Question about the "Getting the best out of CCE" guide...

I was thinking about something, and perhaps I'm wrong, but let's see if I'm understanding this right. I'm referring to the "getting the best out of CCE" guide in the guides section. Now, they say; 1 pass with CCE set at min=0 bps, max=8000 bps, q=60 1 pass using advanced options to do a manual editing of the bitrate Now, my question is this. It seems that the first pass at q=60 is only done to generate the vaf file, which I'm assuming contains the information for what frames will be encoded at what bitrates. So, this file is neccessary for step 2 where you manually edit the bitrates. Now, I noticed that if I limit the max bitrate to say 2000 my encoding speed goes up, so could I not just run the first pass in CCE with a max bitrate of 1000 to get the vaf file quicker? The first m2v file generated isn't used in the second pass if I am understanding things, so the fact that it is poor quality shouldn't matter (assuming the vaf file is the same) because the encoding is done on the original m2v file specified in the .avs script file. I'm not sure if I want to test this out with a whole movie since that would take a while, but does anyone else think this would work?

very interesting! But I couldn't find the function SelectRangeEvery() in avisynth 2.07 (got the error) When I try to use SelectEvery(1500,15), CCE did claim it does not support Frame rate 25/1500!!! Another question, what bitrate I need to use when I am playing with Q in CCE?

Thanks Bach, I found the method is very useful! It avoid to use multipass of the whole clip completly. Instead of it, using several time of one pass for 1% of clip for fine tunning of Q to approach the expected size, then finally, one pass vbr with the found Q for the whole clip. Even it all need to be done manually, but it save significant encoding time. Anothe question, let's suppose we'll use 2 80min CDs for a video clip. Does this method provide more or less the same quality with multipasses with the avegrage bitrate set? (lets say same file size) Thanks again. Happy New Year!

bach i need help(tried selectrange:error) does mpeg2dec3.dll have this option? thanks

Bach Been looking for a quick Q.method like yours for a while. Thanks a lot, will give it a try. Now all we need is to automate those 10 minutes. I'm going to try and write an 'AutoIt' script to do it, but I don't know if the program can read filesizes. tyee

Here is my first go at the 'AutoIt' script I was talking about. It is of course basically a macro, pressing keys and clicking here and there so there are rules you must follow. They are -- 1. Get AutoIt from and install it. AutoIt is freeware! 2. Your desktop must be set to 1024*768 for the mouseclicks to occur at the right place. 3. This script only works on the latest CCE 266.01.07. It may work on previous versions if the window layouts are the same. They are not the same in version 2.5! Modify the script to your liking to make it work with that version if you wish. 4. Make sure Bach's method works properly manually FIRST for you, then try out this script. 5. In the script itself, change the directory and filenames to your liking BEFORE using it. These are located on these two lines -- Runwait, %COMSPEC% /c dir /o-s i:\\test > i:\\filesize.txt FileReadLine, line6, i:\\filesize.txt, 6 NOTE -- Don't forget to keep the double backslashes or it won't work! The i:\\test directory is the directory CCE is writing to, to make the .m2v file. Create it on your harddrive and then set it in the CCE encoding window 'Output Files' destination. The i:\\filesize.txt file is just a DOS directory listing starting in order of largest to smallest filesize. This is so AutoIt can read the created filesize to determine how to change the Q value. I would recommmend that there is nothing in the i:\\test directory to begin with or you might have problems if there is a file in there that's larger than the size your aiming for because the script reads the size of the largest file, which is on line 6 of the listing. The Q value returned will be the value that will give you a filesize that is under your desired size (not over). Of course, depending on the Q step value you are asked for at the start of the script, the closer this final filesize will be to your target (wanted) size. Make sure that CCE is all configured manually by you FIRST before double clicking the script file to start it. Make sure that the initial value of Q you've set is not the value you will be telling the script to use. ie. if you want the Q value to start at say 35, then set Q to anything other that 35 initially. This is due to the way CCE enables the OK button in that config window. I hope it works for all of you who want to try it out. There will probably be bugs due to operating system, etc. but I have spent a few hours trying to get them out. Good Luck and thanks to 'Bach' again for the method!! tyee

Great news wfn1, I'm going to give it the full test very soon too. I am wondering though if this 1passVBR method will work for interlaced camcorder DV. I have read in the past on these forums that you must use at least a 2passMultiVBR or the quality is not that good. I will have to try this out as well. tyee

A Conculsion 

Bach - As many ppls give u apprication of ur work i request u to please accept my appreciation as well.U hv invented a great method. Last night i was trying your method and i found one thing. "Increasing the Q factor Decreasing the filesize (1% of mine video )" i started first with q=8 which give me more then thirce of my desire file size and then i started to increase it. And at q=50 i got something to close to file size.It is a normal or i am doing something wrong. Your kind attention would help me lot. And Thanks again on ur significant work Dvd@Best

Something wrong now - may be i am guessing it wrong. On my other pc i tries another movie .This time i got my desire file at q=70. Is going above 60qfactor = distrotion?? Dvd@Best