Video Codecs

alanbjames · 31-03-2014, 13:51

Can video codecs affect how clear an image is in a video.

I have downloaded a video from the internet that claims to be full HD and it doesn't look particularly clear its in WMV format.

If its the case whats the best codec pack to use for Windows 7 Pro x64.

Kabaal · 31-03-2014, 14:20

It won't make any difference. For playback all the codec packs do is let you play files with specific codecs, or not.

It's likely the file you have is simply low quality, lots of stuff on the net claim to be HD just because they use 720p or 1080p resolution but the bitrate is so low that they look awful.

If you want to know what's going on with a media file install MediaInfo, then you can right click any vid and see exactly how it's been encoded http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo

Stephen · 31-03-2014, 15:08

What's the file size and length of the video?

alanbjames · 31-03-2014, 16:21

The file size is 426mb and video length is 21:02.

Stephen · 31-03-2014, 17:41

Certainly doesn't sound like a HD file. It way have been ripped from a Blu Ray or HD source though.

31-03-2014, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

Certainly doesn't sound like a HD file. It way have been ripped from a Blu Ray or HD source though.

Sounds like it could be one to me. 1300 meg for an hour would equate to at least 720 in AVI I do not source WMV though so dunno

Stephen · 31-03-2014, 20:32

99% of the HD rips I have are mkv format. Never go near WMV so not really sure if it will be a proper HD file.

Am sure WMV files are usually larger in size compared to MP4 or AVI files. A 20min MP4 X264 non HD file is around 80Mb and a HD version is only about 160Mb.

So really would need to see the file info to see resolution and bit rate.

Kabaal · 31-03-2014, 20:56

The general rule of thumb for ~3000-3500kbps 720p with x264 is 1.5GB per hour, so around 500mb per 20mins. As his is WMV it would need to be even larger to reach that but it shouldn't look awful if it were encoded properly, possibly it wasn't.

alanbjames · 31-03-2014, 23:35

Using that Mediainfo tool posted above i was able to get the following info.....

Videostream VC-1(WMV3)
Audiostream WMA

Video Stream English US.
2500 Kbps, 960*540 (16:9), at 29.970fps, VC-1(WMV3) (Main)

Audio Stream English US.
384Kbps, 48.0Khz, 24bits, 2 Channels WMA (Pro)

Overall bit rate: 2 833Kbps
Maximum Overall bit rate: 2 884Kbps

So i've come to realize even tho on the site they are marked as being HD evidently they are not.

qasdfdsaq · 01-04-2014, 02:20

Indeed, not HD. Though that bitrate is actually borderline acceptable for 720p with a skilled encoder.

Also, WMV and MKV are containers, not codecs.

Also codecs are *the* defining factor of how good a video looks at a given bitrate.

alanbjames · 01-04-2014, 14:48

Can u suggest a codec pack that is good then please for Windows 7 Pro x64.

Stephen · 01-04-2014, 15:08

If you get VIC player you don't need any codes as it will play most media files.

Kabaal · 01-04-2014, 15:17

Yeah as above VLC, MPC-HC or even XBMC if you want one that has a fancy front-end/doubles as a library organizer. None of those need extra codecs, just guff like Windows Media Player do.

Qtx · 01-04-2014, 16:41

If you don't want to change your player, you have a choice of individual codecs or a codec pack. FFDShow tends to handle everything but the safest standard combined codec pack is probably this one: http://www.cccp-project.net/

qasdfdsaq · 02-04-2014, 10:01

FFDShow is pretty decent.