Handbrake Settings

General Discussions
1

My server is running on a QNAP TS-451+ (64-bit Intel Celeron quad-core CPU @ 2.0GHz) and it isn’t very good at transcoding. To avoid this I have been viewing content at ‘original quality’. I was hoping to try an avoid transcoding as much as possible.

I have been reading on the Plex website what the best file format to avoid transcoding is: (for content 1080p or less)
Container = MP4
Video = h.264
Audio = AC3 / ACC

I am struggling with Handbrake settings.
I have a DVD file which is 4.92GB .MKV
I used Handbrake to change to 534MB .MP4 ( and 1.77GB .MP4

all 3 video types look the same quality?

1 Like
2

There’s no clear right or wrong when it comes to those presets. If you cannot tell them apart, that’s a 1st positive indicator :wink:

In general, most clients should be able to playback the re-encoded videos just fine. If you experience particular issues with let’s say your Roku, you could pick one of the device specific presets for that device. Otherwise it’s really just up to how much time you want to allow Handbrake for each encode… personally I’d start with the “Super HQ 1080p30 Surround” preset and only reduce to “HQ 1080p30 Surround” if you feel it’s taking way too much time.

1 Like
3

Thank you. I have a couple of users and we are all using different players :neutral_face: (Android TV, Chromecast, Chrome, Safari, Fire TV).

Do you handbrake all of your content? I was mainly wanting to do it to avoid all of the transcoding but the size reduction is an added benefit.

I’ll give the Super HQ 1080p30 Surround preset a try

4

I used to when I organized my movies in iTunes. Since I’ve moved to Plex, I’ve reverted to the original “raw” files.

1 Like
5

Also, make sure you tick the “Web Optimized” box under the container type on the summary page of HB. That setting is not enabled by default with that preset.

1 Like
6

Another thing to consider would be getting a 1 month PlexPass subscription so that you could enable/take advantage of HW Transcoding on your QNAP to see how much that helps you for your media/clients.

Since the CPU on that box is very limited w/o GPU help, it may make more sense to do that than all the hours likely spent doing handbrake transcoding.

1 Like
7

I have the same QNAP, and am currently staying in a hotel on business, and am rarely getting any buffering. Make sure you set transcoding in Plex to ‘Prefer Higher Speed Encoding’

1 Like
8

You have HW transcoding support via Plex Pass, but the OP doesn’t due to lack fo Plex Pass.

9

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.