some general questions about encoding with x264

1.) 2pass and CRF are more or less the same. (If anything, CRF has a slight advantage because it doesn't need to re-adjust to hit the target) 2.) Yes, no problem at all. Just use --level and --vbv-maxrate/--vbv-bufsize. 3.) It's not recommended at all. That's like asking whether you should stab your eyes with a knife or a fork. 4.) "Wrong" in what way? 5.)/6.) That's what is done by default. You can further adjust using --qcomp. (e.g. --tune grain is designed for more even bit distribution and is suitable for high bitrates) 7.) --vbv-maxrate 3000 --vbv-bufsize 15000. (Try a forum search, there should be several threads covering this more deeply.) 9.) --bitrate 3000 --vbv-maxrate 3000 --vbv-bufsize 3000 (or vbv-bufsize 1 to limit buffer to size of a single frame. but it's a stupid thing to do. choose buffer as big as possible for real life streaming. for archiving you don't need vbv at all)

Im doing some tests right now. About number 1:

To avoid creating a new thread: 11 - Lets say i'm not happy with the result of my second pass: What can i change without redoing the first pass a) Increase - decrease bitrate? b) Enable - disable trellis? c) Change trellis settings ( --psy-rd)? d) dc-dacimation e) fast-p-skip f) no psy g) ratetol h) q-comp i) deadzones 12 - Im having strage results on two pass modes with some films (i'm using more than 18mbps): Textured and dark areas like carpets , suits, walls, looking with block and dark patchess. Raising aq to 1.4 helps, but on slow scenes (like people talking with a dark sky on the background) the bitrate falls to something like 6mpbs, the scene looks bad no matter how i raise aq. the background looks blocky and patched again. Any suggestions? One example of such scene: Indiana jones and the temple of doom 00:27:56. Encoding that scene by itself looks great, so i assume its a buffer restriction problem my settings: program --level 4.1 --pass 2 --bitrate 18344 --stats "E:\INDI_TEMP\test.stats" --vbv-bufsize 62500 --vbv-maxrate 50000 --aq-strength 1.4 --colorprim bt709 --transfer bt709 --colormatrix bt709 --output "output" "input" Thanks

Why are you setting level and vbv?

because x264 specifys that setting the level is not enough, you must set the adecuated buffer: also, im using megui, and it set those values when i use level 4.1