WEB-DL or normal?

I’ve been downloading different versions of The Walking Dead (different episodes) but im not sure which is better quality, a 1080p WEB-DL or a normal 720p release? Im watching them on my laptop but cant really tell the difference
I’ve looked through previous threads of the same type of question, but cant really get to the bottom of it.
a normal 720p (scene release i think its called) is about 1.6/7GB, yet a 1080p WEB-DL is 1.5/6GB (usually slightly less size than the 720p version). I see that the WEB-DL is H264 and the 720p releases are in x264, i dont know what to make of it. Generally are x264’s better than h264?
Thanks!
Answer #1
x264 IS h264.
The difference between sizes depends on compression, bitrate, how many audio channels (and bitrate).
If you use too high a bitrate all you do is oncreae file size without any difference in quality. Too low leads to blockiness.
Generally, a 1080p should have about 50 to 75% higher bitrate than a 720 – but not if the 720 was done at 8000 (wasted bitrate). Some video tools offer a better control over the more esoteric settings that control quality and bitrate allocation – Web_DL might use better setting than the 6720 version did.
Answer #2
I’ve downloaded a few but don’t think i’ve watched any yet. WEB-DL’s aren’t supposed to have tv logo’s on them or cuts where the ad breaks are. So if that’s important then go for them.
Answer #3
Web-DL are better:
HDTV - Quality = Logo on bottom right, tv rating top left, sometimes popup ads on the bottom
- Size = 1.1GB
- Availability = About an hour after they air
- Source = HDTV Cable or Satalite stream, captured and encoded.
Web-DL
- Quality = No logo, ads, rating, etc.
- Size = 1.5GB
- Availability = 1 day to 1 week after the show is aired. Sometimes released in batches months after the show airs.
- Source = Actual footage encoded into a file and released on the web
Answer #4
Web-dl 1080p is the best.
Answer #5
As people have already pointed out, Web-DL is better, but in the cases of the small size encodes you do have to be a little careful. There’s a certain type of encoding often in these small sized 720/1080 files, I can’t think of the name right now, but it causes them to pretty much not play on stand alone players. If this is a factor for you, you should give that a test before sticking with them.
Answer #6
You’re not talking about the 10 bit encodes are you?
Answer #7
Nope …if i remember correctly most (if not all) of the WEB-DL releases of the Walking Dead are by Cyanix or something, i dont think ive even come across a 10bit movie or TV show yet.
The only thing im a bit weary about is the file size, WEB-DL seems to be slightly less than the hdtv 720p releases, and then there’s the container….would a normal 720p mp4 be better (or crapper) than the same 720p file but in mkv?
Answer #8
Sorry my post was meant for Why are you worried so much about file size Mp4’s are smaller than avi’s, but are better quality. WEB-DL’s are from Itunes so are paid for. When i first started seeing these and downloaded some, i read that some shows were cut, so different than what was broadcasted on tv. But since i haven’t watched any i wouldn’t know if that is in fact true or not.
Answer #9
^most WEB-DL’s are from iTunes yes but not all of them x264 = H264. you’re better off getting the WEB-DL 1080p.
Answer #10
Right, downloading 1080p now
Thanks guys!