Megui H.264 Conversion Guide
Updated: 07/06/2007 09:24 AM

MeGUI is one of the newer tools that has been designed with H.264 encoding in mind, while supporting other types of conversion, such as XviD. This guide shows you how to encode a H.264 (MP4) using MeGUI from a DVD as the primary example (instructions for converting other types of video files are also included).
This guide is aimed at intermediate users, basically users that are familiar with DVD conversion/backup and want to experiment with H.264 and MeGUI. As such, basic knowledge of DVD ripping and conversion is required, although brief instructions will be provided in any case.
Software you'll need (all freeware):
AVI-Mux_GUI.zipNeroDigitalAudio.zip

Show details for Step 1: InstallationStep 1: Installation

Show details for Step 2: DVD RippingStep 2: DVD Ripping

Show details for Step 3: D2V CreatorStep 3: D2V Creator

Show details for Step 4: AviSynth Script CreatorStep 4: AviSynth Script Creator

Hide details for Step 5a: Video Encoding Options MP4Step 5a: Video Encoding Options MP4

We'll now set up the H.264 encoding options in the x264 encoder. This step has the most options to configure, and too many to cover in this guide alone. What I'll recommend is to use one of Sharktooth's profiles, and if you need further explanation of the options, refer to our x264 Options Explained article.
In the MeGUI "Input" section, select "x264" as the "Codec" and "MP4" as the "Container".
MeGUI: Video

For the "Video Profiles" option, select one of the x264 encoding profiles so we don't have to manually configure all the settings (unless you want to , then click on the "Config" button to do so). A full explanation of what each profile is used for can be found on the official forum thread for the profiles. For compatibility, I recommend using the CE profiles, particularly the "CE-QuickTime" profile (this will make the MP4 file playable in Apple QuickTime 7 or newer). The "CE-Baseline" profile is also fully QuickTime compatible, but uses less advanced features (and so will be faster during encoding at the expense of some quality).


Hide details for Step 5b: Video Encoding Options XVIDStep 5b: Video Encoding Options XVID

After the AviSynth Script Creator window closes, it will be entered in the AviSynth Script box on the Input tab. Below that is the output file. Click the button to the right of it to change the location or name. Select the dropdown menu next to Codec and set it to XviD. File Format should be set to AVI, MKV, or RAWASP (MP4). To select a Video Profile, determine what percentage of original DVD's bitrate will be used for the XviD encode. If you're not sure, compare the combined size of the VOB files to the intended final size of the XviD. The profiles are named by what amount of compression they're designed for. For example, XviD '>90% comp. check' means it's for encodes that are 90% as big as the original or more. Find the largest percentage that's smaller than or equal to the amount of compression your encode will have. Each compression level will have a fast and HQ option. As the names suggest, one will give you faster encodes, and the other a little higher quality.


Show details for Step 6: Audio Encoding OptionsStep 6: Audio Encoding Options

Show details for Step 7: AutoEncode and starting the encodingStep 7: AutoEncode and starting the encoding


Show details for MeGUI Custom x264/AVC video profiles. (Updated: 2006-12-21)MeGUI Custom x264/AVC video profiles. (Updated: 2006-12-21)


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