What's the Bitrate?

[dcol]

I am a registered user of Sage recorder and I like the program, but the encoder settings are too vague for me. What is the bitrate of each of the settings, ie. DVD long-play, good, better, best, etc. I need to know the bitrates so I can more accuratly choose based on my recording time and available DVD space. You can choose the audio bitrate. Why not the video.

I am using the Yuan MPG600 card which has a recorder that lets you pick the bitrates. Problem is many other functions in that software are terrible, but the encoding is good.

Also, I have a hardware encoder card. Is Sage using this hardware encoder?

[Mary H]

I had the same questions about settings a while back, but nobody seemed to know. I found some of these in various places, and worked out the rest by testing. I hope they don't get all scrambled up, but I guess you'll be able to straighten it out.

setting - bitrate - resolution - audio bitrate - audio samp - format

DVD ELP - 4.40 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - mpg2 vbr
DVD LP - 6.00 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - mpg2 vbr
DVD SP - 8.00 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - mpg2 vbr

Fair - 1.70 - 480x480 - 256 - 48000 - MPG2
Good - 2.80 - 480x480 - 256 - 48000 - MPG2
Great - 3.80 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - MPG2
best - 6.00 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - MPG2

SVCD ELP - 1.44 - 480x480 - 224 - 44100 - mpg2
SVCD LP - 2.00 - 480x480 - 224 - 44100 - mpg2
SVCD SP - 2.50 - 480x480 - 224 - 44100 - mpg2

CVD - 3.00 - 352x480 - 224 - 48000 - mpg2 vbr
MPG Max - 12.00 - 720x480 - 384 - 48000 - mpg2

[Opus4]

Does this document help clarify those settings? You should be able to see all the quality settings listed in the properties file.

See: Hauppauge Cards & Recording Quality. The first section covers SageRecorder & it takes a little bit of deciphering.

- Andy

[stanger89]

From the sage.properties file

seeker/recording_qualities/Best\ -\ 3GB\ per\ hr=Best,384,48000,6666666
seeker/recording_qualities/CVD\ ~\ 1.4GB\ per\ hr=CVD,224,48000,3000000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Extra\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 1.8GB\ per\ hr=DVD Extra Long Play,384,48000,4125000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 2.5GB\ per\ hr=DVD Long Play,384,48000,5750000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Standard\ Play\ ~\ 3.25GB\ per\ hr=DVD Standard Play,384,48000,7250000
seeker/recording_qualities/Fair\ -\ 1GB\ per\ hr=Fair,256,48000,2222222
seeker/recording_qualities/Good\ -\ 1.5GB\ per\ hr=Good,256,48000,3333333
seeker/recording_qualities/Great\ -\ 2GB\ per\ hr=Great,384,48000,4444444
seeker/recording_qualities/MPEG2\ Max\ Quality\ -\ 5.6GB\ per\ hr=MPEG2 Max Quality,384,48000,12575000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Extra\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 0.75GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Extra Long Play,224,44100,1725000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 1GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Long Play,224,44100,2175000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Standard\ Play\ ~\ 1.2GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Standard Play,224,44100,2575000

Which roughly translated:
Best - 3GB per hr - Audio =384kbps, 48kHz, Video = 6666666bps
CVD ~ 1.4GB per hr - Audio 224kbps ,48kHz, Video = 3000000bps
DVD Extra Long Play ~ 1.8GB per hr - Audio = 384kbps,48kHz, Video = 4125000bps
etc.

AFAIK all default qualities are CBR.

[Opus4]

stanger89: But that's from the SageTV properties. Are the defaults the same as for SageRecorder?

- Andy

[kny3twalker]

here are some custom ones if you want to add them

mmc/python2_encoding/Best\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=5000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=7500000

mmc/python2_encoding/Fair\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=2000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=3000000

mmc/python2_encoding/Good\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=3000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=4500000

mmc/python2_encoding/Great\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=4000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=6000000

mmc/python2_encoding/Highest\ Quality\ -\ 4.25GB\ per\ hr=videobitrate\=9500000|width\=720|height\=480|au
diobitrate\=384
mmc/python2_encoding/Highest\ Quality\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=6000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=9000000

mmc/python2_encoding/MPEG2\ Max\ Quality\ -\ Variable\ Rate=videobitrate\=9000000|width\=720|height\=480|
audiobitrate\=384|vbr\=1|peakvideobitrate\=1257500
0


seeker/recording_qualities/Best\ -\ 3GB\ per\ hr=Best,384,48000,6666666
seeker/recording_qualities/Best\ -\ Variable\ Rate=Best - Variable Rate,384,48000,7500000
seeker/recording_qualities/CVD\ ~\ 1.4GB\ per\ hr=CVD,224,48000,3000000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Extra\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 1.8GB\ per\ hr=DVD Extra Long Play,384,48000,4125000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 2.5GB\ per\ hr=DVD Long Play,384,48000,5750000
seeker/recording_qualities/DVD\ Standard\ Play\ ~\ 3.25GB\ per\ hr=DVD Standard Play,384,48000,7250000
seeker/recording_qualities/Fair\ -\ 1GB\ per\ hr=Fair,256,48000,2222222
seeker/recording_qualities/Fair\ -\ Variable\ Rate=Fair - Variable Rate,384,48000,3000000
seeker/recording_qualities/Good\ -\ 1.5GB\ per\ hr=Good,256,48000,3333333
seeker/recording_qualities/Good\ -\ Variable\ Rate=Good - Variable Rate,384,48000,4500000
seeker/recording_qualities/Great\ -\ 2GB\ per\ hr=Great,384,48000,4444444
seeker/recording_qualities/Great\ -\ Variable\ Rate=Great - Variable Rate,384,48000,6000000
seeker/recording_qualities/Highest\ Quality\ -\ 4.25GB\ per\ hr=Highest Quality - 4.25GB per hr,384,48000,9500000
seeker/recording_qualities/Highest\ Quality\ -\ Variable\ Rate=Highest Quality - Variable Rate,384,48000,9000000
seeker/recording_qualities/MPEG2\ Max\ Quality\ -\ 5.6GB\ per\ hr=MPEG2 Max Quality,384,48000,12575000
seeker/recording_qualities/MPEG2\ Max\ Quality\ -\ Variable\ Rate=MPEG2 Max Quality - Variable Rate,384,48000,12575000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Extra\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 0.75GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Extra Long Play,224,44100,1725000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Long\ Play\ ~\ 1GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Long Play,224,44100,2175000
seeker/recording_qualities/SVCD\ Standard\ Play\ ~\ 1.2GB\ per\ hr=SVCD Standard Play,224,44100,2575000

[dcol]

None of these properties are in my sage.properties file.

Do I need to add them to make changes or get new encoder settings?

Here is what my file contains:

#Sage Preferences
#Wed May 26 20:59:22 EDT 2004
always_autotune=true
auto_resize_video=false
client=false
dispose_windows=false
enable_encoding_server=false
global_event_id=0
irman_rcv_port=
last_control_win_posx=200
last_control_win_posy=200
last_video_win_posx=100
last_video_win_posy=100
mmc/always_tune_channel=false
mmc/audio_bitrate=384
mmc/audio_sampling=48000
mmc/country_code=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/atsc_tuning=false
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/available_channels=19,19;
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/brightness=132
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/cable_based_rf=true
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/contrast=140
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/hue=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/last_channel=19
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/saturation=137
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/sharpness=33
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/1/0/video_crossbar_type=1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/atsc_tuning=false
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/cable_based_rf=true
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/atsc_tuning=false
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/cable_based_rf=true
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/capture_config=2050
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/encoding_host=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/encoding_host_login_md5=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/last_cross_type=1
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/video_capture_device_name=Python 2 Capture
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/video_compressor=
mmc/encoders/-2094407916/video_encoding_params=DVD Standard Play
mmc/feature_mask_disable=0
mmc/ignore_encoders=
mmc/ir_xmt_port=1
mmc/last_encoder_name=Python 2 Capture
mmc/overscan=0.05
mmc/pentium_4_fix=false
mmc/scan_dshow_filters=true
mmc/sfir_dev_name=
mmc/sync_with_offset=true
mmc/use_overlay=false
mmc/video_format_code=0
scheduler_export_file=C\:\\Program Files\\Frey Technologies\\SageRecorder\\SageWake\\schedule.txt
segmented_encoding_size=0
start_with_preview=false
startup_delay=0
swing_plaf=javax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel
thread_debug=false
time_zone=
version=Sage Recorder - V1.5.4 RC3
video_dir=V\:\\
videoframe/additional_audio_filters=
videoframe/additional_video_filters=
videoframe/always_timeshift=true
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode=1
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/0/video_zoom_x=1.07
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/0/video_zoom_y=1.07
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/1/video_translate_x=0
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/1/video_translate_y=0
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/1/video_zoom_x=1.05
videoframe/aspect_ratio_mode/1/video_zoom_y=1.05
videoframe/audio_decoder_filter=Default
videoframe/audio_delay=0
videoframe/audio_render_filter=
videoframe/disable_sw_decoding=false
videoframe/dscaler_double_refresh=false
videoframe/dscaler_mode=0
videoframe/dscaler_odd_field_first=false
videoframe/dscaler_plugin=
videoframe/dvd_audio_render_filter=
videoframe/dvd_dxva_mpeg_mode=0
videoframe/dvd_force_deinterlace=0
videoframe/dxva_mpeg_mode=0
videoframe/enable_pvr350_osd=false
videoframe/ff_time=10000
videoframe/ff_time2=150000
videoframe/force_deinterlace=0
videoframe/live_audio_input_index=-1
videoframe/mute_on_alt_speed_play=false
videoframe/osd_filter=
videoframe/osd_position=2
videoframe/overscan=0.1
videoframe/ps_hw_decoder_filter=
videoframe/rew_time=-10000
videoframe/rew_time2=-150000
videoframe/use_dscaler=true
videoframe/use_overlay=true
videoframe/use_vmr=false
videoframe/video_bg_color=0,0,0
videoframe/video_decoder_filter=Elecard MPEG2 Video Decoder
videoframe/video_horizontal_shift_freq=0
videoframe/video_translate_x=0
videoframe/video_translate_y=0
videoframe/volume_step=5
videoframe/window_overscan=true
zzz=true

[stanger89]

Originally posted by Opus4
stanger89: But that's from the SageTV properties. Are the defaults the same as for SageRecorder?

- Andy

Perhaps I should stop using the "Show New Threads" function of the forum, I didn't realize this was the SageRecorder forum

[Opus4]

It doesn't appear that I was much help either, as the default recording quality settings don't appear to be listed in that properties file... so the reference document I pointed to won't do much to decipher the settings.

Edit: but the quality names are the same as those stanger89 listed, so perhaps they should be the same?

- Andy

[Jovencito]

Originally posted by Opus4
[B]It doesn't appear that I was much help either, as the default recording quality settings don't appear to be listed in that properties file... so the reference document I pointed to won't do much to decipher the settings.

The built-in quality settings are not listed in the properties file, (they seem to be hard-coded into the program),
but you can add new ones based on the document linked by Andy, or the ones posted by kny3twalker.
Note that the syntax (use of backslashes) is slightly different in the two sources, kny3twalker's being up-to-date, but
SageRecorder understands the earlier format and converts it to the new one.
I just tried some new profiles I created with custom video and bitrates, VBR and GOP-sizes, and they all worked. (v1.4)
Just put them anywhere in the file, SR replaces them where it likes.

Frey should be ashamed of themselves for not including a quality recording profile manager in SR
and keeping default values confidential.
It should be a basic feature.

[Spies]

Originally posted by Opus4
Does this document help clarify those settings? You should be able to see all the quality settings listed in the properties file.

See: Hauppauge Cards & Recording Quality. The first section covers SageRecorder & it takes a little bit of deciphering.

- Andy

I don't really understand that document, the link on the main site says that haupauge users should use different quality settings to get the most out of their card, then links to that document, but all it states is what does what