H.264 for VirtualDub and Aviutl

[ChasVideo]

I am using x264vfw right now, but its multi pass is confusing. I can do pass 1 and pass n but I do not see how to do the final pass. And I have to do each pass manually.

I would like to use a different encoder, one that does 2 pass automatically. I know I am being OCD about 2 pass because I really do not need it. But, I hate the idea of re-encoding and I want to believe I am doing the best possible. My source videos are in many different formats and qualities. So, what other (easy to use) encoder would you recommend?

[jagabo]

Any pass N can be a final pass. But if you're interested in quality why are you using bitrate based encoding? Do you have file size requirements (like 714 MB files to fit on a CD)? If not, use CRF mode. Select the quality you want and get it in a single pass.

[ChasVideo]

Thank for the pass N info. Like I said, I am obsessive about the idea of two pass. And to use two pass you must specify a bit rate. I have no file size limitations.

[klcp]

Using multiple passes it will try to optimize quality within the restriction of the average bitrate that you specify. If the movie compresses very well, then it will become unnecessarily large. If it compresses badly then quality will suffer if the bitrate is set too low. Plus it is very inefficient in terms of performance.

If reaching a specific size in unimportant, then CRF is the best choice.

[jagabo]

I am obsessive about the idea of two pass.

Why? You just like wasting time? Two pass encoding doesn't deliver better quality than CRF encoding. Two passes are used to deliver a known file size, but you don't know what the quality will be. CRF encoding delivers a known quality, but you don't know what the file size will be. When the two deliver the same file size the quality is essentially the same.

And to use two pass you must specify a bit rate.

Of course. But how do you know what bitrate is will give the quality you want for a particular video? Some videos require much more bitrate than others. And it's hard to judge before compression.

I have no file size limitations.

Then there's no reason to use bitrate based encoding.

[MaverickTse]

AviUtl's x264GuiEx has option to do automatic N-pass, but like jagabo said, there's little reason to do that... unless you are uploading to some crappy video site with lots of restriction, for example

at NicoNicoDouga:

average video bitrate <650kbps
max total bitrate <720kbs
total filesize <= 40MB

or
You want to fit your video on a floppy disc...

In these case, auto N-pass will try to encode multiple times till meeting the specified restriction... or abort if it finds impossible