Recently I have had the opportunity to test out the CodecSys CE-10 H.264 encoding software for the Playstation 3 created by Fixstars, and the results are nothing short of astounding. By utilizing the power of the cell processor in the PS3, the video encoding world is changing.
The installation and set-up was a breeze. Essentially you’re installing a Linux OS on your PS3 (as YellowDogLinux was sold to Fixstars). After installing the “Other OS” on the PS3 and setting it as default, you reboot the PS3. Once you reboot the PS3. You’re greeted with YDL/Fixstars screen on your PS3 with a message that states the “CodecSys CE-10 accelerator has started.” After this is completed you install the CodecSys software on the PC. It functions in a client/server type relationship. You load up the file on the PC, it communicates with the PS3, sends the data over, and then sends it back over to the PC. All my tests were performed on Core2 Duo Processor with a Gigabit LAN. So after installing and initializing the program the program launches and attempts to find the PS3:
After the PS3 is contacted, you’re greeted with an encoding screen where you can import your media into to the encoder.
For the purposes of this test, I wanted to take one of my favorite films and re-encode the video. Soldier:
I grabbed a copy of Soldier, decrypted the video and multiplexed it into one VOB file with video only and fired it up into the encoder. I selected the appropriate framerate, and the container. A whole host of options are available on the settings side of the window. Since the program encodes to H.264, I selected the container of .264.I kept the same resolution as my DVD, Aspect Ratio, and adjusted the video bitrate.
What’s amazing is that Soldier has a runtime of 99 minutes. The total encode time was actually faster than real-time for a total time of 23 minutes:
To really test the encoder further, I wanted to encode some HD material. I recorded Kill Bill Part Vol. 1 from a TNT Broadcast, edited out the commercials, and demuxed the video to import into the encoder. The average bitrate of the file was 38 mbps and the resolution was 1920 x 1080. I captured the file via firewire and save it as .TS I left all the options the same in the encoder.
Again, amazing results. Kill Bill Vol. 1 is 111 minutes. Total encoding time was 137 minutes. Impressive for encoding from full resolution MPEG-2 file to full resolution H.264.
Quality of the encoded files were impressive, and exceeded previous encodes that would normally have taken me hours. Fixstars has truly changed the world of HD encoding, and at a price point that eclipses anything else available.
