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Best Video Encoding for Brightsign

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sven anderson
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Hello, I have read the video technote and several threads that discuss the best settings for encoding HD video for use on the Brightsign players. However, I am still unable to produce a satisfying video output. The footage that I am working with was shot at 25fps. I am experimenting with playing it back in 29.97p / 50i / 50p / 60i / 60p modes (all 1920x1080). I am trying many options using both H.264 and mpg2 compression. Exporting from Final Cut / Compressor then using tsmuxer to produce .ts files (when using H.264 - for mpg2 I produce a .mts file from Compressor and rename it to .ts). Most of the video I produce has a flickering quality or a severe aliasing / stepping. I assume that it is coming from deinterlacing - however I can't imagine that this is the best that the unit can produce in these modes, as I have a cheap media streamer that is producing much smoother video from the same files. I am on a tight schedule and I could use some advice / talking through at this point, as I need to move on to other aspects of coding my system with 5 Brightsign HD1010s. Is there a way I can speak with someone in tech support? Alternatively if there is anyone with advice, it would be quite welcome. Thanks in advance, _Sven
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  • 0
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    RokuLyndon



    You can reach me directly at support@brightsign.biz. Please let me know when your deadline is. Normally, deinterlacing artifacts just get you jumpy video, the flickering. THe other issues are normally due to encoding problems. TO combat the deinterlacing from the brightsign, you can set the output to 50i. Your display would then handle any de-interlacing. Ideally, if your display supported 1080 @ 29.97, that would be the best output for the brightsign.

    I'm attaching some settings files that Flixio created for exporting content from final cut for the brightsign. There are export settings both for mpeg4 and for mpeg2. THe mpeg4s will need to be run through tsmuxer to be made transport streams.

    Please update your units to firmware 3.3.78 if you're playing back h.264 files.
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3480052/Software-Firmware/BA-Early/3.3.78-update.zip

    Settings files for compressor
    http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3480052/Tools/finalcut_settings_files.zip

    I emailed you directly as well.

    Lyndon

  • 0
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    mkammes


    So, if I read this correctly, the latest version of firmware (3.3.78) can play h.264 files...and ONLY the MPEG files need to be Transport streams - h.264 can be .movs.

    I also see you've posted Compressor settings, although they do not appear to be in a format my version of compressor can read (3.5.3), either an a droplet, import, or text file from which I can copy the settings.

    Thanks!

    ~MIchael
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    No, that's not correct.

    Since 3.2 firmware, the units have been able to play the same set of files. mpeg 1 and mpeg2 files, and h.264.

    The mpeg 1 can be program or system streams. The mpeg2 can be program or transport streams. The h.264 must be transport streams.

    MOV support will be available once 3.5 firmware is release, but the earliest that's expected is by the end of q1.

    So, for h.264 mov/mp4 files to play, you must change the encapsulation/container to transport stream.
  • 0
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    mkammes


    Thanks for the clarification, I do appreciate it.

    What seems to be the issue with the Compressor settings linked to in the above post?  Am I doing something wrong?

    ~Michael
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    It's possible those settings file require a specific version of compressor. I wasn't aware of that limitation. What happens when you try to use the settings files?
  • 0
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    mkammes


    Well, I actually cannot do anything with them.

    They show up at the OS level (Finder) as an "Application", under the folder heading "Kind".  The Icon is an Application Icon with a circle and slash through it.

    When I drag a setting from the unzipped file to the SETTINGS/CUSTOM folder within Compressor, I get an error sound - and nothing appears in the folder.

    When I drag a setting from the unzipped file to the SETTINGS/APPLE folder within Compressor, I get an error message "The Item MPEG2-1280x720.app" could not be moved because "Apple" cannot be modified".

    Dragging the setting to any other window, the file does not populate in the window.

    I am ASSUMING these a droplet..i.e. out of Compressor, you saved a self running droplet - as opposed to a text file with settings, etc.

    I compared the GET INFO information between your settings file and a droplet I created in 3.5.3.

    Both show up as a .app.  The only difference is that mine says Kind: Application (Universal), while yours says "Application".  I have Rosetta installed, so this should not be a problem.

    Permission are set to R&W.

    ~Michael
  • 0
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    RokuLyndon


    I'm checking with the person that created those files.
  • 0
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    mkammes


    Hello!

    Any new developments?

    ~Michael
  • 0
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    Nathan


    Hi,

    If you right click and show options, you should be able to browse into the Settings folder. Inside that folder is a settings file that you can drag into the settings window in compressor.

    Hope that works for you.

    Nathan
  • 0
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    mkammes


    Well, that's not very intuitive, but yes, that works.

    Uncompress the Compressor settings, and right click on one of the settings and select "SHOW PACKAGE CONTENTS".

    A SETTINGS folder appears, open that and drag the .setting file into the CUSTOM folder within Compressor.  I have not tried it as an encode yet, but it appears to be understood by Compressor.

    Thanks-  will try.

    ~Michael
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