History

TAS Encoding Package

• Requires minimal user input: whether it is a TV based console^[1] and what encode to do.
  • Sets SAR to 1:1 for handhelds, arcade machines and computers.
  • Calculates SAR for TV consoles to match 4:3 aspect ratio.
  • Runs the selected encoding (all, if chosen).
• Makes downloadable (8-bit & 10-bit) and streamable (512kb & YouTube HD) encodes in one flow.
  • Extracts audio automatically, accounting the logo silence.
  • Encodes audio, fixing desync when necessary.
  • Encodes video, DeDupping when necessary.
  • Uses FreeSub with BDF fonts for subtitles.
  • Muxes the final videos.
• Uses 4 additional folders to keep the most tidiness.
  • output - here your resulting videos appear.
  • programs - all necessary executionals and plugins lie here.
  • fonts - contains some BDF fonts and a viewer program.
  • temp - this one would contain temporary audio and video tracks, timecode files. You don't need to remove any of these files every time, as they are being rewritten on each run.

Script

# The downloadable / HD encoding script. For more information, see:
# https://tasvideos.org/EncodingGuide/HybridEncodeScript.html

# Replace "-0" with a framenumber to trim the source video after
AVISource("movie.avi").Trim(0, -0).ConvertToRGB32()

# Set the proper paths to these plugins, if they are neither
# in defalult AVISynth plugin directory, nor in root one.
LoadPlugin("ExactDedup.dll")
LoadPlugin("mvtools2.dll")
LoadPlugin("mt_masktools-26.dll")

# The below filenames are the filenames of your logo, be sure to keep the "" tags.
# Several methods prevent the logo distortion:
# 1) Separate logo for each aspect ratio the console has, except if it's TV based.
# 2) 4:3 aspect ratio for TV based consoles.
# 3) Logo resolution above 720.
file = "logo.png"

# Set this to true for HD encode resolutions.
# After uploading to YouTube, add "yt:stretch=4:3" tag to resulting video
# to correct the aspect ratio for TV consoles (not for handhelds)
hd = false

# Set this to true if this is a handheld console to disable aspect correction.
# If you are encoding in HD, you can ignore this.
handheld = true

# Adjust the below items to adjust the subtitles text.
# All the required information will be on the movies submission page.
# Be sure to keep the quotes everywhere, even when branch is blank ("").
game = "Metroid Fusion"
branch = ""
author = "BioSpark"
time = "1:35:19.3"
rerecords = "143141"

# This sets the start time for the subtitles to start displaying.
# A good choise is the beginning of the first level.
# This is set as a frame number.
subff = 15131

# This controls how long the subtitles stay on the screen.
sublength = 300

# This sets the y position for the subtitles,
# basically, how high or low they are up on the screen.
# The higher the number, the lower the subtitles.
# Make sure the subtitles don't obstruct any important action
ypos = 2

# Autoadjust the timing due to HD framerate reduction
subff = hd ? subff / 2 + 1 : subff
sublength = hd ? sublength / 2 : sublength

# This sets the start time for the second set of subtitles to start displaying,
# this is set as a frame number. Make sure there's at least a delay of 1 frame
# in between this set and the previous one.
subff2 = subff + sublength + 1

# This controls how long the second set of subtitles stay on the screen.
sublength2 = sublength

# Below is the size for the subtitles, standard encodes use a size of 10.
subsize = 12

# Below is the values for the left, center, or right positioning for the
# subtitles below in the script, modification shouldn't be attempted unless you
# know what you're doing.
positionleft = 7
positioncenter = 8
positionright = 9

# This sets the position of the subtitles in terms of direction, it can be
# left, right, or center.
# Set positionleft for left, set positioncenter for center, set positionright
# for right.
# Setting this to positioncenter is considered standard practice, so other
# positions shouldn't be used unless it looks far better.
position = positioncenter

# If you are sure, there's no frame altering flickering in the movie,
# or the game runs at half normal framerate, you can set this to false
# Has no effect if hd = false.
blend = true

# Set this to true to use the new advanced ng_deblink instead of TasBlend.
# Generally better.  Has no effect if blend = false or hd = false.
ngdb = true

# Set this to true for 10 bit 444 encodes. You additionally have to:
# 1) Use 10-bit version of x264.
# 2) Use command line option '--output-csp i444'.
i444 = false

# Passes for downloadable/streaming encodes:
# 0: audio extraction / streaming (archive.org 512kb; AR correction);
# 1: DupMC (no AR correction);
# 2: DeDup (no AR correction).
pass = 0

# This setting turns the audio/video desync fixer on/off using true/false.
# The below should always be set to false, barring the unusual occasion that it
# actually fixes the audio.
desyncfixer = false

# This setting adjusts the framerate for HD encodes when uploading to YouTube.
# This is to save space due to YouTube having a maximum framerate of 30 anyway.
# It is suggested to be at either 24 fps or 30fps for NTSC games (Depending on
# if they use alternating frame flicker or not).
# PAL games should generally be set to 30 fps, it can be set to 25 fps if there
# is no flickering, but it's difficult to notice the strobing effect in 30fps
# anyway. If you have ng_deblink enabled, you can ignore this.
hdframerate = 30

# THE BELOW CODE SHOULDN'T BE MODIFIED UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
# This automatically fixes length based audio/video desync if it exists inside
# the encode (eg. Many PCEngine games).
num = last.AudioLengthF * last.FrameRateNumerator
denom = last.FrameCount * last.FrameRateDenominator
fixedaudiorate = Round(num / denom)
(desyncfixer) ? last.AssumeSampleRate(fixedaudiorate) : 0


# This activates the frame dropper or the ng_deblink function for HD encodes.
# This depends on if the game simulates transperancy with alternating frame
# flicker. The frame dropper saves filesize without image loss, because YouTube
# caps at 30fps. The ng_deblink function, however, increases the filesize due to
# the frame blending, but optimizes the flicker effects for YouTube.

# blended = last.TASBlend()

# ng_deblink parameters:
# ng_deblink(0.5).SelectOdd (30 fps, NTSC encodes)
# Change "0.5" to "1.0" to get half framerate flickering.
# Leave empty "()" for default; some transparency, some flickering - TASBlend style.
# Exclude ".SelectOdd" to prevent framerate reduction.
# Replace ".SelectOdd" with ".SelectEvery(5,0,2,4)" for 25 fps, PAL encodes
hd ? (blend ? (ngdb ? ng_deblink(0.5).SelectOdd \
     : TasBlend()) : ChangeFPS(hdframerate)) : 0

# someone really likes these nonsensical clip names, so they shall remain untouched
sourcevideo = last

# High Definition.
factor = hd ? 8 : 1

b = sourcevideo.PointResize(sourcevideo.width * factor, sourcevideo.height * factor)

width = (b.width > b.height * 4 / 3) ? b.width : b.height * 4 / 3
width = (width % 4 == 1) ? width + 3 : \
        (width % 4 == 2) ? width + 2 : \
        (width % 4 == 3) ? width + 1 : width
height = (b.width > b.height * 4 / 3) ? b.width * 3 / 4 : b.height
height = (height % 4 == 1) ? height + 3 : \
         (height % 4 == 2) ? height + 2 : \
         (height % 4 == 3) ? height + 1 : height

c = handheld ? b : (hd ? b : b.LanczosResize(width, height, taps=2))
g = hd ? c : ((pass == 0) ? c : sourcevideo)

# Logo.
d = ImageSource( \
    file=file, start=0, end=int((sourcevideo.FrameRate * 2) - 1), \
    fps=sourcevideo.FrameRate \
).ConvertToRGB32().AssumeFPS( \
    sourcevideo.FrameRateNumerator, sourcevideo.FrameRateDenominator \
)
e = BlankClip( \
    d, audio_rate=sourcevideo.AudioRate, channels=sourcevideo.AudioChannels \
)
f = AudioDub(d, e).LanczosResize(g.width, g.height, taps=2)
last = f + g

# This is set of subtitles.
# This shouldn't be modified unless you know what you are doing
hd ? ng_bighalo( \
    game + "\n" + ( \
        (branch == "") ? "" : branch + "\n" \
    ) + "Played by " + author + "\nPlaying time: " + \
    time + "\nRerecord count: " + rerecords, y=(ypos * factor), \
    align=position, first_frame=subff, last_frame=(subff + sublength), \
    size=(subsize * factor), text_color=$00FFFFFF, halo_color=$00000000, lsp=2 \
) : Subtitle( \
    game + "\n" + ( \
        (branch == "") ? "" : branch + "\n" \
    ) + "Played by " + author + "\nPlaying time: " + \
    time + "\nRerecord count: " + rerecords, y=ypos, \
    align=position, first_frame=subff, last_frame=(subff + sublength), \
    size=subsize, text_color=$00FFFFFF, halo_color=$00000000, lsp=2 \
)

hd ? ng_bighalo( \
    "This is a tool\nassisted recording.\nFor details, visit\n" + \
    "https://TASVideos.org/", y=(ypos * factor), \
    align=position, first_frame=subff2, last_frame=(subff2 + sublength2), \
    size=(subsize * factor), text_color=$00FFFFFF, halo_color=$00000000, lsp=2 \
) : Subtitle( \
    "This is a tool\nassisted recording.\nFor details, visit\n" + \
    "https://TASVideos.org/", y=ypos, \
    align=position, first_frame=subff2, last_frame=(subff2 + sublength2), \
    size=subsize, text_color=$00FFFFFF, halo_color=$00000000, lsp=2 \
)

# Downloadable encodes need a resizing filter for the colourspace reduction.
# HD encodes need to be point resized to keep the colour information faithful.
ConvertToYV24(chromaresample="point", matrix=(hd ? "Rec709" : "PC.601") )
(pass == 1) ? ExactDedup( \
    firstpass=true, dupinfo="dup.txt", times="times.txt" \
) : last
(pass == 2) ? ExactDedup(firstpass=false, dupinfo="dup.txt") : last
i444 ? last : ConvertToYV12( \
        chromaresample=(hd ? "point" : "lanczos"), \
        matrix=(hd ? "Rec709" : (pass == 0 ? "Rec601" : "PC.601")) \
)



# Begin nanogyth's deblink code here

function ng_deblink(clip clp,
\ float "ratio",
\ int "level",
\ clip "blinkmask"
\){
#Version 10 2012.04.22

    blink = default(blinkmask, clp.ng_blinkmask())

    ratio = default(ratio, 2.0 /3)
    assert(ratio >= 0.0 && 1.0 >= ratio,
    \      "[ng_deblink] 1.0 >= ratio >= 0.0, it was " + string(ratio))

    level = default(level, round(ratio * 257))
    assert(level >= 0 && 257 >= level,
    \      "[ng_deblink] 257 >= level >= 0, it was " + string(level))

    m01=mt_logic(blink.SelectEvery(4,0),
\                blink.SelectEvery(4,1),
\                mode="or").ConvertToRGB32()
    m23=mt_logic(blink.SelectEvery(4,2),
\                blink.SelectEvery(4,3),
\                mode="or").ConvertToRGB32()

    f0=Layer(clp.SelectEvery(4,0),
\            clp.SelectEvery(4,1).Mask(m01),
\            level=level)
    f1=Layer(clp.SelectEvery(4,1),
\            clp.SelectEvery(4,0).Mask(m01),
\            level=level)
    f2=Layer(clp.SelectEvery(4,2),
\            clp.SelectEvery(4,3).Mask(m23),
\            level=(257-level) )
    f3=Layer(clp.SelectEvery(4,3),
\            clp.SelectEvery(4,2).Mask(m23),
\            level=(257-level) )

    Interleave(f0,f1,f2,f3)
}

function ng_blinkmask(clip clp,
\ bool "TEST",
\ bool "STABILIZE",
\ bool "SHARP",
\ bool "HYSTER",
\ int "inpand",
\ int "expand",
\ int "ml"
\){
#Version 10 2012.04.22

#BLINK
# Blinking is a block that alternates on/off each frame
# SelectEven would only see either the on or the off

#FLASH
# Flashing is a block that is only on for a single frame
# SelectEven might miss the flash

#SHAKE
# Shaking is a block that moves back/forth each frame
# SelectEven would only see one position

# The goal of this function is to make a blink mask for use with
# ng_deblink. For overly complicated scenes where a clean blinkmask
# can't be found, just use TASBlend. Uniform softness looks better
# than sharp artifacts.

# This function calculates flash and shake info for the test script,
# but those effects should be handled in different ways.
# Flash - choose frames to make sure the flash is in your final clip.
# Shake - SelectEvery(4,0,2,1,3) or SelectEvery(4,1,0,2,3)
# SelectEvery doesn't generally work because it messes with the fluidity
# of motion. But that won't be noticable on a shaking screen.
# Be careful if 2 frame blinking is present, as the selectevery can turn
# it into 1 frame blinking.

    TEST      = default(     TEST, false)
    STABILIZE = default(STABILIZE, true)
    SHARP     = default(    SHARP, true)
    HYSTER    = default(   HYSTER, false)
    inpand    = default(   inpand, 1)
    expand    = default(   expand, 1)
    ml        = default(       ml, 128)

# The functions used to make the masks work in the YV12 colorspace. Once
# the masks are created they can be used in the RGB32 colorspace direcly
    src=clp.ConvertToYV12()

# Blinking is located by looking for blocks that don't exist in
# consecutive frames. The motion vector will match blocks that exist in
# both frames. The blocks that aren't in both will end up with huge
# values that are picked out by the motion mask.
    super = MSuper(src, pel=1)
    fvec  = MAnalyse(super, isb=false, blksize=4)
    bvec  = MAnalyse(super, isb=true , blksize=4)
    fmask = Mmask(src, fvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()
    bmask = Mmask(src, bvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()
    blink = mt_logic(fmask, bmask, mode="and")

# Blinking usually occurs against a stable background. This is found
# by looking at blocks 2 frames apart. This distinguishes a blink from
# blocks that are just changing every frame.
    ee_src   = src.SelectEven()
    ee_super = MSuper(ee_src, pel=1)
    ee_fvec  = MAnalyse(ee_super, isb=false, blksize=4)
    ee_bvec  = MAnalyse(ee_super, isb=true , blksize=4)
    ee_fmask = Mmask(ee_src, ee_fvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()
    ee_bmask = Mmask(ee_src, ee_bvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()

    oo_src   = src.SelectOdd()
    oo_super = MSuper(oo_src, pel=1)
    oo_fvec  = MAnalyse(oo_super, isb=false, blksize=4)
    oo_bvec  = MAnalyse(oo_super, isb=true , blksize=4)
    oo_fmask = Mmask(oo_src, oo_fvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()
    oo_bmask = Mmask(oo_src, oo_bvec, kind=1, ml=ml).mt_binarize()

    fmask_2   = Interleave(ee_fmask, oo_fmask)
    bmask_2   = Interleave(ee_bmask, oo_bmask)
    background = mt_logic(fmask_2.SelectEvery(1,1),
\                         bmask_2.SelectEvery(1,-1),
\                         mode="or")
    stable_blink = mt_hysteresis(background.mt_invert, blink)
    blink2 = (STABILIZE) ? stable_blink : blink

# Shrinking the blink mask can get rid of noise,
# too much will lose signal as well.
    blink3 = blink2.mt_inpand(mode=mt_diamond(inpand))
    
# Using just pixels that changed helps sharpen the mask
    diff   = ng_diff(clp.SelectEvery(1,-1), clp)
    diff_2 = mt_logic(diff, diff.SelectEvery(1,1), mode="and")

#Hysteresis
# Matches continuous blocks of pixels.
# Use with care, will match the whole screen on fades.
    hyster_blink = mt_hysteresis(blink3, diff_2)

# Expand the mask to make up for shrinking it (or just use hysteresis)
    blink4 = blink3.mt_expand(mode=mt_circle(expand))
    sharp_blink = mt_logic(blink4, diff_2, mode="and")

    blink5 = (HYSTER) ? hyster_blink :
\            (SHARP)  ? sharp_blink  : blink4

    
# A flash won't match blocks 1 or 2 frames away.
    sub_flash = mt_logic(fmask_2, bmask_2, mode="and")
    flash     = mt_logic(blink, sub_flash, mode="and")
    
# A shake changes in one frame and changes back in the next.
# This isn't detected by the motion vectors because the blocks exist in
# both frames, they are just shifting around.
    same   = ng_same(clp.SelectEvery(1,-1), clp.SelectEvery(1,1))
    shake  = mt_logic(same, diff_2, mode="and")

    (TEST) ? stackhorizontal(clp, mergeRGB(blink5, flash, shake))
\          : blink5.GreyScale()
}

function ng_diff(clip A, clip B, int "thr"){
    thr=default(thr,0)
    TAD=ng_TAD(A,B)
    return mt_binarize(TAD, threshold=thr)
}

function ng_same(clip A, clip B, int "thr"){
    thr=default(thr,0)
    TAD=ng_TAD(A,B)
    return mt_binarize(TAD, threshold=thr, upper=true)
}

function ng_TAD(clip A, clip B){
    R=ng_AD(A  .showRed("YV12"),B  .showRed("YV12"))
    G=ng_AD(A.showGreen("YV12"),B.showGreen("YV12"))
    B=ng_AD(A .showBlue("YV12"),B .showBlue("YV12"))
    return ng_plus(R, ng_plus(G, B))
}

function ng_AD(clip A, clip B){
    return mt_lutxy(A,B,"x y - abs")
}

function ng_plus(clip A, clip B){
    return mt_lutxy(A,B,"x y +")
}

function ng_bighalo(
\ clip clp,
\ string text,
\ float "x",
\ float "y",
\ int "first_frame",
\ int "last_frame",
\ string "font",
\ float "size",
\ int "text_color",
\ int "halo_color",
\ int "align",
\ int "spc",
\ int "lsp",
\ float "font_width",
\ float "font_angle",
\ int "halo_radius",
\ string "memo"
\){

#Version 7

    x           = default(          x, -1)
    first_frame = default(first_frame, 0)
    last_frame  = default( last_frame, first_frame + 299)
    font        = default(       font, "Ariel")
    size        = default(       size, 18)
    y           = default(          y, size)
    text_color  = default( text_color, $20FFFFFF)
    halo_color  = default( halo_color, $20000000)
    align       = default(      align, 5)
    spc         = default(        spc, 0)
    lsp         = default(        lsp, 1)
    font_width  = default( font_width, 0)
    font_angle  = default( font_angle, 0)
    halo_radius = default(halo_radius, 8)

    invis=BlankClip(clp, length=1, pixel_type="YV12")
    text_mask=Subtitle(invis, text, x, y, 0, 0, font, size, $00FFFFFF,
\                      $80808080, align, spc, lsp, font_width, font_angle)
    halo_mask=mt_logic(text_mask,
\                      text_mask.mt_expand(mode=mt_circle(halo_radius)),
\                      mode="xor")

    hc=BlankClip(clp, length=1, color=halo_color)
    tc=Subtitle(hc, text, x, y, 0, 0, font, size, text_color,
\               $FF000000, align, spc, lsp, font_width, font_angle)


    h_alpha=(halo_color >= 0) ? 255 - halo_color/$01000000
\                             :  -(halo_color+1)/$01000000
    t_alpha=(text_color >= 0) ? 255 - text_color/$01000000
\                             :  -(text_color+1)/$01000000

    lut_str=string(h_alpha)+" x * 255 / "+string(t_alpha)+" y * 255 / max"
    mm3=tc.Mask(mt_lutxy(halo_mask, text_mask, lut_str).ConvertToRGB32())

    mm4=Defined(memo) ? (
\       Exist(memo+"0.bmp") ? ImageSource(memo+"0.bmp")
\                        : mm3.ImageWriter(memo+"%d.bmp")
\                   ) : mm3

    clp.ApplyRange(first_frame, last_frame, "Layer", mm4)
}

# This is the TASBlend function. It reduces framerate to 1/2 but leave
# flickering effects partly visible. Do not touch it.
function TASBlend(clip c, float "ratio") {
    # reduces framerate to 1/2 but leaves flicker effects partly visible
    # blends frame pairs with alternating opacity
    # The default for this is 2/3+1/3;1/3+2/3)
    # optional "ratio" is the opacity of the first frame out of the four
    ratio = default(ratio, 2.0 / 3)
    opacity1 = round((1 - ratio) * 257)
    opacity2 = round((ratio) * 257)
    c
    Interleave( \
        Layer(SelectEvery(4, 0), SelectEvery(4, 1), level=opacity1), \
        Layer(SelectEvery(4, 2), SelectEvery(4, 3), level=opacity2) \
    )
}

function Replace(clip c, int i, int j, clip d) {
    Assert(i >= 0, "Replace: parameter i is negative")
    Assert(j >= 0, "Replace: parameter j is negative")
    p1 = c.Trim(0, -i)
    p2 = d.Trim(i, j)
    p3 = c.Trim(j + 1, 0)
    p1 = (i == 0) ? c.Trim(0, -1).DeleteFrame(0) : p1
    p3 = (j == 0) ? c.Trim(0, -1).DeleteFrame(0) : p3
    p1 + p2 + p3
    return (c.HasAudio) ? last.AudioDub(c) : last
}

last

Settings

1. Once the audio file is extracted, double click ogg.bat
2. Set hd = false, pass = 1, and double click first.bat
3. Once first.bat finishes running, set pass = 2 and double click second.bat (Make sure i444 is set to false)
4. Once all of the above are done processing, double click mux.bat. This will produce the final product, an encode.mkv file.

1. Once the audio file is extracted, double click ogg.bat
2. Set hd = false, pass = 1, and double click first.bat
3. Once first.bat finishes running, set pass = 2, set i444 = true, and double click second_10bit444.bat
4. Once all of the above are done processing, double click mux_10bit444.bat. This will produce the final product, an encode_10bit444.mkv file.

1. Once the audio file is extracted, double click mp4.bat
2. Set hd = false, pass = 0 and double click 512kb.bat
3. Once all of the above are done processing, double click mux_512kb.bat. This will produce the final product, an encode_512kb.mp4 file.

1. Once the audio file is extracted, double click ogg_youtube.bat
2. Set hd = true, pass = 0 and double click youtube.bat
3. Once the above are done processing, double click mux_youtube.bat. This will produce the final product, hd.mkv.

Commands

venc -q2 audio.wav audio.ogg

x264 --sar 7:6 --keyint infinite --crf 0 --range pc --input-range pc -o NUL encode.avs --preset ultrafast

x264 --threads auto --sar 7:6 --crf 20 --keyint 600 --ref 16 --no-fast-pskip --bframes 16 --b-adapt 2 --direct auto --me tesa --merange 24 --subme 11 --trellis 2 --partitions all --rc-lookahead 250 --no-dct-decimate --range pc --input-range pc --colormatrix smpte170m --tcfile-in times.txt -o video.mkv encode.avs

mkvmerge -o encode.mkv --timecodes -1:times.txt video.mkv audio.ogg

x264-10 --threads auto --sar 7:6 --crf 20 --keyint 600 --ref 16 --no-fast-pskip --bframes 16 --b-adapt 2 --direct auto --me tesa --merange 24 --subme 11 --trellis 2 --partitions all --rc-lookahead 250 --no-dct-decimate --input-range pc --range pc --tcfile-in times.txt -o video_10bit444.mkv --colormatrix smpte170m --output-csp i444 encode.avs

mkvmerge -o encode_10bit444.mkv --timecodes -1:times.txt video_10bit444.mkv audio.ogg

sox audio.wav -t wav - trim 4672s | neroAacEnc -q 0.25 -if - -of audio.mp4

x264 --threads auto --crf 20 --keyint 600 --ref 16 --no-fast-pskip --bframes 16 --b-adapt 2 --direct auto --me umh --merange 24 --subme 10 --trellis 2 --partitions all --rc-lookahead 250 --no-dct-decimate --range tv --input-range tv --colormatrix smpte170m -o video_512kb.mp4 encode.avs

MP4Box -add video_512kb.mp4 -add audio.mp4 -new encode_512kb.mp4

venc -q10 audio.wav audio_youtube.ogg

x264.exe --qp 0 --keyint 600 --output video_youtube.mkv encode.avs

mkvmerge.exe -o encode_youtube.mkv --compression -1:none video_youtube.mkv audio_youtube.ogg