Recommended CRF for SVT-AV1 1080p Encoding

When encoding 1080p video using the SVT-AV1 encoder (libsvtav1), selecting the right Constant Rate Factor (CRF) is crucial for balancing file size and visual quality. This article provides the recommended CRF range for 1080p video, explains how different encoder presets affect your choice, and offers practical guidelines to achieve optimal encoding results.

The Recommended CRF Range: 22 to 28

For 1080p video encoding with SVT-AV1, the recommended CRF range is 22 to 28.

Unlike older encoders like x264 or x265, SVT-AV1 handles quality scaling differently. A CRF value within this recommended window yields an excellent balance between high visual fidelity and high compression efficiency.

• CRF 22 (High Quality / Archival): This setting produces a video that is virtually indistinguishable from the source (visually lossless) under normal viewing conditions. It is ideal for archiving personal media or high-detail content.
• CRF 24 to 26 (Standard / Sweet Spot): This is the optimal range for general use. It provides great visual quality with a significantly reduced file size, making it perfect for streaming or standard library storage.
• CRF 28 (Power Saving / Low Bandwidth): This setting prioritizes compression. While some minor compression artifacts may be visible in dark or highly complex scenes, the file size will be remarkably small.

How Presets Influence Your CRF Choice

SVT-AV1 uses presets (ranging from 0 to 13) to determine encoding speed versus efficiency. Your choice of preset will directly impact how a specific CRF behaves:

• Slow Presets (Presets 4 to 6): These presets offer the highest compression efficiency. If you are using these presets, you can comfortably use a higher CRF (such as 24 to 26) and still achieve exceptional visual quality.
• Fast Presets (Presets 8 to 10): These presets are designed for faster encoding speeds but are less efficient at compressing data. To maintain the same visual quality as the slower presets, you may need to lower your CRF by 1 or 2 points (aiming for 20 to 22).

Quick Reference Guide

To quickly set up your FFmpeg or handbrake command, use the following guidelines based on your target use case: