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mpeg 2 encoding
Having problems getting a video to encode to mpeg2. I’m helping a client upload videos to a local TV station’s server for future airing. The HD versions were no problem – tweaked the presets in Compressor, and it worked fine. They also need an SD version, which is where I’m getting stuck.
This is what they have asked for: mpeg2, 720×480, 29.97, 25 mpbs bit rate, 4:2:2 constant bit rate, i-frame.
The thing that is tripping me up is the 720 x 480. MPEG2 in compressor is either 16:9 or 4:3, not 3:2. I’ve downloaded the trial version of Telestream Episode, but am running into the smae problem there. Even though I have all the settings set for 720 x 480, it comes out 640 x 480.
Any suggestions? Anyone else run in to requirements like this from TV station?
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5 Replies
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Hey Rob,
Ok a 422 MPEG 2 file will only be created in Episode Pro (Compressor only does 420) as for the Pixel aspect you will find it hard to view back the encoded 422 MPEG file in Quicktime as the Colour spacing doesn’t allow oyu to view these files.
I recommend you download VideoSpec (free) this allows you to drop a Video file in it and this will allow you to truely see the dimensions, Quicktime is always a little shading on showing you the true dimensions.
Also Download VLC for mac as this will allow you to see the colour spacing on the MPEG file, remember that if you are delivering to a TV station you will need to follow their specifications of Video and Audio level – I usually ask them to send you a file first and judge from that …..
I worked in the world’s largest file delivery company for broadcast for many years and constantly saw loads of files coming in – issues varied from Interlacing issues, aspect ratio, No VBI, frame rate issues, title safety, audio levels etc etc.
Once you have set it up you will be ready to deliver away !!
USe Episode Pro as it is the stablemate of Telestream for MAC.
Hope this helps !
Craig
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Open the stream in Mpeg Streamclip and get the file into there. It should show as 720. Quicktime may be incorrectly reporting 640. What is meant by “i-frame” in this context? Is MPEG-2 ever i-frame?
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Tom,
Thanks for the reply. I opened it in StreamClip and the Stream Info is showing me conflicting info. It says that the video track is 720 x 480, but right after that it also says 4:3. The video from Episode looks like it may be squeezed a tiny bit, but not bad. The one from Compressor is definitely squeezed, but it shows as 720 x 480 and 4:3 as well. So I don’t know what to believe.
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Craig – thanks for the insight and recommended apps. I downloaded Videospec and it says that both files (compressor created and episode created) are 720 x 480. Not sure why they look different. I took a screen shot of the one from compressor (it was 640 x 480) opened it in Photoshop and stretched it to 720 x 480. It looks correct.
The funny thing about the colorspace part is they accepted the HD version of the spot, which I encoded in compressor. So I’m guessing the 422 thing is more of a recommendation than rule.
The only mpeg2 encoding I’ve done is for DVD, so this has been a learning experience.
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[Tom Brooks] “What is meant by “i-frame” in this context? Is MPEG-2 ever i-frame?”
Hi Rob,
When the GOPs are just one frame long, is call “MPEG-2 Intraframe”.
Compressor can not do it (yet).
Cheers,
rafael
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