Encoding Speed

Ok here what you need to do. (BTW its worth the ffort, as Neros AAC is quite good IMHO)

Go here and download the encoder.
Nero - Download the Nero AAC Codec

Unzip it. Theres only 1 file you need.
It is inside the Win32 folder of that package, and its called:

neroaacenc

That the only thing you need.

Next go to your tools folder in MeGui's install location.
By default this is:
C\ Program Files (x86) \ MeGui \ Tools

Inside the tools folder make a new folder called (Nero)
Then put that neroaacenc file you downloaded into it.


The only other thing you need to do, is tell MeGUI where it is.

In MeGUIs main window, click Options at the top, then choose Settings.

In the Window that pops up, click on the External Program Settings Tab.
Then,in the Nero section, click the little box to the right, and browse to the location you put the NEroaacenc.
(( C/ Program Files (x86) / MeGUI / Tools/ Nero / neroaacenc.exe ))


And thats it.

Also, while you are in this section, in the Extra Config Tab, you can click on Choose Auto Encoder Default settings.
here you can change the defaults to your liking.
For example, always use a MKV and Use Profile settings.

Ok, did you clear all the jobs in Queue, and restart them? I would recommend doing that at this point.
But before you Queue it again, click the Options Tab at the top of the main MeGUI screen, and choose update.
Update everything if there are some available. (right click / check all / to install multiple updates in each pop up)

The only thing you'll need to double check and change is the Audio setting, before going to the Auto Encode section.

Also, I would suggest configuring your Nero Encoder like the snip below for now.

Preprocessing Audio is normally if you are using the 'Normalize Peaks" , "Apply Dynamic Compression" options, or both. This is normal.
If these 2 features are disabled, ther will be no pre-processing.
Totally optional if you want to use these features or not. If you do, it'll just add 2 or 3 minutes to the Audio encode process.



As far as the video, It may be soley due to the setting in the Encoders Profile.
My guess is that for 1, slow 1st pass is enabled. This has changed to be "On" by default now if I remember correctly. (I actually totally forgot about this)

This option does offers a bit more accuracy, but the overall result is not at all worth the significant increase in encoding time. At least IMHO.
You can gain quality elsewhere, without nearly as much of a hit.



Being as I am unsure what profile you are using, and the fact they do get updated from time to time, Ill post what I think is a fairly good comprimise between speed and quality. At least to get you started for now. You can then tweak to your hearts content once you start getting the hang of everything.




Start with the profile MAXCompatability (DXVA)

At the main screen, Click "Show Advanced Settings"
Change Mode to 'Automated 2 pass"
Set Bitrate to 1500 for now.





In the FRAME TYPE Tab:

Change Ref. frames to 5
And set your Adaptive B-Frames to, 2 Optimal, and Strict for the B-Pyramid.


Next, in the ANALASYS Tab:

Change MV Prediction to 'Auto"
Trellis = Always

And I would recommend checking 'No Fast Pskip" (It help reduce blockiness on solid colrs such as a sky)




And lastsly, on the MISC tab:

This is the biggest single setting, to gain a boost in total encoding time.
Uncheck Slow First Pass.




You really should change the settings in the MAIN tab and also the MISC tab I recommended.
this will speed things up.

The rest of the settings I am suggesting will help improve quality a little bit, at a slight impact to encoding time. Although it shouldn't be that much.
If you do not want to try these at this point, at least uncheck 'slow first pass" and make the changes on the main tab.




There are, many options that can be tweaked to get even better quality encodes, at the cost of some encoding time.
However, this should be fairly quick, with good results.
Also, trying to change threads setting on this Tab will not speed anuything up, but may actually make it slower.
I would recommend just leaving it @ 0 (Auto)



Remember, if you change these settings, you need to completely clear all items in Queue, Then re-Queue the job so the new settings will take effect.
No need to re-make the AVIsynth script, unless you just want to.

Also, running another encoder along side MeGUI will slow it down. The x264 encoder will use all available power it can.
Normal Priority is what it usually runs at I believe. It may have lowered itself due to other process using alot of CPU time.

It is rather complex, especially at first. But it does have its advantages in the long run.
IMHO, the end product just looks better than most.

It does take a bit to learn and get used to, but once you start learning it, its not as overwhelming as it first appears.


As far as speed goes, I understand wanting it to encode faster.
That 1 setting, 'Slow First Pass" will certainly slow thing down alot, and not really worth the trade off. So by disbaling it, it will speed up.

IMO, when it comes to Video Encoding, faster is not always better though. The faster it goes through the process the less accurate the results will be.

Still, too slow without noticeable results isn't good either :)


In the end, everyone has thier own preference on what they think is best.
If you ever decide to go back to this, and want some help, I'll be glad to help you out.