# what is Background transcoding x264 preset setting under transcoder used for?

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [May 12, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947 "2016-05-12T21:40:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Davidm30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Davidm30](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Davidm30)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947/1 "2016-05-12T21:40:35Z")

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what is Background transcoding x264 preset setting under transcoder used for like ultra fast and super fast setting?

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**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947/2 "2016-05-12T21:43:06Z")

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This is used for transcodes which are performed as preparation to [sync content](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/200079117-Mobile-Sync-Cloud-Sync "sync content") to mobile devices or into cloud storage.  
The [optimize](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/202670117-Media-Optimizer "optimize") feature also uses background transcodes.

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**Author:** ![Davidm30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Davidm30](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Davidm30)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947/3 "2016-05-12T21:47:43Z")

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so my question is should I use ultra fast or super fast setting on it

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**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947/4 "2016-05-12T21:50:15Z")

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It depends on what you (or more: your server’s cpu) can bear. 😉  
The ‘slower’ the preset, the smaller is the file size of the transcoded version. (for sync transcodes)  
If the target bitrate is fixed (like in ‘optimize’ operations) the transcoder can achieve a higher video quality at the slower presets.

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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, 9:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/what-is-background-transcoding-x264-preset-setting-under-transcoder-used-for/144947/5 "2020-01-07T21:23:23Z")

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