• -HDR v4.0.1 got (that -Essential doesn't):
    • different defaults, duh
    • preset -2 and -3 for slower but theoretically better encodes (-1 is already unusable since v3.1 so I don't really see the point anymore)
    • alt-lambda-factors reintroduces lambdas from v2.3 or v3.0 not sure (but the gains in v4 are not documented)
    • float qpscs instead of int in -Essential (I don't think that much granularity is necessary)
    • kf-tf-strength knob to control temporal filtering strength on keyframes (removed and force disabled in -Essential because it has been shown to cause blocking on keyframes)
    • hbd-md knob for 8-bit, 10-bit and hybrid codepaths (hbd is force enabled in -Essential because 10-bit-encoder-only baby™)
    • 16K encoding support <:trollhq:1116404564007080067>
    • max fps of 480 fps <:trollhq:1116404564007080067>
    • default GOP of ~10s (too dangerous for seeking performance IMO)
    • tune grain to bruteforce grain retention with little regards to efficiency
    • cdef-scaling to adjust CDEF strength on output (the algo behavior stays the same though)
    • some chroma, rdoq adjustments I'm really not sure are universally beneficial
    • potentially other smaller tweaks
  • -Essential v4.0.1 got (that -HDR doesn't):
    • different defaults, duh
    • Built-in Scene Change Detection (SCD)
    • Zoning support to change CRF on selected frame ranges (will soon be in mainline and then I'll PR in -HDR)
    • FFMS2 for universal input support & automatic metadata determination
    • WebM output support with automatic metadata & encoder settings passthrough
    • Automatic output fallback (with auto WebM/ivf extension) if no output provided
      (These five features make the standalone experience of SVT-AV1-Essential almost on par or better than many other tool combinations like Av1an or FFMpreg for many usecases)
    • 10-bit-encoder-only baby™ (FFMS2 handles the bitdepth conversion automatically for non-y4m inputs)
    • auto-tiling for automatically adjusted greater decoding potential with negligible impact
    • speed and quality presets as wrappers for usual preset / CRF values
    • enable-tf 3 to force temporal filtering on ALL frames (much stronger and consistent built-in temporal denoising than ever before)
    • enable-dlf 3 to force the best deblocking mode regardless of anything else
    • enable-alt-dlf proposes other DLF tradeoffs, typically less strong deblocking
    • enable-alt-cdef proposes other CDEF tradeoffs, typically less strong deringing (Unlike -HDR's cdef-scaling, it impacts the CDEF algo itself and makes CDEF gradually less strong. alt-cdef 2 and up force the best CDEF mode regardless of anything else)
    • No temporal filtering on keyframes ever
    • distortion-bias-preset with parameters' presets that trade distortion for higher fidelity potential
    • Low memory mode because RAM prices are bonkers <:trollhq:1116404564007080067>
    • More detailed banner to show more parameters in use, and a new hide-banner param to hide it for a cleaner terminal output
    • Backported pin parameter to pin the encoder instance to the first X CPU thread
    • Smaller internal changes, including encoder speed feature readjustments
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Pub: 16 Mar 2026 14:15 UTC

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