anonymez: 1080p encoding problem

[admin]

Have to consult your expertise again anon

While doing the Xbox 360 H.264 encoding guide, I've run into a problem with 1080p High Profile (referring to Sharktooth's x264 profiles) encodes. Basically:

* 720p MP and HP (both level 4.1) encodes are fine
* 1080p MP and HP (again using the same profile as the 720p encodes) encodes both produce artifacts (on both my PC and Xbox 360)
* 1080p HP unrestricted level (P4x4 enabled) seems to work fine (on my PC), but these aren't playable on the Xbox 360

Why would this happen?

I'm trying to find the right combination of settings that would allow 1080p files to work on the Xbox 360 while using as many advanced features as possible (when compared to the Baseline profile).

[admin]

Hmm ... turning --b-pyramid off seems to solve the problem.

[anonymez]

I can't reproduce it (the 1080p artefacts). Just did a short 1080p encode, I'm sure I used the same settings: HP 4.1, VBV max rate 10,000, disabled P4x4; latest SVN x264, decodes fine with latest SVN mplayer and dated ffdshow.

Is it possible the artefacts are caused when decoding the source? Check the script in Virtualdub or MPC, and post your CLI

[admin]

Looks like my x264 version might be slightly out of date ... I will try and see if this is the cause of the problems. MeGUI's update function was a bit misleading, saying the latest version is r635 ...

[admin]

I think my outdated ffdshow was to blame ... it came with the latest K-Lite Mega Codecs pack, but the version wasn't so new (dated March!). Now the files play fine on my PC, but still not on the Xbox 360 (without artifacts), so I will have to update the guide maybe until the Xbox 360 itself updates the H.264 decoders.

[soup]

It has been a while since the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack has been updated, while ffdshow has been updated numerous times in between.

[admin]

I've updated the guide. Thanks anon for pointing me in the right direction.

[anonymez]

Glad it worked out; great guide.