FFV1 Encoder

The FFV1 Encoder tool is a web-based calculator for video engineers, archivists, and editors planning FFV1 encoding pipelines. It targets lossless and near-lossless archival workflows where predictable storage and quality are critical. The tool enables rapid experimentation with encoding parameters and produces repeatable estimates without installing local software. It focuses on the FFV1 codec family and supports common professional video properties, making it suitable for preflight planning and archival assessments.
Inputs include video properties such as resolution (width and height), frame rate, duration, color depth, and color space, plus encoding options like preset (lossless, balanced, quality-first), intra-frame interval, quantization parameter range, slices, and number of encoding threads. Required fields are resolution, frame rate, duration, and color depth; optional fields allow deeper tuning. The tool accepts standard metric units (pixels, frames per second, seconds, bits per pixel) and provides validation to ensure values are within practical ranges.
Algorithms compute a practical bitrate estimate by mapping chosen preset and motion expectations to a target bitrate, then deriving an approximate output size using size = duration × bitrate. It also estimates encoding time using a simple CPU-core model and a proportional relationship to requested threads. Results include estimated file size, target bitrate, and an approximate CPU load, expressed in cores or percent. The approach is intentionally conservative, prioritizing planning utility over exact, encoder-level timing.
Use cases include archival preparation, content delivery planning, and workflow optimization. The tool differentiates itself by offering a quick, repeatable FFV1 parameter exploration without local tools, deterministic results for similar inputs, and export options for integration with pipelines. It handles common edge cases such as missing optional inputs by applying sensible defaults and flags inputs that produce implausible estimates for review.