:57:13.000000Z
      handler_name    : Video Media Handler
      encoder         : AVC Coding
    Stream #0:1(und): Audio: pcm_s16be (twos / 0x736F7774), 48000 Hz, 2 channels, s16, 1536 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-05-24T21:57:13.000000Z
      handler_name    : Sound Media Handler
    Stream #0:2(und): Data: none (rtmd / 0x646D7472), 245 kb/s (default)
    Metadata:
      creation_time   : 2020-05-24T21:57:13.000000Z
      handler_name    : Timed Metadata Media Handler
      timecode        : 00:14:29:11
[16:59:27] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[16:59:27] scan: audio 0x1: pcm_s16be, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=1536000 Unknown (pcm_s16be) (2.0 ch) (1536 kbps)
[16:59:28] scan: 10 previews, 1920x1080, 29.970 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 1:1
[16:59:28] scan: supported video decoders: avcodec qsv
[16:59:28] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[16:59:28] Skipping subtitle scan.  No suitable subtitle tracks.
[16:59:28] Starting Task: Encoding Pass
[16:59:28] work: only 1 chapter, disabling chapter markers
[16:59:28] job configuration:
[16:59:28]  * source
[16:59:28]    + C:\SSD Process\C0007.MP4
[16:59:28]    + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 1
[16:59:28]    + container: mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2
[16:59:28]    + data rate: 17181 kbps
[16:59:28]  * destination
[16:59:28]    + C:\SSD Process\C0007-2.m4v
[16:59:28]    + container: MPEG-4 (libavformat)
[16:59:28]      + align initial A/V stream timestamps
[16:59:28]  * video track
[16:59:28]    + decoder: h264
[16:59:28]      + bitrate 15329 kbps
[16:59:28]    + filters
[16:59:28]      + Comb Detect (mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:block-width=16:block-height=16)
[16:59:28]      + Decomb (mode=39)
[16:59:28]      + Framerate Shaper (mode=2:rate=27000000/900000)
[16:59:28]        + frame rate: 29.970 fps -> peak rate limited to 30.000 fps
[16:59:28]      + Crop and Scale (width=720:height=480:crop-top=0:crop-bottom=0:crop-left=0:crop-right=0)
[16:59:28]        + source: 1920 * 1080, crop (0/0/0/0): 1920 * 1080, scale: 720 * 480
[16:59:28]    + Output geometry
[16:59:28]      + storage dimensions: 720 x 480
[16:59:28]      + pixel aspect ratio: 32 : 27
[16:59:28]      + display dimensions: 853 x 480
[16:59:28]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[16:59:28]      + preset:  fast
[16:59:28]      + profile: main
[16:59:28]      + level:   3.1
[16:59:28]      + quality: 20.00 (RF)
[16:59:28]      + color profile: 1-11-1
[16:59:28]  * audio track 1
[16:59:28]    + decoder: Unknown (pcm_s16be) (2.0 ch) (1536 kbps) (track 1, id 0x1)
[16:59:28]      + bitrate: 1536 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[16:59:28]    + mixdown: Stereo
[16:59:28]    + dither: none
[16:59:28]    + encoder: AAC (libavcodec)
[16:59:28]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[16:59:28] sync: expecting 9015 video frames
[16:59:28] encx264: min-keyint: 30, keyint: 300
[16:59:28] encx264: encoding at constant RF 20.000000
[16:59:28] encx264: unparsed options: level=3.1:ref=2:8x8dct=0:weightp=1:subme=6:vbv-bufsize=14000:vbv-maxrate=14000:rc-lookahead=30
x264 [info]: using SAR=32/27
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 SSE4.2 AVX XOP FMA3 BMI1
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 3.1, 4:2:0, 8-bit
[16:59:29] sync: first pts video is 0
[16:59:29] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0
[16:59:29] sync: "Chapter 1" (1) at frame 3 time 6006
[17:08:06] reader: done. 1 scr changes
[17:08:13] work: average encoding speed for job is 17.278696 fps
[17:08:13] comb detect: heavy 224 | light 1010 | uncombed 7781 | total 9015
[17:08:13] decomb: deinterlaced 224 | blended 1010 | unfiltered 7781 | total 9015
[17:08:13] vfr: 9015 frames output, 0 dropped and 0 duped for CFR/PFR
[17:08:13] vfr: lost time: 0 (0 frames)
[17:08:13] vfr: gained time: 0 (0 frames) (0 not accounted for)
[17:08:13] pcm_s16be-decoder done: 14424 frames, 0 decoder errors
[17:08:13] h264-decoder done: 9015 frames, 0 decoder errors
[17:08:13] sync: got 9015 frames, 9015 expected
[17:08:13] sync: framerate min 29.970 fps, max 29.970 fps, avg 29.970 fps
x264 [info]: frame I:33    Avg QP:19.72  size:107268
x264 [info]: frame P:3247  Avg QP:22.76  size: 34094
x264 [info]: frame B:5735  Avg QP:26.75  size:  4895
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames: 10.5% 10.9%  9.7% 69.0%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4:  7.3%  0.0% 92.7%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  0.3%  0.0% 10.5%  P16..4: 31.6% 30.1% 26.4%  0.0%  0.0%    skip: 1.0%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  0.1%  0.0%  1.2%  B16..8: 28.9% 16.9%  2.7%  direct: 7.2%  skip:43.0%  L0:27.2% L1:36.6% BI:36.2%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 96.8% 96.6% 79.7% inter: 34.8% 30.1% 6.5%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 16% 16% 38% 30%
x264 [info]: i4 v,h,dc,ddl,ddr,vr,hd,vl,hu: 16% 11% 14%  8% 12% 13%  9%  9%  9%
x264 [info]: i8c dc,h,v,p: 51% 17% 21% 11%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:19.3% UV:8.3%
x264 [info]: ref P L0: 93.0%  7.0%
x264 [info]: ref B L0: 90.8%  9.2%
x264 [info]: ref B L1: 94.2%  5.8%
x264 [info]: kb/s:3784.95
[17:08:13] mux: track 0, 9015 frames, 142312738 bytes, 3784.49 kbps, fifo 1024
[17:08:13] mux: track 1, 14101 frames, 6044895 bytes, 160.75 kbps, fifo 2048
[17:08:13] Finished work at: Sun May 24 17:08:13 2020
[17:08:13] libhb: work result = 0

# Encode Completed ...

mduell
Veteran User
Posts: 8187
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:54 pm

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by mduell »

HQ 1080p preset, minus the AC3 track (leaving just the AAC track) would be a good starting point. From there it's largely up to personal preference on encoding time and storage size.

I'm surprised how large your test encode at reduced resolution is coming out. May need to reduce the quality a bit on the RF slider.
User avatar
JohnAStebbins
HandBrake Team
Posts: 5712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:21 pm

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by JohnAStebbins »

mduell wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 6:01 pm I'm surprised how large your test encode at reduced resolution is coming out. May need to reduce the quality a bit on the RF slider.
Is the camera generating grainy video? Low light can result in a lot of grain. If so, the NLMeans denoise filter will clean that and reduce file sizes. Even if there isn't a lot of visible grain, I would experiment with NLMeans at ultralight or light settings and grain tune.

Could also be the result of an unsteady camera mount :mrgreen: A lot of jerky camera motion will increase file size. HandBrake doesn't have a motion compensation filter, but they do wonders for making badly shot home videos more watchable. Unfortunately the filters are generally not easy to use even in "professional" grade video editing software. I've used the one provided in the free version of BlackMagic DaVinci Resolve. Works quite well, but steep learning curve. Or you could just invest in an inexpensive gimbal stabilizer for your camera 8)
lbfergus
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 4:17 am

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by lbfergus »

JohnAStebbins wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 6:23 pm
mduell wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 6:01 pm I'm surprised how large your test encode at reduced resolution is coming out. May need to reduce the quality a bit on the RF slider.
Is the camera generating grainy video? Low light can result in a lot of grain. If so, the NLMeans denoise filter will clean that and reduce file sizes. Even if there isn't a lot of visible grain, I would experiment with NLMeans at ultralight or light settings and grain tune.

Could also be the result of an unsteady camera mount :mrgreen: A lot of jerky camera motion will increase file size. HandBrake doesn't have a motion compensation filter, but they do wonders for making badly shot home videos more watchable. Unfortunately the filters are generally not easy to use even in "professional" grade video editing software. I've used the one provided in the free version of BlackMagic DaVinci Resolve. Works quite well, but steep learning curve. Or you could just invest in an inexpensive gimbal stabilizer for your camera 8)
That's a very astute observation. I shot 5 minutes exactly of just running around with the 2-year-old, chasing and running, and laughing. So yes, it was all over the place.
lbfergus
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 4:17 am

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by lbfergus »

mduell wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 6:01 pm HQ 1080p preset, minus the AC3 track (leaving just the AAC track) would be a good starting point. From there it's largely up to personal preference on encoding time and storage size.

I'm surprised how large your test encode at reduced resolution is coming out. May need to reduce the quality a bit on the RF slider.
Alright, I am trying your suggestion now, backing down the RF from 20 to 30 and all of the other HQ 1080p30 settings. Thanks for the input.
Deleted User 13735

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by Deleted User 13735 »

Going forward, just shoot your family pictures in 1080p.
mduell
Veteran User
Posts: 8187
Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:54 pm

Re: Best Settings for Home Movies

Post by mduell »

musicvid wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 8:17 pm Going forward, just shoot your family pictures in 1080p.
He is:

Code: Select all

    Stream #0:0(und): Video: h264 (High) (avc1 / 0x31637661), yuv420p(tv, bt709/bt709/iec61966-2-4), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 15329 kb/s, 29.97 fps, 29.97 tbr, 30k tbn, 59.94 tbc (default)
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