Tag: #libx264

Convert HEVC (H.265) video to H.264 with FFmpeg for old players, video editors, and Windows. CRF quality control, 10-bit to 8-bit yuv420p fixes, copy-audio shortcut, and why H.264 plays everywhere.

Understand the most important choice in FFmpeg: -c copy (stream copy — lossless, instant) versus re-encoding (lossy, slow, flexible). Learn when each is appropriate, the container compatibility caveat, and runnable commands for both paths.

Fix the libx264 error "height not divisible by 2" (and the width version) caused by odd dimensions after scaling or cropping. Learn why yuv420p needs even width and height, and three runnable fixes: scale with trunc, scale=-2 to keep aspect ratio, and pad to the next even size.

Fix the FFmpeg error "Unknown encoder 'libx264'". Learn why a build ships without libx264, how to confirm with ffmpeg -encoders and -codecs, how to install a full build per OS, and which alternative encoders to use when x264 is unavailable.

Fix FFmpeg errors like 'Unknown encoder', 'Encoder not found', and 'codec not currently supported'. Covers build flags, alternative codecs, and licensing issues.

Optimal FFmpeg encoding settings for YouTube uploads. A complete guide to CRF, bitrate, resolution, frame rate, and audio settings for H.264 and H.265.

Compress MP4 and MOV video with FFmpeg: CRF mode vs bitrate mode explained, H.264 vs H.265 comparison table, preset speed/size benchmarks, resolution downscaling, audio compression, and 2-pass encoding. Reduce file size by 50–80%.

FFmpeg two-pass encoding for precise bitrate and file size control. Covers pass 1 analysis, pass 2 encoding, passlogfile option, and H.264/H.265 examples.

Convert any video to MP4 with FFmpeg: H.264 (libx264) + AAC, best CRF settings, -preset guide, stream copy shortcut. The complete ffmpeg video-to-mp4 command reference.