Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS devices

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simoneast
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:43 am

Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS devices

Post by simoneast »

Not really a bug, but more of a trap or "gotcha": I found that when using the HandBrake CLI to encode x264 MP4s, using --x264-preset veryslow it would produce files NOT compatible with iOS devices. Whereas slow and slower would work fine.

The main x264 option that seems to be the culprit:
ref=16
(8 or less seem to be OK)

When this is set, it somehow alters the format profile from Baseline@L2.1 to Baseline@L2.2 (or Main@L2.1 to Main@L2.2, etc.) and I believe this is what iOS doesn't like.

Is there a way this could be added to the wiki (especially the CLI page) so others don't get trapped by this in future? I couldn't seem to edit the wiki myself.

Simon.
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s55
HandBrake Team
Posts: 10350
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:05 pm

Re: Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS dev

Post by s55 »

There are literally hundreds of combinations of devices, operating systems and incompatible settings. It's not practical to maintain such a list.

We have presets that define compatible settings for specific devices. Outside that, it's up to you to experiment and learn the boundaries of each device if you want to push the limits. Which, on a related note have been known to change from OS version to OS version in some cases. For better and for worse.
Deleted User 11865

Re: Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS dev

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

--h264-level <level> will limit the parameters in order to respect the specified H.264 level (as long as the resolution and framerate are compatible, as it has no control over those).
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s55
HandBrake Team
Posts: 10350
Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:05 pm

Re: Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS dev

Post by s55 »

Moved to General. Not a bug.
simoneast
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:43 am

Re: Gotcha: "veryslow" preset is not compatible with iOS dev

Post by simoneast »

Oh OK, fair enough. You're right that the list would probably get too unwieldy to manage. Appreciate the reply though. Thanks so much for an excellent application.
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