x265 (HEVC) basic encoder settings?

[Yog_Sothoth]

Hello. It's all too complicated for me. Could you just tell me what the basiс settings for encoding are?

For example:

Profile.
Level.
Scaling mode (for downscaling).
Any other options I need to change aside from bitrate, resolution, rate control mode?


Also, I'm not sure about the preset option. I tried comparing 2 short files with medium and very slow presets, and I only managed to gain 10 KB in size reduction with very slow one. Is it worth it to change it from medium if encoding for personal purposes?

[Blue_MiSfit]

You've got some learning to do :)

Maybe start here:

https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.265

A basic command that will give you decent compression for most content without getting too slow would be something like the following:


ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx265 -preset medium -crf 22 output.mp4


If you want to downscale (e.g. to 1080p assuming you're coming from a UHD source)


ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=w=-2:h=1080 -c:v libx265 -preset medium -crf 22 output.mp4


Drop the CRF value to increase bitrate / increase quality. Raise the CRF to do the opposite.

I'd suggest determining whether the default medium is tolerable in terms of speed. Use the slowest preset you can stand, and then tune your CRF value.

[Yog_Sothoth]

You've got some learning to do :)

Maybe start here:

https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Encode/H.265

A basic command that will give you decent compression for most content without getting too slow would be something like the following:


ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx265 -preset medium -crf 22 output.mp4


If you want to downscale (e.g. to 1080p assuming you're coming from a UHD source)


ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=w=-2:h=1080 -c:v libx265 -preset medium -crf 22 output.mp4


Drop the CRF value to increase bitrate / increase quality. Raise the CRF to do the opposite.

I'd suggest determining whether the default medium is tolerable in terms of speed. Use the slowest preset you can stand, and then tune your CRF value.

So, you're saying other settings don't matter? Why then I see settings different from the defaults when I download BDrips from the internet? For example, they usually have profile - main 10, and level - 4. And the scaling algorithm is set to bilinear by default, I thought it's considered not good in terms of quality?

[microchip8]

So, you're saying other settings don't matter? Why then I see settings different from the defaults when I download BDrips from the internet? For example, they usually have profile - main 10, and level - 4. And the scaling algorithm is set to bilinear by default, I thought it's considered not good in terms of quality?

You're not supposed to discuss pirated content. Read the rules, especially rule 6