Many people nowadays set up their Plex Media Server to organize and access their videos from a wide range of devices, like Android devices, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, Windows RT, etc. However not all video formats are suitable for playback with Plex. For example, it can’t streem a DVD movie without converting it to the appropriate video types. Fortunately there is a powerful video encoding tool can help you convert almost all videos for playback on Plex Media Server. And best of all, this video encoder is an open source project, everyone can download and use it for free.
In this article we will show you how to set the options and change the settings with Handbrake to encode videos for playback with Plex.
Presets and settings for Handbrake video converting to play in Plex
General Settings
Format: MP4
Video Codec: x264
Framerate: Same as source
Constant quality: 50-70% depending on how much loss you are willing to take for size. 62% is my sweet spot. *
Anamorphic: Strict (Loose is also ok, maybe better for space concerns)
Keep aspect ratio: Off
Crop: Auto
Audio Settings
Track 1: AC3 passthrough (This setting maintains compatibility with other devices like AppleTV/PS3.)
Track 2: AAC with Stereo mixdown 96 bitrate (again compatibility for when the file is played in not Plex- not needed if file is only for Plex!)
Advanced Settings
Reference Frames: 5
Mixed References: On
B-Frames: 5 if live action, 15 if animation
Direct Prediction: Spatial
Weighted B Frames: On Pyramidal B Frames: On (if things don’t work turn this off first)
Motion Estimation Method: Uneven Multi-Hexagon
Motion Estimation Range: 16-32 (more towards 16 when its live action drama, more towards 32 on actiony animation)
Subpixel Motion Estimation: 2-9 (more towards 2 when its live action drama, more towards 9 on actiony animation)
Analysis: All
8×8 DCT: On
Deblocking: Do that in main settings if needed
Trellis: 2 (might be most important settings I have found for quality)
No DCT Decimate: Off
CABAC Entropy: On
* Percent / Rate Factor Conversion
Percentage to Rate Factor
- 50 %: RF 25.5
- 51 %: RF 24.99
- 52 %: RF 24.48
- 53 %: RF 23.97
- 54 %: RF 23.46
- 55 %: RF 22.95
- 56 %: RF 22.44
- 57 %: RF 21.93
- 58 %: RF 21.42
- 59 %: RF 20.91
- 60 %: RF 20.4
- 61 %: RF 19.89
- 62 %: RF 19.38
- 63 %: RF 18.87
- 64 %: RF 18.36
- 65 %: RF 17.85
- 66 %: RF 17.34
- 67 %: RF 16.83
- 68 %: RF 16.32
- 69 %: RF 15.81
- 70 %: RF 15.3
Do you use Handbrake to encode videos for playback with Plex? What’s the presets and settings you use to get the best video output? Share with us in the comment section.
I can’t find half the settings you refer to in Handbrake. There’s no ‘advanced’.
This guide was made with an earlier Handbrake version instead of the latest V10.2. so if you use a newer or different version, you may find it differs in appearance.
Alternatively you can also download the video converter as recommended in above guide to convert videos. It is more powerful and easier to use than handbrake.
Can you please update this guide to Handbrake version 10. There is some new settings and the guide is a bit confusing. Thanks!