Encoder Mode

Encoder Mode

The Encoder mode allows you to convert videos with hardware acceleration, batch processing, and real-time progress tracking. Perfect for batch video conversion, media library encoding, and FFmpeg-based video transcoding with GPU acceleration.

Overview

Encoder mode provides:

• ✅ Hardware acceleration (NVENC, AMF, Quick Sync, VideoToolbox)
• ✅ Multiple output formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV)
• ✅ Batch processing with queue management
• ✅ Real-time progress and statistics
• ✅ Optional subtitle download/generation during encoding
• ✅ Optional file renaming after encoding

Quick Start

1. Select Encoder Mode from the sidebar (🎬 icon)
2. Add Files by dragging and dropping or using "Add Files" button
3. Configure Settings in the quick settings panel
4. Click Start to begin encoding

Interface Overview

Sidebar (Left)

• Modes - Switch between Encoder, Subtitles, and Metadata
• Files - Add files or folders
• Settings - Configuration
• System - FFmpeg status indicator

Main Content (Center)

Queued Files

• Files waiting to be processed
• Drag to reorder
• Right-click for context menu

Processing Files

• Currently encoding files
• Real-time progress, FPS, speed, and ETA
• Shows current operation

Completed Files

• Successfully encoded files
• Shows original size, new size, and time taken
• Right-click to open output file

Right Panel

• File Info - Media information (video/audio/subtitle tracks)
• Logs - Real-time encoding logs

Configuration

Video Settings

Output Format

• MP4 - Best compatibility, use faststart for streaming
• MKV - Best for multiple audio/subtitle tracks
• AVI - Legacy format
• MOV - Apple QuickTime format

Codec Selection

EncodeForge automatically selects the best codec for your hardware:

Hardware Codecs (Fast, recommended):

• h264_nvenc - NVIDIA NVENC (H.264)
• hevc_nvenc - NVIDIA NVENC (H.265/HEVC)
• h264_amf - AMD AMF (H.264)
• hevc_amf - AMD AMF (H.265/HEVC)
• h264_qsv - Intel Quick Sync (H.264)
• hevc_qsv - Intel Quick Sync (H.265/HEVC)
• h264_videotoolbox - Apple VideoToolbox (H.264)
• hevc_videotoolbox - Apple VideoToolbox (H.265/HEVC)

Software Codecs (Slower, fallback):

• libx264 - H.264 software encoder
• libx265 - H.265/HEVC software encoder

Quality Settings

NVENC Quality (CQ):

• 0-17 - Visually lossless (large files)
• 18-23 - High quality (recommended)
• 24-28 - Good quality (balanced)
• 29-51 - Lower quality (small files)

NVENC Preset:

• p1 - Slowest, best quality
• p3 - Slow, very good quality
• p4 - Balanced (recommended)
• p5 - Fast, good quality
• p7 - Fastest, acceptable quality

Audio Settings

Audio Codec

• copy - Keep original audio (fastest, no re-encoding)
• aac - AAC codec (best compatibility)
• ac3 - Dolby Digital
• mp3 - MP3 codec
• flac - Lossless

Audio Bitrate

• 192k - Standard quality
• 256k - High quality
• 320k - Very high quality

Audio Normalization

Enable to normalize audio levels across files (uses ffmpeg audio filters).

Processing Options

Hardware Acceleration

Enable hardware acceleration if your GPU supports it. EncodeForge will automatically detect and use the best available encoder.

Download Subtitles

Automatically download subtitles during encoding from configured providers.

Rename Files

Automatically rename output files after encoding using metadata providers.

Advanced Features

Stream Copying

For container-only conversions (e.g., MKV to MP4), EncodeForge uses stream copying to preserve quality:

• No video re-encoding
• Very fast
• Preserves all quality
• Only changes container format

Subtitle Handling

During encoding, EncodeForge can:

• Copy subtitles - Copy existing subtitle tracks
• Convert subtitles - Convert subtitle formats
• Extract forced subs - Extract forced subtitle tracks
• Extract SDH subs - Extract SDH (Subtitles for Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

Batch Processing

Process entire libraries efficiently:

1. Add folder containing videos
2. Configure settings once
3. Queue processes all files
4. Real-time progress for each file

Best Practices

Quality vs Speed

For Speed:

• Use hardware acceleration (NVENC/AMF/QSV)
• Use preset p5-p7
• Use CQ 28-32
• Disable subtitle/audio conversion

For Quality:

• Use preset p1-p3
• Use CQ 18-23
• Enable audio normalization
• Process subtitles properly

File Organization

Before Encoding:

• Group similar files
• Ensure consistent naming
• Check file integrity

After Encoding:

• Use Metadata mode to rename files
• Verify outputs
• Keep backups during testing

Storage Considerations

Large Libraries:

• Process in batches
• Monitor disk space
• Use stream copying when possible
• Consider quality settings carefully

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: Encoding is slow

• Check: Hardware acceleration enabled
• Check: FFmpeg build supports hardware encoders
• Solution: Update GPU drivers

Issue: "No hardware encoder found"

• Check: GPU drivers are up to date
• Check: GPU supports encoding (GTX 600+ for NVENC)
• Solution: Use software encoder (libx264)

Issue: Output file is larger than input

• Cause: Encoding at higher quality than source
• Solution: Increase CQ value (lower quality)

Issue: Audio out of sync

• Check: Source file integrity
• Solution: Re-encode audio instead of copying

Error Messages

"FFmpeg not found"

• Install FFmpeg or set path in Settings

"Encoding failed"

• Check logs for detailed error
• Verify source file is not corrupted
• Try software encoder as fallback

"Out of memory"

• Reduce batch size
• Close other applications
• Use lower quality preset

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+O - Add Files
• Ctrl+Shift+O - Add Folder
• Ctrl+, - Settings
• Delete - Remove selected files
• F1 - Documentation

Tips & Tricks

1. Test First - Encode a small file to verify settings
2. Use Preview - Check output before batch processing
3. Monitor Progress - Watch FPS and ETA for efficiency
4. Keep Logs - Export logs for troubleshooting
5. Profile Management - Save common settings as profiles

Related Pages

• Getting Started
• Subtitle Mode
• Metadata Mode
• Settings & Configuration
• Support

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Ready to encode? Add your files and click Start!