x264?

[Trem]

What is x264? I see loads of films that say x264 then Bluray 720p etc. Are they Bluray films that have been ripped to fit on a dvd9 disc or are they simply Bluray films to go onto a Bluray?

 

[Clown]

I thought it was just another way of compressing the video.

 

[dysfunction]

Thats right its for encoding H264/AVC video streams

I other words its a type of video codec...

Its one of the best around aparantly

 

[SheepCow]

Indeed. It's another video codec, like DivX, Xvid etc.

It's newer and it's supposed to be better. I believe x264 is the name for the open source H264 codec.

 

[Trem]

So if your standalone plays the codec you can have a 720p/1080p film on a dvd and watch it in that resolution?

Do standalones play this codec generally or is it a PC only format?

My dvd player is an Oppo if that helps any.

 

[Jarakin]

So if your standalone plays the codec you can have a 720p/1080p film on a dvd and watch it in that resolution?

Do standalones play this codec generally or is it a PC only format?

My dvd player is an Oppo if that helps any.

Ive not seen any standalones that do x264 tbh... Thats why I have an HTPC.

 

[nath]

Yeah, and I'd be surprised to see a standalone play it for a while - the x264 codec (when it comes to 720p and 1080p res) requires some serious processing power. My old p4 2.8 could only just keep up with it - every 10 minutes it'd lose sync with the sound.

 

[Yaka]

pc only atm, dream Xboxes via xbmc are supposed to play em fine and also you can get hd dvds/blu ray flicks ripped to x264 in the sie of dvd-5 or dvd-9 image for x360 al you need is dvd disc, usb hdd or some thing

 

[nath]

Original Xboxs with XBMC can't play them (unless somethings changed since I last tried it). That is to say, they appear to have the codec, but don't have the processing power to keep up.

 

[Trem]

pc only atm, dream Xboxes via xbmc are supposed to play em fine and also you can get hd dvds/blu ray flicks ripped to x264 in the sie of dvd-5 or dvd-9 image for x360 al you need is dvd disc, usb hdd or some thing

Tell me more please (via PM).

You can only get 720p through the Xbox 360 though, is that correct?

 

[Clown]

Some fuckers have worked out how to rip it to .wmv, 4gb or so in size, so it plays on your x-360. Is that what you're talking about Yaka?

 

[Yaka]

nath i said dreamx boxes which have 1.6gz cpu modded and 128mb ram are known to play em

bout the x360 got mixed up with somat else, iguana and smeg groups release .wmv files from hd broadcasts and hddvd i thought they were x264. yep clown thats what im on about

 

[Jonty]

Tell me more please (via PM).

You can only get 720p through the Xbox 360 though, is that correct?

Hi Trem

All up-to-date Xbox 360s can output up to 1080p (the 'highest' of the current 'high definition' options). Obviously it depends on the connections used and the display you have, but there shouldn't be any major problems (although I don't have a 360 to confirm this).

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. If HDMI is your connection of choice, currently only the Xbox 360 Elite supports it. However, Microsoft's 'Falcon' update to the 360 may more broadly introduce HDMI when it debuts later this year (but nobody knows for sure; it may just replace the Elite version at first).

 

[Trem]

Jonty!!

Thanks for that, which connection from the Xbox 360 would I need to display 1080p? I do have a 1080p telly.

 

[Jonty]

Jonty!!

Thanks for that, which connection from the Xbox 360 would I need to display 1080p? I do have a 1080p telly.

Hi Trem

According to Microsoft, both component and VGA cables should support 1080p (and obviously HDMI for those who own the Elite version of the 360). Apparently all existing games can be upscaled to 1080p, and the 360 can also handle native 1080p content (games, movies etc.).

Enthusiasts note that not many HDTVs suport VGA connections, and they debate whether component cables are good enough (they would prefer HDMI 1.3 or DisplayPort). However, given that many people can't tell the difference between 1080p and 1080i etc., I wouldn't worry too much. Just give it a try and see what you think.

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. You may want to check your HDTV specifications first. Apparently some HDTVs only support 1080p via HDMI, not component inputs, although I've not personally encountered this before.

 

[Ch3tan]

Yep Trem, you can only get 1080i via component on your TV. There are very few HDTV's on the market that support 1080p over component or VGA. For the big brand TV's only the Sony w2000 and the Sharp that Deebs has (can't remember the model). Lots of no brand and rebadged mid -low range LCD's do support it, but the picture quality aint great.

If you want 1080p on your TV you will need to get the Elite 360 when it comes out, or wait to see what MS do. The black Elite is meant to be limited edition.

Of course, having said all that, you could go 1080p over component to your A/V receiver (assuming you get the Onkyo) and out put via HDMi from that. And then you will have 1080p.

 

[Jonty]

Hi guys

Thanks Ch3tan, I wasn't aware about component and 1080i situation (maybe I've been away too long!). Anyway, it sounds like good information and advice.

As for the 360 Elite version, it's confirmed that it will be a permanent option alongside the core and premium versions. Most premium owners don't see the need to upgrade, but hopefully once the 'Falcon' update comes along people may have more of an incentive if it includes HDMI along with the other promised benefits.

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. This may not be suitable, but the Xbox 360 has been shown streaming a 720p movie via WiFi from a media centre PC. It was would have to be a normal WMV file, not x264 encoded, but it could be an option depending on your requirements.

 

[Ch3tan]

What is this "falcon" update all about then?

 

[Jonty]

What is this "falcon" update all about then?

Hi Ch3tan

'Falcon' is the codename for the next hardware update to the Xbox 360 (the 'Elite' update was codenamed Zephyr). Falcon is important because the internal components (such as the CPU and GPU etc.) will change from a 90 nanometer design to a 65 nanometer design. The main benefits of this size reduction are reduced costs, less heat, and improved reliability.

In addition to this, the other rumoured changes are:

• New heatsinks to complement the improved internal design (and hence prevent the overheating hardware failures).
• The possibility inclusion of an internal power brick, HDMI support, and (more remote) a quieter disc drive.
• A likely price reduction (one analyst predicts it will cost US$249, US$349, and US$399 for the new core, premium, and elite units).

Anyway, it's all just speculation right now, but everyone expects the Falcon update to be released later this year to coincide with the array of new 360 titles that set to be released.

Kind regards

Jonty

P.S. 360 HQ explains this better than I can, but hopefully the gist is the same.

 

[Trem]

There are very few HDTV's on the market that support 1080p over component or VGA.

Does ours support it though (the Sharp)?

Think Deebles has a Sammy telly.

 

[Ch3tan]

Yeah I couldn't recall the model number of his TV. No the sharp does not support 1080p over VGA or component. No big deal really, if you really want 1080p from a 360 -then get the updated elite console when it comes out. You may not notice the difference between 1080i and p anyway.

 

[Deebs]

My sammy does 1080p over vga, component and hdmi. It is the LEF7140 or something like that.

 

[Jonty]

You may not notice the difference between 1080i and p anyway.

Hi guys

That's very true, I know many people (and have also read many reviewers) that say they can't notice the difference on most setups. So whilst 1080p is good to have, it's not the end of the world if you're using 1080i.

Kind regards

 

[smurkin]

Hi guys

That's very true, I know many people (and have also read many reviewers) that say they can't notice the difference on most setups. So whilst 1080p is good to have, it's not the end of the world if you're using 1080i.

Kind regards

I find it very dependant on the quality of the deinteracing - the Oppo that trem has bought should show a visible difference 1080i>p, but probably only when viewing the set from a few feet away. The benefit of the higher data content for 1080p is a bit dubious in the average living room....maybe if you have a huge screen.....

 

[SheepCow]

The Xbox 360 can play H264 encoded video at 720p (I couldn't find a higher resolution video to test with at the time) over component quite happily.

 

[Clown]

Not many people find them as .wmv though

 

[SheepCow]

They don't need to be in wmv containers, a standard mp4 container will do fine. Even .mov files can be played (assuming they're H264 and have a playable audio stream, so not all of them)