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In addition to more profiles for Tablets, Smartphones and Home Entertainment systems, the 2020 Spring Release also contains 4K video â âAVC Ultra HD (4K)â export support.
After you add some video files into Nero Recode, select and activate the profile âAVC Ultra HD (4K)â under the category âVideo filesâ. The output file will be AVC Ultra HD (4K). You can also click the button âEdit Settingsâ, in the pop up profile setting dialog, and select any type of resolution you prefer.
Our digital life should make many things easier. In reality, however, this means that it will only really become easier if you understand the basic concepts behind the digital world.
In this blog, we will look at the question: How much performance does my PC need for video editing?
As there are many different components involved in the editing process, this is not an easy question, indeed. Hard disk speed, RAM, CPU, graphics card and more influence it. Last but not least, source formats, the complexity of the video project, and the desired output format also play an important role.
Basically, one should ask oneself which material one wants to use to create which projects in order to approach the question of the performance of one’s own PC.
Full HD Video (AVC H.264) does not place extraordinary demands on the performance of a current PC, as long as you only work with a few tracks and few effects and do not create projects that last for hours. But be careful: it’s the details that matter. The format of the source video (bitrate, frame rate) can make the difference.
Basically, the higher the bit rate, the higher the frame rate, the more compressed the video codec and the more tracks you use, the higher the performance requirements will be. A PC configuration with an Intel Core i5 from the 6th generation (or comparable AMD CPU) and 4 GB RAM should be the minimum. For large projects and complex formats, more RAM (8 GB or 16 GB) and a stronger CPU are recommended.
The data throughput of the hard disk on which the program runs and on which the data is stored is also important. Many notebooks without an SSD hard disk have relatively slow hard disks with 5400 rpm. This can become a bottleneck. In case of doubt, the upgrade via SSD can help. With the graphics card, you should make sure that it is capable of hardware-based encoding and therefore renders a good 5x faster than with software-based rendering (Intel Quick Sync Video, Nvidia Cuda/NVENC, AMD App Accleration).
With 4K Video (AVC H.264) you already reach the limits of many systems, even if you only work with a few tracks. 4K Video has a resolution four times higher than Full HD and a higher data rate. Here you should invest in a powerful system: SSD at least as program partition, fast hard disk for the data, CPU from Core i7 upwards and 16 GB RAM. Hardware-based rendering of the graphics card is also a must.
HEVC video is already supported in the last generations of the iPhone, while it is only slowly making its way into dedicated photo/video cameras. HEVC is a very powerful but also highly complex compression format. HEVC (H.265) requires only half the storage space of AVC and can simultaneously produce higher quality video signals than AVC. As a rule of thumb, take the 4K AVC system performance as the basis for HEVC Full HD and upgrade to 4K HEVC again. For HEVC 4K, the fastest is just good enough.
Our digital life is meant to make things easier but in fact, it is not that easy without knowing some of the fundamental concepts behind the digital world. This blog series deals with typical questions that may sound easy on first sight, but digging deeper into them, there is quite a lot to know and learn.
In this blog, we try to answer the question: What is the difference between ripping and burning? Where do I use what?
Taking it very basically, one could say that ripping is the opposite of burning. However, there is much more detail behind this question as this FAQ will show.
Ripping
In fact, when you rip a disc the used software will extract and convert data stored on (burned to) your disc in a given disc format / disc standard, e.g. an Audio CD, a DVD-Video disc, an AVCHD disc or a Blu-ray disc. When ripping a disc, you will get access to the original data files stored on the optical disc and will be able to store these files in a digital file format of your choice, in order to further utilize the ripped files.
Audio CD Ripping
Take Audio CD ripping as an example for probably the most often used case for ripping. The Audio CD – as the CD-DA standard requires – always contains audio files in PCM audio format (lossless uncompressed) with 16 bit and a sample frequency of 44.1 kHz.
When ripping the individual songs of your Audio CD to file you will like to maintain the audio quality but would rather reduce the file size so that it fits nicely to the storage capacity of your smartphone or MP3 player. Typical audio compression formats like MP3 or AAC cater for this and provide almost true Audio CD quality with only taking a fraction (1/11) of the space the uncompressed audio file on your Audio CD needed before.
The conversion of the audio format is done in the background when ripping starts. If possible, you should check available settings and set the output format to match your needs. Many Nero applications (see table below) allow you to pre-select the wanted audio format before ripping your Audio CD to file.
Although MP3 and AAC are most often used for ripping, there are cases when you would rather want to rip your files to uncompressed WAV, which is basically the native format of the audio files on your disc. Using WAV is absolutely meaningful when you want to do some tweaking or editing of the ripped audio files with an audio editor before you finally convert the edited files to a compressed format of your choice. If you used compressed files in the first place, you would gain results of poorer audio quality – the already compressed files would have to be compressed again when being output to MP3/AAC.
âSave Audio Tracksâ format options in Nero Burning Rom and Nero Express.
When you use Nero Burning ROM for Audio CD ripping you get the largest number of format options. If your key purpose for ripping is just getting the music from your Audio CD straight to your mobile device, use Nero Disc to Device which is exactly made for this job. Â
Many Nero applications allow you to do Audio CD ripping and also integrate GracenoteŽ Music Recognition as the most convenient way to automatically add album information and cover art to your music files.
TIP! For details, see the table below.
DVD RippingÂ
Take DVD-Video ripping as another example. Your video disc allows you to play single video titles via a disc menu structure that your DVD player can read. When ripping, these titles need to be stored as single files in a wanted format. DVD-Video makes use of the MPEG-2 video format, which needs about double the storage space than MPEG-4/AVC for the same quality.
Video format options in Nero Recode
When you want to rip your DVD-Video consider your use case. For storing it in good quality, e.g. for playing it back on your smartphone or via the home network, we recommend using the MPEG-4/AVC format. Nero Recode and Nero Disc to Device will do a great job for you, here.
However, when you want to use files/titles from a DVD-Video in a video project we do not recommend to rip the disc but just import the files from the disc via Nero Video without converting. For more details on this case see below (under ‘Burning’).
Burning
Now, when it comes to burning, you need to take a look at the disc formats and standards, which you are going to use. Let us take the examples of an Audio CD, an MP3 disc, and a DVD-Video disc.
Burning an Audio CD
Several Nero programs let you burn Audio CDs. When you import audio files into your burning project these will be converted and burned to a standard Audio CD based on the CD-DA standard.
Due to audio quality reasons, the audio format of choice for your imported files when creating an Audio CD should be WAV. This is an uncompressed audio format and when you use it with 16 bit and 44.1 kHz, it will have the same format specification as the Audio CD, with no loss in quality. For example, when you digitize an LP it is recommended to have all LP titles available as WAV and import these into your Audio CD project.
When you import files into your Audio CD burning project that consist of compressed MP3 this format has to be re-converted to match the Audio CD specification, which will result in a slight loss of audio quality on your final Audio CD. The better choice for this case is creating an MP3 disc, as explained below.
Burning an MP3 Disc
If you want to burn a disc containing your previously ripped audio files for e.g. playing it in your car stereo, you should not burn an Audio CD but an MP3 disc as a regular data disc. Compared to an Audio CD, an MP3-CD (data disc) would give you about 10 times more music files on your disc. When using a DVD data disc instead – given your car stereo supports DVD media – you could even burn a multitude of songs to your disc.
Burning a DVD-Video Disc
Burning a DVD-Video disc requires converting all source assets in your project to MPEG-2 standard. Any incompatible file that you have imported including the disc menu will be converted to MPEG-2 before the disc is burned. If you want to use titles from a DVD-Video disc within a new disc project you can also import titles form your DVD-Video discs into Nero Video.
Import disc options in Nero Video
In this case, thanks to Nero SmartEncodig, MPEG-2 compatible files in your project will not be re-encoded but maintain the source video quality â also resulting in a shorter duration for burning to disc.
TIP! Take a look at Nero KnowHow 00112Â to learn more about how to burn a DVD-Video disc.
Still, one might want to say that ripping and burning do opposite things in independent processes. However, as mentioned in this blog, there is quite some interdependence in certain cases, and it is good to keep this in mind when starting your project.
Disc Ripping with Nero Applications
*only for non-copy protected personal use
Disc Burning with Nero Applications
*only with available disc structure within a folder (no disc authoring possible)
Our digital life is meant to make things easier but in fact, it is not that easy without knowing some of the fundamental concepts behind the digital world. This blog series deals with typical questions that may sound easy on first sight, but digging deeper into them, there is quite a lot to know and learn.
In this blog, we try to answer the question: What is the difference between decoding, encoding, and transcoding? Where do I use what?
First of all, each of these terms include the word âcodingâ. Any digital medium, no matter if it contains image, video, or sound relates to that. When digitizing an analog signal (light or sound) digital coding has to be applied.
At the beginning of the chain there is always the creation of a digital signal, called encoding. For example, this happens when capturing an image or video signal within your digital camera / your smartphone, and also when capturing sound via a microphone to a digital device like a digital audio recorder or a smartphone. For playback, the previously recorded digital signal is being decoded. The processes of encoding and decoding are handled by a so-called codec â the term is a merge of the terms coding & decoding.
For being able to create and play complex digital signals in high quality, digital data within the codec in question are being compressed via algorithms. Depending on the used codec, signal quality can differ.
Typical Codecs (incomplete list)
Codecs can be used hardware based of software based. Your photo or video camera utilizes a hardware based digital processor (encoder) creating the digital signal. The Blu-ray Player in your living room contains a hardware based decoder, processing the playback of the video codec on your Blu-ray Disc.
Nero software applications make use of software codecs but can also utilize system based hardware codecs. For example, the latter comes into place when exporting (encoding) AVC video via compatible graphics card chipsets in Nero Video or when transcoding video files in Nero Recode.
Transcoding comes in place when converting one digital media format to another. Typical examples are converting audio WAV files to MP3 files, or ripping an audio CD to single AAC for MP3 files. Also ripping video discs or converting images â e.g. TIFF to JPG â rely on the process of transcoding.
Our digital life is meant to make things easier but in fact it is not that easy without knowing some of the fundamental concepts behind the digital world.
In this blog we try to answer the question: How can I play wirelessly and securely to my Smart TV using Nero?
In fact more and more customers put this question. On one hand it shows that streaming to Smart TVs has become extremely popular on the other hand it reflects that reports about being spied via your Smart TV have become a fear for many users. This blog will help you getting rid of this fear via some useful tips and continue enjoy streaming with Nero.
Growing Number of Smart TVs
Due their comfortable internet and multimedia functions Smart TVs have become really popular. Likewise the security aspect of such devices has become a matter of public concern. In the past, TV set vendors were accused of having enabled functions in their Smart TVs that would allow spying of customers by collecting user data and of having provided such data to third parties.
The vendors opposed to that, but nevertheless there is the thread of hackers trying to utilize special functions of your TV set. Given that Smart TV security implementations are close to not existing hacker attacks are a realistic scenario.
How can I protect myself?
The most simple way of protection is disconnecting your Smart TV from the internet, but this goes along with not being able to use those functions of your TV that make it smart: home network streaming and the ability to access content via the internet.
If you do not want to miss those functions here are some useful tips how to protect your Smart TV from unwanted third party access.
1. Set Filters in your Router
One of the most secure ways of protection from unwanted access is blocking special internet pages via the filtering options of your router.
Internet and LAN / WiFi access of your TV can be reduced to a few URLs that you control via the so called white list. Additionally your router allows you to limit the internet connection to dedicated devices â e.g. if you use the integrated âparental controlâ.
How to set these limitations depends on your routerâs setting options. Via these you can decide which pages should be accessible at all or – via the opposite approach – can just block dedicated URLs.
2. Deactivate the built in Webcam and the Microphone
If your Smart TV has an integrated webcam we recommend deactivating it via the set up menu of your Smart TV. Additionally you should also deactivate the microphone. If you want to be totally safe you can also put some tape over the camera. This may sound a bit over the top but in fact it is known that hackers have options to remotely activate the camera again without the signal on the camera even showing that the camera is on.
3. Deactivate HbbTV Service
Deactivate the function âHbbTVâ in the setup menu of your TV. Similar to âTeletextâ with âHybrid broadcast broadband TVâ broadcasters can show additional information on the screen. Different to âTeletextâ that is embedded in the TV signal, âHbbTVâ uses the internet connection of your Smart TV.
Consumer advice centers accuse TV vendors of misusing this function by collecting user data and handing these over to third party without the userâs agreement.
In case your TV set does not include this function yet, there are standalone add-on boxes available providing the HbbTV function. If you want to be on the safe side you do not need such a device. In general we recommend taking a look into the TV setâs menu or â if available â into the device manual to understand if your TV has this function included or not.
Deactivating this service needs a closer look into the setup menu of your TV set. Terms used here to describe the HbbTV function can be quite cryptic like âdata service functionâ or âinteractive serviceâ. Not each vendor activates this function by default. But checking it, is worth the effort, anyway.
4. Smart TVs with Android OS
As of today, vendors like Sony are offering their range of TV sets with fully integrated Android OS known from Smartphones. As Android is Googleâs mobile operating system you should take a closer look into the menu of your TV regarding Google data services. For protecting your privacy, we recommend not allowing Google to collect data.
We also recommend disabling the location option.
5. Regularly update your TVâS Firmware
Make sure that you keep your Smart TVâs firmware always up to date. Updates can be triggered directly via the TV set when connected to the internet. You can also use your (safe) PC connected to the internet for downloading the firmware update, save it on a USB stick, connect it to your TV, and execute the update this way.
6. Adapt your Surfing Behavior
Due to the fact that Smart TVs  largely lack security options make yourself aware of which web pages you need and want to access. Do not open pages that you cannot judge security wise. Only use apps und web pages from known source via a secured connection (https). Never type in sensitive data like your bank account into any page used with your Smart TV. If you do not use secure connections these data could even be sent unencrypted and hackers would have no problem accessing these.
Enjoy Streaming with Nero Streaming Apps
If you follow those above tips that suit best to your streaming behavior you will continue enjoying streaming with Nero Apps. With Nero MediaHome (PC) and Nero Streaming Player (free mobile App for iOS and Android) you have comfortable ways of making best use of your SmartTV with streaming your photos, slide shows, movies, and music, wirelessly to the big TV screen in the living room.
Installing Nero Receiver on your tablet (or smartphone) allows you to stream photos, movies, and music even without using your Smart TV directly to your tablet (smartphone), preferably.
