Configuration

The Plugin offers two different interfaces: A simple one for those just wanting to get it working quick and an advanced one for the quality freaks. Which one you use is up to you, it is generally recommended to always start with the Simple Interface.

H264 Encoder (AMD Advanced Media Framework)

This is the interface aimed at those that just want to get it going, it provides presets and a cleaner version of the complete parameter setup.

Preset

Fully configures the Encoder for a specific use case, useful if you just want to start off somewhere. Available Presets change over time and their exact settings can always be found in code or by applying it. Will continuously replace other settings until disabled again.

Keyframe Interval (Seconds)

The interval at which Keyframes appear, it is generally recommended to keep this at 2 for streaming and 1 for recording.

Quality Preset

Favor Speed, stay Balanced or favor Quality. All three options provide different results, with Speed being closer to x264 ultrafast and Quality being closer to x264 fast.
Options: (best) Quality, Balanced, Speed (worst)

Profile, Profile Level

Defines the h.264 Profile and Profile Level, which define encoding limits that the Encoder will rather strictly follow. Using the wrong Profile and Profile Level can result in drastic quality and streaming issues.
Profile: Main for Twitch, High for YouTube.
Profile Level: 4.1 for 1280x720 30 FPS, 4.2 for 1280x720 60 FPS or 1920x1080 30 FPS, 5.1 for 1920x1080 60 FPS.

Rate Control Method

Controls which rate control method is to be used. There are four total available RCMs:

• Constant QP (CQP): Assigns a fixed QP value to the given frame type using 'I-Frame QP', 'P-Frame QP' and 'B-Frame QP'.
• Constant Bitrate (CBR): Attempts to reach the 'Target Bitrate' for every second and will fill the remaining space up with 'Filler Data' if enabled.
• Variable Bitrate Peak Constrained (VBR): Variable Bitrate which attempts to stay below the 'Peak Bitrate'. Behaves like Constant Bitrate without 'Filler Data' being enabled.
• Variable Bitrate Latency Constrained (VBR_LAT): Basically Constrained QP that tries to stay at the given 'Target Bitrate' on average. Uses 'Minimum QP', 'Maximum QP' and 'Target Bitrate'.

Target Bitrate, Peak Bitrate

Bitrate targets for Constant Bitrate (CBR) and Variable Bitrate (VBR, VBR_LAT).
Range: 10 - 100000

I-Frame QP, P-Frame QP, B-Frame QP

QP Values to use for Constant QP (CQP) rate control method.
Range: (best) 0 - 51 (worst)

Use Custom Buffer Size, Custom Buffer Size, Initial Buffer Fullness

Allows overriding of the built in per-second buffer used to calculate the remaining data needed to reach the given settings. Big effect on Constant Bitrate (CBR), less effect on other rate control methods. Initial Buffer Fullness defines how full the VCE buffer is at the start of encoding.
Range: 10 - 10000
Recommended: 'Target Bitrate' or not set.

Filler Data

If enabled, tells Constant Bitrate (CBR) to fill up the remaining buffer with filler data so that it meets the 'Target Bitrate'. No effect on any other Rate Control Methods.

B-Picture Pattern (Advanced, only available if supported)

Defines how many B-Pictures should be used to encode. Generally, more B-Pictures mean higher quality but slower encoding. For VCE 2 cards, it is recommended to set this to 0 as there is a Driver bug causing issues.
Range: (worst) 0 - 3 (best, only if supported)
Warning: High Performance Impact!

B-Picture Reference (Advanced, only available if supported)

Allow the encoder to reference B-Pictures in the decoded stream, instead of limiting B-Pictures to only I- & P-Frames. Increases overall stream compression and quality at lower bitrates. Warning: High Performance Impact!

B-Picture Delta QP, Reference B-Picture Delta QP (Advanced, only available if supported)

Delta QP from the P-Frame QP to use for B-Frames. Used to further control compression with B-Pictures. Warning: Incorrect values can cause slower encoding and worse quality! Modify with caution.