Video quality questions

I would like to know about internet video quality. What is considered the best and is it close to DVD quality? I have high speed cable access and all I see are tiny poor quality videos. Try to watch them full screen and you can forget about it. Any and all info will be greatly appreciated

[Jeppe]

Very good question.

Unfortunately I don't know anywhere you can actually get a complete overview of what the best video formats and qualities are.

I think the term "DVD quality" is used with very little consideration on many sites. At least many times I have seen sites promise DVD quality and then deliver some low bitrate wmv files.

Any input on this will be appreciated...

[Steve]

I agree that its hard to determine what good quality is when comparing to DVD.

DVD's are formatted at a bit stream that is still too high for sites to want to use. It's not because the site cannot make files of that size or because people cannot download gb's now, but because bandwidth costs are still too high to warrant that kind of quality.

Windows Media Video Advanced Profile is one of the better compressions although still lossy (as all compression types are). The Advanced Profile allows better use of interlacing so that you can maintain lower file sizes and get "near" DVD quality. It roughly works out at around 1/4 of the size of a SVCD file and the same kind of quality (if rendered correctly and from good source material).

I know that their is a codec now called WMV10HD which actually has quality that is way higher than DVD with sound that is incredible, but the file size is something like 3 times higher than DVD.

In conclusion, it depends what you want. No site should really be churning out 320x240 resolution 200 bit rate files anymore because too many people now have broadband access and want better. The sites I work on all have 1572 bit rate 640x480 WMVA files and I think the quality is nice (sometimes the interlacing gets a bit jagged at high speed areas, but generally they are nice quality and good at full screen).

However, I am not going to say which websites I work on because I do not wish to promote my sites here. When a review has been done by the good folk at this site, then hopefully you will know =)

Steve

[jake]

Sorry dude it has more to do with the way the actual content was encoded for distribution through the net .. the cheap guys who worry about bandwidth will be the first to down size the images/video so it takes up less room in the "pipe" so to speak .. i suggest you join up to decent sites like mine ...lol

[Steve]

I am one of the guys who gets the original content direct from the HDV cam and converts.

The sites I edit for offer 640x480 1572 bit rate movies but we would never consider offering 720x576 8,000 VBR rate DVD format because it would just take too long to see the scene.

Most people who visit sites want a quick fix and to find the latest shoot. They don't really want to spend 4-5 hours downloading the movie to see the scene.

Just a thought.

Steve

[jake]

oh .. i totally agree .. there is still a huge percentage of people still on dial-up .. so what we've done is make all our content available in different sizes and players for the streaming .. and even m-peg format for downloads...what we're doing is uploading it with our anystream in a great big format so that those who do have the fast connections can actually see some nice clear full screen video.. :)

[phil1210]

you say the sites you edit for use high quality video so can you name a few so i can maybe join them.thanks

[jake]

you say the sites you edit for use high quality video so can you name a few so i can maybe join them.thanks

I actually don't do the primary editing .. i produce and perform in them .. to see them all you have to do is click on the link at the bottom Visit my Sites!! (http://www.sweetmoney.com/link.php?s=SMM&r=jakethedog)

[phil1210]

sorry jake but my question was for steve.
steve as you edit for web sites which are using high quality video can you name a few so i can consider joining up.
thanks

[jake]

LOL.. np ..who that was a bit arrogant of me wasn't it ..lol

[Steve]

I currently edit for Victoria Swinger (www.victoriaswinger.com) but we do have other projects in the pipeline which will also use the same quality level, or maybe higher (looking at moving to 720x576 one day soon)

Our movies are directed by Kovi (Hungarian multiple porn oscar winner), and filmed by one of Privates best cameramen. We try to ensure that we keep our quality at all times.

Our review is currently available on this site too. Jeppe and his crew did a great job in analysing our site and making a very good judgement.

I am going to talk soon to Victoria about bringing other photosets of other models online because we will also be creating the websites for Maya Gold and Claudia Ferrari.

Thanks