Weightp and ref frames increase

[TL0]

I have read and tested that weightp increases number of ref frames by 2, if this is the case, is it safe to reduce specified number of ref frames by 2 to have same amount of ref frames as before.

For example if I normally use default -ref 3 because more ref frames provide minimal benefit past this point, should I set -ref 1 to compensate for weightp +2 ref frames as it will still use 3 ref frames overall? this should provide encoding speedup also.

[nurbs]

As far as I know you don't need to change anything unless you have an iPod or another device that doesn't obey the h.264 specifications.

[Dark Shikari]

It doesn't affect DPB size, so it has no effect on hardware compatibility with spec-compliant devices.

[TL0]

The issue is more with the speed penalty for using weightp.
Is this more caused by the +2 ref frames or the weightp calculations itself? does weightp actually need +2 ref frames compared to normal amount of ref frames to function properly?

[nurbs]

It neither needs nor adds two more refs (as in additional DPB space required). The reordering gives you the benefit of two more refs for free (DPB again) AFAIK. It also helps fades a lot (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1342901#post1342901).
If it's to slow for you turn it off, but look at the post I linked first.