Export to .mp4 pixelates video track additions

CDDavis

I'm running VideoPad 17.14 on Windows 10, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, driver v572.60 w/DirectX 12.0, and AMD Rizen Threadripper.

I'm trying to extend the final 3-5 seconds of the video track to match the duration of the audio track.

I made a snapshot of the last video frame with a 3-second duration and placed it at the end of the previous video track. The snapshot has the same resolution as the video.

The extended video plays fine under VideoPad while in the project.

However, when I export the video to .mp4 format, it is pixelated at the time where the snapshot was added and then the last couple of seconds plays fine.

The pixelation appears in the video when played with Prism, VLC, Media Player Classic, as well as in VideoPad [when reloading the exported video].

It is something VideoPad is doing to the output file.

I have filed a bug report.

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The workaround is to export in a different file format (e.g. mpg) and then use Prism to convert to mp4

borate

Loaded a :15 file onto the timeline here, deleted three seconds of the video, took a snapshot of the last video frame and added it to the end of video.

Checked the mp4 export in both VP and with MPC-BE. No pixelation, just a freeze. Using this release.

Please share your project, loaded to the point where the snapshot is in the bin but not yet added to the end of the video. The process is easy, quick and can be done privately. Just follow these steps, one-by-one. Don't miss any steps...

Back up --- With your project on the timeline, click on MENU at the top-left. Click FILE|BACK UP PROJECT FILES TO FOLDER. Choose a folder and SELECT FOLDER.
Upload --- Use a free server - Google Drive, MS OneDrive, etc.* - to upload the saved, numbered FOLDER. No need to upload the individual VPJ or export file.
Get link --- Right-click the file and click SHARE. If using Google, right-click the file, click SHARE | SHARE. Change "restricted" to "anyone ... can view"
Share --- Click COPY LINK or OK | DONE. Paste that link here, or click the folder at the top-right of this forum to message it privately. It won't be shared.

* Before uploading, right-click the folder, click PROPERTIES. Look at the File Size to confirm that it's not too big for the free space on the server.

If using Google please remember to change "restricted" to "anyone with link can view."

CDDavis

All the following links will automatically download.

Here is the project file, as I last left it with the snapshot appended and exporting to .mpg file (this works correctly)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ikz5dysacd0toi8oqgyay/White-As-Snow.vpj?rlkey=nyo8k6vpu5xxgw871cll65j2r&st=g7hoy3hq&dl=1

The project file I uploaded to the bug report is set to export to .mp4, which fails.

Here are the two input files:
This is the original video in which the last 2-3 seconds of video and audio track are truncated (the problem I'm trying to fix)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/55vgaheat05g7g9xg9530/White-as-Snow-Maranatha-Singers.mp4?rlkey=hzy7cd7wk0numyzx0lcltvleo&st=z6gountu&dl=1

This is the full length audio which replaced the truncated audio track:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/epcmjupx2mjn2np6cfhua/White-As-Snow-Maranatha-Vocal-Band.mp3?rlkey=t2xwz7c0fvbk9uzhizwwrhh2t&st=kdw7pnzu&dl=1

This is the 3-second snapshot made from the last video track frame:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0athgdybi196vbxrhklkd/Snapshot-18.png?rlkey=mtmkjwzsckerudua99qpa32wv&st=t3l0xvnn&dl=1

And this is the error output when exporting to .mp4, note the pixelation at 0:2:55
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7q2th39gghky8rtsk0s80/White-As-Snow-15.mp4?rlkey=kvegikrgkumlrp9qo7mb6az62&st=cv862fam&dl=1

Also, when exporting to .mp4, to reproduce the failure, set Video Quality/Bitrate: 1000 kbps and Frame Rate: Variable (Smart Max 45fps).

Those two settings would be evident in the project file I uploaded to the bug report.

When I just now, exported to .mp4 with the above two settings, the problem reproduces as reported. You have a test case.

borate

My take is that you are bumping up against a limitation of the H264 encoder. Up the bitrate to at least 25000. (Result is 68kMB)

If you must export at 1000kbps, use the H265 encoder, but the file size will be about 68MB. Both exports here were perfect.

CDDavis

I just now tried the HEVC/H265 encoder, worked fine, no pixelation errors, Yay!

I assumed VideoPad would default to the best choice. The original video was encoded with AVC/H264, which is what Videopad defaulted to. Because I made a snapshot from the same encoded frame, same resolution, I would think AVC/H264 encoding of the new export would "match" everything. No?

As I have no way of knowing what H264 should be capable of, in hindsight I can't say whether this is a VideoPad bug or not. Your call.

In the future, how would I know what encoder to use? Aside from trial & error guessing (which I hate).

Borate, could you please find the bug report I submitted yesterday (I wasn't give a number) and add this discussion thread to it?

borate

Default is usually good, which is the case for the H264 export of your project. In the export window, click the Default Quality/Filesize blue link to confirm.

Don't worry about the bug report.☺️