Is the FFmpeg AAC encoder a viable alternative to Fraunhofer's FDK-AAC encoder which is no longer included with Handbrake? The main benefit of installing the new Handbrake release is in updated x265 encoder (1.9). I don't see that they changed the x264 encoder.
Handbrake announcement
HandBrake 0.10.5 Released
Thursday, Feb 11, 2016
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we can no longer include binary distributions of HandBrake which include the FDK-AAC encoder.
Please also be aware that if you are distributing any previous 0.10.x you must cease doing so now due to licensing issues.
According to Handbrake see HandBrake - AAC Encode Change the quality of the LibAV AAC encoder is lacking in comparison to FDK but is passable for most."We are looking into upgrading LibAV to get further improvements in their AAC encoder. Hopefully it will eventually become on-par with FDK.
I don't quite understand the FFmpeg/LibAV situation'. Is the below FFmpeg announcement applicable to Handbrake?
"December 5th, 2015, The native FFmpeg AAC encoder is now stable!
After seven years the native FFmpeg AAC encoder has had its experimental flag removed and declared as ready for general use. The encoder is transparent at 128kbps for most samples tested with artifacts only appearing in extreme cases. Subjective quality tests put the encoder to be of equal or greater quality than most of the other encoders available to the public."
Hydrogenaudio
Listening Test
Handbrake announcement
HandBrake 0.10.5 Released
Thursday, Feb 11, 2016
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we can no longer include binary distributions of HandBrake which include the FDK-AAC encoder.
Please also be aware that if you are distributing any previous 0.10.x you must cease doing so now due to licensing issues.
According to Handbrake see HandBrake - AAC Encode Change the quality of the LibAV AAC encoder is lacking in comparison to FDK but is passable for most."We are looking into upgrading LibAV to get further improvements in their AAC encoder. Hopefully it will eventually become on-par with FDK.
I don't quite understand the FFmpeg/LibAV situation'. Is the below FFmpeg announcement applicable to Handbrake?
"December 5th, 2015, The native FFmpeg AAC encoder is now stable!
After seven years the native FFmpeg AAC encoder has had its experimental flag removed and declared as ready for general use. The encoder is transparent at 128kbps for most samples tested with artifacts only appearing in extreme cases. Subjective quality tests put the encoder to be of equal or greater quality than most of the other encoders available to the public."
Hydrogenaudio
Listening Test