H265/VP9 + FLAC encoding
Information
Currently there‘s two high efficiency codecs, namely H265 & VP9, competing on the market. Here‘s a brief comparison between the two:
H265:+ Much faster encoding
+ Marginally better efficiency
- Not supported by YouTube (due to licensing costs)
VP9:+ Supported by YouTube
- Marginally worse efficiency
- Much slower encoding
To make it short: H265 is best used for downloadable videos, while VP9 is the choice for streaming platforms such as YouTube.
Video guide
In the following guide I‘ll showcase how to maintain high quality throughout the workflow and how to use the two aforementioned codecs in a convenient way using
Handbrake.
To generate a real world GTAS alike video scenario, I recorded SA at Full HD at 25 FPS and cut/rendered the footage in Vegas. For Vice City you should be using 30 FPS instead.
In order to maintain a higher video bitrate on YouTube, I've included upscaling & frame doubling additionally.
YouTube
Results/Examples
I highly recommend using
Google Chrome for YouTube streamings. YouTube locks 4K & 8K with 50/60 FPS for other browsers completely.
Download: 1920x1080, 25 FPS, H265 (19 MBit/s), FLAC, 44.1 kHz, 16 bits
DropboxStreaming #1: 3840x2160, 50 FPS, VP9 (71 MBit/s), FLAC, 44.1 kHz, 16 bits
YouTube (upscaled with frame doubling)
Streaming #2: 3840x2160, 50 FPS, VP9 (61 MBit/s), no audio
YouTube (native 4K with frame doubling)
FAQ
Q: What software should I record with?
A: Any lossless capturing software will be fine. I'd recommend Fraps or Dxtory.
Q: What about Shadowplay, ReLive, OBS, XSplit, etc.?
A: Do yourself a favor and don't use them. Their recordings are lossy.
Q: What's a lossy recording?
A: A recording that lost quality due to compression and doesn't equal the original 1:1.
Q: What resolution should I record at?
A: Always go for the highest your hardware can handle.
Q: Can I use/record resolutions higher than my monitor's native?
A: Yes, with so called
downsampling.
Q: What aspect ratio should I record at?
A: That's a personal preference, but 16:9 is the standard.
Q: What framerate (FPS) should I record at?
A: 25 for San Andreas, 30 for Vice City.
Q: How to read out media properties?
A: I highly recommend
MediaInfo.
Q: What software should I edit in?
A: Use whatever you're most comfortable with.
Q: What should my project settings in the editing software be like?
A: Use your footage's resolution & FPS. Always use a sample rate of 44,1 kHz. Don't stretch pixels and don't use interlacing.
Q: Why are you upscaling the video for the lossless render? Does it increase video quality?
A: It doesn't increase video quality. However, upscaling allows for higher bitrates after YouTube's recompression.
Q: Why is an audio sample rate of 44,1 kHz so important?
A: Anything higher is a waste of disc space. This sample rate will suffer the least from YouTube's recompression.
Q: Why are you doubling the FPS for the YouTube render? Does it increase video quality?
A: It doesn't increase video quality. Frame doubling allows for higher bitrates after YouTube's recompression.
Q: Why aren't you upscaling the downloadable video?
A: There's no quality benefit. Just use the resolution you initially recorded at.
Q: I uploaded my 4K 50/60 FPS video to YouTube. Why doesn't the 4K 50/60 FPS quality option show up?
A: Google Chrome is the only browser allowing YouTube streams at 4K with 50/60 FPS.
If you're having problems or questions, don't hesitate asking!
