mpeg-4 video codecs

[Mr Gisin]

For those not familiar with mpeg-4, it defines two video formats.

The original is called MPEG-4 visual, based on H.263. Walkmans support Simple Profile L3.

The new one is called AVC (or H.264), Walkman support Baseline L1.3. Wikipedia

Neither profile supports B-frames, but Sony does for MPEG-4. This gives it an advantage requiring less bits.

My question is, for a given bitrate (say 300k), which codec gives better quality?

BTW, nobody mentioned avidemux as an encoder. It is multi-platform, and has tons of encoding options an filters. Perhaps too much for newbies.

[CrowdAds]

[dfkt]

h.264 gives a better quality-to-size ratio.

[Mr Gisin]

h.264 gives a better quality-to-size ratio.

You've completely ignored my point, the other has b-frames.

[dfkt]

No need to be rude. Your question was: My question is, for a given bitrate (say 300k), which codec gives better quality?

How did I not answer that?

B-frames really don't make that much of a difference. MPEG-4 AVC has a better quality/size ratio in any case than h.263, MPEG-4 SP, ASP, and so on.

Just encode a few videos with different settings and try it for yourself.