Below are some of my settings used to encode my videos.
Sony Vegas Video for Windows .AVI Settings
Produces high quality small size video at an expense of longer encoding duration.
Requires x264VFW .dll before you can encode this video using x264 Configuration.
You can obtain the latest x264vfw by installing K-Lite Codec Mega Pack or download from SourceForge x264vfw
Custom Settings – Video for Windows
Save as Type: Video for Windows (*.avi)
Frame Size : (Use project settings)
Frame Rate : 30.000
Field order : None (progressive scan)
Pixel aspect ratio : 1.0000
Video Format : x264vfw H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec
Interleave every (seconds) : Unchecked
Create an OpenDML (AVI Version 2.0) compatible file : Unchecked
Include Audio : Checked
Audio Format : Lame MP3
Attributes : 44100 Hz, 128kbps CBR, Stereo
My Project Settings Frame Size is 1280×720, so video encoding will follow it.
For Frame Rate Per Second (FPS), its best to follow video recording frame rate.
Otherwise set it 24 FPS or above to get HD (Hight Definition) Video on Youtube.
x264vfw configuration
Preset : Medium
Tuning : Animation
Profile : High
Level : Auto
Fast Decode : Unchecked
Zero Latency : Checked
Rate Control : Single pass – ratefactor-based (CRF)
Ratefactor : 28.0
Create Stats File : Unchecked
Output Mode : VFW
VFW FourCC : X264
Virtual Dub Hack : Unchecked
SAR Width : 1
SAR Height : 1
Debug Log Level : None
Disable All CPU Optimizations : Unchecked
Disable Decoder : Unchecked
Set Zero Latency checked to prevent video audio lag/desync.
Set rate factor as 23 (excellent quality), 25 (high quality) or 28 (average quality).
The bigger the rate factor, it reduces more video quality and file size.
Uncheck Debug Log Level to prevent error log window to open up.
Disable Virtual Dub Hack to avoid black out videos.
Sony Vegas MainConcept AVC/AAC .MP4 Settings
Produces average quality small size video which takes lesser encoding time of x264.
Use this to produce video quickly with average quality.
Include Video : Checked
Frame Size : 1280 x 720 (Set to your video resolution)
Allow Source to Adjust Frame Size : Unchecked
Profile : Main
Frame Rate : 24.000 (Set to your video recording or to your liking)
Allow Source to adjust frame rate : Unchecked
Field Order : None (Progressive Scan)
Pixel Aspect Ratio : 1.0000
Number of Referenced Frames : 10
Use Deblocking Filter : Checked
Variable Bit Rate : Checked
Two-Pass : Unchecked (Check for better quality, but doubles encoding duration)
Maximum Bitrate : 2,000,000
Average Bitrate : 1,000,000
Include Audio : Checked
Sample Rate (Hz) : 44,100
Bit rate (bps) : 64,000
Video Rendering Quality : Best
Stereoscopic 3D Mode : (Use Project Settings)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much bitrate should my video require to achieve certain quality?
A: It depends on the video resolution.
Assuming video resolution is 1280 x 720 (1280 pixels in width, 720 pixels in height)
Total Pixels of that resolution is 1280 x 720 = 921600
A static video (PowerPoint slideshow) requires 0.25 bit per pixel.
0.25 bit per pixel x 921600 pixels = 230,400 bits (render video @ 230 Kbits)
A slow motion video (with some fast action scene) requires 0.5 bit per pixel.
0.5 x 921600 = 460,800 (render video @ 460 Kbits)
A high motion video requires 1.0 to 1.5 bit per pixel
1.0 x 921600 = 921,600 (render video @ 921 Kbits)
1.5 x 921600 = 1,382,400 (render video @ 1.38 Mbits)
A high definition (HD) video requires 1.5 to 2.0 bit per pixel.
2.0 x 921600 = 1,843,200 (render video @ 1.84 Mbits)
I opt for a 250 Kbit step increments.
For example, instead of 230 > 460 > 921 > 1380 > 1840 Kbits,
I use this increment : 250 > 500 > 1000 > 1500 > 2000 Kbits.