Overview

This section covers preparing AVI files (most likely Anime) for encoding. We are also going to encode the AVI file to MPEG-2 using an AVS script, and CCE SP 2.5. Once the file is encoded we will run it through pulldown to get the proper framerate.

Section 1 - Removing letterboxing

Before we try to determine the settings needed to encode our AVI file we need to load up the file in VirtualdubMod to check if there is any letterboxing in the file. Letterboxing is the black bars you see on widescreen DVD's that are used to fill in the remaining vertical space. Most of the time the letterboxing has been removed, if thats the case you can skip to the next section.

To check for and remove letterboxing using VirtualDubMod do the following:

1. File -> Open Video File
2. Video -> Filters
3. Click the Add
4. Select Null transform
5. Now select cropping
6. Move the slider along to see if there is any letterboxing throughout the clip
7. If there is letterboxing we need to crop the image. If there is no letterboxing skip to the next section below
8. Use the x and y offsets and set it up until you cover the black letterboxing
9. Make sure your offsets are always even numbers
10. Click OK, and OK again
11. File -> Save as -> Choose a name for your file and click save

Section 2 - Determining Aspect Ratio and FPS

To figure out the right settings for encoding we are going to load our AVI file up in GSpot.

The only settings we are interested are the following:

1. Image Aspect Ratio
2. FPS

In this example the areas of interest are highlighted in red, on the pic below

1. Image Aspect Ratio: 4:3
2. FPS: 23.97

The image aspect ratio was cut out of the pic, otherwise it would display 4:3. Even if you didn't see 4:3 you can easily figure out the ratio by using the following.

1. 640/480 = 1.333
2. 1.333 = 4/3

If GSpot reports an aspect ratio other then 4:3, or 16:9 then do the following. First divide the resolutions width, by the resolutions height, in this case that would be 640 / 480 which gives you a decimal number of 1.333. (If you look beside the resolution in GSpot it already does this part for you :) ). Note, the number GSpot reports must be one of the following four. If the number is a bit off then use the closest number from below.

AVI aspect ratio's

Write down the settings for these two items, and close GSpot.

Section 3 - Writing the AVS script

Avisynth is a frameserver that acts as a middle-man between your AVI file, and the encoder (CCE in this case). What this means is that your AVI file gets filtered by the AVS script, and outputted a frame at a time to the encoder (CCE) to encode. The script is used for resizing to different resolutions, adding letterboxing, and other various options and filters that are not present in CCE, and much more.

The first thing we need to do is setup our AVS script. To do this open up notepad, or any text editor. I am going to provide a few example scripts, and go through them. At the end of this section you should be able to create scripts to deal with all resolutions, add letterboxing, and convert color to YUY2. Once you understand this, you can go to http://www.avisynth.org/ for a list of all commands, and filters for more advanced editing techniques.

To create the plugin to get CCE to open up AVS files on Athlon systems do the following:

1. Open up notepad
2. Copy and paste the following:

function AddAudio(clip v1) {
v2 = Blankclip()
v1 = AudioDub(v1,v2)
return v1
}

3. file -> save as -> save as type: all files; file name: addaudio.avsi
4. place this file in your avisynth\plugins directory

Creating an AVS Script

For what we are doing our AVS script will be quite simple, and will likely be only 4 or 5 lines long. Below is an explanation of each line

AVISource("1.avi", False)

just opens up the AVI file for filtering

AddBorders(0,60,0,60)

adds letterboxing. In this case 60 on the top, and 60 on the bottom

LanczosResize(720,360)

Resizes the AVI from it's current resolution to 720x360 (see TMPGenc section for resolutions and letterboxing)

AddAudio()

Calling AddAudio plugin. This is only for users with athlon processer systems who are using CCE 2.5 and below

ConvertToYUY2()

Converts pixels to YUY2.

Below are four different examples of an AVS script.

Example Script #1:

AVISource("1.avi", False)
LanczosResize(720,480)
AddAudio()
ConvertToYUY2()

Example Script #2:

Example Script #3:

Example Script #4:

Once you setup the script save it as an AVS file

1. file -> save as -> save as type: all files; file name: episode#.avs

Now make sure the AVS script is in the same directory as your AVI file. You are now ready to setup CCE.

Section 4 - Setting up CCE SP 2.5

Load up CCE SP 2.5, and click on the template menu, and select standard. If nothing happens just click on standard again. A new window like the one below should popup.

Title: Anime Multipass (VBR) 1 pass 4:3

Whatever you type in this field will be the name of your template

Video files: checked

Output Video files (m2v, etc)

Video Information file: checked

File created for VBR (Variable Bitrate) encoding. When you use a 1 pass VBR as your video encoding method the first pass creates a file that makes note of how many bits to use for each frame. The more passes you use the more refined the bit allocation in the video information file will be.

Audio file: unchecked

Outputs audio files

ES/PS: ES

ES stands for Elementary Stream which is a separate stream (video only). PS is a Program Stream (Video + Audio). Since we are encoding the video separate always use ES.

CBR: unchecked

CBR (Constant Bitrate) is a video encoding method that makes every frame have the same bitrate. Using this makes encodes take up much more space, with similar, or worse quality then VBR.

One Pass VBR: unchecked

One pass VBR (Variable bitrate) encoding method. The first pass determines the bitrate for each frame and stores it in the video information file then the second pass encodes using the information in the video information file.

Multipass VBR: checked

Multipass VBR (Variable bitrate) can be up to 9 passes. I personally only use 1 pass (which is equivalent to TMPGencs 2 pass). If you choose 9 passes it will actually do 10 passes, 9 for the video information file, and one to encode the file based on the video information file. Note the more passes you take the longer it will take to encode, and I can't see any difference in quality between 1 and 3+ passes, so it's up to you.

MPEG-2/MPEG-1: MPEG-2

DVD supports both, but MPEG-2 supports higher resolutions, and some other stuff that makes it superior to MPEG-1

Passes: 1

To me anymore then 1 pass (equivalent to 2 passes in TMPGenc) is a waste of time, and CPU cycles.

Avg: Use a bitrate calculator to determine this amount

This setting refers to your average bitrate amount. The higher the value the larger your encode file will be. I recommend you use at least 4500.

Min: 0

This is the minimum number of bits used in a frame. For some frames that contain just black you don't want to use too many bits on a frame like that, so specify a minimum of 0. I doubt the encoder will ever use zero but this gives it a large range to work from. (TMPGenc users should use a minimum of 2000, no idea why it just needs it)

Max: 9800

This the maximum number of bits used in a frame. The max number of bits a DVD can use is 9800, so you might as well let the encoder go as high as it can in complicated scenes.

Now click on the Video button, and a new window will popup like the one below

Add sequence end code: checked

Upper field first: unchecked

This setting is for interlaced sources. It just makes the upper field display first.

Half horizontal resolution: unchecked

This setting is for half-D1 resolutions (352x240).

Half vertical resolution: unchecked

This setting is for half-D1 resolutions (352x240).

Progressive Frames: checked

If your source is progressive use this setting.

Linear quantizer scale: unchecked

I have no idea what this setting does. Some people say it gives better quality when checked. I personally have not noticed any difference, so I leave it unchecked.

Zigzag scanning order: checked

This setting is used in conjuction with the Progressive Frames setting.

Quick Compression: unchecked

I'm not exactly sure what this setting compresses, but it's not needed, so just leave it unchecked.

DVD Compliant: unchecked

Makes the DVD compliant. I don't like using this setting because it can do some funky things, so I leave it off.

Luminance Level: 0-255

This gives you the full color range, so your encodes don't get washed out colors.

Intra DC Percision: 9

I actually have no idea what this setting does. Some people say that it's related to your average bitrate. Personally I have always used 10 with no image quality problems, but I think I'll switch to 9 since so many people recommend it.

Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9

Use the value you recorded earlier from GSpot. (If your value is >= 1.77 then use 16:9).

Time Code: 00: 00: 00: 00

Leave this setting as default. I am not sure what the time code refers to, so don't screw around with it.

Click on the GOP tab, and fill in the following settings

M=: 3

This refers to the number of B-pictures

N/M=: 4

This refers to the number of P-pictures

GOP header: 1

Leave this seeting at 1

SEQ header: 1

Leave this seeting at 1

Restrict Auto I frame insertion: unchecked

Leave this unchecked

Close all GOP's: unchecked

If your authoring program has difficulty loading up the encoded file then check this option

Now go to the Quality settings, and fill in the following settings

Image Quality Priority: 30

For anime I would recommend between 25-35 just because anime is not as complex as actual movie footage, and has a lot of flat colours

Anti Noise Filter: unchecked

Only use this if your source file has noise in it

Once your finished with the settings click on the add button, and it will create a new template based on the settings you just setup. The name of the template is derived from the title field at the top.

Now go to your Options Menu, and click on Extensions. Where it says MPEG-2 Video Elementary Stream: type in m2v.

Section 5 - Encoding

Once your template is setup right click anywhere on the white background, and click add. Search for your AVS file, and load it up. Once you have loaded up your file ensure that you are using the right template, and the settings are how you want them. You can do all that by right clicking on the file, and selecting edit. Once you have verified everythings good to go click on the encode button. I suggest you don't use your computer, or have any programs running in the background while the encoding is taking place. A good time to encode it before you go to sleep, and let the computer encode all night. If you want to encode more then one file then just load more files up, and select them all and then hit encode.

Below is an example of having four different AVS files loaded up ready for encoding.

Once the CCE has finished encoding your files they should be in m2v format. Now we need to use a program called pulldown.exe. We need to use this because the source file being Anime (film) needs to run at 29.97 FPS for NTSC televisions, but the framerate of our encode is 23.47.

Section 6 - Pulldown

To use pulldown.exe you have copy it to the directory containing your m2v files. Once it's in your directory you have to go to the command prompt, and navigate to the directory containing your m2v files. Now you need to know a bit of DOS to go to the directory. If your completely DOS illiterate then move your m2v file to the root of your drive, and follow the example below substituting D: with the drive letter your m2v files are on.

DOS example:

1. Start -> run
2. type cmd
3. (You should be in Windows DOS now)
4. type cd\
5. type D: (Or whatever drive your using)

Once your in the directory containing your m2v files, and pulldown.exe you can run the program. To run the program you first need to type the following command

pulldown.exe 1.m2v 1-pull.m2v prog_seq [i] prog_frames [p]

pulldown.exe- is the program
1.m2v- is the input file (the one from encoding)
1-pull.m2v- is the output file (the one with the fixed framerate)
prog_seq [i]- optional. it sets the progressive sequence to interlace
prog_frames [p]- optional. it sets each frame as progressive

If your unsure whether to use the prog options then don't bother. Your file will be exactly the same these two settings just change the flags in the M2V file to the "proper" settings. I'm not even sure what the benefit is.

To speed things up create a batch file like the one below. Make sure your batch file is in the same directory as your m2v, and pulldown.exe files.

Here is an example of a batch file I made that does the pulldown for 6 episodes.

Your video files are now ready, so you can now start with the audio encoding.

>> Part 5. Audio Encoding