Tag Archives: Hell Freezes Over

Mac Mini M2 Pro: Video Decoding & Encoding

I recently lost a bunch of videos (mostly concerts) to a disk encryption mis-understanding., so needed to rip them again from their Blu-Ray sources. Having previously done video decoding/encoding on my daughter’s Mac, I was curious to know how the Mac Mini M2 Pro would compare when doing video decoding & encoding.

I used the trusty app Handbrake for this task.

1080p Recode

I started with the Blu-Ray disc for Hell Freezes Over.

Video/Audio specifications

Source : Blu Ray Disc, Duration 1:38:45

Video : 1426×1080, 30fps, SDR, H.264 to H.265, 8-bit
Preset : Quality, 60 CQ

Audio 1 : BD-LPCM to AAC, 320kbps, Stereo, 48KHz
Audio 2 : DTS to AAC, 320kbps, 5.1, 48KHz
Audio 3 : AC3 to AAC, 160kbps, Stereo, 48KHz

The first pass was using the default H.265 option, which was noticeable faster than the Macbook Air M1. But then I found the H.265 with Apple VideoToolBox option, which allows the video decode/encode process to be handled on the GPU.

ParameterBaselineRegular EncodingApple VideoToolbox
Average Power Consumption8W52W18W
Average CPU5%99%22%
Average Fan Speed1600 RPM2950 RPM1700 RPM
Average CPU Temp55C101C63C
Average GPU Temp44C95C68C
Average Frame Rate58 fps131 fps
Total Encoding time58 mins23 mins

As you can see, the performance difference is quite noticeable. With Apple VideoToolBox, the entire process is not only much faster (taking almost 70% less time), the CPU utilisation is much lower and the computer runs cooler, drawing much less power.

Handbrake 1080p Blu-Ray to H.265 softwareHandbrake 1080p Blu-Ray to H.265 Apple VideoToolBox
1080p Blu-Ray to H.265 Software vs Apple VideoToolKit Comparison

2160p Recode

I decided to push the computer further, so decided to document a 4K HDR file next.

Video specifications

Source : MKV File downloaded from here, Duration 00:00:30

Video : 3840×2160, 60fps, HDR, AV1 to H.265, 10-bit
Preset : Slow, RF 51

ParameterRegular EncodingApple VideoToolbox
Average Frame Rate7.6 fps53.7fps
Total Encoding Time3 mins, 55 secs35 secs

With a higher bitrate file, the difference is even more stark. The entire process completed in 85% less time.

Handbrake 2160p HDR AV1 to H.265 softwareHandbrake 2160p HDR AV1 to H.265 Apple VideoToolBox
2160p AV1 to H.265 Software vs Apple VideoToolKit Comparison

Overall, I regret not knowing about Apple VideoToolBox earlier.

Looking forward to pushing the mac for more intense tasks.

My favourite Live Albums

This post is a follow up to my last one. I was introduced to Live Albums when I moved to Nagpur. People in our college used to share 3-in-1 live concert DVDs with each other. I have already written about my favourite concerts, so this post is only about live albums. Below is the list of my favourite live albums of all time.

Hell Freezes Over (1994) – Eagles

Hell Freezes Over : Eagles

My favourite live album of all time and my introduction to Eagles, as a band. In fact I didn’t even hear the original version of Hotel California till years later and was then surprised to find out it was so different. Overall, this album is just magical. Everyone performed perfectly. I remember the first time I heard it, at a friend’s house, his father had found the DVD. It was also Eagles’ reunion concert and as Don Henley says, “we never broke up, we just took a 14 year vacation”.

This concert was part of the MTV unplugged series.

My only gripe with the album is that they replaced many songs’ live versions with studio versions which are inherently inferior. One example of this is “Learn to be still”.

Pulse (1995) – Pink Floyd

Pulse : Pink Floyd

One of my favourite live albums of all time, Pulse is Pink Floyd at its epic live psychedelic best. I have listened to this album countless times and can never get tired of it. The album starts with the epic “Shine on you crazy diamond” and ends with an epic rendition of “Comfortably Numb” with extended solos.

Honourable mention to Delicate Sound of Thunder, which is almost as good as Pulse, but not quite.

This concert also reminds me of a disaster that occurred back in 2006.

MTV Unplugged in New York (1994) – Nirvana

MTV Unplugged in New York : Nirvana

This live album reminds me of Whoreko, I don’t know why. I am not a huge fan of Nirvana‘s heavier work, but this concert showed their “acoustic side” and boy, was it awesome. This concert also introduced the Meat Puppets & Pat Smear to the world.

Another concert from MTV unplugged series.

Live at Pompeii (1972) – Pink Floyd

Live at Pompeii : Pink Floyd

Ok, Ok, so technically this is not a live album, but it is shot as such, simulating a concert in Pompeii (without audience). The tracks are all psychedelic and the version of echoes in this album is a masterpiece, especially the bass.

One Night Only (1998) – Bee Gees

One Night Only : Bee Gees

Not a huge fan of Bee Gees, but this live album is just awesome. Such beautiful, soulful music. Reminds me of my days in Chandigarh.

Supernatural Live (2003) – Santana

Supernatural Live : Santana

I got this as part of a 3-concert pirated DVD. The music is awesome and features guest appearances by Dave Matthews, Erik Schrody, Rob Thomas, among others. Entertaining much.

The Corrs Unplugged (1999) – The Corrs

The Corrs Unplugged : The Corrs

Another part of the 3-concert pirated DVD. I am not a Corrs fan. In fact I have never heard of them outside this concert. But the music in this album is soothing and beautiful.

This is also the album where I heard Dreams for the first time, much before the original version.

Another concert from MTV unplugged series.

A special mention to Roger WatersThe Wall – Live in Berlin for being one of the shittiest live albums I have ever had the misfortune of listening to and making me dislike him forever after.

Concerts I would give my arm and a leg to be in(Ok.. maybe only an arm)

These are the concerts I would like to go back in time and see. Of course, I would also want to be in the first row..

  1. Eagles-Hell Freezes Over:- One of the best concerts. Each and every band member played perfectly. All the songs were great and the Intro to Hotel California is one of the greatest. Also great are the songs by Timothy Schmidt(Love will keep us alive, I can’t tell you why)
  2. Pink Floyd-Pulse:- Read my earlier post
  3. Pink Floyd-Wall
  4. Metallica-SnM
  5. Woodstock 69
  6. Woodstock 94
  7. Nirvana-MTV Unplugged
  8. Beegees-One night only

Why is it that when I am writing my blog, I forget everything?? If I remember more, I will edit the post to add more..