Encoding makes my video fuzzy

Question

I have a recording of a GoToWebinar webinar. They use a special codec, so I need to encode before bringing it into Camtasia for a bit of editing and publishing. The recording (a WMV) is very clear. But after encoding the new WMV is fuzzy. I set it for Best Quality and that didn't change the results. Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks!

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PowerPoint MVP http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com http://www.twitter.com/EFinkelstein

Answer 1

What settings did you use? Are you changing the resolution?

First, try encoding with Video = Source. If that doesn't work, encode using VC-1 Advanced with bitrate maximized and Differential Quantization = I, B, and P frames.

The following set-up will produce high quality video:

• Video = VC-1 Advanced
• Mode = VBR Quality
• Frame Rate = Source
• Key Frame Interval = 2 seconds (see below)
• Peak Buffer Window = 2 to 4 seconds should be OK
• Average Bitrate = 135000 (see below)
• Peak Bitrate = 135000 (see below)
• Size Mode = Source
• Video Aspect Ratio = Source
• Video Complexity = Best (5)
  
• Adaptive Dead Zone = Conservative
• Differential Quantization = I, B, and P Frames
• In-Loop Filter enabled
• Overlap Filter enabled
• B-Frames = 1
• Adaptive GOP enabled
• Closed GOP enabled
• Motion Search = Full True Chroma
• Motion Match Method = Adaptive
• Motion Search Range = Adaptive
• Motion Vector Cost = Dynamic

There are differing opinions regarding the best key frame interval. In general, two seconds should work well. If your webinar is just presentation slides without movies, talking heads, or animation, then longer intervals will be fine, too.

For maximum quality, set average and peak bitrates to 135000. VC-1 bitrate is self-limiting, so the actual encoded rate will be lower. Bitrate can be reduced as required if the resulting file size is too big, but at the expense of quality.