Request Feature request (Netflix): add posibility to select 1 of two 1080p video tracks

[YuriyUA]

Hey,

I noticed my recent downlods video tracks were encoded with different encoding params
a) CRF+max 20Mbs like other previous downloads
b) 2pass encoding - something new.

I asumed that Netflix changed their encoding algorythm until I checked the AnySteam log and discovered that there are 2 video tracks, e.g.

00:39:07.510 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1200936168): 1920x1080, bitrate 4020000
00:39:07.510 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1200936589): 1920x1080, bitrate 6190000

Moreover, if I download a full season, the diferent episodes have different encodings (typically 2-pass).
But if I download a single episode it is typically crf+max. 20Mbs

I read that CRF gives better quality.

Therefore I want to request a possibility to choose between those 2 available video tracks when I download a single episode. Because currently there only a possibility to choose the resolution (see attached)

BR,
Yuriy

 

[cartman0208]

AnyStream selects the highest available bitrate in a given resolution ...

 

[BCloud]

I didn't see your post. I made one here : https://forum.redfox.bz/threads/as-strange-behavior-on-nf.86265/
I have the same problem as you. But the highest bitrate is not always the best quality. On NF there are 2 video tracks, a H264 high profile (high bitrate with CRF) and H264 main profile with generally lower bitrate (but not always because high profile have better compression).

AnyStream selects the highest available bitrate in a given resolution ...

The problem is AS doesn't see each time all the video tracks (or NF doesn't provide all, I don't know). On each click I have different values (see my post).

To have several resolution with the bitrate beside it's a good idea, unless AS can check the H264 profile before downloading it ?

A temporay solution : you can click several times on the title and see if the bitrate change, so you can download the video you want. It's what I do, I download the 2 videos and check which is CRF.

 

[YuriyUA]

But the highest bitrate is not always the best quality.

Abolutely! That's the point of CRF vs 2passs.

A temporay solution : you can click several times on the title and see if the bitrate change, so you can download the video you want. It's what I do, I download the 2 videos and check which is CRF.

Damn, I can confirm from second attemp the downloded track was High profile CRF. Appreciated the hint.

So it's obvious AnyStream doesn't pick the highest bitrate, but somehow randomly.
Also I can confirm I had exactly the same issue aith audio track while downloading the whole season, botha audio tracks were 128kbps stereo but when I redownloaded a single episode 640kbps 5.1. Will need to review all previous downloads to catch same issue.

 

[Kalemvar]

That would be a great add the option to be able to select high OR main profile from NF, I second that

 

[0x0x0x0x0]

<snip>

A temporay solution : you can click several times on the title and see if the bitrate change, so you can download the video you want. It's what I do, I download the 2 videos and check which is CRF.

Bear in mind CRF is not always the better option, for example, Archer S13 has a far better bandwidth budget in 2-pass than in CRF, ditto for Wednesday...

Incidentally, if your storage is on POSIX-ey OS, the following will find all 2pass encoded videos (modify it as needed):

find . -type f -name \*mp4 -exec sh -c 'mediainfo --Inform="Video;%Encoded_Library_Settings%" "{}" | grep -qo rc=2pass' \; -print

 

[Jaaaamie]

I noticed this as well. I would also like the the option to choose which 1080 file to download. It is random at the moment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[oldaa]

In my opinion, this debate is quite difficulty because no one can know in advance whether a better video CRF or two pass encoding will. To make the video really good quality, the CRF factor should be set around 13 -17. Quality videos reencoding with the quality factor CRF 13-17 have one disadvantage. The reencoded videos can be larger than the original video. Therefore for the specific videos is really better twoo pas encoding. Not for quality but for absurdly large size. Jsem přesvědčený že žádný automatický režim nebude schopný vybrat lepší kvalitu. It is true that for video Two Pass Encode the higher bitrate means better quality. Ale pokud bude mít video CRF stejný bitrate nebude horší ani lepší. The advantage of the CRF is just that it does not waste a high data flow where it is not necessary. But with another video can controversially generate huge files. Personally I would stay at the selection of video with the highest bitrate

 

[coopervid]

In my opinion, this debate is quite difficulty because no one can know in advance whether a better video CRF or two pass encoding will. To make the video really good quality, the CRF factor should be set around 13 -17. Quality videos reencoding with the quality factor CRF 13-17 have one disadvantage. The reencoded videos can be larger than the original video. Therefore for the specific videos is really better twoo pas encoding. Not for quality but for absurdly large size. Jsem přesvědčený že žádný automatický režim nebude schopný vybrat lepší kvalitu. It is true that for video Two Pass Encode the higher bitrate means better quality. Ale pokud bude mít video CRF stejný bitrate nebude horší ani lepší. The advantage of the CRF is just that it does not waste a high data flow where it is not necessary. But with another video can controversially generate huge files. Osobně bych zůstal u výběru videa s nejvyšším bitrate.

Doesn't make sense. AS is just downloading what is available on the sites. No screen-recording or whatever you have in mind.

 

[oldaa]

Yes I understand it well. I only respond to the first post that claims to see more videos to choose from

 

[cartman0208]

Just open the log window When browsing Netflix, you'll see what AnyStream gets presented by the Provider.

 

[BCloud]

Just open the log window When browsing Netflix, you'll see what AnyStream gets presented by the Provider.

18:52:40.864 - [Notice] [netflix] Request playlist
18:52:41.212 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021464451): 480x270, bitrate 100000
18:52:41.213 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021464780): 608x342, bitrate 114000
18:52:41.213 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021462967): 768x432, bitrate 168000
18:52:41.213 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021463284): 768x432, bitrate 249000
18:52:41.213 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021467334): 960x540, bitrate 381000
18:52:41.214 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021462370): 1280x720, bitrate 709000
18:52:41.214 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021462628): 1280x720, bitrate 1121000
18:52:41.214 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021463467): 1920x1080, bitrate 1788000
18:52:41.214 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021463712): 1920x1080, bitrate 2836000
18:52:41.215 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021463993): 1920x1080, bitrate 4179000
18:52:41.215 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021464284): 1920x1080, bitrate 6558000

18:52:41.549 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021464451): 480x270, bitrate 100000
18:52:41.549 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021464780): 608x342, bitrate 114000
18:52:41.550 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021462967): 768x432, bitrate 168000
18:52:41.550 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021463284): 768x432, bitrate 249000
18:52:41.550 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (1021467334): 960x540, bitrate 381000

18:52:50.948 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (304487754): 320x240, bitrate 130000
18:52:50.949 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (304492171): 384x288, bitrate 170000
18:52:50.949 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (304499079): 512x384, bitrate 260000
18:52:50.949 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (304738576): 512x384, bitrate 370000
18:52:50.949 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (305064217): 720x480, bitrate 540000
18:52:50.950 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (305075798): 720x480, bitrate 790000
18:52:50.950 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (306016768): 1280x720, bitrate 1100000
18:52:50.950 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (306651662): 1280x720, bitrate 1690000
18:52:50.950 - [Debug] [playlist:netflix] Adding video track (308675615): 1920x1080, bitrate 3650000

The same title, several clicks on the download button.

 

[oliax]

would like to get as most basic github scripts just do it fine..

 

[Joseph.]

The competitor added the option to choose High@L4 or Main@L4 for Netflix videos in its latest update.

And many will say "option A is not always better or B".

We respect opinions, always.

However, it's always nice to have the ability to choose what works best for you when downloading your favorite show.

That is all.

 

[Joseph.]

High@L4>>>

Complete name : the.pale.blue.eye.2022.1080p.
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4
File size : 2.61 GiB
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 2 872 kb/s

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 4 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 1 334 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 20.0 Mb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels




###################################




Main@L4>>>

Complete name : the.pale.blue.eye.2022.1080p.
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 4
File size : 5.01 GiB
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 5 514 kb/s


Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L4
Format settings : CABAC / 3 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 3 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 2 h 10 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 4 636 kb/s
Nominal bit rate : 5 000 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 7 500 kb/s
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels

 

[Jaaaamie]

The competitor added the option to choose High@L4 or Main@L4 for Netflix videos in its latest update.

And many will say "option A is not always better or B".

We respect opinions, always.

However, it's always nice to have the ability to choose what works best for you when downloading your favorite show.

That is all.

This is just the thing I was hoping was possible! Hopefully RedFox can add it at some point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Kalemvar]

It has to be done at some point, NF HPL is getting worst with lot of low bitrate since a moment. Yeah it’s 1080p but the quality isn’t their anymore for new stuffs

 

[Xander]

If you activate HEVC in the competitor settings you can but not allways will get it, really hope redfox looks into this aswell.

 

[Joseph.]

I notice that improvements that are suggested in this forum for AS the competitor adds in his software. And for those who use both, they always win. However, we wait for the moment to see them in AS as well. But I think that here this subject (High@L4 or Main@L4) is just like Amazon's CBR, out of the question.

 

[Joseph.]

About Netflix.

Not only the bitrate changes, but also a new resolution that was hidden appeared.

I tested it in practice with the series "Pasión de Gavilanes" which is available in maximum resolution "576 pixels X 432 pixels" for the first season. By following the guidance of clicking several times on the title, the profile changed to "Main@L3" and the resolution increased to "720 pixels X 480 pixels", consequently also increasing the video bitrate.

However, trying to download all the episodes with the "new resolution" did not work. The profiles alternate between "High@L4 and Main@L4". That is, it does not always download the highest bitrate or the best resolution. Even though this technique is used for that purpose.