FFmpeg - Encoding Optimal Videos for Streaming - Revision history

Dex at 14:28, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T14:28:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 14 March 2026
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	[[Category:FFmpeg]] [[Category:Streaming]]		[[Category:FFmpeg]] [[Category:Streaming]]
	''A practical guide to producing highly compatible MP4 files using FFmpeg. This article explains container choice, codec selection, bitrate strategy, advanced x264 controls, and the real‑world constraints of web browsers, media players, and streaming protocols.''		''A practical guide to producing highly compatible MP4 files using FFmpeg. This article explains container choice, codec selection, bitrate strategy, advanced x264 controls, and the real‑world constraints of web browsers, media players, and streaming protocols.''<br/>
	Modern streaming requires video files that are lightweight to decode, efficient to deliver, and universally compatible across browsers, mobile devices, TVs, and older “dumb players”. For maximum interoperability, this guide standardises on the MP4 container using H.264 (AVC) video and AAC audio, with optional external subtitles for broadest playback support.		Modern streaming requires video files that are lightweight to decode, efficient to deliver, and universally compatible across browsers, mobile devices, TVs, and older “dumb players”. For maximum interoperability, this guide standardises on the MP4 container using H.264 (AVC) video and AAC audio, with optional external subtitles for broadest playback support.

Dex at 14:28, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T14:28:33Z

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Knowledgebaseadmin at 12:38, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T12:38:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:38, 6 March 2025
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	[[Category:FFmpeg]]		[[Category:FFmpeg]]
			[[Category:Streaming]]
	We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>		We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>

Knowledgebaseadmin at 11:49, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T11:49:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:49, 6 March 2025
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			[[Category:FFmpeg]]
	We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>		We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>

Knowledgebaseadmin: Knowledgebaseadmin moved page FFMPEG - Encoding Optimal Videos for Streaming to FFmpeg - Encoding Optimal Videos for Streaming

2025-03-06T11:28:41Z

Knowledgebaseadmin moved page FFMPEG - Encoding Optimal Videos for Streaming to FFmpeg - Encoding Optimal Videos for Streaming

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 6 March 2025
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Knowledgebaseadmin: /* Metadata */

2025-03-06T11:27:30Z

Metadata

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:27, 6 March 2025
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	</pre>		</pre>

	Reference: [~~stackoverflow - ffmpeg: set the language of an audio stream](~~https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44351606/ffmpeg-set-the-language-of-an-audio-stream)		Reference: [[https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44351606/ffmpeg-set-the-language-of-an-audio-stream stackoverflow: ffmpeg: set the language of an audio stream]]

	=== Set Default Track ===		=== Set Default Track ===

Knowledgebaseadmin at 10:25, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T10:25:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:25, 6 March 2025
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	* 432p+: high		* 432p+: high

	Reference: [~~Wikipedia - Advanced Video Coding](~~https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Video_Coding)		Reference: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Video_Coding Wikipedia - Advanced Video Coding]]
	Reference: [~~Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](~~https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264profile)		Reference: [[https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264profile Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence]]

	=== H.264 Level ===		=== H.264 Level ===
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	* 1080p: 4.0		* 1080p: 4.0

	Reference: [~~Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](~~https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264level)		Reference: [[https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264level Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence]]

	=== Bitrate ===		=== Bitrate ===
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	\| 1080p Superbit \| 1920x1080 \| N/A \| 20.32 \| 20000 \| 320 \|		\| 1080p Superbit \| 1920x1080 \| N/A \| 20.32 \| 20000 \| 320 \|

	Reference: [~~Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](~~https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/)		Reference: [[https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/ Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence]]

	// Investigate the inclusion of 288p and 144p instead of 240p		// Investigate the inclusion of 288p and 144p instead of 240p
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	</pre>		</pre>

	Reference: [~~FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](~~https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#twopass)		Reference: [[https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#twopass FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide]]

	=== Maximum Bitrate ===		=== Maximum Bitrate ===
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	* 1080p Superbit: -maxrate:v = 25Mbps		* 1080p Superbit: -maxrate:v = 25Mbps

	Reference: [~~Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](~~https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate)		Reference: [[https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence]]

	=== Buffer Size ===		=== Buffer Size ===
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	* 1080p Superbit: -bufsize:v = 30Mbit		* 1080p Superbit: -bufsize:v = 30Mbit

	Reference: [~~Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](~~https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate)		Reference: [[https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence]]

	## FFmpeg Preset		## FFmpeg Preset

Knowledgebaseadmin at 10:10, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T10:10:50Z

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	* [[#Container Formats]]
	* [[#Audio]]
	* [[#Video]]
	* [[#Subtitles]]
	* [[#Metadata]]
	* [[#References]]
	* [[#To Do]]

	We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>		We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>

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	As a rule of thumb, for audible transparency, use 64 kBit/s for each channel (so 128 kBit/s for stereo, 384 kBit/s for 5.1 surround sound).<br/>		As a rule of thumb, for audible transparency, use 64 kBit/s for each channel (so 128 kBit/s for stereo, 384 kBit/s for 5.1 surround sound).<br/>

	Reference: [~~FFmpeg - Encode/AAC] (~~https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/AAC)		Reference: [[https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/AAC FFmpeg - Encode/AAC]]

	=== Transcode audio to stereo AAC track ===		=== Transcode audio to stereo AAC track ===
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	</pre>		</pre>

	Reference: [~~FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](~~https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264)		Reference: [[https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264 FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide]]

	=== H.264 Profile ===		=== H.264 Profile ===

Knowledgebaseadmin at 10:09, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T10:09:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:09, 6 March 2025
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	* [Container Formats]~~(#container-formats)~~		* [[#Container Formats]]
	* [Audio]~~(#audio)~~		* [[#Audio]]
	* [Video]~~(#video)~~		* [[#Video]]
	* [Subtitles]~~(#subtitles)~~		* [[#Subtitles]]
	* [Metadata]~~(#metadata)~~		* [[#Metadata]]
	* [References]~~(#references)~~		* [[#References]]
	* [To Do]~~(#to-do)~~		* [[#To Do]]

	We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>		We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>

Knowledgebaseadmin: Created page with "* [Container Formats](#container-formats) * [Audio](#audio) * [Video](#video) * [Subtitles](#subtitles) * [Metadata](#metadata) * [References](#references) * [To Do](#to-do) We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.
This combination is compatible with 'dumb players', the HTML5 'video' element and the streaming protocols: RTSP, RTMP, DASH, HLS, MSS & HDS.
== Container Formats == MPEG-4..."

2025-03-06T10:07:56Z

Created page with "* [Container Formats](#container-formats) * [Audio](#audio) * [Video](#video) * [Subtitles](#subtitles) * [Metadata](#metadata) * [References](#references) * [To Do](#to-do) We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/> This combination is compatible with 'dumb players', the HTML5 'video' element and the streaming protocols: RTSP, RTMP, DASH, HLS, MSS & HDS.<br/> == Container Formats == MPEG-4..."

New page

* [Container Formats](#container-formats)
* [Audio](#audio)
* [Video](#video)
* [Subtitles](#subtitles)
* [Metadata](#metadata)
* [References](#references)
* [To Do](#to-do)

We use a MPEG-4 Part 14 container, AAC audio and H.264 video. The preferred subtitle format is still being debated.<br/>

This combination is compatible with 'dumb players', the HTML5 'video' element and the streaming protocols: RTSP, RTMP, DASH, HLS, MSS & HDS.<br/>

== Container Formats ==
MPEG-4 Part 14 is the most widely supported container format (here on referred to as MP4).<br/>

MP4 has quite a good list of official codecs but, this doesn't mean that ALL mediaplayers support them. Technically, MP4 can contain a stream of nearly any type using Private Streams.<br/>

Common media player devices have a fairly short list of supported codecs. Old media player software often has an even shorter list.<br/>

The HTML5 Video element basically only supports an MP4 container with AVC encoded video, AAC encoded audio and subtitles in WebVTT format. This is down to web browser compatibility, the element itself could support any codec and WhatWG actually suggests others.<br/>

=== Common Video File Extensions ===
* .AVI = Audio Video Interleave: Developed by Microsoft, Outdated
* .FLV = Flash Video: Developed by Adobe, Outdated
* .MKV = Matroska: Open Format, Current
* .MOV = QuickTime File Format: Developed by Apple, Outdated
* .MP4 = MPEG version 4: Developed by ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group, Current
* .WebM = Developed by Google, Current
* .WMV = Windows Media Video, Developed by Microsoft, Outdated

=== Output MP4 file ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

This command will automatically transcode all source streams. Audio will be transcoded using AAC and video using H.264.<br/>

== Audio ==
Of all the audio codecs supported by the MP4 container, AAC has the balance of best quality compression and media player compatibility.<br/>

Some media players only support accessing a single audio track. Make sure that the default audio track is the first audio track in the file and that it is marked as default.<br/>

Some media players only support stereo AAC. Make sure that the default audio track is stereo, or it might be transcoded on the fly.<br/>

=== MP4 Compatible Audio Codecs ===
* MPEG-1 Audio Layer 1
* MPEG-1 Audio Layer 2
* MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3
* AAC
---
* AC-3
* E-AC-3
* Dolby TrueHD
---
* DTS
* DTS-HD
---
* Opus
* FLAC
* ALAC
* MLP
* ALS
* SLS
* LPCM
* DV Audio
* AMR

=== AAC Bitrate ===
As a rule of thumb, for audible transparency, use 64 kBit/s for each channel (so 128 kBit/s for stereo, 384 kBit/s for 5.1 surround sound).<br/>

Reference: [FFmpeg - Encode/AAC] (https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/AAC)

=== Transcode audio to stereo AAC track ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:a libfdk_aac -ac 2 -b:a 128k -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

=== Transcode a 5.1 audio track to 1 stereo AAC track and 1 5.1 AAC track, setting the stereo track as default ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -map 0:v -map 0:a:0 -c:a:0 libfdk_aac -ac:a:0 2 -b:a:0 128k -disposition:a:0 default -c:a:1 libfdk_aac -b:a:1 384k -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

== Video ==
Of all the video codecs supported by the MP4 container, H.264 has the balance of best quality compression and media player compatibility.<br/>

=== MP4 Compatible Video Codecs ===
* MPEG-H HEVC (H.265)
* MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
* MPEG-4 Visual
* MPEG-2 Video
* MPEG-1 Video
* H.263
---
* VC-1
---
* VP8
* VP9
* AV1
---
* M-JPEG
* JPEG 2000

=== Transcode Video to H.264 ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264)

=== H.264 Profile ===
The Baseline profile is supported by all media players that can consume MP4. That said, this profile is restrictive and in-efficient so is best reserved for low resolution video for low-powered mobile devices.<br/>

High Profile may be used for any resolution and is widely supported so should be used for higher resolution videos to be consumed by more powerful devices.<br/>

* 240p/360p: baseline
* 432p+: high

Reference: [Wikipedia - Advanced Video Coding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Video_Coding)
Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264profile)

=== H.264 Level ===
The more limited Media Players don't support all H.264 levels. For maximum compatibility it's best to use the lowest possible level for the given resolution.<br/>

* 240p: 2.1
* 360p/432p: 3.0
* 480p/576p/720p: 3.1
* 1080p: 4.0

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#h264level)

=== Bitrate ===
Target 4:3 bitrates:<br/>

| Name | Resolution | Link (Mbps) | Bitrate (Mbps) | Video (kbps) | Audio (kbps) |
| ----------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| 240p | 320x240 | 1.0 | 0.64 | 576 | 64 |
| 360p | 480x360 | 1.2 | 0.77 | 704 | 64 |
| 480p | 640x480 | 1.5 | 0.96 | 896 | 64 |
| 480p HQ | 640x480 | 2.0 | 1.28 | 1216 | 64 |
| 576p | 768x576 | 2.3 | 1.47 | 1408 | 64 |
| 576p HQ | 768x576 | 2.5 | 1.60 | 1536 | 64 |
| 720p | 960x720 | 3.0 | 1.92 | 1856 | 64 |
| 720p HQ | 960x720 | 4.0 | 2.56 | 2432 | 128 |
| 1080p | 1440x1080 | 6.0 | 3.84 | 3712 | 128 |
| 1080p HQ | 1440x1080 | 9.0 | 5.76 | 5632 | 128 |
| 1080p Superbit | 1440x1080 | N/A | 20.32 | 20000 | 320 |

Target 16:9 bitrates:<br/>

| Name | Resolution | Link (Mbps) | Bitrate (Mbps) | Video (kbps) | Audio (kbps) |
| ----------------- | ------------- | ------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| 240p | 424x240 | 1.0 | 0.64 | 576 | 64 | // Not exactly 16:9. Perhaps 426×240 would be a better resolution, being a bit closer to 16:9
| 360p | 640x360 | 1.5 | 0.96 | 896 | 64 |
| 432p | 768x432 | 1.8 | 1.15 | 1088 | 64 |
| 480p | 848x480 | 2.0 | 1.28 | 1216 | 64 | // Not exactly 16:9.
| 480p HQ | 848x480 | 2.5 | 1.60 | 1536 | 64 |
| 576p | 1024x576 | 3.0 | 1.92 | 1856 | 64 |
| 576p HQ | 1024x576 | 3.5 | 2.24 | 2176 | 64 |
| 720p | 1280x720 | 4.0 | 2.56 | 2496 | 64 |
| 720p HQ | 1280x720 | 5.0 | 3.20 | 3072 | 128 |
| 1080p | 1920x1080 | 8.0 | 5.12 | 4992 | 128 |
| 1080p HQ | 1920x1080 | 12.0 | 7.68 | 7552 | 128 |
| 1080p Superbit | 1920x1080 | N/A | 20.32 | 20000 | 320 |

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/)

// Investigate the inclusion of 288p and 144p instead of 240p

==== Transcode video at chosen bitrate with 2-pass encoding ====
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -b:v 4992k -preset veryslow -pass 1 -an -f null /dev/null && \
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -b:v 4992k -preset veryslow -pass 2 -c:a libfdk_aac -ac 2 -b:a:0 128k -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#twopass)

=== Maximum Bitrate ===
* 240p-1080p: -maxrate:v = double the target bitrate
* 1080p Superbit: -maxrate:v = 25Mbps

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate)

=== Buffer Size ===
* 240p/360p: -bufsize:v = 256k
* 432p-1080p: -bufsize:v = 1.5 second
* 1080p Superbit: -bufsize:v = 30Mbit

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#peakbitrate)

## FFmpeg Preset
A preset is a collection of options that will provide a certain encoding speed to compression ratio. Use the slowest preset that you have patience for. We use 'veryslow'.<br/>

Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#Preset)

=== FFmpeg Tune ===
You can optionally use 'tune' to change settings based upon the specifics of your input. We use 'animation' and 'film' for animated and live action videos respectively.<br/>

Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#Tune)

=== Colourspace ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -filter:v format=yuv420p -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#colorspacetagging)
Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#Encodingfordumbplayers)

=== Framerate ===
PAL uses 25fps, though 50fps can be used for HD and UHD video.<br/>

NTSC uses 29.97, though 59.94fps can be used for HD and UHD video.<br/>

Blu-Ray may also be encoded as 30fps or 60fps.<br/>

Some media players cannot reproduce high framerates.<br/>

==== Change Video Framerate ====
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -filter:v fps=25 -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [FFmpeg - Changing the frame rate](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/ChangingFrameRate)

=== Resolution ===
Interlaced video needs to be de-interlaced.<br/>

Anamorphic widescreen should be expanded to 16:9 resolution.<br/>

Resolutions of common media formats:<br/>

| Format | Resolution | Aspect Ratio |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| VCD - PAL | 288p | 4:3 |
| VCD - NTSC | 240p | 4:3 |
| SVCD - PAL | 576i | 4:3 |
| SVCD - NTSC | 480i | 4:3 |
| SD - PAL | 576i | 4:3 or 16:9 |
| SD - NTSC | 480i | 4:3 or 16:9 |
| HD | 720p | 16:9 |
| Full HD | 1080p | 16:9 |
| UHD | 2160p | 16:9 |

==== References ====
- [Wikipedia - Standard-definition television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard-definition_television)
- [Wikipedia - Video CD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_CD)
- [Wikipedia - Super Video CD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Video_CD)
- [VideoHelp Forum - SVCD specification supported resolutions](https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/947-SVCD-specification-supported-resolutions)
- [Wikipedia - DVD-Video](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video)
- [Wikipedia - Blu-ray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray)

==== Change Resolution and add Letterbox ====
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -filter:v "scale=(iw*sar)*min(640/(iw*sar)\,480/ih):ih*min(640/(iw*sar)\,480/ih), pad=640:480:(640-iw*min(640/iw\,480/ih))/2:(480-ih*min(640/iw\,480/ih))/2" -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [superuser - Ffmpeg upscale and letterbox a video](https://superuser.com/questions/891145/ffmpeg-upscale-and-letterbox-a-video)

=== x264 Options ===

==== Quantizer-Curve Compression ====
qcomp=0.9<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#quantizercurvecompression)

==== Minimum Quantization ====
qpmin=3<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#minimumquantization)

==== Per-Macroblock Bitrate-Control Lookahead ====
rc_lookahead=60<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#permacroblockbitratecontrollookahead)

==== Scene-Change Detection ====
scenecut=40<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#scenechangedetection)

==== Maximum Keyframe Interval ====
keyint = 12 seconds (360 frames at 30fps)<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#maximumkeyframeinterval)

==== Minimum Keyframe Interval ====
min-keyint=1<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#minimumkeyframeinterval)

==== Motion-Estimation Search Pattern ====
me=umh<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#motionestimationsearchpattern)

==== Motion-Estimation Search Range ====
* 240p-720p: me_range=32
* 1080p: me_range=48

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#motionestimationsearchrange)

==== Sub-Pixel Motion-Vector Refinement ====
subme=10<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#subpixelmotionvectorrefinement)

==== Predicted Motion Vectors ====
direct=auto<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#predictedmotionvectors)

==== Number of Reference Frames ====
ref=4<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#numberofreferenceframes)

==== B-Frames as Reference Frames ====
b_pyramid=none<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#bframesasreferenceframes)

==== P-Frame Early Skip Detection ====
* 240p-1080p: fast_pskip=1
* 1080p Superbit: fast_pskip=0

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#pframeearlyskipdetection)

==== Adaptive Number of B-Frames ====
* 240p/360p: b_adapt=0
* 432p+: b_adapt=2

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#adaptivenumberofbframes)

==== Maximum Number of B-Frames ====
* 240p/360p: bframes=0
* 432p-1080p: bframes=3
* 1080p Superbit: bframes=5

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#maximumnumberofbframes)

==== Rate-Distortion Optimization ====
trellis=2<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#ratedistortionoptimization)

==== Psycho-Visual Optimization ====
psy_rd=1.0<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#psychovisualoptimization)

==== DCT-Based Decimation ====
no-dct-decimate=1<br/>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#dctbaseddecimation)

==== Deblocking ====
* 240p-1080p: deblock=0,0
* 1080p Superbit: deblock=-2,-1

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#deblocking)

=== Partitions ===
* 240p/360p: p4x4 = on
* 432p+: p4x4 = off

<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -c:v libx264 -partitions -partp8x8,+partp4x4,-partb8x8,-parti8x8,-parti4x4 -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#_4x4partitionsinpframes)

=== 2-Pass Encoding ===

Reference: [Lighterra - Video Encoding Settings for H.264 Excellence](https://www.lighterra.com/papers/videoencodingh264/#encodingstrategyandpasses)
Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264#twopass)

== Subtitles ==
MP4 has limited support for embedded subtitles. Only VobSub, which is image based, is supported and widely playable.<br/>

There are some media players which only support 1 embedded subtitle track.<br/>

It is best to include subtitles as an external file.<br/>

We prefer VobSub for image based subtitles and SubRip for text based subtitles, though others are supported.<br/>

Reference: [Emby Documentation - Subtitles](https://emby.media/support/articles/Subtitles.html)
Reference: [Kodi Wiki - Subtitles](https://kodi.wiki/view/Subtitles)

=== MP4 Compatible Subtitle Formats ===
* WebVTT
* TTXT
* VobSub
* SubRip as TTXT
* PGS as VobSub

=== Extract Image Based Subtitles ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -f subrip <output.file>
</pre>

=== Extract Image Based Subtitles ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -f dvd_subtitle <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [FFmpeg - ExtractSubtitles](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/ExtractSubtitles)

== Metadata ==
=== Strip All Metadata ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -map_metadata -1 -fflags +bitexact -flags:v +bitexact -flags:a +bitexact -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [Strip metadata from all formats with FFmpeg](https://superuser.com/questions/441361/strip-metadata-from-all-formats-with-ffmpeg)

=== Add Title Tag ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -metadata title="flibble" -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

=== Add Year Tag ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -metadata date=0 -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

=== Add Language Tags ===
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -metadata:s:a:0 language=eng -metadata:s:v:0 language=eng -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [stackoverflow - ffmpeg: set the language of an audio stream](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44351606/ffmpeg-set-the-language-of-an-audio-stream)

=== Set Default Track ===

== Optimise Video for Streaming ==
<pre>
ffmpeg -i <input.file> -movflags +faststart -f mp4 <output.file>
</pre>

Reference: [FFmpeg - H.264 Video Encoding Guide](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.264)

== References ==
[Wikipedia - Comparison of video container formats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_container_formats)
[List of True 16:9 Resolutions](https://pacoup.com/2011/06/12/list-of-true-169-resolutions/)

== To Do ==
* Add documentation for converting interlaced to progressive
** https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/405931-FFMPEG-Deinterlace
* Add documentation for expanding anamorphic widescreen
** https://www.reddit.com/r/ffmpeg/comments/vp6n7z/fixing_aspect_ratio_with_ffmpeg/
* Add documentation for MP4 tags
** https://wiki.multimedia.cx/index.php/FFmpeg_Metadata#QuickTime/MOV/MP4/M4A/et_al
* Add documentation for finding TV Listings
** TVRDb - https://tvrdb.com/
** BBC Archive - https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/
** TVDB - https://www.thetvdb.com/
* Add documentation for nfo files
** TV Shows - https://kodi.wiki/view/NFO_files/TV_shows
** Episodes - https://kodi.wiki/view/NFO_files/Episodes
** Movies - https://kodi.wiki/view/NFO_files/Movies
* Add documentation for creating nfo files
** NFO Maker - https://nfo-maker.com/
** Ember Media Manager
* Decide whether to use SubRip or WebVTT as standard text-based subtitles
** WebVTT will not work with older media players.
** Some media players don't support VobSub either!
* Document 2 pass encoding
* Review 'setsar=1:1'
* Add 288p (PAL VCD, 4:3) to target bitrates
* Add 4k UHD target bitrates