ImageMagick horrible quality?

[mimoss03]

Hi, New here...

I've been working with Imagemagick for only a few days now and technically i can get it to do what i need it to...
Convert an image sequence into a .mov movie format. It is outputting the correct format, This is the code im using:

convert *.tga -quality 100 c:\destination\test.mpeg

Since i will be getting a lot of images into that source directory i wrote a batch file and duplicated that aboe line several diffrent times, each line replacing the *.tga with other formats. Seems to work just fine, if it gets to a line with a format that is not found it just moves to the next line until it finds a corresponding image sequence with the correct format.

My problem, is that once the .mov file is created, it looks horrible! I mean, bad pixelation, streaking while its being played. etc etc... It reminds me of a monitor refresh rate problem. (But sure its not my monitor.) Tested several diffrent movies on several diffrent monitors, all look the same. I've tried playing with the -quality flag; set to 100, the -delay flag, the compress flag, its all outputing the same way. Anybody run into this before and know a fix? Maybe a flag im missing?

Thanks,

Mike

[fmw42]

I do not make videos and do not know if this applies to mpeg, but you might review http://www.imagemagick.org/Usage/video/

Also have you verified that you can make one tga file into an mpeg still (single frame) and get reasonable quality. This is is it the conversion to mpeg or the optimization of the mpeg as a video.

[mimoss03]

I converted a single .tga image to a single .jpg image and the quality is perfect.

Not sure how to convert to a still .mpg. What would be the extension to use? In the meantime i will look at the link you provided. Thanks.

[fmw42]

I converted a single .tga image to a single .jpg image and the quality is perfect.

Not sure how to convert to a still .mpg. What would be the extension to use? In the meantime i will look at the link you provided. Thanks.

What about convert image.tga image.mpeg? can you do that and if so what is the resulting quality.

or

convert image.tga image.tga image.tga image.mpeg

3 frames only of the same input

[mimoss03]

I did what you suggested.

It still converts to an animated video, obviously, But with only 1 frame. Trying to play the video, that frame goes by to quick to see anything. Sooo...I imported that single frame .mpeg into After Effects to be able to see it. I can definetly see some quality loss. (Even with the -quality 100 tag). However, it is still not even close to how it looks when it is played with ALL frames converted. The full 240 frame converted animation comes out to a very small file size. (1.5 MB) If you would like, send me your email and i will email the video to you. Maybe you will have an idea when you actually see the result.




Thanks again for the help.

Mike

[fmw42]

Mike,

I really know very little about the quality of mpeg and how to optimize. Perhaps you should try using ffmpeg standalone. I believe that is the delegate library that IM uses (at least on Unix/Mac). I tried to create a short mpeg video but got some ffmpeg errors and have not had a chance to reload ffmpeg to see if that helps. You are welcome to send me the video, though I don't know if I will be able to help much. My email address is fmw at alink dot net.

Perhaps Anthony will have more suggestions for you as he knows more about animation/video than I.

Fred

[anthony]

I have not made mpeg videos, though I have done some general video conversion.

The notes I do have however have been 'squirrelled' away from emails and this forum are located in
http://www.imagemagick.org/Usage/formats/#mpeg