Change libsvtav1 Encoding Speed Preset in FFmpeg

This article explains how to adjust the encoding speed and quality preset when using the SVT-AV1 encoder (libsvtav1) in FFmpeg. You will learn the specific command-line parameters required to change the preset, the range of available preset values, and how to balance encoding time with file compression efficiency.

To change the encoding speed preset for libsvtav1 in FFmpeg, you use the -preset option followed by a numerical value.

The Basic Command Syntax

Here is the standard command structure to set the SVT-AV1 preset:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libsvtav1 -preset 5 -crf 30 output.mkv

In this command, -preset 5 instructs the encoder to use preset level 5.

Understanding SVT-AV1 Preset Values

The libsvtav1 encoder uses numerical presets ranging from 0 to 13. Unlike other encoders like libx264 which use names (e.g., fast, slow), SVT-AV1 uses numbers where: * Lower numbers (0–3) produce the highest quality and best compression ratio but are extremely slow to encode. * Medium numbers (4–8) offer the best balance of speed, file size, and visual quality for general use. * Higher numbers (9–13) prioritize encoding speed over quality and compression efficiency, making them suitable for real-time streaming or rapid testing.

Choosing the Right Preset

Depending on your hardware and target use case, consider the following recommendations:

• Archiving (High Quality / Slow): Use presets 4, 5, or 6. These presets provide excellent compression efficiency but require more CPU processing power and time.
• Standard Desktop Encoding (Balanced): Use presets 7 or 8. These offer a great compromise, allowing for relatively fast encodes while maintaining high-quality AV1 output.
• Real-time Streaming / Fast Drafts (Very Fast): Use presets 10 to 13. These should only be used if you need near real-time encoding speeds and have a powerful multi-core CPU.