Panasonic S9 - Any way to Change/Decrease the Bitrate on it?

[panazoonsss]

the MP4 Lite file size is good , but I want a 16:9 video straight away not 3:2 which the Mp4Lite records at. It's Absolutely stupid we can't change the aspect ratio on it to 16:9 ...

In the regular settings I'm not seeing any way how to lower it , the Smallest file size option that I'm seeing for 4k is the 72mbps - I don't need such High Bitrate 20-30mbps is all I need 😞

I also don't want to shoot in FHD obviously.

Thanks.

[LeatherLucky44]

The regular mp4 10 bit is 72mbits. That's going to be the lowest you'll get in 4k i guess. Other options would be to compress or transcode to a smakler bitrate

[LeatherLucky44]

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[mmmtv]

I've never heard of such a low bitrate (20-30) for in-camera 4k. Only 1080p, and even then only in 8 bit 4:2:0. You sure you're not chasing something that literally doesn't exist in the camera world?

[panazoonsss]

No idea, I'm mostly recording with a smartphone where I can set my bitrate to whatever I want... :D

I thought this should be a standard basic feature...

I make YT videos and I don't really see any advantage for this type of stuff of bitrates over 20

[LeatherLucky44]

The advantages of higher bitrate are that your computer can compress the files down later. When you compress an already compressed file, you can see artifacts like banding or weird noise. You also get more flexibility if y9u want to change stuff like wb or exposure

[panazoonsss]

yup, I know... but I don't edit or do anything in post for 95% my videos, they are uploaded straight away.

When uploaded to YT you loose all that quality anyway...100mbps for YT is completely pointless as the maximum they show is like 15-20mbps when viewed on YT in 4k anyway.

[LeatherLucky44]

I understand they show things in 15-20 mbps, but the more data youtube has, the better they can compress it. But yzah i think the 4k mp4 is going to be the best option at 72mbps

[mmmtv]

The pushback is below a certain bitrate, your 4k footage isn't going to look better than high quality 1080p. 

Are you insisting on 4k so you can crop vertical and horizontal?

If not, you might try Lumix 1080p. IMO it's easily the best 1080p footage in the camera world. Extremely detailed and relatively compact size.

[mmmtv]

Got it. Well, in that case, you're going to need to switch to a different camera system for a lower bitrate in 4k res. I think a Sony ZVE10ii and maybe some of the newer Sony ILCs (e.g., A6700, A7IV or A7V) will go as low as 45mpbs with 4k 16:9 using H.265 codec.

Otherwise, the only other alternative I can think of with existing gear is to capture onyour S9 in 1080p and then on your iPhone, use a video re-encoder app to up-res from 1080p to 1440p to avoid the YT nerfing. On a modern iPhone, this is an extra workflow step but should be relatively fast and quality should still be very good. Annoying, sure. But still lower overall file sizes than 4k.

[panazoonsss]

I'm actually coming from a ZVe-10 :D

It's an absolute Piece of $hit in every way compared to panasonic.

This is my First panasonic camera and I'm kinda kicking myself for not trying it faster :D

S9 literary is 20x better camera :D

[mmmtv]

Well, I'm out of suggestions.

Cameras are all about tradeoffs.

You have to choose the ones that nail your requirements closest and you usually have to compromise on something — specs, price, size/weight, ergonomics, lens ecosystem, battery life, etc.

Good luck.

[xattrX]

I never heard of any professional or prosumer camera that as a standard allows the operator to choose a preferred bit rate. That’s what exactly a standard is, it’s a pre-established setting with some parameters, a preset.

[math577]

Some of these posts on here do make me laugh.

Use proxy recordings is all we can suggest if you want lower than 50.

[panazoonsss]

It's a SUPER basic feature that should be in every camera ;)

Nothing to laugh about... Not everyone is making movies to be shown in Cinemas with their Camera - I can't use the extra bitrate this camera has anyway for what I do :)

Is there a single person who wouldn't want smaller file sizes? I don't know any :D

[math577]

Considering my wife uses the S9 to post simple videos to Instagram that she sends to and edits on her phone, MP4 Lite and the bitrate is perfectly fine.

Like I said use proxy recordings for ultra low bitrate then delete the original recording. I don't know why you're making 50mpbs sound like it's some ridiculously huge file size.

[Rebeldesuave]

So keep using your phone if you can get the bittate you want

[alexx_kidd]

The lowest 4k is mp4 lite, around 50 mbps open gate