xREL.v3

60.Minutes.S51E22.READNFO.720p.WEB.x264-MenToo

2019-03-23

MenToo source bitrate @ 3093kb/s.
MenToo resolution 1280x720
MenToo audio AAC 2.0
MenToo subtitles N/A

EXECUTION you should take your own advice and "don't involve other groups in this".
Yeah sure, why not. While we are at it, I take responsibility for all the crap that have been
released by every other group for the past year. *happy face*
No, I'm not the "scene reference group". No one is! That's why we have Ruleset for each section.
Yes, I make mistakes but I learn from them.

So by EXECUTION "standards" if source audio/subtitle is out of sync, it's "OK" to release it with
this issues/flaws because they aren't caused by you!? *thumbs up*
This isn't only a Dplay issue. I have seen releases from other sites with sync problems.

Using a higher CRF on 720/1080 when it isn't necessary..
Take 720p for example.. "A CRF value of 18 must be used for all 720p resolutions".
Your setting makes you use a higher CRF because it gives you a higher bitrate that exceed source bitrate,
but with a default setting with the same source you can use CRF 18.
I did a few encodes on the source you had this problem just to find out why you needed to use higher
CRF.
You use --aq 3 settings and that's why your bitrate exceed source bitrate.
It's not that hard to make a couple of test encodes.
--aq 3 settings "maybe" works better with --preset slower/veryslow/placebo, movie/tv-show with a lot
of dark scenes, 2160p source or it requires more careful tuning with CRF for each source.

4.23.1) For complex video, --preset slower/placebo is encouraged.
4.23.2) --aq-mode 3 --aq-strength x.x

A lot of changes have been made in x264 since 2016 that can have impact on some of this settings.

Like the time I told you that --me hex isn't allowed but you answered "a top group had Ok'd your
settings". Yes, you changed it later. *the sound of a broken record*

For people/groups that missed this change, --preset slow --me hex was set as default 3 months after WEB Ruleset was released.

x264 changelog 28 Jul 2016.
Adjust --preset slow

* Swap --me umh for --trellis 2. They have a similar effect on performance
but the latter gives slightly better results in most cases.
* Change --b-adapt from 2 to 1. Negligible difference in quality since the
b-adapt 1 improvements, but it's significantly faster.

* Also remove a redundant assignment from veryfast (--me hex is set by default)

Example: Andra.Aket.S01E05.SWEDiSH.720p.WEBRip.X264-AVRATTNING vs Andra.Aket.S01E05.SWEDiSH.PROPER.720p.WEBRip.x264-MenToo
Andra.Aket.S01E05.NFOFIX.SWEDiSH.720p.WEBRip.X264-AVRATTNING *NFOFIX can't fix bad settings*

-AVRATTNING --aq 3 --me hex (CRF 19) Bitrate 2372 kb/s
-MenToo --aq 1 --me umh (CRF 18) Bitrate 2433 kb/s

Back to audio format and quality:
2.4) High Definition releases must use the highest available audio format and quality offered by the source.

Where in that line does it say anything about bitrate??
Not even in the example you see anything about bitrate.

e.g. A source provides an AC3 5.1 track for SD resolutions, but
an AAC 2.0 track for 720p/1080p. The AC3 5.1 track must be
used for 720p/1080p resolutions.

This part is for people/groups who misinterpreted rule 2.4)
Example: E-AC-3 5.1 192 kb/s and E-AC-3 5.1 640 kb/s are the same format and quality. A valid proper
would be if a group use AC-3 5.1 when E-AC-3 5.1 / Atmos 5.1 is available.

Here's a couple of examples of "valid" and "invalid" propers.

Orange.Is.the.New.Black.S06E08.720p.WEB.x264-STRiFE used AC-3 5.1 and DEFLATE used E-AC-3 5.1. Better format. *valid proper*
Berlin.Station.S03E01.1080p.WEB.X264-METCON used AC-3 5.1 and STRiFE used E-AC-3 5.1. Better format. *valid proper*
Berlin.Station.S03E05.1080p.WEB.X264-METCON used AC-3 5.1 and STRiFE used E-AC-3 5.1. Better format. *valid proper*
The.Haunting.of.Hill.House.S01E01.1080p.WEBRip.X264-METCON used E-AC-3 5.1 and DEFLATE used E-AC-3 JOC (AC3+ + Atmos) 5.1. Better format. *valid proper*

Titans.S01E01.1080p.WEBRip.X264-AVENGER used E-AC-3 5.1 and METCON used E-AC-3 5.1. Same format and quality. *invalid proper*
Alexa.and.Katie.S02E08.1080p.WEB.x264-STRiFE used E-AC-3 5.1 and ADRENALiNE used E-AC-3 5.1. Same format and quality. *invalid proper*

Marvels.Iron.Fist.S02E01.READNFO.PROPER.720p.WEB.X264-METCON
From METCON nfo: Rule 2.4 states the highest available audio FORMAT and QUALITY must be used, DD+
with Atmos is better than regular DD+ - bitrate is not quality,
there is no audible improvement of 640 vs 480. But there is with Atmos. So, the Atmos audio is the
best audio for this show. Other group used 640kbit DD+, this has Atmos. Enjoy.
*METCON proper because of better audio format*
Key part in METCON nfo "bitrate is not quality"

Titans.S01E01.PROPER.1080p.WEBRip.X264-METCON
From METCON nfo: Other group didnt use best available audio
*AVENGER used E-AC-3 5.1 and METCON used E-AC-3 5.1*
*METCON proper because of higher audio bitrate* <-- bitrate is quality in this case???

Alexa.and.Katie.S02E08.PROPER.1080p.WEB.x264-ADRENALiNE
From ADRENALiNE nfo: STRiFE release has 448 kbs audio while 640 kbs is available
*STRiFE used E-AC-3 5.1 and ADRENALiNE used E-AC-3 5.1*
*ADRENALiNE proper because of higher audio bitrate* <-- bitrate is quality in this case???

Think I have proved my point.

From WEB Ruleset:

[ Transcoded: WEBRip.x264 ] does mention audio bitrate

* 3.6.3 Audio must be captured in the highest format offered by the source
stream, not what the capturing device is capable of. This includes
channel count and bitrate offered.
e.g. If a Netflix show lists a 5.1 track, the resultant capture
and release should also contain a 5.1 audio track.

[ Transcoded: Audio ] does mention audio bitrate

* 5.5.1 AC3 bitrate must not be below 640 Kbps, unless the original source
audio is already in a low bitrate lossy format. In which case, the
original audio must be used and not transcoded.

* 5.5.2 AC3 640 Kbps, DTS 1536 Kbps, and FLAC must be created from a
higher bitrate source.

[ Audio ] does mention audio bitrate

* 8.1.2 For audio originally packaged in a lossless (LPCM) format, audio
must be converted to a lossy format without any down-mixing of
surround channels. e.g. AC3 640 Kbps, DTS 1536 Kbps, and FLAC.

[ Untouched: Audio ] doesn't mention audio bitrate

There is a difference between Untouched and Transcoded. Didn't really think I needed to explain that.