SVT-AV1-Essential-helper/README.md

SVT-AV1-Essential-helper

A batch-processing tool for MKV files, designed for high-quality AV1 video encoding and efficient audio handling. This script is tailored for anime and similar content, with a focus on automation, quality, and flexibility.

Features

• Batch processing of MKV files in the current directory
• Automatic VFR to CFR conversion using HandBrakeCLI (if needed)
• UTVideo intermediate for lossless video processing
• AV1 encoding via ffmpeg piped to SvtAv1EncApp2 (SVT-AV1-Essential fork)
• Audio extraction, normalization, and Opus encoding (with optional downmixing)
• Remuxing of supported audio codecs (AAC, Opus) without conversion
• Optional autocrop detection using ffmpeg cropdetect
• Per-file logging and organized output directories
• Automatic cleanup of temporary files

Requirements

• Python 3.7+
• The following tools must be in your PATH:
  • ffmpeg, ffprobe
  • mkvmerge, mkvpropedit
  • sox, opusenc
  • mediainfo, HandBrakeCLI
  • SvtAv1EncApp2 (SVT-AV1-Essential fork, must be named exactly as such)

Usage

python anime_audio_helper.py [--no-downmix] [--autocrop] [--speed <value>] [--quality <value>] [--grain <value>]

• --no-downmix : Preserve original audio channel layout (do not force stereo)
• --autocrop : Automatically detect and crop black bars from video
• --speed : Set the encoding speed. Possible values: slower, slow, medium, fast, faster.
• --quality : Set the encoding quality. Possible values: lowest, low, medium, high, higher.
• --grain : Set the film-grain value (number). Adjusts the film grain synthesis level.

Place your .mkv files in the script directory. Processed files will be moved to completed/, and originals to original/. Logs are saved in conv_logs/.

Configuration

• Audio remuxing: Edit the REMUX_CODECS set at the top of the script to control which codecs are remuxed instead of converted.
• SVT-AV1 parameters: Edit the SVT_AV1_PARAMS dictionary at the top of the script to adjust encoding quality, speed, and other options.

Notes

• The script expects the SVT-AV1-Essential fork binary to be named SvtAv1EncApp2.
• All video encoding is 10-bit for maximum quality.
• Scene change detection, auto-tiling, and other advanced options are enabled by default.
• The script is designed for automation and minimal manual intervention.

License

See LICENSE for details.