Encoding Discussion Megathread (ffmpeg, Handbrake, AV1, etc...)

[TheDreadPirate]

Yes, the documentation stated that the decode extra_hw_frames needs to match the encode look_ahead_depth. 40 frames was the recommendation as a balance between quality and bit rate. I haven't tried mismatching them to see what happens.

I also have not had any luck with hardware crop detection. The problem that I currently have is when the arbitrary time stamp I put in my script. Sometimes picking up the all of the studio credits, etc., throwing off the crop detect. But your version seems more flexible and I will definitely borrow that.

-bf is for b-frames. Default is 0, disabled, -1 is auto, positive values sets the max number of frames in between b-frames. Looking at the documentation, I've been using an invalid number. Or is no longer a valid number. Valid positive values are 1 thru 16.

adaptive_i
This flag controls insertion of I frames by the QSV encoder. Turn ON this flag to allow changing of frame type from P and B to I.

adaptive_b
This flag controls changing of frame type from B to P.

b_strategy
This option controls usage of B frames as reference.

These options, when combined with extbrc and low_delay_brc allows ffmpeg to maximize bit rate, which frame type to use and when, etc. Essentially all of them together allows ffmpeg to make better use of the available bit rate as defined by -q:v in my case.