Handbrake question

[freeradical]

What does 2 pass encoding do?

[Rolando]

It takes longer...Its supposed to give better looking results for a given file size.

[Article Accelerator]

Not worth the extra time in my experience.

[bik]

When you set either an average bit-rate or a target file-size:

1. the first pass determines the locations of the most complex parts of the video
   
2. the second pass does the encoding, ensuring that the average bit-rate stays where you set it, increasing the bit-rate where needed, and lowering it where it's not needed.
   
   The preferred Handbrake settings now are Constant Quality, which does not benefit from 2-pass encoding, as opposed to average bit-rate or target file-size methods.
   
   If you are using a Constant Quality setting, no need/no benefit from a second pass.

[freeradical]

I'm using the Constant Quality default. What does the slider below that radio selection do? By default, it's set at RF: 20.

[bik]

That's the quality setting. A lower number means better quality (and higher file size).

20 is good for most purposes. I leave it there.

Small movements can do a lot. If you want to experiment, I would move by just 1.0 at a time and then judge the results. Setting it below 19 for better quality makes very big files. Setting it higher than 21-22 will make smaller files, but you may not be happy with the quality.

https://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/ConstantQuality

[freeradical]

Thanks