Best footage to test encoders ?

[Noah Kadner]

Yep. Though I’d also recommend footage that’s like what you’ll be using for real- in terms of content and format.

[Dave Friend]

Pete,

One of my favorite shots to use is where a foreground subject is being followed – either by pan or tracking – and stays mostly in the same place in the frame while the backgound is moving very quickly. It is even more interesting if the foreground subject varies speed and perhaps starts and stops moving. If the background varies with regard to details and contrast even better. Seeing how an encoder handles this kind of shot at a low (4Mb/s or less) bitrate can be very informative. Try it at both CBR and VBR – again with low bitrates.

Dark low contrast scenes present interesting challenges for encoders too. Long slow dissolves between shots with opposing movement are a good test.

Rain falling on a body of water (i.e. puddles in a street) where the camera pans/zooms can be very difficult for encoders – especially if light levels are low (i.e. rain on night time street).

Any video with lots of noise makes good test footage.

Have a good time.

Dave

[Pierre-luc Pare]

Thanks guys for your inputs!

Pete