New Guide: Introduction to SUPER

This week has been another light one for Glossary updates as I've been working on guides instead. Our latest guide is an Introduction to Super.

It covers installation and basic operation of the Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer, or SUPER. SUPER is somewhat unique because if offers an extremely simplified interface to a number of very powerful tools. This makes it possible to Encode with the ease generally associated with consumer tools, but with the quality you expect from the best free and open source encoders available.

In addition to adding content, we're also working on improving how it's presented. If you've read my recent guides you may have noticed some layout changes, including additional information on related guides and terms at the bottom of the first and last page of each guide. There are also footnotes which will give you some advanced information related to various subjects.

We'd love to hear your opinions on any changes we make so we can provide the most useful guides possible.

Coming Next Week: Next week look for a guide for encoding MPEG-2 captures to MPEG-4 AVC.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 15 Mar 2008 2:34

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16 comments

Ryu77

I found Super created conflicts with my existing codec base (K-lite mega codec pack). I personally prefer to handle each step of my encoding with an individual application.

However, I think this application would be a fantastic place to start for anyone looking for an easy to understand all in one encoding application.

15.3.2008 03:33 #1

Sudds

This software will never again find a place on my PC.
Total crap, the finished encodes are very bad, if you want to encode video stay away from this crap and use MeGui or Xvid4psp, excellent all round encoders.

15.3.2008 08:10 #2

7thsinger

The guide is good and easy to follow. It's a good intro to this App.

I just hope anyone using it has better luck with it than i did. I too had problems with the finished encodes, finding them less than lackluster, at best.

15.3.2008 08:42 #3

Sudds

Its agreat guide Vurbal dont get me wrong, but your time and effort could have been better spent on better software.

15.3.2008 08:52 #4

vurbal

Originally posted by Sudds: Its agreat guide Vurbal dont get me wrong, but your time and effort could have been better spent on better software.
I disagree. A lot of people are using SUPER regardless of whether I help them or not. The average SUPER user isn't someone who would be picking MEGUI or AutoMKV as an alternative. If not for Super they'd probably be paying for lower quality, so I consider it a legitimate option just on that basis.

15.3.2008 11:24 #5

vurbal

Originally posted by 7thsinger: The guide is good and easy to follow. It's a good intro to this App.

I just hope anyone using it has better luck with it than i did. I too had problems with the finished encodes, finding them less than lackluster, at best.
In my testing I found the results to generally be good, but not spectacular, but it's not my personal choice of software, and my encode settings don't tend to match other people's, so I don't know what that means.

15.3.2008 11:27 #6

7thsinger

I just meant that i've had better luck with my video encoding utilizing other applications. That's all.

Like i said, the guide is great, no offense to you, Vurbal, or your guide.

I've just NOT been real impressed with Super. That's all.

"Sir, i would not harm thee for the world...but thou art standing where i'm about to shoot."

15.3.2008 11:52 #7

vurbal

Originally posted by 7thsinger: I just meant that i've had better luck with my video encoding utilizing other applications. That's all.

Like i said, the guide is great, no offense to you, Vurbal, or your guide.

I've just been real impressed with Super. That's all.
No offense taken ;-)

Feedback, both positive and negative, is always welcome.

15.3.2008 11:55 #8

Sudds

Quote:Originally posted by Sudds: Its agreat guide Vurbal dont get me wrong, but your time and effort could have been better spent on better software.
I disagree. A lot of people are using SUPER regardless of whether I help them or not. The average SUPER user isn't someone who would be picking MEGUI or AutoMKV as an alternative. If not for Super they'd probably be paying for lower quality, so I consider it a legitimate option just on that basis.Granted your right there on that one...
I suppose we all started somewhere, hope they see sense sooner rather than later! lol

15.3.2008 14:48 #9

Ryu77

I strongly recommend that anyone looking to take advantage of the next generation of digital video to get a grasp on the h264 codec (x264).

Super could indeed be a good starting point. :-)

"Dream... Believe... Achieve"

15.3.2008 19:37 #10

DaleC22

Super is full of crap. Doesn't encode anything, there is always an error and I know what I'm doing. I can't find any good H.264/iPod converters, they all don't work, even Videora.

16.3.2008 01:23 #11

vurbal

Originally posted by DaleC22: Super is full of crap. Doesn't encode anything, there is always an error and I know what I'm doing. I can't find any good H.264/iPod converters, they all don't work, even Videora.
If you say none of them work it's not a problem with the software. It's your system.

If you "know what you're doing" you should realize that already.

16.3.2008 01:26 #12

Ryu77

Originally posted by DaleC22: Super is full of crap. Doesn't encode anything, there is always an error and I know what I'm doing. I can't find any good H.264/iPod converters, they all don't work, even Videora.If you really knew what you were doing then you wouldn't need a dedicated iPod video converter. You would already know the limits of the iPod's h264 decoder and be able to use any h264 encoder and adjust the advanced encoder settings yourself.

Try RipBot264 (free)... It is a very easy to use program. It also has iPod profiles. Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?gypbjgmtyyw

Nero Recode (commercial) also includes iPod profiles.

Also, if you're having so much trouble with h264 encoding why don't you try mpeg4 simple profile (no b-frames) instead. On a positive note, the files will encode much faster. The iPod can also play these files and I doubt you will notice the difference on the little iPod screen.

"Dream... Believe... Achieve"

16.3.2008 01:45 #13

DaleC22

Quote:
If you really knew what you were doing then you wouldn't need a dedicated iPod video converter. You would already know the limits of the iPod's h264 decoder and be able to use any h264 encoder and adjust the advanced encoder settings yourself.
Nero Recode (commercial) also includes iPod profiles.I have like 4 encoders and I change the settings to the iPod Redo, FPS, BitRate, Audio codec, BitRate etc. and then in iTunes it reckons it can't be played on this iPod so i convert the video in iTunes and it has the exact same reso, bitrate and everything and it plays on my iPod!

16.3.2008 01:50 #14

Ryu77

DaleC22, I have done many encodes for my iPod and I use a completely open profile and manually adjust the settings myself. I have never had any problems.

I have also managed to push these media files slightly past what the iPod specifications state that it can accept.

Just an example... The iPod specs state that an iPod can handle 640 x 480 resolution. Did you know that this is purely an example? The real formula is the amount of pixels decoded, not the horizontal or vertical resolution. So my point is, that it's possible to re-encode a DVD (16:9 or 2.35:1 AR) and still keep all the horizontal resolution. A 16:9 AR ratio DVD resized with 1:1 square pixels = 720 x 400 (mod 16).

640 x 480 = 307,200 pixels
720 x 400 = 288,000 pixels

Also, I have allocated a slightly higher bitrate than the spec sheet states is the limit (1.5Mbps for AVC, 2.5Mbps for mpeg4 sp) and the files still play.

So, as you can see... It is possible to tweak the settings slightly to take full advantage of the iPod video decoder.

Did you have a look at RipBot264? Just choose the iPod profile for the video, select AAC LC @ 160Kbps for the audio. Choose the mp4 container and all should be fine.

"Dream... Believe... Achieve"

16.3.2008 02:14 #15

DaleC22

Yea RipBot is awesome! Thanks guys!

16.3.2008 20:49 #16

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