My Process
1) First I rip the DVD/Blu-Ray (no 4K here) using MakeMKV (v1.18.2), with the following settings (changed from default):
- Video: Options: Minimum title length: <10 seconds> (Ensures I get all the extras!)
- General: Expert Mode: <ticked>
- Language: Preferred language: <eng: English> (Only need English tracks)
- Advanced: Default selection rule: <-sel:all,+sel:(favlang|nolang),-sel:mvcvideo,=100:all,-10:favlang,+sel:(attachment),+sel:(mvcvideo)> (Have added in options to auto grab both videos tracks for 3D and the attachment image (for Blu-Rays).)
2) Once I’ve identified the files I wish to keep, and rename them accordingly, I then process them via HandBrake (cropping as necessary), using the Matroska H.265 MKV 1080p30 preset, to compress the Video track only (I remove the audio/subtitles).
As my preference is to have a compressed (but near-lossless quality file), it means that under Video I use the following options:
• Quality: Constant Quality: <22 RF>
• Encoder Preset: <<Slow>
• Encoder Profile: <<Main 10>
• Encoder Level: <Auto>
3) Once HandBrake has finished, I then use MKVToolNix to merge the original .mkv with the HandBrake output (basically swapping to the compressed video track, but keeping the original audio, subtitles and chapter tracks).
4) I then copy the file to my Media Server.
My Concern
However, I’m thinking I can most probably do better, especially with the audio tracks, and maybe the video tracks (perhaps some different Handbrake settings). Therefore, I have some questions:
My Questions
Video Tracks
Are my HandBrake settings appropriate to get the best out of the video track compression? Should I use a lower RF value or a slower speed?
Audio Tracks
I’ve been keeping the original audio tracks, as I wanted to keep the best audio quality, and assumed (wrongly) that compression would reduce quality. However, I’m wondering if I should now be processing them to make the files smaller?
Because I've been using the originally ripped audio tracks, all of my .mkv files utilise a selection of different audio tracks Codec’s:
- A_MS/ACM
- AAC
- AC-3 Dolby Surround EX
- AC-3
- DTS-ES
- DTS-HD Master Audio
- DTS
- MP2
- PCM
- TrueHD Atmos
- TrueHD
I see that MakeMKV can compress the audio tracks, as I just come across the posting about on-the-fly audio conversion, should I be doing this? Selecting the FLAC profile, which I understand is lossless compression (so keeps quality)?
However, I noticed that only the first audio track is compressed, can MakeMKV be configured to compress all the audio tracks (so the additional audio commentary tracks are done as well), or would I have to use HandBrake to do this?
Finally, what are the AAC-stero and WDTV profiles for? The forum post (linked above) also mentions LPCM, but there is no profile for that, has the feature been removed, and is LPCM worth using?
Your feedback and advice is welcomed.
Thanks.
Jonathan