Best codec and settings to export GoPro video

Fedex03 wrote on 1/17/2021, 8:53 AM

Hi there,

I'm working on the video captured with my GoPro Hero Session 4 (50 fps - 1920 x 1080).

The video was taken on summer 2019 during my vacation and finally I can edit it with my new PC.

My first question is: Which is the best codec to export the video? Currently I'm using MPEG4 - 16:9 - 25 fps.
Should I create a project for 50 fps insted of 25?

And second question: To use my graphic card (AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT), in the export settings I checked "Calculate video effects on GPU". Is this enough or should I do something else?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Best regards,

Federico

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 1/17/2021, 9:17 AM

@Fedex03

Hi.

. . . . . Which is the best codec to export the video? . . . .

The simple answer to that is 'there is no one size fits all solution' it depends on your target media and audience and the source video resolution, framerate, and bitrate.

A few examples may help if you are creating for::

Online presence eg Youtube/Vimeo etc then use their recommended settings - eg YT and Vimeo are here, other online sites should have similar recommendations.
Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp etc have format, resolution and play length limitations.
Blu-Ray disc - these are taken care of if you are creating a disc within Movie Edit Pro (MEP).
Playing on TV or computer, from a memory stick, internal/external hard drive etc - the most compatible format is MP4 video encoded h.264, audio AAC or AC3 and setting the resolution to the same as the playback device or higher.

The important setting is actually to match the project settings in MEP to the source video and ideally use the same framerate on the export as the source video, try to avoid changing framerates eg 30 fps to 25fps or the reverse. Changing from 60 to 30 fps or 50 to 25 fps is OK.

. . . . To use my graphic card (AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT), in the export settings I checked "Calculate video effects on GPU" . . . .

That is not necessary and often extends the export time, depending on the version of MEP you are using the graphics can can only be used for acceleration of some effects both for Preview and exporting.

If the processor is an Intel, with integrated GPU which is an HD4600 or better, than MEP should be able to use that for export acceleration - you may need to set this up in the Windows Graphics settings.

HTH

John EB
Forum Moderator

Fedex03 wrote on 1/17/2021, 9:31 AM

Hi,

thanks for the reply.

I want to use my holidays video to play on TV for parents/friends.

Ok my fps downgrade satisfies your rule! That is OK!

My CPU is an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and the export is very fast compared to my previous Surface 6 Pro.

If I look into the System Manager, I saw a GPU usage around 24% so I think that it is used by the MEP ( I have the latest version 20.0.1.73).

Thanks!

BR,

Federico

johnebaker wrote on 1/17/2021, 10:11 AM

@Fedex03

Hi Fedrico

. . . . saw a GPU usage around 24% so I think that it is used by the MEP . . . .

The GPU will be used for acceleration of some effects eg Brightness, Contrast, Mercalli Stabilisation and a few others.

John EB