# Video encoding advice

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [September 30, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382 "2017-09-30T15:33:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mav2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mav2k/32/24558_2.png) [@mav2k](https://forums.plex.tv/u/mav2k)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/1 "2017-09-30T15:33:19Z")

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Hi, as I am just about to start setting up my home plex media server, I would very much like some guidence on what format to encode my dvd and blu-ray movies to.

I obviously want to achieve a high picture and sound quality but want to keep the file size to no more than around 4gb if this is possible, bearing in mind I will be keeping all movies to 1080p for the time being.

Should I go with x264 still or is now a good time to move to x265 HEVC and either way, which encoder would you recommend I use, Handbrake is the one I have been looking at so far?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

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**Author:** ![melrhombus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@melrhombus](https://forums.plex.tv/u/melrhombus)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/3 "2017-09-30T23:16:20Z")

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I hope you’re watching these with something under 40inches otherwise it’s going to look like crap at those sizes

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**Author:** ![ussalaskamain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/8797f3/32.png) [@ussalaskamain](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ussalaskamain)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/4 "2017-10-01T01:43:38Z")

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I personally use handbrake constant quality around 20. Only stereo AAC I only use a sound bar. Recently switched to hevc for remote streaming purposes but all my clients direct play hevc (thanks apple). My h264 files are about 7 to 10 gig, hevc under 5. Look great on my TV’s (46in)

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**Author:** ![spikemixture](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/spikemixture/32/7233_2.png) [@spikemixture](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spikemixture)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/6 "2017-10-01T09:08:16Z")

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I suggest vidcoder .  
It’s free  
Uses handbrake back end  
Much easier  
Many size / quality options

I set my movies bitrate to 3000bps and they usually well under 4gb.  
And look fine on my 65"

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**Author:** ![mav2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/mav2k/32/24558_2.png) [@mav2k](https://forums.plex.tv/u/mav2k)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/7 "2017-10-02T20:41:22Z")

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Thank you to all who have offered advice, very much appreciated.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-encoding-advice/208382/8 "2020-01-07T23:54:52Z")

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