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More Encoding Tests!

Colin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:26 +0000

It's time for another TWiT encoding test. Please download the files below, try them out on your favorite devices to watch TWiT shows on (like Rokus, iPads, etc) and leave your results in the comments.

We're looking for:

Does it play?

Does it play smoothly?

How is the artifacting?

How is the quality?

Is it in sync?

And most importantly: compatibility. Try these on your devices and let us know if your favorite one for watching TWiT doesn't work.

Please leave your results in the comments below. Don't email them - leave them in the comments below.

Files labeled "existing" are what you get today when you download a TWiT netcast. Files labeled "proposed" are the new versions.

Existing SD mobile
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7400/ztest7400_h264b_640x368_256.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 640x368 at 256kbps Video with AAC CBR 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed New SD mobile
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7500/ztest7500_h264b_640x368_256.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 640x368 at 256kbps Video with AAC VBR 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Existing SD high
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7400/ztest7400_h264b_864x480_500.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 864x480 at 500kbps Video with AAC CBR 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed New SD high
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7500/ztest7500_h264m_864x480_500.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Main (Level 3.1) 864x480 at 500kbps Video with AAC VBR 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Existing HD
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7400/ztest7400_h264b_1280x720_2560.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 1280x720 at 2560kbps Video with AAC CBR 128kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed New HD
http://twit.cachefly.net/video/ztest/ztest7500/ztest7500_h264m_1280x720_1872.mp4
MPEG 4 AVC Main (Level 3.2) 1280x720 at 1872kbps Video with AAC CBR 256kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

This Week in TWiT May 5, 2012

Bryan — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:36:53 +0000

This Week in TWiT April 7, 2012

Bryan — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:35:18 +0000

Goodbye, Lumia 900

Colin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:23:27 +0000

Alex wipes his beloved Nokia Lumia 900 loaner phone.

TWiT at the 2012 NAB Show, April 16-19: Stage Schedule

Lynn — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:18:08 +0000

TWiT will be broadcasting from 2012 NAB Show. Watch our live coverage at the TWiT stage just inside South Lower Hall, or LIVE.TWIT.TV starting at 9am Pacific Monday 4/16 through Thursday 4/19. Below is our stage schedule.

MON APR 16

9-11am Live from NAB Show w/ Leo Laporte & friends
12-2pm Home Theater Geeks w/ Leo Laporte & Scott Wilkinson
4-5pm Live from NAB Show w/ Leo & friends

TUE APR 17

9-11am Live from NAB Show w/ Leo & friends
11am-1pm MacBreak Weekly w/ Leo Laporte & Alex Lindsay
4-5pm Ham Nation w/ Leo Laporte, Bob Heil, Kirk Harnack & George Thomas

WED APR 18

9-11am This Week in Radio Tech (TWiRT) w/ Kirk Harnack
11am-1pm Live from NAB Show w/ Leo & friends

THUR APR 19

9-11am Live from NAB Show w/ Alex Lindsay & Scott Wilkinson

New Encoding Formats

Colin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:05:45 +0000

We're getting ready to roll out some new encoding formats (see my previous post) for TWiT shows that will give higher quality, smaller files, and enable us to roll out great-looking HD to all our shows.

One of the biggest risks in rolling out new formats is breaking compatibility with older devices. We know our audience likes to watch TWiT on a wide variety of portable players and TV boxes, and unfortunately we don't have them all here at the studio to test on. So we are reaching out to the TWiT Army for help.

Below you will find links to a short video encoded in both the current and proposed encoding settings.

We would like you to download these and try them out on whatever devices you enjoy watching our shows on.

Please report in the comments below what works and what doesn't. Be as specific as possible regarding brands, models, and software versions. Also be sure to include what version of our netcasts you usually download for watching.

Here are the links:

Mobile/SD low

Formerly the "SD low" version, "mobile" will be our compatibility encoding. It will be designed for maximum compatibility with older devices. Nothing is changing with this version except that it will be encoded with Handbrake CLI instead of ffmpeg.

Existing version
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 640x368 at 256kbps Video with AAC 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed new version
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 640x368 at 256kbps Video with AAC 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Standard/SD high

Formerly known as "SD high", the "Standard" encode will be moved up from Baseline Profile 3.0 to Main Profile 3.2.

Existing version
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 864x480 at 500kbps Video with AAC 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed new version
MPEG 4 AVC Main (Level 3.2) 864x480 at 500kbps Video with AAC 96kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

The "HD" version is currently only available for TWiT. It will be updated to Main Profile 3.2 and made available for all shows.

Existing version
MPEG 4 AVC Constrained Baseline (Level 3.0) 1280x720 at 2560kbps Video with AAC 128kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

Proposed new version
MPEG 4 AVC Main (Level 3.2) 1280x720 at 2560kbps Video with AAC 128kbps 2CH 48Khz 16-bit Audio

PS: The lip sync may be off in these. Don't worry about that, we just forgot to adjust it before encoding them :).

This Week in TWiT March 10, 2012

Bryan — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:44:15 +0000

Security Now: The Lost Coffee Episode

Liz — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:22:58 +0000

For your viewing pleasure! The Lost Coffee Episode of Security Now:

Watch live video from TWiT Live on Justin.tv

The TWiT Brick Wall Of Honor

Liz — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:52:35 +0000

Here is your first in-depth look at the TWiT Brick Wall.

This Week in TWiT Feb. 25, 2012

Bryan — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 03:19:30 +0000