Exporting as x264 for Quicktime

[Haravikk]

Hi there,

I have a bunch of files imported from MakeMKV (so MPEG-1/2 video) that don't work in Quicktime, but work fine in VLC. This in itself isn't a big deal, as MPEG-1/2 is far too large to keep anyway as it's ~800mb for a 22 minute video.

Anyway, I want to convert these H.264 .mov files, however absolute none of the combinations of settings that I try seem to work; every time I export my video I end up with it stuttering terribly in Quicktime. Is there a current recommended set of preferences to select for outputting to Quicktime? I've tried following the settings as described here (to eliminate the creation of Pyramidal B-Frames), setting my values as described after trashing my videolan preferences (to make sure I'm starting "clean") but to no avail. My suspicion is that some new incompatible setting has appeared that I have no idea about perhaps?

Anyway, it would be helpful if a maximum compatibility profile were listed on the wiki or something, or even if VLC had an "ensure" compatibility option when you choose the wrapper, so you can actually export to Quicktime in a way that Quicktime can read rather than just other VLC users.

So, can anyone give me a summary of what I need to change to get my videos to output properly? I'm using the Mac version of the client but the issue I think is with the way the H.264 video is being encoded, so it should apply to everyone I think.

Thanks!

[Lotesdelere]

Try with the Baseline profile, 2 ref frames max and no CABAC.
If it still doesn't play properly then there must be some issue with the computer running QuickTime.

[dogby]

I have the same problem, I didnt create the file.
The file cannot be played by quicktime player on windows. It stutters and stalls. It also cannot be played by windows media player (v11) in win XP.
VLC can play the file.


Example file is here:

http://staff.fairlightau.com/digby/Backstage1-hd.mp4

this string is embedded in the header of file ...

x264 - core 98 r1649 20cbe10 - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec - Copyleft 2003-2010 - http://www.videolan.org/x264.html - options: cabac=0 ref=2 deblock=1:0:0 analyse=0x1:0x111 me=hex subme=6 psy=1 psy_rd=1.00:0.00 mixed_ref=0 me_range=16 chroma_me=1 trellis=0 8x8dct=0 cqm=0 deadzone=21,11 fast_pskip=1 chroma_qp_offset=-2 threads=12 sliced_threads=0 nr=0 decimate=1 interlaced=0 constrained_intra=0 bframes=3 b_pyramid=0 b_adapt=1 b_bias=0 direct=3 weightb=1 weightp=2 keyint=250 keyint_min=25 scenecut=40 intra_refresh=0 rc_lookahead=40 rc=abr mbtree=1 bitrate=12000 ratetol=1.0 qcomp=0.60 qpmin=10 qpmax=51 qpstep=4 ip_ratio=1.41 aq=1:1.00



I've had a quick look at the file in a hex editor, and I cannot identify any NAL units or access unit delimiters, which I thought could be identified by the byte stream ...

00 00 00 01 xx

although they must be there.

Does someone have any clues or pointers about why it doesnt play in QT, and lack of NAL delimiters ?

Thanks in advance.

[Lotesdelere]

Try with only one B-frame (B-frames between I and P) and/or weightp=0 (Weighted prediction for P-frames).