Ffmpeg Transcode

Context: $ARGUMENTS

Quick start

• Web MP4 (H.264 + AAC, most compatible): → Step 3, recipe A
• Change container only, keep codecs: → Step 1 (remux path)
• Smaller file at same quality (HEVC/AV1): → Step 3, recipes B / C

When to use

• User says "convert", "re-encode", "transcode", "change format", "make smaller".
• Target codec differs from source, OR target container doesn't support source codec.
• CRF / bitrate / 2-pass / preset tuning for size vs quality.
• For GPU encoding use ffmpeg-hwaccel; for trimming/joining use ffmpeg-cut-concat; for filters/scaling use ffmpeg-video-filter; for raw inspection use ffmpeg-probe.

Step 1 — Pick container + codecs (and decide remux vs re-encode)