h264 (bluray) vs MPEG (bluray) export settings..

[Ivan Myles]

The main advantage of H.264 is high compression and better relative quality at low bit rates. As data rates drop from Blu-ray to DVD to web, H.264 maintains better quality compared to other codecs. This is why it is popular format for internet and mobile distribution.

At high bit rates quality is relatively comparable for H.262, H.264, and VC-1, too. Other factors become more important than the choice of codec.

The biggest issue with MPEG2 at this point is that it has not received any further development for the past several years, so it does not incorporate advances in compression technology. But on a 30″ screen or smaller those DVDs still hold up well.

Issues with H.264 include color and luma shifts, and susceptibility to compression artifacts such as banding and macro-blocking. In truth, other 4:2:0 codecs experience similar problems, but the issues are more prevalent at low data rates (where H.264 is more likely to be used).

[Ivan Myles]

One more consideration is licensing. In general, H.264 movies under 12 minutes do not require distribution fees, while MPEG-2 requires fees.* Here is some general information from the MPEG LA web site:

SUMMARY OF AVC/H.264 LICENSE TERMS (PDF)
AVC/H.264 FAQ (web page)

MPEG-2 License Terms: Summary (PDF)
MPEG-2 License Agreement (web page)

* Provided for informational purposes only. I am not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice. Please seek legal consultation.

[David Payne]

thanks for the replies.. it seems madness to me that an mpeg copy of the same film requires difference licencing to a h.264!

Ok so if I understood right (and regardless of licencing info) the mpeg will be better quality (less compression artifacts) but nowhere near as efficient in terms of compression? so if I need to save space then h.264.. if space isnt an issue, mpeg..?

[Ivan Myles]

At low bitrates H.264 is typically better when using a good encoder. (Older versions of Premiere/AME were lacking.)

At higher bit rates you could go either way. MPEG-2 offers a 422 profile and DC Precision up to 11-bits (10-bits with 422, IIRC). Both parameters improve image quality, especially with respect to macro-blocking. That said, H.264 from CS6 produces good results.

The choice ultimately depends on several factors: the encoder, encoder settings, the nature of the footage, and delivery requirements. When quality is the primary concern, it is best to render test clips and/or consider other encoders and codecs. If the alternatives are limited to H.264 or MPEG-2 from a recent release of Premiere/AME, I tend to use H.264 because the codec is ubiquitous.

[Ivan Myles]

I should have noted in my previous comment that the 422 and DC precision options are only available with MPEG-2. The potential quality advantages of MPEG-2 won’t necessarily be realized when comparing MPEG2 Blu-ray to H.264 Blu-ray. Again, it is worth rendering test files.

[David Payne]

really appreciate your advice Ivan