Phill Mason

Encoding or Transcoding - what do they mean and which is best?

It's a question that's been asked many, many time before - What's the best video encoding format that provides the best results for the web? This is something I've spent countless hours of research on and continue to develop over time. As the internet changes so indeed do the steps required to ensure decent encoding results online.

For ages the battle of file size vs quality has always caused issues when streaming high definition video online. For many, watching such a high bit rate video online is still not possible due to the extremely poor bandwidth so many people still experience from their so called 2mb, 4mb or even 8mb and 16mb broadband connections. I'm one of those people who live in sticks and my broadband connection is rubbish. (Personal Gripe Coming Up). It annoys me why I have pay the same monthly tarrif as someone who lives in town whos getting a cracking 8mb connection, whilst I'm just a measly 4 miles from the local phone exchange, yet I rarely crack 1mb download speed. My phone call quality is the same as it is in town, so why shouldn't my broadband be? Should be based on a pay per bandwidth-quality type thingy, I'd gladly pay top dollar for a 16Mbit connection any day of the week, but I do seriously grudge paying for something I'm not getting! (Ok, rant over - sorry about that).

Anyway, back to encoding video. I wont bore you to death with results and figures of every single render I've done over the last 6 months, but I will try to share with you what I found to be a winning workflow combination and I hope you can take something from it and save yourself a headache and a shed-load of time! During my tests I reckon I've rendered close to 300  videos, in 7 various formats and transcoded them testing around 10 or so different pieces of software, so some serious painful testing time Here goes…..

I use a Panasonic HVX200 camera for most of my shoots and usually capture in 720pn with a frame rate of 24fps. This combination works really well for me as it allows for sensible recording times across my P2 cards and reasonable HD size image for DVD and or web distribution. Dropping the Panasonic MXF files into Vegas via the DVFilm codec is a nice, quick and easy workflow. I can dump 32 GB of HD video into my NLE and be ready to edit inside around 8 to 10 minutes. I couldn't go back to DV tape now - a 1hour tape meant 1 hour to get it into your computer. Ouch!

I tried so many different output renders from my NLE (Sony Vegas) that it was sending me round the twist trying to come up with the ideal solution for each format. I found my best result was to render out the best looking, most colourful, high contrast version I could possibly achieve and then use a video converter to transcode the video file into the formats I required depending on the videos final destination.

I rendered out some test videos from Vegas as MP4, MPEG 1, MPEG 2, WMV, AVI, M2t and MOV. They all produced vastly different results depending on several video content factors. Movement and transitions in my guitar tutorial videos were minimal, but I still experienced some choppy pixelation across large blocks of a single colour when rendering to the likes of MPEG 1, MPEG 2 and MOV. I wanted to test as many formats as possible to try and find a happy medium between file size and quality. I also filmed in front of a green screen for my teaching videos, so I had edge artifacts, lighting and colour correction to deal with throughout the video.

Here's a screen grab of a before and after the chroma key. There is quite a bit of colour correction and contrast adjustment applied to enable rich, deep blacks and a smooth keying out the screen.
Below is the Original Raw Image

Below is the finished image with Chroma Keying, Colour Correction and increased Contrast with a smidge of Sharpening.

I'm really pleased with the results I'm seeing on my screen and I hope it looks okay for you guys too? You can clearly see an increased contrast between the two images as the black t-shirt pops nicely in the rendered image, but what is interesting is that the skin tone has barely changed between the two images, yet it looks bucket-loads richer in the bottom image. I reduced a little of the red highlights from the face and that was about it . This is because when the blacks are truly black and not a washed-out grey/black like in the raw image, the colours really pop ten-fold and a perceived saturation in all other colours start to appear.

I could continue for another 10 or 20 paragraphs or so, but this post is already long enough. I'll post Part 2 very soon and discuss the final format  I mastered to, what software I used and how I converted the mastered videos into top quality and sensibly sized formats for web distribution.

Bye for now!

This is for anyone who’s performed on a stage and has had the privilege of the wonderful general public lending a helping hand. Not my words, but just too good not to share Enjoy!

How To Request A Song From The Band

When requesting a song from the band, just say "play my song!" We have chips implanted in our heads with an unlimited database of the favorite tunes of every patron who ever walked into a bar and all songs ever recorded, so feel free to be vague, we love the challenge. If we say we really don’t remember that tune you want, we’re only kidding. Bands do know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be… it helps jog the memory, or just repeat your request over and over again.

If a band tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either forgot they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing a few words for the band. Any words will do. It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per set followed by the phrases, "AW COME ON!" and, "YOU SUCK!" Exaggerated hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger up. Put-downs are the best way to jog a band’s memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of "Personal Friend of the Band." You can bet your request will be the next song we play.

Entertainers are notorious fakers and jokesters and never really prepare for their shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior thought as to what they will do once they arrive. We don’t actually make set lists or rehearse songs. We mostly just wait for you to yell something out, then fake it.

An entertainer’s job is so easy, even a monkey could do it, so don’t let them off the hook easily. Your request is all that matters. Once you’ve figured out what genre of music the band plays, please make your requests from a totally different genre. The more exaggerated the better. If it’s a blues band playing, yell for some Metallica or Slayer or Pantera. Likewise, if it’s a death- speed metal band, be sure to request Brown-Eyed Girl or some Grateful Dead. Musicians need to constantly broaden their musical horizons, and it’s your job to see that it happens….immediately.

”TALKING WITH THE BAND”

The best time to discuss anything with the band in any meaningful way is at the middle of a song when all band members are singing at the same time. Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny voice from the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. And we can converse with you in sign language while singing the song, so don’t worry that we’re in the middle of the chorus.

Musicians are expert lip readers too. If a musician does not reply to your question or comment during a song, it’s because they didn’t get a good look at your mouth in order to read your lips. Simply continue to scream your request and be sure to over emphasize the words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don’t be fooled. Singers have an innate ability to answer questions and sing at the same time. If the singer doesn’t answer your questions immediately, regardless of how stupid the question may seem, it’s because they are purposely ignoring you. If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.

”IMPORTANT”

When an entertainer leans over to hear you better, grab his or her head in both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head securely so they cannot pull away. This will be taken as an invitation to a friendly and playful game of tug of war between their head and your hands. Don’t give up! Hang on until the singer or guitar player submits. Drummers are often safe from this fun game since they usually sit in the back, protected by the guitar players. Keyboard players are protected by their instrument and only play the game when tricked into coming from behind their keyboards. Though difficult to get them to play, it’s not impossible, so keep trying. They’re especially vulnerable during the breaks between songs.

”HELPING THE BAND”

If you inform the band that you are a singer, the band will appreciate your help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on stage. If you’re too drunk to stand unassisted, simply lean on one of the band members or the most expensive piece of equipment you see. Just pretend you’re in a Karaoke bar. Simply feel free to walk up on stage and join in. By the way, the drunker you are, the better you sound, and the louder you should sing. If by chance you fall off the stage, be sure to crawl back up and attempt to sing harmony. Keep in mind that nothing assists the band more than outrageous dancing, fifth and sixth part harmonies, or a tambourine played on one and three and out of tempo. Try the cowbell; they love the challenge. The band always needs the help and will take this as a compliment.

Finally, the microphone and PA system are merely props, they don’t really amplify your voice, so when you grab the microphone out of the singer’s hand be sure to scream into it at the top of your lungs, otherwise no one will hear what a great singer you are. Hearing is over-rated anyhow. The crowd and the sound guy will love you for it.

”BONUS TIP”

As a last resort, wait until the band takes a break and then get on stage and start playing their instruments. They love this. Even if you are ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact you have successfully completed your audition. The band will call you immediately the following day to offer you a position.

This is so true it’s just not funny. I hope you enjoyed the read, please share, thank you.

30 Day Challenge Music Video Now Available For Download

Can you believe another year has breezed past and here we are again at the beginning of August 2009 and that means only one thing, it’s Thirty Day Challenge time!

This years Theme Song Music Video sees a collaboration of people from all over the globe and to celebrate this, I have made a High definition version available for download. Now as many of you may know, the 30DC and all it stands for is Free and the training is absolutely amazing this year - best ever.

So why the paid download? Well, to keep in keeping with the 30DC’s preferred charity, we want to give a little back and help those less fortunate than us, so all proceeds from the Video and Audio downloads will be donated to the Kiva charity and this is how you can help.

We’re keeping it really simple - $2 for the HD Video and $1 for the MP3 Audio.

Simple click the "Buy Now" button and you can securely pay with your credit card via Paypal. It’s been suggested that I include a "Donate" button for those who can afford it and would like do donate additional contributions to the Kiva charity. There’s no download attached to the "Donate" button, it’s simply that a donation. If you want the Video or Audio, please click the relevant "Buy Now" button for each, thanks.

Donations Only	30DC HD MP4 Video	30 DC MP3 Audio

As soon as you’ve paid for your item, click on "Return To Merchant" on the successful payment page and your download window will automatically popup and begin.

I hope you enjoy watching the video as much as I did making it and if we can make a small difference in someone’s life, then it’s been well worth while, thank you.

Thirty Day Challenge Music Video 2009

30DC Theme Song, Lyrics & Chords Now Available For Download

Hey gang, it’s finally time to get busy with your video and audio creations for this years Thirty Day Challenge Theme Song Music Video. The 1st notepad mix of the song is available for you to use as a guide so you can record yourself singing parts, playing along or miming the song and then submit your parts to us, so we can include you in this years video collaboration. There is also an MP3 available of just the backing track, without the vocals on, so you can really go to town.

How To Record Your Content For The 30DC Music Video

How To Record Your Content For The 30DC Music Video

This audio below is not a final mixed version and I’m always super apprehensive about releasing this kind of unfinished work to the public, but of course this year is different as it will have you guys mixed into the track also. Some of you will want to actually play musical parts whilst some of you will want to mime, either is cool with us and we welcome all suggestions. Be as creative as possible with your video ideas and please do read and digest the lyrics as the message in the lyrics portrays what we as a team want to achieve by taking the 30 Day Challenge.

Here is a draft mix of this years 30 Day Challenge Theme Song so you can learn how the track goes - right click and "Save As" to download - enjoy.

Thirty Day Challenge Theme Song 2009 - Full Track- MP3 Audio.

Once you’ve got use to the full track above, you may find the MP3 below really useful! Its just the backing track without any vocals.

Thirty Day Challenge Theme Song 2009 - Music Only - MP3 Audio.

Additional Info Below For The 30DC Dancers

Hey guys and gals, we made the video below last night to give some suggestions for possible dance moves for the music video. Feel free to take from it what you want, do more, do less, but hopefully it will give those of your who said you’d like to dance in a group, a little inspiration - have fun.

30DC Dance Ideas

I’ve had several questions over the last few days, so here’s an update about what’s happening next in the 30DC Theme Song Collaboration.

We now basically have an entire band on board a few times over - guitarists, drummers, bassists, piano and keyboard players, a few classical players and a handful of singers. As well as some great vocal talent on board, we also have a couple of groups of singers, some dancers and people who will hold up placards with messages and lyrics on throughout the video - great! The creative ideas floating around have been amazing and I can’t wait to try and fit it all in the video, (cue 10 min album track).
 
The 30DC Theme Song is in the early writing stages, I have a couple of notepad ideas roughly recorded but I need your help before I go too much further. The song needs to be uplifting, inspirational, melodic, memorable and toe-tappingly groovy.
 
The lyrics - the vocal hook. I would like you to get your thinking caps on and ask anyone and everyone you know who’s been involved with the 30DC to come up with a lyric or a line that sums up the 30DC. What is it all about? What does it mean? How does it make you feel? Can you sum up the Thirty Day Challenge in one line that will work well in a song?
 
You see singing the lyric "Thirty Day Challenge" is not exactly the most satisfying lyric to sing and I reckon we can come up with something more catchy that could be influential in more ways then one.
 
If like me, you’re sick of hearing Tina Turners - "Simply The Best" at every conference you attend as the "Go Get Em" theme, then lets try and replace it with with the 30DC 2009 song. How many times have you heard James Brown’s "I Feel Good" play in a film or TV advert? About a Gazillion (big number) I imagine, because it has a great vocal hook and a brilliant lyrical message.
 
Can it be done? Is the "30DC 2009 Theme Song Collaboration team" up to the challenge? Please comment below.
 
Below are a couple of common questions I’ve been asked:
 
So what happens next?
Once we’ve got the magical lyric, I will form the song around it - and at that point I will be able to start to give parts of the song out for players/singers/dancers to learn, rehearse, practice or mime to.More detailed info about how we will record this to follow soon.
 
Which Video Format?
Just as a side not, don’t panic about this too much, but just have in the back of your head that I would prefer the video to be shot in 16:9 HD (High Definition) 720p to be exact - that is 1280 x 720. Now before you panic, I will also be taking standard def DV video which is either 720 x 480 or 720 x 576 pixels depending on where in the world you live. If you can shoot in Full HD 1080p that’s fine also, but I would like to avoid low res, grainy webcam video if possible. Perhaps you have a friend who has a camera you could borrow?
 
I’ll also post this up on my blog, so please visit my blog http://www.phillmason.com/ and leave your comments with your answers/ideas for the lyric of the century.
 
Thanks guys and I look forward to your ideas.
 
All the Best
Phill Mason
E:  30dc2009@phillmason.com

P.S If you have any additional questions I haven’t covered here, please leave them in the comments below and I will make a video that covers the most popular ones.
 
P.P.S You can also stay up to date by following me around here: http://twitter.com/PhillMason or http://www.facebook.com/PhillMason
 
P.P.P.S Nope, I got nothing!!