2pass encoding (ffmpeg libx265)

[z-machine95]

hello everyone!

I have a problem to do a 2pass encoding with ffmpeg (latest zeranoe build).

those are my command lines:

1st pass

"H:\Project\Suite HEVC\bin\Release\data\bin64\ffmpeg.exe" -hwaccel auto -i "H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.mkv" -map 0:v:0 -c:v libx265 -pass 1 -b:v 5000k -preset 5 -x265-params level=0:profile=undefined:pmode:no-pme:pme:no-high-tier:ref=3:bframes=4:open-gop:keyint=250:min-keyint=25:b-adapt=2:bframe-bias=0:rc-lookahead=20:no-scenecut:b-pyramid:me=hex:subme=2:merange=57:temporal-mvp:weightp:no-weightb:max-merge=2:no-weightb:no-rect:no-amp:vbv-bufsize=0:vbv-maxrate=0:vbv-init=0.9:no-slow-firstpass:no-strict-cbr:qcomp=0.6:qstep=4:aq-mode=1:aq-strength=1.0:cutree:no-early-skip:ctu=64:no-fast-cfb:ipratio=1.4:pbratio=1.3:cbqpoffs=0:crqpoffs=0:rd=3:psy-rd=0.3:psy-rdoq=1:b-intra:no-fast-intra:rdoq-level=1:no-tskip:no-tskip-fast:cu-lossless:tu-intra-depth=1:tu-inter-depth=1:strong-intra-smoothing:no-constrained-intra:nr-intra=0:nr-inter=0:qblur=0.5:cplxblur=20:signhide:sar=16:stats="H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.stats" -f null -

2nd pass

"H:\Project\Suite HEVC\bin\Release\data\bin64\ffmpeg.exe" -hwaccel auto -i "H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.mkv" -map 0:v:0 -c:v libx265 -pass 2 -b:v 5000k -preset 5 -x265-params level=0:profile=undefined:pmode:no-pme:pme:no-high-tier:ref=3:bframes=4:open-gop:keyint=250:min-keyint=25:b-adapt=2:bframe-bias=0:rc-lookahead=20:no-scenecut:b-pyramid:me=hex:subme=2:merange=57:temporal-mvp:weightp:no-weightb:max-merge=2:no-weightb:no-rect:no-amp:vbv-bufsize=0:vbv-maxrate=0:vbv-init=0.9:no-slow-firstpass:no-strict-cbr:qcomp=0.6:qstep=4:aq-mode=1:aq-strength=1.0:cutree:no-early-skip:ctu=64:no-fast-cfb:ipratio=1.4:pbratio=1.3:cbqpoffs=0:crqpoffs=0:rd=3:psy-rd=0.3:psy-rdoq=1:b-intra:no-fast-intra:rdoq-level=1:no-tskip:no-tskip-fast:cu-lossless:tu-intra-depth=1:tu-inter-depth=1:strong-intra-smoothing:no-constrained-intra:nr-intra=0:nr-inter=0:qblur=0.5:cplxblur=20:signhide:sar=16:stats="H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.stats" -map 0:a:0 -c:a copy -map 0:a:1 -c:a copy -map 0:a:2 -c:a copy -map 0:s:0 -c:s copy -map 0:s:1 -c:s copy "H:\video\outputtest.mkv"

i have 2 question:

1. Will declaring a preset cause problem if overrided with params?
2. With those command line there is no output of the .stats file in the first pass. the encode works fine but it's live a ABR mode. how can i correctly declare output path for stats?

can someone please help me to get first and second pass working correcly?

thanks to everyone who will reply!

P.S.

I'm very happy if someone has even suggestions/improvements for this code

[Selur]

Will declaring a preset cause problem if overrided with params?

There is no problem overriding a preset, but if you overwrite all of it's settings why use it in the first place.

About the stats file are you sure ffmpeg even supports the stats option the way you use it?
shouldn't you use:

-passlogfile "path to log file"

and even then I'm not sure that ffmpeg does support 2pass x265 encoding at all

[z-machine95]

Will declaring a preset cause problem if overrided with params?

There is no problem overriding a preset, but if you overwrite all of it's settings why use it in the first place.

About the stats file are you sure ffmpeg even supports the stats option the way you use it?
shouldn't you use:

-passlogfile "path to log file"

and even then I'm not sure that ffmpeg does support 2pass x265 encoding at all

Yes i have Tried even with passlogfile... But The .log file when The encoding is ended is empty

[Selur]

Like I wrote, I suspect that ffmpeg doesn't support 2pass encoding using libx265.
-> I would recommend to post into their bug tracker https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ (or ask inside their IRC channel over at FreeNode IRC #ffmpeg)

[jagabo]

Why don't you just use the x265 cli encoder?

[z-machine95]

Why don't you just use the x265 cli encoder?

I would like to use only ffmpeg (I'm making a GUI)... there is a reason of course... if it's not possible I will try to generate command line for a pipe ffmpeg and x265..

[babiulep]

Perhaps putting the 'pass' parameters into the -x265-params section?
I might be wrong here but.. why do you use 'no-slow-firstpass' in the second pass too?

ffmpeg -h encoder=libx265
-crf <float> E..V.... set the x265 crf (from -1 to FLT_MAX) (default -1)
-preset <string> E..V.... set the x265 preset
-tune <string> E..V.... set the x265 tune parameter
-x265-params <string> E..V.... set the x265 configuration using a eparated list of key=value parameters

[TorBru]

When I implemented 2pass encoding i FFQueue I learned that using "null" target (no output file) in the first pass caused the encoding to fail. Try to avoid null target and specify a file name instead.

[TorBru]

I've just run a test encode using 2pass and x265 - no problemo!

First pass:

-hide_banner -i "Dummy.mp4" -map 0:0 -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 1 -passlogfile "C:\Temp\ffqueue_ffmpeg_multipass" -an -y "Dummy_x265.mp4"

Second pass:

-hide_banner -i "Dummy.mp4" -map 0:0 -map 0:1 -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -c:a copy -pass 2 -passlogfile "C:\Temp\ffqueue_ffmpeg_multipass" -y "Dummy_x265.mp4"

EDIT: Try to replace the last "-" in your first pass command with "NUL". By doing this it also works for me with null file:

"H:\Project\Suite HEVC\bin\Release\data\bin64\ffmpeg.exe" -hwaccel auto -i "H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.mkv" -map 0:v:0 -c:v libx265 -pass 1 -b:v 5000k -preset 5 -x265-params level=0:profile=undefined:pmode:no-pme:pme:no-high-tier:ref=3:bframes=4:open-gop:keyint=250:min-keyint=25:b-adapt=2:bframe-bias=0:rc-lookahead=20:no-scenecut:b-pyramid:me=hex:subme=2:merange=57:temporal-mvp:weightp:no-weightb:max-merge=2:no-weightb:no-rect:no-amp:vbv-bufsize=0:vbv-maxrate=0:vbv-init=0.9:no-slow-firstpass:no-strict-cbr:qcomp=0.6:qstep=4:aq-mode=1:aq-strength=1.0:cutree:no-early-skip:ctu=64:no-fast-cfb:ipratio=1.4:pbratio=1.3:cbqpoffs=0:crqpoffs=0:rd=3:psy-rd=0.3:psy-rdoq=1:b-intra:no-fast-intra:rdoq-level=1:no-tskip:no-tskip-fast:cu-lossless:tu-intra-depth=1:tu-inter-depth=1:strong-intra-smoothing:no-constrained-intra:nr-intra=0:nr-inter=0:qblur=0.5:cplxblur=20:signhide:sar=16:stats="H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.stats" -f null NUL

[z-machine95]

with -f null NUL it's created a .log file in specified path but it's empty again.... stats-0.log (0 byte) i have even remove ffmpeg.exe block (windows block every executable files downloaded from internet)

if i declare an output same thing... I cannot run FFmpeg as administrator cause crashes at start .... if i declare C:\ as log output path ffmpeg give me a write error.. permission denied..

but i work only in H: drive so I shouldn't have permission problems...

maybe I will try to do a much simple commands... just to see if there is another problem

what version do you use? i use static 64 bit latest zeranoe build... maybe that's the problem

[TorBru]

I've tested again. The log file created during first pass is empty. It seems like there's absolutely no difference in running 2pass or 1pass encoding. Have you checked the "stats" file (H:\video\Interstellar IMAX.stats) after first pass? Does it exist? I'm not sure but it seems like x265 uses the stats file and not the "passlogfile" to calculate the qp..

[poisondeathray]

Yes there is a difference - you need to specify the stats with x265-params . "pass 2" will not overwrite it

e.g

ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 1 -x265-params pass=1:stats="mylog.log" -f mp4 NUL -y
ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 2 -x265-params pass=2:stats="mylog.log" "output.mp4"

You can verify because mediainfo will report the differences , and the file will be different (filesize is different between 1pass ABR)

[z-machine95]

Yes there is a difference - you need to specify the stats with x265-params . "pass 2" will not overwrite it

e.g

ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 1 -x265-params pass=1:stats="mylog.log" -f mp4 NUL -y
ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 2 -x265-params pass=2:stats="mylog.log" "output.mp4"

You can verify because mediainfo will report the differences , and the file will be different (filesize is different between 1pass ABR)

first thanks guys for helping me!

second I will try this.. my first attempt was something like that but without -f null NUL and -pass 1

fingercrossed...

EDIT:

does not work even with this command line... zeranoe build works for you?
logfile must be declared as .log with a unix style path or work good as i wrote?

[z-machine95]

i followed poisondeathray tips but still not produce a log file..

maybe i have to declare path with .log extension? someone told me that log pass file path declaration must be formatted in unix style.. it's true?

here are my command lines updated

1st pass

"H:\Project\Suite HEVC\bin\Release\data\bin64\ffmpeg.exe" -hwaccel auto -i "H:\videotest\test.mkv" -map 0:v:0 -c:v libx265 -pass 1 -b:v 5000k -preset 5 -x265-params level=0:profile=undefined:pmode:no-pme:pme:no-high-tier:ref=3:bframes=4:open-gop:keyint=250:min-keyint=25:b-adapt=2:bframe-bias=0:rc-lookahead=20:no-scenecut:b-pyramid:me=hex:subme=2:merange=57:temporal-mvp:weightp:no-weightb:max-merge=2:no-weightb:no-rect:no-amp:vbv-bufsize=0:vbv-maxrate=0:vbv-init=0.9:no-slow-firstpass:no-strict-cbr:qcomp=0.6:qstep=4:aq-mode=1:aq-strength=1.0:cutree:no-early-skip:ctu=64:no-fast-cfb:ipratio=1.4:pbratio=1.3:cbqpoffs=0:crqpoffs=0:rd=3:psy-rd=0.3:psy-rdoq=1:b-intra:no-fast-intra:rdoq-level=1:no-tskip:no-tskip-fast:cu-lossless:tu-intra-depth=1:tu-inter-depth=1:strong-intra-smoothing:no-constrained-intra:nr-intra=0:nr-inter=0:qblur=0.5:cplxblur=20:signhide:sar=16:pass=1:stats="H:\videotest\outputtest.stats" -f null NUL

2nd pass

"H:\Project\Suite HEVC\bin\Release\data\bin64\ffmpeg.exe" -hwaccel auto -i "H:\videotest\test.mkv" -map 0:v:0 -c:v libx265 -pass 2 -b:v 5000k -preset 5 -x265-params level=0:profile=undefined:pmode:no-pme:pme:no-high-tier:ref=3:bframes=4:open-gop:keyint=250:min-keyint=25:b-adapt=2:bframe-bias=0:rc-lookahead=20:no-scenecut:b-pyramid:me=hex:subme=2:merange=57:temporal-mvp:weightp:no-weightb:max-merge=2:no-weightb:no-rect:no-amp:vbv-bufsize=0:vbv-maxrate=0:vbv-init=0.9:no-strict-cbr:qcomp=0.6:qstep=4:aq-mode=1:aq-strength=1.0:cutree:no-early-skip:ctu=64:no-fast-cfb:ipratio=1.4:pbratio=1.3:cbqpoffs=0:crqpoffs=0:rd=3:psy-rd=0.3:psy-rdoq=1:b-intra:no-fast-intra:rdoq-level=1:no-tskip:no-tskip-fast:cu-lossless:tu-intra-depth=1:tu-inter-depth=1:strong-intra-smoothing:no-constrained-intra:nr-intra=0:nr-inter=0:qblur=0.5:cplxblur=20:signhide:sar=16:pass=2:stats="H:\videotest\outputtest.stats" -map 0:a:0 -c:a copy -map 0:a:1 -c:a copy -map 0:s:0 -c:s copy -map 0:s:1 -c:s copy "H:\videotest\outputtest.mkv"

there are other errors?

thanks in advance!

[TorBru]

Have you checked if the stats file is created? If not you might need to escape the path:

https://www.ffmpeg.org/ffmpeg-utils.html#Quoting-and-escaping

stats="H:\\videotest\\outputtest.stats"

FFmpeg does not care about the extension being .log or .stat or something else.

[racer-x]

Yes there is a difference - you need to specify the stats with x265-params . "pass 2" will not overwrite it

e.g

ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 1 -x265-params pass=1:stats="mylog.log" -f mp4 NUL -y
ffmpeg -i input.ext -an -c:v libx265 -b:v 1000k -pass 2 -x265-params pass=2:stats="mylog.log" "output.mp4"

You can verify because mediainfo will report the differences , and the file will be different (filesize is different between 1pass ABR)

first thanks guys for helping me!

second I will try this.. my first attempt was something like that but without -f null NUL and -pass 1

fingercrossed...

EDIT:

does not work even with this command line... zeranoe build works for you?
logfile must be declared as .log with a unix style path or work good as i wrote?

Although I have no desire to ever use 2-pass encoding in HEVC (or any format for that matter) I had no trouble encoding 2-pass hevc using the latest ffmpeg and PDR's script.

Here's the test script I used:

SET PATH="D:\Backup\Video Apps\Video Encoders\FFmpeg\FFMpeg\64-bit"
ffmpeg -i "Plane_1080p.mp4" -an -c:v libx265 -aspect 16:9 -pix_fmt yuv420p -b:v 1000k -x265-params pass=1:stats="mylog.log" -f NULL nul -y

ffmpeg -i "Plane_1080p.mp4" -c:v libx265 -aspect 16:9 -pix_fmt yuv420p -b:v 1000k -x265-params pass=2:stats="mylog.log" -c:a aac -strict experimental -ar 48000 -ab 256k -f mp4 "Output.mp4"

pause

and here is the resulting export:

[racer-x]

...........And just for Shit$ and Giggles, here is a comparison between 2-pass HEVC and 2-pass VP9 @ 1000 kb/s using the latest ffmpeg by Zeranoe:

[poisondeathray]

Yes, it has to do with escaping and syntax. When specifying a path for the : separated values in ffmpeg filers (such as for x265-params , x264-params, etc... or other filters that take on a similar syntax with the colon separated notation) you need to use quotes , with apostrophe

So this

stats="H:\videotest\outputtest.stats"

should be

stats="'H:\videotest\outputtest.stats'"

[z-machine95]

Thanks guys! It works like a charm!

Thanks!!!!

i have just added escape character for the entire string and get it working:

stats="'H:\videotest\outputtest.stats'"

now i get FILENAME.EXTENSION.cutree.tmp and FILENAME.EXTENSION.temp and they're not empty!

thanks to @poisondeathray @racer-x @TorBru @selur @babiulep