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).


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

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

Now it's time to set up the audio encoding options. If you've followed this guide for DVD conversion, then the demuxed audio track we selected in the D2V Creator should already be loaded in (if not, load in the .ac3 file that was created). If you are not converting from a DVD source, then you can either load in a separate audio file or if you edited the AviSynth script (set "audio=true"), then load in the AVS file into the "Audio Input" section (meaning both video and audio inputs are the same AVS file). Repeat if you want a second audio track by clicking on the "2" select option.
MeGUI: Audio
Now we select an audio codec to use. I prefer AAC audio, especially with H.264 as video - AAC is to MP3 what H.264 is to DivX/XviD, better compression + better quality. So which audio codec should you use? I prefer ND AAC (Nero Digital), so select it if you agree with me. We can now choose an audio profile from one of the "NDAAC" options. "NDAAC-HE-64Kbps" is the one I like, as it will give you roughly the same quality as a 128 Kbps MP3 file. You can select one of the "HEPS" (HEv2) profiles if you really want a small file size. The "LC" options offer better compatibility (eg. with iPod/iTunes), but at the cost of file size (still smaller than MP3s though).



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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