: 10-bit encoding is the single most effective way to improve on standard 8-bit x264/x265 releases.
x265 --profile main10 --output-depth 10 --preset medium --crf 19-22 \ --aq-mode 3 --no-sao --no-strong-intra-smoothing \ --deblock -2:-2 --limit-refs 3 --limit-modes --me star \ --subme 5 --bframes 8 --rc-lookahead 40 --lookahead-slices 0 \ --no-open-gop --keyint 250 --min-keyint 23 \ --psy-rd 2.0 --psy-rdoq 1.0 --rdoq-level 2 \ --sar 1:1 --output "output.hevc" --input - rarbg x265 encoding settings better
RARBG's x265 encodes were legendary not because they were "perfect," but because they struck a specific, aggressive balance between and visual acceptability . To produce settings that are truly "better" than theirs, you must first understand their philosophy: they prioritized low bitrates (typically ~2000-2500 kbps for 1080p) and used specific command-line parameters to mask the artifacts that usually come with such heavy compression. The Quest for Quality: Understanding RARBG x265 Encoding