Number of reference frames in LAV video decoder settings and activation of madVR filter while converting the video files

Hi!

Is it possible to increase the number of reference frames in LAV video decoder configuration (or in ffdshow configuration) while converting the video files (movies)?

In Codec Tweak Tool I already activated many options but they don't start during the process (only the LAV or ffdshow video/audio decoder icons + VSfilter icon show in system tray but not the madVR icon?).

I also tried to use VFW codecs in ripping process (image enclosed) but they don't activate as well (the result output is: Format settings : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames, Format settings, CABAC : Yes , Format settings, RefFrames : 2 frames, Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC?).

<a href='https://postimg.cc/YjjLvv8s' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/YjjLvv8s/VFW-x264.jpg' border='0' alt='VFW-x264'/></a>

https://i.postimg.cc/dQj2SdCw/VFW-x264.jpg

Furthermore, in ffdshow there is no x264 codec which I can use, Only the MJPEG encoder (+HuffYUV, FFV1, DV and Uncompressed codecs?).

At the moment I am using Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate program to convert video file formats and the program runs in Compatibility mode with K-Lite Mega Codec Pack (I am trying to correctly burn the styled ass subtitle files).

Any help will be appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
xyz962

The number of reference frames is an ENcodec setting, not a DEcoder setting.
If you want to encode H.264 video using a VFW codec, then you need to use x264VFW.
MadVR is a video renderer, which is something that only get used when displaying video, not during conversion.

Wondershare is crap. For converting video files I recommend Handbrake, which is a free tool:
http://handbrake.fr

Admin wrote:The number of reference frames is an ENcodec setting, not a DEcoder setting.
If you want to encode H.264 video using a VFW codec, then you need to use x264VFW.
MadVR is a video renderer, which is something that only get used when displaying video, not during conversion.

Wondershare is crap. For converting video files I recommend Handbrake, which is a free tool:
http://handbrake.fr

Thanks for clarifications regarding madVR...

Usually I am using MediaCoder or MeGUI programs to ENCODE video with H.264 (x264) codec but I noticed that Wondershare has an interesting option to use the program in compatibility mode with K-Lite Mega Codec pack enabled! I have tried that option and I must say the encoding is incomparably faster with little or no loss in quality comparing with standard encoding with MeGUI or MediaCoder. The only problem is mediaInfo file which claims codec is using 2 reference frames (the quality would be much better with 4 frames) and I don't know how to increase the No.of ref. frames neither in Lav video encoder or ffdshow encoder?

Finally, If I wish to force the use of x264VFW in K-Lite Mega Codec pack for ENCODING video with Wondershare through ffdshow or LAV, how to do it?

Yours sincerely,
xyz962

Encoding is faster because of the encoding settings, not because it is using K-Lite for decoding. x264 has various presets for encoding speed. If quality looks the same to you with slower preset, it means you could probably lower the quantizer/ratefactor/bitrate to get an even smaller file.

I have never used Wondershare myself, so I don't have any configuration advice for it. I just know there are better tools available.

Admin wrote:Encoding is faster because of the encoding settings, not because it is using K-Lite for decoding. x264 has various presets for encoding speed. If quality looks the same to you with slower preset, it means you could probably lower the quantizer/ratefactor/bitrate to get an even smaller file.

I have never used Wondershare myself, so I don't have any configuration advice for it. I just know there are better tools available.

Thanks for your reply!

Perhaps you don't have the whole picture of what I am looking for. I know how to encode with H.264 in other programs, but some decent encoding takes about 6-8 hours per movie and recently I discovered Wondershare program which could possibly save me a lot of time with little or no loss in encoding quality (average encoding is about 1 hour in WS for a movie of 2-4 GB no matter what options I select in K-Lite Mega Codec pack and that situation drives me crazy because I reinstalled and installed K-lite Mega Codec pack many times without any conclusions!?).

1) I select "Run in compatibility mode" option in Wondershare program - https://i.postimg.cc/9F97Wtq6/WS-preferences.jpg
2) This is my H.264 profile in Wondershare - https://i.postimg.cc/Gm8bDdCV/WS-preferences2.jpg
3) When I start encoding in WS, I have the following situation - https://i.postimg.cc/GpPwPpS7/WS-Encoding.jpg . Please note that the encoding time with selected H.264 preset is about 55 minutes!? Also note that in the system tray you have only 3 icons started - LAV Video Decoder, LAV Audio Decoder and VSFilter (Direct VobSub).
4) Here are my settings for DirectShow Filter configuration - https://i.postimg.cc/Y0hsP2bw/Direct-Show-Filter-Config.jpg . All other codecs are disabled.
5) Here are my settings for VFW Codec Config - https://i.postimg.cc/kMLCdL8y/VFW-Codec-Config.jpg . All other codecs are disabled.

Output info. file for encoded movie does not mention x264 codec at all but rather "Codec ID : mp42 (mp42)" or "AVC" with always "CABAC / 2 Ref Frames". That is the reason why I asked how to increase ref. frames in K-Lite codec settings.

Exactly the same situation I have if I disable LAV Video Decoder and choose ffdshow codecs (nothing changed in Wondershare!?). I don't know how to force Wondershare to use VFWx264 settings for video encoding?

Best regards,
xyz962

P.S. Sorry for my English (not my native language, I am from Republic of Croatia).

It does not seem like Wondershare allows using an external encoder. Most modern tools use their own internal codecs.

You should really try Handbrake. It has lots of options, including a speed setting for the x264 encoder.

Admin wrote:It does not seem like Wondershare allows using an external encoder. Most modern tools use their own internal codecs.

You should really try Handbrake. It has lots of options, including a speed setting for the x264 encoder.

Thanks for your reply!

I have tried using Handbrake but that program supports srt subtitles only. I need a program to correctly hard burn .ass (styled) subtitles (with transparent black bar behind the letters, with adjustable space between each line, etc.) and only few of them are able to do that correctly through DirectShow filters (MeGUI, MediaCoder, Brorsoft Video converter and Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate (but only if it runs in "Compatibility mode with K-Lite codec pack downloaded and configured!")). If you use Wondershare program WITHOUT option to run in "Compatibility mode with K-lite codec pack", it DOES NOT burn correctly styled ass subtitle files!!! That is the only reason why I am still trying to configure WS, otherwise I would gave up long time ago...

Anyway thanks again for your time and support.

Yours sincerely,
xyz962

I can't help you with Wondershare as I have never used that. Ask them for help.

If MeGUI does what you need, then just adjust its x264 encoding settings for faster speed. It is the "Preset" value that you need to change.

Admin wrote:I can't help you with Wondershare as I have never used that. Ask them for help.

If MeGUI does what you need, then just adjust its x264 encoding settings for faster speed. It is the "Preset" value that you need to change.

Thanks for reply!

The trade between speed and quality is always the issue. If I use faster presets in MeGUI, the quality drops down...I don't know how Wondershare manage to obtain that speed and quality with only 2 reference frames? I believe they somehow combine K-lite Mega codec pack codecs and their built-in codecs, but I don't know how, and obviously I have to ask them...

Thank you very much again for your time and your willingness to help...

I wish you all the best...

Yours sincerely,
xyz962