Thinking of using H.264 MP4 rips for the season pack. Thoughts?

Viper007Bond · July 12th, 2009, 9:41 PM

Once this season of Top Gear is over, we'll be releasing our regular season pack. However instead of releasing Scene rips, we're considering releasing rips off iPlayer. They're better quality than the AVI rips we currently release as they're encoded with H.264. They're about the same filesize though.

Thoughts?

http://pic.phyrefile.com/q/qu/quiky/2009/07/12/vlcsnap-782008.png

vikiradTG2007 · July 12th, 2009, 9:44 PM

Dunno, really. Some of us only play TG and other stuff on PCs or laptops, me as an example, so I wouldn't mind switching to x264 (all the F1 2009 rips I've downloaded so far are x264). Can't speak for others, though.

Quiky · July 12th, 2009, 9:49 PM

I'll have some side-by-side comparisons in a bit.

mgkdk · July 12th, 2009, 9:55 PM

Don't mind either way, as I don't really plan on downloading them again images/smilies/smile.gif

der_jackal · July 12th, 2009, 9:56 PM

Sorry if this is redundant, but can you post the gory details between the two in this thread?

360s / PS3s don't have problems with most h/x264s mp4s

NecroJoe · July 12th, 2009, 9:59 PM

Is this how you plan on offering the regular downloads later on? How will this affect people with Divx DVD players, portable players, etc...I'm unfamiliar with the format, and I'm too lazy to look into it.

finalgearfan · July 12th, 2009, 10:03 PM

could do both...

Quiky · July 12th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Regular downloads will still be xvid for this season. The pack we release at the end will probably have the much higher quality x264 versions.

killer101 · July 12th, 2009, 10:51 PM

The BBC use x264 :O ,maybe you mean H.264, x264 is a h.264 encoder.. I doubt the bbc would use that.. they probably use their own encoders or something..

Wouldn't x264 encodes from the original .ts look better than iplayer?

Transparent x264 encodes are about 800MB

Is the screen in ops post full size/real?

if so then iplayer isn't good enough.

iplayer: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5140/ipkayer.png

.ts : http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/505...0712225820.png

Viper007Bond · July 12th, 2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer101

The BBC use x264 :O ,maybe you mean H.264, x264 is a h.264 encoder.. I doubt the bbc would use that.. they probably use their own encoders or something..

Wouldn't x264 encodes from the original .ts look better than iplayer?

Transparent x264 encodes are about 800MB

We transcode to x264. Dunno what the BBC uses.

And iPlayer is potentially better than broadcast. Quiky will know for sure.

darkshark0159 · July 12th, 2009, 11:15 PM

Release a sample of 13x04 in x264 and see if people complain about compatibility/quality. If not, go for it.

flydiscovery · July 12th, 2009, 11:19 PM

Embarrassingly I'll have to click "huh?" If you say it'll work on my standard installation VLC in Windows than it's fine with me. If it requires much more then I doubt I'm smart enough to sort it out so no.

the Interceptor · July 12th, 2009, 11:20 PM

Since I'm all for quality, I voted for x264.

fbc · July 12th, 2009, 11:21 PM

Since I play TG on the TV through a PVR that I don't believe handles x264, my preference would be to stick with Xvid, that said if it's only the season packs the change won't really affect me as I wouldn't be downloading the episodes again.

Yanster · July 13th, 2009, 1:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer101

The BBC use x264 :O ,maybe you mean H.264, x264 is a h.264 encoder.. I doubt the bbc would use that.. they probably use their own encoders or something..

Wouldn't x264 encodes from the original .ts look better than iplayer?

Transparent x264 encodes are about 800MB

Is the screen in ops post full size/real?

if so then iplayer isn't good enough.

iplayer: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5140/ipkayer.png

.ts : http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/505...0712225820.png

The iPlayer screenshot is indeed the full size (ie. representative of the x264 iPlayer source).

As for why it is different, probably due to the fact that the broadcast version of top gear airs in a 1:85:1 aspect ratio, and the BBC resize it to a 16:9 aspect ratio for the iPlayer version. Not a groundbreaking difference, certainly not one that bothers me when you consider that the quality is much better than the scene rips at the same file size.

I'd like to know where people post these .ts sources. Nothing better than having TG in it's best form, but so far the only places I know of that have them are private torrent sites for which you need invites images/smilies/mad.gif

namX · July 13th, 2009, 3:44 PM

I think better quality rips off iPlayer are nice, but the scene-rips you are using now should also be made to a package.
So let's say 2 packages. 1 XviD for the masses, and 1 with x264 as a bonus for people desperate for higher quality.

db2450 · July 13th, 2009, 5:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer101

The BBC use x264 :O ,maybe you mean H.264, x264 is a h.264 encoder.. I doubt the bbc would use that.. they probably use their own encoders or something..

Wouldn't x264 encodes from the original .ts look better than iplayer?

Transparent x264 encodes are about 800MB

Is the screen in ops post full size/real?

if so then iplayer isn't good enough.

iplayer: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5140/ipkayer.png

.ts : http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/505...0712225820.png

The iPlayer version looks just slightly more unclear then the .ts version. Look at the grill of Renault and Clarkson's face. However, in theory the overall quality "should" be better in the iPlayer version

Quote:

Originally Posted by namX

I think better quality rips off iPlayer are nice, but the scene-rips you are using now should also be made to a package.
So let's say 2 packages. 1 XviD for the masses, and 1 with x264 as a bonus for people desperate for higher quality.

It is harder to support and keep two torrents alive then it is to just have one.

Also, in case people don't know, the PS3 and Xbox 360 handle MP4/h.264 better then they handle Avi/XviD images/smilies/smile.gif

cookiebun · July 13th, 2009, 8:50 PM

You'd probably get some complaints from people who have older divx compatible players. I have one of these and am happy with the scene releases. People with HD or plasma, or LCD tvs would probably like them.
I have no plans to buy such a tv until the price comes down more.
If the scene releases remain available on the ftps and other torrent trackers, I don't see why not.
I have re-encoded mkv/ MP4 h.264 files to something that will play on my divx dvd players, but that is a bit silly.

Viper007Bond · July 13th, 2009, 9:12 PM

Scene releases will always be available on the day of airing. We're strickly talking about the end-of-season pack that's used for long term downloading.

Dr_Grip · July 13th, 2009, 9:19 PM

Go for h.264/MPEG-4.
Not only am i all for good picture quality, it will be a first step in the HD conversion, as we'll all need to be able to play MPEG-4 for HD Top Gear. (but as i said, HD will need much bigger files...).

View Poll Results: Which format for the season pack?
H.264/MP4: quality = win!	40	83.33%
Xvid/AVI: stick to what we know, it works on my Xbox, etc.	5	10.42%
Huh?	3	6.25%
Voters: 48. You must log in to vote in this poll.

July 12th, 2009, 9:41 PM	#1
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 7:30 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,275 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Thinking of using H.264 MP4 rips for the season pack. Thoughts? Once this season of Top Gear is over, we'll be releasing our regular season pack. However instead of releasing Scene rips, we're considering releasing rips off iPlayer. They're better quality than the AVI rips we currently release as they're encoded with H.264. They're about the same filesize though. Thoughts? __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005 Last edited by Viper007Bond; July 14th, 2009 at 9:24 PM.

July 12th, 2009, 9:44 PM	#2
vikiradTG2007 Joined: Feb 8th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania Age: 18 Posts: 6,604 Car: Ford Focus MkI 1.8D Rep Power: 98	Dunno, really. Some of us only play TG and other stuff on PCs or laptops, me as an example, so I wouldn't mind switching to x264 (all the F1 2009 rips I've downloaded so far are x264). Can't speak for others, though. __________________ "There's no damage to the car, except to the car itself." (Murray Walker, 1991 British GP) 1980s-1990s F1, Group C and Supertouring nostalgic. And I'm proud of that.

July 12th, 2009, 9:55 PM	#4
mgkdk Moderator In Training Joined: Mar 19th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Denmark Age: 29 Posts: 5,000 Car: Volvo V40 LFS Status: Rep Power: 96	Don't mind either way, as I don't really plan on downloading them again __________________ "Danish is cool" - Jeremy Clarkson

July 12th, 2009, 9:56 PM	#5
der_jackal Joined: Jun 13th, 2006 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Cooler King Age: 40 Posts: 539 Car: '05.5 S4 + '06 Discovery 3 Rep Power: 56	Sorry if this is redundant, but can you post the gory details between the two in this thread? 360s / PS3s don't have problems with most h/x264s mp4s __________________ VIVA LAS CLARKSONISTAS!

July 12th, 2009, 9:49 PM	#3
Quiky Devouring your soul.. after belly rubs. Joined: Aug 21st, 1995 Last Online: 4:42 AM Location: Maryland Posts: 3,221 Car: Dacia Sandero Turbo Quattroporte Mayo GTZR1 LFS Status: Rep Power: 587	I'll have some side-by-side comparisons in a bit.

July 12th, 2009, 9:59 PM	#6
NecroJoe Joined: Apr 12th, 2005 Last Online: 7:39 AM Location: San Francisco area, CA, USA Age: 30 Posts: 4,887 Car: 2001 Mercury Cougar V6 Rep Power: 226	Is this how you plan on offering the regular downloads later on? How will this affect people with Divx DVD players, portable players, etc...I'm unfamiliar with the format, and I'm too lazy to look into it. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question.* *but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots.

July 12th, 2009, 10:03 PM	#7
finalgearfan Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	could do both... __________________

July 12th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#8
Quiky Devouring your soul.. after belly rubs. Joined: Aug 21st, 1995 Last Online: 4:42 AM Location: Maryland Posts: 3,221 Car: Dacia Sandero Turbo Quattroporte Mayo GTZR1 LFS Status: Rep Power: 587	Regular downloads will still be xvid for this season. The pack we release at the end will probably have the much higher quality x264 versions.

July 12th, 2009, 10:51 PM	#9
killer101 Joined: Nov 17th, 2008 Last Online: November 17th, 2009 Location: UK Posts: 11 Car: Renault Clio Rep Power: 0	The BBC use x264 :O ,maybe you mean H.264, x264 is a h.264 encoder.. I doubt the bbc would use that.. they probably use their own encoders or something.. Wouldn't x264 encodes from the original .ts look better than iplayer? Transparent x264 encodes are about 800MB Is the screen in ops post full size/real? if so then iplayer isn't good enough. iplayer: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5140/ipkayer.png .ts : http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/505...0712225820.png Last edited by killer101; July 12th, 2009 at 11:06 PM. Reason: Added Screen Shots :D again

July 12th, 2009, 11:15 PM	#11
darkshark0159 Joined: Dec 24th, 2007 Last Online: 6:53 AM Location: a snowy land Age: 18 Posts: 1,848 Car: Mercedes-Benz C240 W203 Rep Power: 80	Release a sample of 13x04 in x264 and see if people complain about compatibility/quality. If not, go for it. __________________

July 12th, 2009, 11:19 PM	#12
flydiscovery Joined: Jan 24th, 2009 Last Online: 7:38 AM Location: US Posts: 2,313 Car: 02 Passat Rep Power: 103	Embarrassingly I'll have to click "huh?" If you say it'll work on my standard installation VLC in Windows than it's fine with me. If it requires much more then I doubt I'm smart enough to sort it out so no.

July 12th, 2009, 11:20 PM	#13
the Interceptor I LUV MY PRIUS!!! Joined: Feb 22nd, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 3,518 Car: BMW E36 323i ultraleggera (-143 kg) Rep Power: 108	Since I'm all for quality, I voted for x264. __________________ "We have to laugh at the Germans, because they're so riddled with guilt about their history, they can't laugh at themselves." - Jeremy Clarkson Got a question regarding Hi-Fi of any kind? Then check my general audio thread.

July 12th, 2009, 11:21 PM	#14
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	Since I play TG on the TV through a PVR that I don't believe handles x264, my preference would be to stick with Xvid, that said if it's only the season packs the change won't really affect me as I wouldn't be downloading the episodes again. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

July 13th, 2009, 3:44 PM	#16
namX Joined: Jul 31st, 2008 Last Online: 7:42 AM Location: Germany Posts: 119 Car: Opel Corsa C 1.2 Rep Power: 40	I think better quality rips off iPlayer are nice, but the scene-rips you are using now should also be made to a package. So let's say 2 packages. 1 XviD for the masses, and 1 with x264 as a bonus for people desperate for higher quality. __________________ James May: "Great News! This* is the DACIA Sandero!"* Richard Hammond: Jeremy Clarkson: "Moving on..."

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July 13th, 2009, 8:50 PM	#18
cookiebun Not A Dude Joined: Mar 8th, 2008 Last Online: November 1st, 2009 Posts: 149 Car: a bad one Rep Power: 10	You'd probably get some complaints from people who have older divx compatible players. I have one of these and am happy with the scene releases. People with HD or plasma, or LCD tvs would probably like them. I have no plans to buy such a tv until the price comes down more. If the scene releases remain available on the ftps and other torrent trackers, I don't see why not. I have re-encoded mkv/ MP4 h.264 files to something that will play on my divx dvd players, but that is a bit silly.

July 13th, 2009, 9:12 PM	#19
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 7:30 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,275 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Scene releases will always be available on the day of airing. We're strickly talking about the end-of-season pack that's used for long term downloading. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

July 13th, 2009, 9:19 PM	#20
Dr_Grip Joined: Jul 8th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Germany Posts: 1,462 Car: 1979 Opel Kadett (Oliver's Son) Rep Power: 70	Go for h.264/MPEG-4. Not only am i all for good picture quality, it will be a first step in the HD conversion, as we'll all need to be able to play MPEG-4 for HD Top Gear. (but as i said, HD will need much bigger files...). __________________ I got a Rolls-Royce 'Cause it's good for my voice (Mark Bolan/T-Rex) Last edited by Dr_Grip; July 18th, 2009 at 12:57 PM. Reason: removed only partly-correct nitpicking.

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