How to post a video quality test.

ballofsnow

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2008-07-12 03:15:13 pm

Types of quality tests

There are mainly two types of quality tests. The first is an optional “source file” quality test, where we verify the quality of the raw video from your capture device. The second type, if you're encoding your own run, is a required “final encode” quality test, where we verify that the quality of the video is suitable to be directly published on SDA.

Benefits of doing both “source file” and “final encode” quality tests:

If the “source file” quality test passes, this usually leads to a quick pass on the subsequent “final encode” quality test.
Easier troubleshooting. Problems that are identified are in a smaller scope, i.e. capture device to source files, and source files to final encode.

Drawbacks of doing both “source file” and “final encode” quality tests:

Raw video data can be rather large and is often hundreds of megabytes for a few seconds of video. Finding a suitable file host can be difficult.
An inherently longer process. Response time can be up to a few days.

Benefits of doing only a “final encode” quality test:

A potentially quick pass on your quality test.
Avoids uploading large raw video files. The final encode files may be small enough to be attached to your post and not use an external host.

Drawbacks of doing only a “final encode” quality test:

Difficulty in troubleshooting. Problems that are identified are in a larger scope, and can be anywhere between your capture device and final encode.
If there is a problem and we don't have the source file, more time will likely be spent going back and forth trying to find a solution. This is especially true if there are a string of problems, i.e. fix one problem only to uncover another. In some cases we may run out of answers and ask for the source file anyway.

Recommendations:

Follow the two-step process of posting both “source file” and “final encode” quality tests if you have a new capture setup and/or you are unsure whether the source file quality is acceptable.
Do a quality test before recording your entire run! You may find that your source files are unacceptable in which case there is nothing else to do but to re-run and re-capture.

Recommended format of your quality test thread

Thread title: Quality Test - [name of game] ([console])
Example: Quality Test - Pulseman (Wii VC/Genesis)

Thread content:

Type of quality test: source file / final encode.
Your operating system: Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Mac OS / Linux / other.
Capture hardware: DVD recorder / capture card / other / not applicable.
Capture software: software accompanying DVD recorder or capture cards / Fraps / Camtasia / other.
Capture video resolution.
Name of the game, which console.
If console, NTSC or PAL.
(“Final encode” quality test) How you produced the video: Yua / Anri-chan / following guides in the KB / other.

Upload sample(s).

“Source file” quality test sample:

Other than cutting, the source file sample must be untouched.
Choose a scene with lots of motion.
5-10 seconds is a good sample length.
Try compressing the source file in zip/rar format.
Don't use terrible file hosting services in this forum, including Youtube and RapidShare.

“Final encode” quality test samples:

If you used Anri-chan 3, upload the log file. It can be found in the finished folder.
Required:

LQ mp4 (~240p)
MQ mp4 (~240p)
HQ mp4 (~480p)

Optional (if you made them):

IQ mp4 (~720p)
XQ mp4 (~1080p+)

Not accepted:

*Q avi
*Q wmv

30-60 seconds is a good sample length.
Don't use terrible file hosting services in this forum, including Youtube and RapidShare.
If you followed the guides in the KB and created your own AviSynth scripts, post those as well. Associate them with the sample so we know which is for which. You can use [ code] [ /code] tags when posting the AviSynth code.

Thread title:

[size="16"][u][b]Types of quality tests[/b][/u][/size]

There are mainly two types of quality tests. The first is an [b][i]optional[/i] “source file”[/b] quality test, where we verify the quality of the raw video from your capture device. The second type, [u]if you're encoding your own run[/u], is a [b][i]required[/i] “final encode”[/b] quality test, where we verify that the quality of the video is suitable to be directly published on SDA.

Benefits of doing [i]both[/i] “source file” and “final encode” quality tests:
[list]
[li]If the “source file” quality test passes, this usually leads to a quick pass on the subsequent “final encode” quality test.[/li]
[li]Easier troubleshooting. Problems that are identified are in a smaller scope, i.e. capture device to source files, and source files to final encode.[/li]
[/list]Drawbacks of doing [i]both[/i] “source file” and “final encode” quality tests:
[list]
[li]Raw video data can be rather large and is often hundreds of megabytes for a few seconds of video. Finding a suitable file host can be difficult.[/li]
[li]An inherently longer process. Response time can be up to a few days.[/li]
[/list]
Benefits of doing [i]only[/i] a “final encode” quality test:
[list]
[li]A potentially quick pass on your quality test.[/li]
[li]Avoids uploading large raw video files. The final encode files may be small enough to be attached to your post and not use an external host.[/li]
[/list]Drawbacks of doing [i]only[/i] a “final encode” quality test:
[list]
[li]Difficulty in troubleshooting. Problems that are identified are in a larger scope, and can be anywhere between your capture device and final encode.[/li]
[li]If there is a problem and we don't have the source file, more time will likely be spent going back and forth trying to find a solution. This is especially true if there are a string of problems, i.e. fix one problem only to uncover another. In some cases we may run out of answers and ask for the source file anyway.[/li]
[/list]
Recommendations:
[list]
[li]Follow the two-step process of posting both “source file” and “final encode” quality tests if you have a new capture setup and/or you are unsure whether the source file quality is acceptable.[/li]
[li]Do a quality test before recording your entire run! You may find that your source files are unacceptable in which case there is nothing else to do but to re-run and re-capture.[/li]
[/list]

[size="16"][u][b]Recommended format of your quality test thread[/b][/u][/size]

Thread title: Quality Test - [name of game] ([console])
Example: Quality Test - Pulseman (Wii VC/Genesis)

Thread content:
[list]
[li]Type of quality test: source file / final encode.[/li]
[li]Your operating system: Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Mac OS / Linux / other.[/li]
[li]Capture hardware: DVD recorder / capture card / other / not applicable.[/li]
[li]Capture software: software accompanying DVD recorder or capture cards / Fraps / Camtasia / other.[/li]
[li]Capture video resolution.[/li]
[li]Name of the game, which console.[/li]
[li]If console, NTSC or PAL.[/li]
[li](“Final encode” quality test) How you produced the video:  [size="16"][url=https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/yua.html]Yua[/url][/size] / [size="10"][url=https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/anrichan_3.3__june_5_2011.html]Anri-chan[/url][/size] / following guides in the [url=http://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/]KB[/url] / other.[/li]
[/list]

Upload sample(s).

“Source file” quality test sample:
[list]
[li]Other than cutting, the source file sample must be untouched.[/li]
[li]Choose a scene with lots of motion.[/li]
[li]5-10 seconds is a good sample length.[/li]
[li]Try compressing the source file in [url=http://www.7-zip.org/]zip/rar[/url] format.[/li]
[li][url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/dont_use_terrible_file_hosting_services_in_this_forum_including_youtube_and_rapidshare..html]Don't use terrible file hosting services in this forum, including Youtube and RapidShare.[/url][/li]
[/list]
“Final encode” quality test samples:
[list]
[li][size="14"][color=red][b]If you used Anri-chan 3, [u]upload the log file[/u]. It can be found in the finished folder.[/b][/color][/size][/li]
[li]Required:[/li]
[list]
[li]LQ mp4  (~240p)[/li]
[li]MQ mp4  (~240p)[/li]
[li]HQ mp4  (~480p)[/li]
[/list]
[li]Optional (if you made them):[/li]
[list]
[li]IQ mp4  (~720p)[/li]
[li]XQ mp4  (~1080p+)[/li]
[/list]
[li]Not accepted:[/li]
[list]
[li]*Q avi[/li]
[li]*Q wmv[/li]
[/list]
[li]30-60 seconds is a good sample length.[/li]
[li][url=http://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/dont_use_terrible_file_hosting_services_in_this_forum_including_youtube_and_rapidshare..html]Don't use terrible file hosting services in this forum, including Youtube and RapidShare.[/url][/li]
[li]If you followed the guides in the KB and created your own AviSynth scripts, post those as well. Associate them with the sample so we know which is for which. You can use [ code] [ /code] tags when posting the AviSynth code.
[/li]
[/list]

Broedgeman

2011-12-01 04:17:46 pm

with a German dialect

if I don't can use Anri-chan what are the standards for LQ, MQ and HQ ans is HQ needed even for older consoles?
PS: i hope I'm allowed to post in this thread because im the first

Blumenriecher

2011-12-01 05:10:44 pm

E=mc²

Which program are you using instead? This might be of help http://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/MeGUI
You may also want to consider posting a quality test video, if you haven´t already.

nate

2011-12-01 08:10:54 pm

http://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/General_advice#Expected_final_results_for_self-encoded_runs

GLYgames

2012-09-30 04:13:50 pm

GLYgames

I'm confused... Where do I submit my sample??? Cheers! Cheesy

honorableJay

ballofsnow

Edit history:

ballofsnow: 2013-04-28 06:27:59 pm

honorableJay: 2012-09-30 05:45:08 pm

2012-09-30 05:43:00 pm

The Dork Knight himself.

Create a thread in the Tech Support forum using the template above.

Generally you'll get a response from a member or admin who can help you either tweak your setup to work or (if it's an admin) give you a green light to continue.

When actually posting the footage, you can use the attach function for the forums (you'll see a paperclip button) which can attach the files to the post itself. If you use to use a link from an outside site, try to avoid using a site that has tons of ads before downloading or limits speeds. A good one to use is http://ge.tt since it has no ads, is very lightweight, and is completely free.

GLYgames

2012-10-01 10:43:41 am

GLYgames

Thanks very much for the help and quick response! Very useful Cheesy

KinoftheFlames

2014-01-20 12:16:32 am

@KinoftheFlames

This may be a silly question, but is encoding the video with Anri-Chan as opposed to something like Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas Pro required?

Warepire

2014-01-20 10:11:00 am

Heavy Metal Powered

Quote from KinoftheFlames:

This may be a silly question, but is encoding the video with Anri-Chan as opposed to something like Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas Pro required?

It's not guaranteed that Adobe Premiere och Sony Vegas Pro will handle every step correctly.
While Anri-Chan, and the newer program Yua, is designed specifically to encode videos according to the SDA standards.
OR you can just submit the raws.
To be sure that everything is well in all steps of the chain, post a source file test (and a final encode test) in a new topic in the Tech Support board.

Mystery

2014-01-21 09:32:53 am

You are free to use any encoding program to encode your videos. However, if the videos does not match SDA's video requirements, they will be rejected.
Anri-chan, and Yua, are designed to encode the videos to match SDA's requirements without know-how on video encoding, making it an easy process to encode videos before submitting.
You can still use others programs to do the encoding, but the responsibility of making sure the videos match SDA's quality will fall on you. That said, you can probably get help if you post in the tech section with samples of your encoding to see if they match the requirements and if not, how to fix it.

nate

2014-01-21 04:12:53 pm

https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/General_advice#Expected_final_results_for_self-encoded_runs

yua does all this for you obviously.

RazorTH

2014-03-18 02:48:15 pm

Can I submit a video for quality test if it's on twitch?

UA

2014-03-18 03:25:15 pm

Yes, but it's extremely likely to fail.

Mystery

2014-03-18 03:31:40 pm

Unless you've been streaming at a very high quality (which I don't know if Twitch supports), it's unlikely to meet SDA's quality standards.

RazorTH

2014-03-18 03:38:23 pm

Thanks for the replies, it's just because i did a sort of test run of a game and then went to investigate all this "submit to SDA" stuff, so I wanted to know if i needed to record a local video or the stream was enough. I'll make a local record next time then.

technology4617

2014-10-25 11:07:48 am

I'm bad at video games.

Just a question: is it all right to use compressed video as the source file, so long as it's of decent quality? I don't have enough drive space to record raw video for a run at the moment.

Mystery

2014-10-25 11:11:32 am

Sure, but be sure to post a quality test.

Arcomaster

2015-01-21 11:16:59 am

Gaming Like A Baus

If anyone could help me that would be great.
Been looking on the forums and online a lot but i still dont get it.
What should i do to make a quality test and submit a run.
I read that you need to encode your run before submitting and i dont understand it.

Im recording and streaming everything with OBS, i got all recordings saved on my PC and rdy to be edited.
So my question. Do i need to do anything special with my footage before i submit it or is the raw video footage from OBS good enough?
Most things im able to fix by myself after reading a guide or watching a video about it but i could not find anything about this.
I have been reading most forum posts about the topic and i still dont get it :S

Thanks in advance and i hope anyone can clear this up so i know what to do.

Arco

ymh

2015-01-21 05:12:21 pm

Quote from Arcomaster:

If anyone could help me that would be great.
Been looking on the forums and online a lot but i still dont get it.
What should i do to make a quality test and submit a run.
I read that you need to encode your run before submitting and i dont understand it.

Im recording and streaming everything with OBS, i got all recordings saved on my PC and rdy to be edited.
So my question. Do i need to do anything special with my footage before i submit it or is the raw video footage from OBS good enough?
Most things im able to fix by myself after reading a guide or watching a video about it but i could not find anything about this.
I have been reading most forum posts about the topic and i still dont get it :S

Thanks in advance and i hope anyone can clear this up so i know what to do.

Arco

All the run footage hosted on SDA is encoded, because the raw files would simply be too big. In the past the staff would sometimes do the encoding for you, but I don't know if this is still an available service.
Instead you can do the encoding and submit the encoded files, which is more convienient for you (because of the smaller size) and for the staff (because they don't have to do it).

Quality tests are recommended to see whether or not your footage meets certain quality standards.
As explained above, you can either post a quality test of the raw footage or of the encoded footage.

To encode your raw files you could use one of the two following simple methods:
https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Anri-chan
or
https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Yua

[quote="Arcomaster"]If anyone could help me that would be great.
Been looking on the forums and online a lot but i still dont get it.
What should i do to make a quality test and submit a run.
I read that you need to encode your run before submitting and i dont understand it.

Im recording and streaming everything with OBS, i got all recordings saved on my PC and rdy to be edited.
So my question. Do i need to do anything special with my footage before i submit it or is the raw video footage from OBS good enough?
Most things im able to fix by myself after reading a guide or watching a video about it but i could not find anything about this.
I have been reading most forum posts about the topic and i still dont get it :S

Thanks in advance and i hope anyone can clear this up so i know what to do.

Arco
[/quote]
All the run footage hosted on SDA is encoded, because the raw files would simply be too big. In the past the staff would sometimes do the encoding for you, but I don't know if this is still an available service.
Instead you can do the encoding and submit the encoded files, which is more convienient for you (because of the smaller size) and for the staff (because they don't have to do it).

Quality tests are recommended to see whether or not your footage meets certain quality standards.
As explained above, you can either post a quality test of the raw footage or of the encoded footage.

To encode your raw files you could use one of the two following simple methods:
https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Anri-chan
or
https://kb.speeddemosarchive.com/Yua

Mystery

2015-01-22 03:10:01 am

Basically, before considering submitting OR recording, post a quality to test to ensure you're recording (and encoding, if you're doing that) at an acceptable quality. If your runs don't meet the quality requirements, they will get rejected.

So say that you have a run recorded, quality is OK and you are ready to submit. Then you have the option of encoding the files yourself, or submitting them directly (either by internet or sending some media physically). If you submit then directly, staff will handle the encoding for you. If you choose to encode them yourself, then check out yua which basically grabs your files and does all the encoding for you.

If you've encoded the files yourself, be sure to post a quality test to ensure the encoding was done correctly.

Arcomaster

2015-01-22 01:10:42 pm

Gaming Like A Baus

I think i have everything fixed now.
First OBS used to save my local recordings as FLV files and both vegas and YUA did not like that.
Now i save all recordings from OBS as MP4 files.
I edit and render the files as 1080p internet in Vegas and then i encode the files trough YUA, all seemed to work fine when i did a test yesterday.
Both the video and audio quality was good.

Only question left then. where do i post the quality test.
Im only able to reply on certain forum posts and i cant make a new post myself.
So do i post the quality test here and then someone with mod wil move it?
and where do i post the files. i see some ppl use goolgle drive, would Dropbox be a good way to post the quality test?

TheThrillness

Edit history:

TheThrillness: 2015-01-22 02:02:06 pm

2015-01-22 02:00:21 pm

thethrillness.blogspot.com

Don't involve Vegas. It really serves no purpose for submission and butchers footage, e.g: https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/quality_test__counterstrike__condition_zero_deleted_scenes_pc.html

If you do need to edit you can do this in Yua. Your OBS 1080p MP4 files go straight into Yua.

I don't know how SDA handles user registration now but as regard to where to post, do it in the Tech support area. There should be a button at the bottom left to create a new thread. Dropbox is perfectly fine as is Drive and MediaFire.

Arcomaster

2015-01-22 04:49:51 pm

Gaming Like A Baus

Quote from TheThrillness:

There should be a button at the bottom left to create a new thread.

black bar showing the URL in Chrome was in front of it and only went away if i scrolled over it. but found it now, thanks

JohnsoN BCJ

2015-08-10 11:51:36 am

Four legs good, two legs bad.

Awesome, thanks for the help.