MAX SLOW in Adobe Media Encoder CC2014

visionmill · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

I'm finding that encodes using MAX are really slow when done using AME CC 2014.

I need to create a 4mbps clip and am using a 5 minute Pro-Res HQ 1920x1080 50i source clip

AME takes 7:50 to encode it to H264 using Matrox MAX setting. I have the data rate limited to 4mbps

If I do the same test in Compressor it only takes 3:48. I am using the Youtube 1080p25 preset but have set the target data rate to 4mbps instead of 10

Why is there such a different when both are using the same hardware?
I can render direct to H264 quicker in AME without the MAX hardware and just using my cpu.

Any suggestions how to make AME go quicker?

Thanks

visionmill · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

I should add that I'm running Yosemite 10.10.2 AME 2014.2

Matrox_Support_Sam · Site Admin Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 6881

Are you seeing the Matrox MAX presets now?

Is the Matrox MAX hardware scaler enabled for both comparison tests in AME and Compressor?

Are the same source files used for encoding in Compressor and AME?

Are you running the exact same exporting preset or values in AME vs Compressor?

Are you performing a file export from Premiere or FCP X? No effects or filters in AME source export?

We can first determine the export missing MAX preset issue from your original posting. http://forum.matrox.com/mxo/viewtopic.php?t=14184
_________________
Regards,
Sam
Matrox Video Technical Support

visionmill · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

Yes I'm using exactly the same file for the tests. I'm not exporting directly from Premier or FCP as this machine is only being used as an encoder with content coming from multiple places. The file is 1920 x 1080 50i pro-res 422 with stereo audio.

In Compressor I'm starting with the Matrox Max H.264 for Youtube HD 1920x1080p 25 44.1 kHz preset. The only change I am making is to the bitrate - changed from 10 to 4

H264 Level: 4.2
Frame Size: 1920x1080P (16:9)
Pixel aspect: Square 1.0 (greyed out)
color space: High Definition (greyed out)
Frame rate: 25 fps
Web streaming (fast start) ticked
GOP size: 64 frames
Distance between P frames: 2
Hardware scaling: not ticked
Noise Filter: None
Scene Detection: not ticked
Algorithm: CABAC (greyed out)
Compression type: Constant data rate
Target data rate: 4 Mb/s
Sample rate: Low
Data rate adjustment:50
Audio Enabled / AAC / Stereo 44.1 /Quality normal / Target Bit Rate 128

In AME I have created the following preset:
Format Quicktime
Effects Tab: None ticked
Video Tab:
Codec: Matrox Max H.264
Quality 100
Dimension/frame rate: based on source
Advanced Settings: None ticked
Bitrate Settings: Limit data rate to 4,000kbps

In the codec settings I have
Algoritm: CABAC
De-interlaced: unticked
Level: 4.2
Noise Filter: None

Audio Tab:
Codec: AAC
Sample Rate: 48000 Hz
Audio Track: Single Track
Channel layout: Mono
Bitrate: 128

I don't know if the hardware scaler is enabled under AME - there isn't an option anywhere I can see to turn it on or off

In the interests of a further comparison I created a preset in Episode. This created the file in 3:28 - similar to compressor.

Episode Settings:
Fps: 25
Key Frame every: 24
Limit data rate to: 4000
Frame reordering: ticked
Quality: Best
Algorith: CABAC
De-interlace: unticked
profile: 4.2
noise filter: None

Hope that helps. There seem to be so many more settings available when using compressor. Some of these are available in Episode and barely any in AME.

Matrox_Support_Sam · Site Admin Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 6881

What are your system specs? In AME, do you have Use Maximum Render Quality or Use Previews checked in Export Settings window?

We will try to firstly get the MAX presets installed properly in AME.
_________________
Regards,
Sam
Matrox Video Technical Support

visionmill · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

I now have the Matrox presets visible. If I use the youtube 1080p25 (as I used in compressor) but with the data rate set to 4mb I'm getting a encode time of 4 minutes exactly for the 5 minute clip which is great improvement and a few seconds quicker than compressor.

I thought just for safety I would try and encode of an hour long clip. When I put it in AME it bombs straight away with the following in the log

visionmill · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 8

I did a quick restart and now it seems to be encoding the hour long file without bombing.

Thanks for your help Sam.

Matrox_Support_Sam · Site Admin Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 6881

Great to hear all is working well now. Thanks for the update. We will lock this post but please feel free to start a new post for any new issues you may encounter.
_________________
Regards,
Sam
Matrox Video Technical Support