HD Video Encoding Software

[Allan74]

I have a purpose-built PC that I threw together for HD Video Encoding/Transcoding etc and for the hardware I am running, I honestly expected MUCH better performance.

For this thread, I have but 1 thing in mind. The best performing Software (that suits my hardware) to Transcode/Re-Encode (shrink) large MKV container Video Files.
I essentially take 1080p files that are over 8,000kbps and shrink them down to make them more 'Network', Player and Storage friendly.

Here's what I am working with:
- SuperMicro X8DTI-F Dual LGA1366 eATX Motherboard.
- (2) Xeon X5550 ES 2.67Ghz Quad Core 95W CPUs (i7 based w/HT).
- (2) Intel Retail 980X 2-Speed HeatPipe CPU Coolers.
- 24GB DDR3-1066 ECC Reg Samsung Mem w/Heatspreaders (6x4GB).
- (3) Intel X25-V 40GB Solid State Drives, RAID 0 on ICH10R (Boot & Apps).
- (2) Western Digital 150GB VelociRaptor, RAID 0 on Areca ARC-1210 (TEMP WORK SPACE).
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB Reference PCIe (800 Stream Processors).
- SoundBlaster X-Fi Extreme Audio PCIe.
- LG H20L HDDVD/BluRay Combo Drive, SATA
- Enermax Liberty 620W, Modular ATX PSU.
- Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.

I currently use RipBotx64 and I realize that it is simply a front-end for numerous other tools, but I am wondering if there is something else available that is faster/better performing on my current hardware.

On an average 2-Pass run using RipBotx64 on an 8GB 1080p MKV @ approx 10,000kbps (using audio passthrough, no changes, just video), the first pass fluctuates (and is not all that important anyways) centering on about 40-50fps....with the main encoding run (2nd pass) sticking at about 25-27fps depending on if I use the program's 'low priority' setting or not. It normally takes about 2.5+ hours to do a 2-pass transcode and I was really hoping for something better.

Can anyone offer up another piece of software or any suggestions to try ?

Thanks in advance,
Allan

[zanzabar]

i would try mkv2vob.

next time u build something to encode video u are much better off getting some card for CUDA and something that u can overclock as the qpi and high clocks make all the difference unless u have something like a san and nuendo and are rendering video.

[Allan74]

i would try mkv2vob.

next time u build something to encode video u are much better off getting some card for CUDA and something that u can overclock as the qpi and high clocks make all the difference unless u have something like a san and nuendo and are rendering video.

I essentially built this rig the way it is because I wanted the ultimate in terms of stability and multi-tasking without sacrificing too much.

When doing initial research, I couldn't find any software that actually benefited much from CUDA for transcoding existing MKV or HD files......just for initial ripping itself. Which software are you refering to, for use with CUDA for acceleration ?
I have no problem going out and buying a bad-ass Nvidia Card for strictly Video encoding and not gaming.

Thanks for the reply,
Allan

[[DANGERDAN]]

Yea as far as video encoding goes it still does take quite a bit of power to process encoding/decoding/compression, its one of the few things that processor manufacturers focus on as its a mainstream standard that is used alot.
Just have to find a better application or overclock your processors a bit to maintain faster application.

[LagunaX]

Xilisoft HD Video Converter 6 uses CUDA and/or AMD acceleration:
http://www.xilisoft.com/hd-video-converter.html

[alpha0ne]

I've been using 'Handbrake' for the last few years, does the job but I'm not too sure about GPU

Have a look Bluesky for ATI accelerated encoding

[deachus]

I have a Canon Vixia HF S100 1080P camcorder that I use all the time for filming our young son. I use the following system along with Xilisoft HD Video Converter to take my raw camera mkv files and convert them to an H.264 file to store on my server for streaming to my various HTPCs throughout my house.

I have tried alot of programs and Xilisoft HD Video Converter was the best in my eyes. If you select the H.264 format in Xilisoft HD Video Converter you will see it says CUDA next to it. The time to encode using CUDA acceleration was much faster then just using my CPU. My system specs are as follows:

Intel 2600k running 24/7 @ 5Ghz
4GB G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3-2133Mhz 8-9-8-24-1T (ordered 8GB RipjawsX 2133Mhz kit to arrive today)
(2) 60GB ADATA Sandforce SSD in RAID0 (Operating system and programs)
(1) WD Caviar Black 2TB (Work Space)
(1) MSI N560GTX Ti 1GB @ 900/2250 (I have a second N560GTX Ti on its way to see if encoding gets faster in SLI)
Corsair Professional Series Gold AX1200
Custom Water Loop

[EniGmA1987]

IMO that is pretty good speed for encoding on the CPU.

[bluestang]

I believe DVDFab uses GPU also. I personally use the nightly builds of HandBrake tweaked to my liking when doing BR or DVD encoding/transcoding.