Encoder profile and level

[zgmf_x42s_destiny]

hello handbrake users, i just want to know what would happen if i set the encoder profile and encoder level to "auto"?
i noticed that the output file size is larger (30 to 40 mb) and encoding time is longer (around 30 secs) if i set the two to "auto".

[JohnAStebbins]

profile and level limit the features the encoder uses. They are typically enabled to ensure that the output is compatible with players that support up to some specific profile and level (i.e. not all players support all features of the codec spec).

The more advances settings that are enabled when you switch to auto will increase the encode time and typically also affect the quality and file size of the output.

[zgmf_x42s_destiny]

so if i set the profile and level to "auto" instead of "main and 4.0" (for example), the output file will usually have better quality? but increase longer encode time and file size?

[mduell]

We need to see encoding logs, since your results are suspicious.

[JohnAStebbins]

so if i set the profile and level to "auto" instead of "main and 4.0" (for example), the output file will usually have better quality? but increase longer encode time and file size?

Potentially. Depends on what other settings you are using.